Thai Street Food

By David Thompson (B2,295)
Admittedly, in the capital of Thai street food, it’s unlikely that anyone but the most principled DIY chefs will attempt the recipes in this enormous book. Especially as the dimensions and weight prove a little unwieldy for stoveside reading. Size aside, the smaller, more focused number of recipes makes it a lot more accessible than Thompson’s encyclopedic previous publication, Thai Food. Even if you are the type that no amount of food porn can tempt into the kitchen, you’ll still love having the Michelin-starred chef and Thai food historian’s new tome on your coffee table, due to its huge, beautiful photos of street scenes.

The Big Book of Noodles

By Vatcharin Bhumichitr (B850)
Owner and chef of the Thai Bistro in London, Vatcharin periodically puts out easy, accessible cookbooks on Thai food with photos, recipes and brief, charming anecdotes, like Vatch’s Thai Street Food and The Big Book of Thai Curries. The latest is a must for noodle lovers, featuring recipes and how-to guides for all kinds of Asian noodles dishes, from Thailand, Japan, the Philippines and elsewhere. The anecdotes are a paragraph long, so there’s little heavy reading aside from the recipes, though there is a preliminary section going over equipment, noodle types, and more, which is helpful for tackling the foreign recipes as well as snobby conversation. (See our Q&A HERE.)

Jamie’s 30-Minute Meals

By Jamie Oliver (B1,095)
Despite winning a TED grant to revolutionize school lunches and starring in a reality food show set in America’s fattest county, the affable British chef still manages to publish a cookbook almost every year. What’s more, each bubbles with his can-do attitude for even the the most timid would-be chefs. This time, it’s 30-minute meals—not dishes, but whole meals for your family. Recipes come in sets of three or four, with a main, a salad or side and a dessert. Instructions rotate from dish to dish, so you work on all of them at once. The recipes have Jamie’s usual Italian slant, with lots of hearty and simple pastas, if you like that sort of thing—we do!

The Principles of Thai Cookery

By Chef McDang (B1,750)
We think a bit of competition and choice is healthy for everyone. That’s why, despite our love for Thompson, we have to tell you about this equally exciting book by Chef McDang, a more introductory version than Thompson’s humungous opus. McDang’s cookbook covers similar topics: history, fundamentals, ingredients and, of course, recipes—in a quicker, more accessible way but still with lots of gorgeous photos for those allergic to reading. Even if you’ve grown up eating Thai food, chances are you’ll learn a thing or do about the principles underpinning the preparation that you didn’t know before.

The Book of Tapas

By Simone and Ines Ortega (B1,116)
A Phaidon publication is part reference, part work of art. You’ll be drooling over these yellow and red pages as much as the recipes contained therein. The Ortegas are already iconic in the world of Spanish cookbooks for their seminal classic 1080 Recipes. Here they arrange 250 tapas recipes by ingredients (veggie, fish, meat, et cetera) and temperature (cold, hot). Also useful is the initial glossary on Spanish ingredients, and impressive and refreshingly unique is the final chapter on tapas recipes by new and famous Spanish chefs.

Recipes from an Italian Summer

By Phaidon (B1,295 at Asia Books)
Another Phaidon feast for the eyes and a follow-up of sorts to their monolithic Italian cookbook Silver Spoon, Recipes from an Italian Summer is an expansive collection of 380 Italian recipes specific to summertime—which makes them great for our sultry climes. The recipes are from various regions like Tuscany, Sicily and Sardinia and involve minimal slaving over a hot stove. So expect recipes with few ingredients and simple preparations that let their original qualities shine.

All books are available through Asia Books. Try 2/F, Siam Paragon, 02-610-9609, or www.asiabooks.com

Technique & medium: Rubber-modified bitumen, acrylic and gold paint on canvas.

Can you tell us about your contribution to this exhibition? It’s a collection of 48 portraits of God—all painted on one-square meter canvases.

Why did you choose to touch on the subject of God? When the word “God” is used in the titles of my paintings it does not refer to the orthodox Christian notion of an external, all-powerful, judgmental being. It refers more to something beyond good and evil, something internal and external, both transcendent and imminent, a ground of all beings. Perhaps God is everything and everything is God and I am attempting to make this possibility more real in my paintings. This non-duality is the intrinsic, underlying unity of all things in the art of all the great religions. I am now trying to reveal this in a new form of post-post-modern art, or integral art.

Were you trying to be controversial? Yes. Painting has to compete with so much these days to get people’s attention. A little controversy helps.

Why Lady Gaga? She is God as a God/Goddess and she gets a lot of attention.

What’s next for you? The next series I am working on is 108 Portraits Of God which is part of the ongoing series 10,000 Portraits Of God which will keep me busy for the rest of my life.

See God as Lady Gaga at A Brief View of Everything exhibition

1. Motorola Endeavor HX1
You know that you’re investing in serious tech when a product boasts military specs. Motorola’s Endeavor HX1 Bluetooth piece features a “stealth mode” which employs special Bone Conduction technology that’s also used by special military forces and is designed to pick up your speech and filter out the background noise by translating the vibration of your jaw into sounds. Combine that with Motorola’s CrystalTalk noise-canceling technology and you’ve got an indispensable weapon in your arsenal.
$259 from authorized Motorola dealers.

2. Plantronics Voyager Pro
It may look like a space-age hearing aid but trust us, Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset is packed with a multitude of features and boasts great sound quality. The Voyager features protection against 80dB of noise with three layers of wