Opened last summer, Talad Rod Fai (the train market) has quickly become the new beloved weekend night market and an essential spot for vintage shoppers. Located on Kampangpetch Road, not too far from MRT Kampangpetch, Talad Rot Fai’s many stalls offer fashion, décor, toys and more, but unlike its older brother, Ratchada Night Market, Rod Fai Market has a more casual vibe and isn’t quite as packed. And even if you’re into buying secondhand stuff, you can still stroll the stalls with friends, sipping some cold drinks or snacking on some food and just enjoying the evening breeze and old school music.

In the wide open space available, most of the products are laid out on the ground or are hanging off the owners’ retro cars. Used clothes in good condition or even brand names start from as little as B100. Accessories like sunglasses and vintage suitcases start from B2,500. There are also some unsual finds that you never knew you even wanted, like 20-year-old knives for B29, American license plates from various states, a B300 baseball bat in different colors, an odd B50 cylinder-shaped carton that was used as a paracetamol container and even toothpaste and soaps from decades past. And if you love collecting merchandise from brands like Coke, Pepsi or Heineken, there are plenty to choose from. Mechanic tools, vehicle spare parts, 70s cars and bicycles are all available as well.

Not all this junk is just for decoration though. Rot Fai Market is full of old gadgets like fans, radios, telephones and film cameras from when you were still in kindergarten. And the shops in the old train warehouse are full of 70s-90s furniture: sofas, chandeliers, dining tables, and sets of china and even barber shop chairs—everything you need to open your own retro bar.

And if that gets you hungry and thirsty, try grabbing a cup of foamy Thai iced tea, vintage style soda and cocktails at one of the garage-style bars. Or take a seat on the wooden platform near the railway at the back of the market to grab a bite.

Kampaengpetch Rd., 081-920-3972. MRT Kamphaengphet. Open Sat-Sun 4pm-1am but most of the vendors won’t get there until 5:30pm.

Panda Diary

Premier May 12
The movie: A production crew was allowed inside the cages of Ueno Zoo to shoot new-born baby pandas in their mother’s care. Some of you may think you’ve had enough of the black and white bears but the little pandas in this film will melt your hearts.
The location: This cuteness-overloaded documentary was filmed in Uneo Zoo, Tokyo.
Closer to home: Good ol’ Lin Ping is still at Chiang Mai Zoo (ticket B50 plus another B50 to see the pandas. www.chiangmaizoo.com) with her parents, although she’s pretty big now.

Puen Mai Kao (August Friends)

Premier May 26
The movie: To fulfill their vow, five high school friends, played by five members of August, are travelling from Bangkok to Lampang by bike, a trip that will be with them for the rest of their lives.
The location: This road trip movie takes us along the 625 km from Bangkok to Lampang while stopping at provinces like Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan and Kamphaeng Phet.
Closer to home: We’d love to think the movie will inspire a group of friends to get on their saddles and ride. But hey, your butts will be pretty sore before you even get to Ayutthaya. A lot closer is Ampawa, where Thai Teeb (082-777-5999, www.iamyoungdee.com/thaiteeb_ampawa) offers bikes for rent as well as map so you can explore the areas culture and landmarks. Rentals start from B60 per hour.

Iron Pussy: A Kimchi Affair

Premier TBA
The movie: Part of Camellia, a project by three directors from three different countries who each made a love film, Iron Pussy: A Kimchi Affair, by Wisit Sasanatieng, tells the love story between two guys, a spy who has to dress like a woman and a mysterious Korean man.
The location: The port city of Pusan, Korea.
Closer to home: Air tickets to South Korea are pretty cheap at the moment so we encourage you to escape to the cooler mists in Pusan. A roundtrip ticket from THAI Airways (www.thaiairways.com) starts from B18,000 while Korean Air (www.koreanair.com) is from B22,000.

Monte Carlo

Premier TBA
The movie: Three young girls are on their vacation in Paris when one of them, Grace (played by Selena Gomez), is mistaken for a British heiress, somehow causing the three friends to end up in Monte Carlo, turning their dream holiday into a sensational misadventure.
The location: You might think Selena Gomez is a terrible casting decision. Yeah, we agree. But at least,the movie takes us to several hotspots around Paris and Monte Carlo.
Closer to home: Try the Ocean Marina Yacht Club (038-237-310/-23, www.oceanmarinayacthclub.com) in Pattaya where a two-hour sunset cruise together with room, breakfast and dinner is for B18,192 for four people. Too pricey? You can always hit the casinos in Poi Pet.

One Day

Premier Jul 21
The movie: At their first meeting on their graduation day, two completely different people, Emma, an ambitious principled young woman and Dexter, a wealthy fun-loving guy, run into each other again twenty years later.
The location: This romantic drama was filmed around the famous landmarks of Edinburgh and London. Among others, we like the scene when the couple are at Arthur’s Seat Hill overlooking the entire city of Edinburgh.
Closer to home: China has wonderfully empty fake European cities, like Thames Town or Luodian New Town both in the outskirts of Shanghai. THAI Airways (www.thaiairways.com) flies to Shanghai from B22,225.

The Hangover Part II

Premier May 26
The movie: Phil, Alan and Stu are on another giddy misadventure as they travel to Krabi for Stu’s wedding only to find themselves waking up half conscious in the city of Bangkok.
The location: Though most of the story takes place in Bangkok’s popular landmarks like Yaowarat, the old town and the Chao Phraya, the trip begins at the high-end resort Phulay Bay the Ritz-Carlton Reserves in Krabi where Stu’s wedding is supposed to take place. The world’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserves promises a luxurious setting designed by Lek Bunnag hugged by lush gardens and peaceful beach and Andaman sea.
Closer to home: Rooms at Phulay Bay are expensive (from B19,550) so you might consider other options with the same view. Try The Elements Krabi (from B3,000, www.theelementsresort.com) or Tup kaek Sunset (from B2,100, www.tupkaeksunset.com).

FILM-MADE FAMES
Tourist hot-spots that got that way after being featured on the silver screen.

Nami Island, South Korea
When autumn arrives and all the leaves turn red, this small private island becomes the hottest romantic destination for K-Pop lovers as it’s the location of hit Asia series Winter Sonata. It was so featured in Hello Stranger (2010), too.

New Zealand
A pair of islands once ruled by sheep and kiwi birds has turned into a favorite among tourists looking for the picturesque scenery featured in the The Lord of The Rings Trilogy (2001-2003).

Zhang Jia Jie Forest Park, China
Pillar-like formations in this UNESCO Global GeoPark site are regarded as the inspiration for the Hallelujah Mountain in Avatar (2010). Among thousands, the 3,544-foot Southern Sky column has even been renamed as Avatar Hallelujah Mountain.

LG Cinema 3D LW6500

B22,990-B299,990 (32”/42”/47”/55”/65”). Call center 02-878-5757, www.lg.com/th
At a glance: The update to the world’s first Full LED 3D television LX9500 (winner of the Red Dot Design Award in 2010) boasts a similarly stylish design and sleek finish.
In action: The LW6500 does not use battery-controlled 3D glasses, meaning they don’t flicker, don’t cause headaches when watching in a room less than pitch dark and don’t suffer from ghost images. Also, the glasses look a lot cooler.
What else? The pre-equipped Smart TV feature means you can also enjoy surf ing the internet and plays all kinds of media.

Toshiba Regza WL700T

B69,990/89,990 (46”/55”). www.toshiba.co.th
At a glance: Toshiba’s first 3D television, the Regza WL700T, comes with a stunning design by Jacob Jensen Design: a single glass panel bordered with polished metal, only 2.89cm thick.
In action: The 14-bit video processing promises smooth and clear motion graphics, Audyssey EQ helps correct delayed and distorted sounds, and the AutoView automatically adjusts the backlight according to your room’s brightness, reducing power consumption.
What else? It’s cheap but it can’t connect to the internet.

Samsung Series 8 8000

B129,000 (55”). www.samsung.com/th
At a glance: The Samsung 8000 is less than 3cm thick, and the metallic materials and glossy glass panel look great.
In action: The HyperReal 3D Engine works with the RealD 3D system, which works with polarized glasses like some movie theaters: the image is slightly darker but the glasses don’t require batteries and there is no flickering.
What else: Internet@TV gives you access to social media channels and web to internet via LAN or Wi-Fi (sold separately).

Sony Bravia NX710/810

B43,990-141,990 (40”/46”/55”/60)
At a glance: A shiny, slim screen panel on an metallic stand that also works as a powerful speaker.
In action: Its Dynamic Edge with OptiContrast Panel produces deeper blacks with the Montionflow Pro 100Hz should make 60fps motion pictures smoother.
What else: Connects to the internet through LAN or Wi-Fi (sold separately).

Néktar
Their Bitter Chocolate Martini ($20) is crystal clear and looks just like water, but it tastes incredible. Just an ounce each of Heavy Water vodka and white crème de cacao, finished with a dash of crème de menthe that’s stirred briefly, then strained into a martini glass ensures it isn’t too sweet or too strong. Paired with a sliver of 55 percent Valrhona chocolate, it’s perfection.

Drink Culture
Yes, it’s gorgeous to look at, but more importantly, the Chocolate Hazelnut Flambé Special ($28) is simply delectable. Much like drinking a liquid dessert, this is built for those with a sweet tooth and aren’t averse to dairy. There’s vodka, chocolate liqueur, hazelnut liqueur and a generous layer of whipped low-fat milk foam that’s been torched to form a slightly brunette coat.

Brussel Sprouts
Order yourself a bottle of tall and handsome Floris Chocolate Beer ($14) for a seriously gratifying drink. It’s creamy, slightly sweet and bursting with chocolaty goodness; you might even be tempted to skip dessert altogether. Best enjoyed chilled with a hearty dose of Brussel Sprouts’ famous mussels and free fries refills, good friends and while indulging in some mandatory people-watching.

Van Gogh Alive

The Buzz: The Dutch expressionist’s most prolific works from 1880-1890, are presented through a combination of animation and stellar audio-visual technology. With a battalion of over 40 high-definition projectors blasting larger than life images onto the roofs, walls, columns and floors of the gallery, together with an accompanying leitmotif of evocative classical music and sound effects, the sensory feast would even engage a novice museum virgin.

Our verdict: Definitely a notch up from tacky replicas and insipid supporting text copped from an art sourcebook, but we overheard some folks claiming a couple of choice images from Google Art and some maudlin music on the iPod would achieve the same emotional mood and can't help but agree with them.

Dali: Mind of a Genius

The Buzz: This exhibition features over 250 original artworks from the legendary Catalan surrealist, making it the first time ever that such a large number of his masterpieces are shown within a single venue on our shores. Divided into three themed areas- “Femininity and Sensuality”, “Religion and Mythology” and “Dreams and Fantasy,” the artworks explore the quirkily ‘stached genius, broad artistic oeuvre ranging from paintings to sculptures. Expect to see classic artworks like "Spellbound," a large oil painting, which has only been displayed to the public for the third time since its existence.

Our Verdict: The sheer prolific output on display here is worth more than a visit; from furniture decked onto an elevated platform to the intricate bronze statues like Woman Aflame. This exhibition could kickstart a Freudian revival.

Let’s face it—we’re all better at making long-distance conference calls than running long distances, so the idea of tackling an ultramarathon (a race that stretches beyond the 42km length of a traditional marathon—anywhere between 50-100km) can sound a tad far-fetched. But those who have done the deed claim it’s worth the sweat. Local events like the Sundown Ultra Marathon (catch this year’s showdown on Jun 25, 6pm at the Marina Barrage) make good starting points because they’re usually not actual trail challenges. Sundown Ultra Marathon’s director Adrian Mok, who completed an Ironman race in under 12 hours, lets us in on what to expect from an ultramarathon.

How long does it usually take to prepare?
Someone who is already training regularly and consistently will need a minimum of four months to gradually increase the volume and mileage of his training. For someone who’s not had much training or is coming back from an exercise hiatus, it will take longer; probably about six to eight months of preparation. It’s important to have consistent exercise habits.

Who should take up the ultramarathon challenge?
I think someone who’s got at least three years of regular running experience and has completed at least four marathons will be most suitable to attempt an ultra. For anyone with less experience than this, a long period of preparation is required so as not to get injured.

What kind of qualities does an ultramarathon participant need to possess?
Good endurance, determination and motivation. All these can be acquired through goal setting, planning and sticking to a regime. Endurance comes from sound progressive training. 100km is serious business.

What can we do to avoid throwing in the towel at the last minute?
Listen to good music; the kind you know gets you going! Assure yourself that you can and will get through that difficult stage. Think of the beautiful places you’ve been and the beautiful experiences you’ve had. Positive thoughts help you get through that final leg of hardship. Watch a sports or motivational film. Lance Armstrong’s defining moments in the Tour de France and boxing movies can help spur you on. Heroic or inspirational moments in film often paint vivid winning imagery in your mind. Always works! When running, think of some rewards you can expect to receive at each stage, like that cold 100PLUS, some chocolates, a nice massage or seeing your loved ones waiting for you at the finishing line!

What’s it like when you get to the finish line?
It’s both bitter and sweet. Physically, it’s a very painful process but it feels like the ultimate accomplishment when you cross the line. It feels so rewarding because you know you have overcome a tremendous challenge.

Running Apps

If you’re a smartphone user, download GPS sports tracking app Endomondo to track and store your workouts (including routes), and upload them to their website. While you’re running, a voice tells you how far you’ve run (or cycled) and your current pace. Even your best friend can’t tell you that.

Running Events

Adidas King of the Road 2011
Aug 28, The Padang, www.adidaskingoftheroad.com/sg
If you’re up for it, this is a good way to meet and compete with runners from all over Asia. The Singapore leg of the race is 16.8km but if you participate in the two marathons across the five countries involved, you’ll have run a total of 85km by the time the grand championship comes around.

Tour de Trail
Sep 24, Macritchie Reservoir, www.tourdetrail.blogspot.com
The person who runs the most number of loops (12km each) from sunrise (6:45am) to sunset (6:45pm) wins. You’ll need a lot of drive for this one.

Mizuno Wave Run 2011
Sep 25, Temasek Polytechnic Sports Complex, www.mizunowaverun.com
10km is a far cry from an ultramarathon but it’s good to get as much experience as possible in competitive running.

New Balance Real Run 2011
Oct 16, Changi Exhibition Centre, www.realrun.sg
This 21km run is split over several terrains like sand, trail and taxiway, making it a good way to challenge your stamina.

The buzz: The latest show-stopping Spring/ Summer collection for this revered shoe label Steve Madden has just arrived at its spanking new store at Marina Bay Sands.

The vibe: Decked out in yellows, purples and pinks, this is an extension of the brand’s playful, bold and individualistic traits. More spacious than other outlets, this one allows you to prance around freely in more mod footwear (but watch those steps, darlings).

The goods: Check out the satin clutches ($110 upwards) that can take you from day to night. They come in champagne, striking pink, black and leopard. Summer’s here so picnics are a frequent affair—what better shoes than some floral flats ($100 upwards) to go with the great outdoors? And of course, we won’t forget those beautiful four-inch babies ($160 upwards), this time bestowed upon us in muted hues such as cream and lilac. Funky oxfords ($40 upwards) are also highlights; what’s not to love about comfy, stylish and edgy shoes? With embellished sandals, strappy wedges and fringe totes down the list, this Spring/Summer 2011 collection is an utter delight.

Why you’ll be back: You can always make room for another pair of killer heels.

Varekai by Cirque du Soleil

As the world’s most-celebrated circus and acrobat troupe, Cirque du Soleil’s productions are nothing if not extravagant. Touring Asia now is their show Varekai, which means “wherever” in Romany. First premiered in 2002, Varekai portrays the adventure of a fallen angel in a lush jungle. May is the last chance to catch the show in Seoul, South Korea, before it premieres in Manila in June.
Through May 29. Seoul, South Korea. Jun 22-Jul 10. Manila, Philippines.
www.cirquedusoleil.com

Melbourne International Jazz Festival

A baby at just five years old, the Melbourne Jazz Festival nevertheless pulls in music lovers with its list of visiting jazz talents. This year you’ll get to experience shows by the Ron Carter Trio, Chris Botti, Sonny Rollins and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, among others.
Jun 4-13. Melbourne, Australia. www.melbournejazz.com

Bali Arts Festival

This month-long arts festival is the largest cultural event in Denpasar. Now in its 33rd year, the Bali Arts Festival is bringing together local art forms and artists from several villages on the island to showcase their folk performances, dances and music, as well as handicraft products and textiles. Showcases change daily so check the schedule prior to your visit.
Jun 12-Jul 10. Bali, Indonesia. www.baliartsfestival.com

Shanghai International Film Festival

Started in 1993, the Shanghai International Film Festival is China’s premier movie event. Apart from the line up of international flicks competing for the Golden Goblet Award, the event will feature six classic films by Polish master director Krzystof Kieslowski (The Decalogue, Three Colours Trilogy) to commemorate his 100th anniversary, 15 years after his death.
Jun 11-19. Shanghai, China. www.siff.com

Gion Matsuri

According to legend, it all started around 869 CE when there was an epidemic in Tokyo and people had festive ceremonies in the streets to appease the gods. The celebration is now Kyoto’s largest festival. Though it lasts the whole month of July, the grandest highlight is on Jul 17 when there’s the Yamaboko Parade in which thousands of people parade through the streets playing traditional music and carrying offerings for the gods. One of the most popular tourist activities is dressing up in traditional kimonos and, well, just going with the flow.
Jul 1-31. Kyoto, Japan. www.yokosojapan.org

Rainforest World Music Festival

Now in its 14th year, the Rainforest World Music Festival is ranked one of the top 25 international festivals by UKbased world music magazine Songlines. Set at the base of Gunung Santubong in the Sarawak Cultural Village, this year’s festival features performers from nearly two dozen countries, from Algeria to Vanuatu.
Jul 8-10. Sarawak, Malaysia. www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com

Melbourne International Film Festival

Founded in 1951, MIFF is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The largest film festival in Australia, the MIFF showcases more than 400 films from international directors—everything from large-scale productions to short films and documentaries.
Jul 21-Aug 7. Melbourne, Australia. www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au

The craze for bubble tea, or cha nom khai mook, started in Taiwan about 30 years ago and has since spread around the world, reaching tea lovers as far away as North America and the UK, where the first shop specializing exclusively in bubble tea just opened this year. The signature twist, of course, is the bite-sized dark pearls at the bottom of the drink, for which extra fat straws are provided. These pearls are made of starch from tapioca, a plant also known as sago and cassava in other parts of the world. The pearls first have to be boiled, stewed, then soaked in a sugary syrup for up to four hours before being deemed ready for consumption. Actually, they’re not even exclusive to bubble tea, but are added to other desserts as well. You may find them gooey or otherwise icky, but slurping up these beauties through big, brightly colored straws, are one of the joys of bubble tea, making them insanely popular and prompting shop owners to come up with their own fun, flavorful and chew-worthy alternatives, ranging from jellies to pudding mixes. Here we round up some of the stranger options that the top bubble tea shops in Bangkok have to offer:

Dakasi: pineapple jelly, aloe, chocolate pudding
Mr. Cup: chao kuay (grass jelly), vanilla ice cream
Mr. Shake:  honey jelly, milk pudding, apple jelly
T.Bar: kanten (a Japanese gelatin)
Miss Mamon: azuki (red) beans, milk pudding

Nintendo 3DS

US$249.99 (B7,545). Unofficially available at Nadz Project (4/F, Digital Gateway, 02-623-4158) for B11,000. www.nintendo.com/3ds
The newest portable game console from Nintendo offers two screens just like its previous version. The bottom touchscreen still allows you to select games and use a stylus while the 800x240-pixel top screen now lets you enjoy 3D games without wearing glasses (you have to hold the device at a pretty precise angle though). There’s also an extra camera (one inside, two on the outside, for 3D photography), a gyroscope sensor (like an iPhone) and a new circle pad control that promises better gameplay. We particularly like the ability to adjust the 3D’s depth (you might not want it all the time) and StreetPass, which allows you to share your scores and ranks with other 3DS users you cross paths with.

Nvidia 3D Vision

US$149 (B4,482). Available upon order from Com7 (02-714-5777).
NVidia 3D Vision allows you to play some 400 existing PC games in 3D. This simple pair of glasses (US$149[B4,495]) will connect with most recent Nvidia geforce cards (see full requirements at http://tiny.cc/wvev3) to turn games into stereoscopic 3D. Of course, you’ll also need a 3D TV (not very practical if you’re playing with your PC) or a monitor, such as the 27” Samsung Bezel (see below).

Fujifilm Finepix W3

B13,990. www.fujifilm.co.th
10MP resolution and 3X optical zoom don’t make for a hot package these days, unless that camera is the world’s first—and currently the only—3D digital camera. Two sets of Fujinon lenses create a depth perception just like your eyes, combining two 2D images into 3D images or even videos. Other features, like the max ISO1600 and F3.7-9 are less than eye-popping though.

Sony CyberShot TX9

B14,690. www.sony.co.th
Short of real 3D, the Cybershot TX9 has a 3D function that combines multiple shots into a 3D image. It’s an off-shoot of the panoramic sweep function (sweep your camera at a landscape and, voila, you’ve got a panorama), which is also a nice feature, even if it’s not 3D. Apart from that, the HD video and low-light capacities make this a well-rounded, if not truly 3D, camera.

LG Optimus 3D

Available in UK in June for £379 (B18,760). www.lg.com/th
The Fuji may be the only 3D standalone camera but the LG Optimus 3D does combine an Android 2.2 phone and a similar dual-lens system, allowing it to shoot 3D images and video just like the Fuji, albeit at lower resolutions (720p). Watch it all on the 4.3-inch 3D screen or on any 3D television. With its powerful dual-core processor and dual-RAM, lenses aren’t the only thing that come in pairs on this unique phone.

Sony HDR TD10

B64,990. www.sony.co.th
It records 60 frames per second in full-HD at 1,920x1,080 pixels for both 3D and 2D videos from its dual lens. The TD10 also takes still photos at 7MP resolution. You can watch the 3D video on its 3.5” LCD screen (no glasses required) and the 64GB embedded memory means you can record up to 25 hours for 2D HD video or up to five hours for 3D HD video.

Samsung Bezel 950

27” B28,500. www.samsung.com/th
Recently introduced at the CES2011 technology fair in the USA, Samsung took only a month to bring this super sleek 3D monitor to Thailand. With Samsung Ultra Clear Panel technology, the 27-inch screen displays 3D (and 2D) images at 1080p resolution with 1000:1 contrast ratio and 2 millisecond response time—making it one of the fastest monitors for 3D games.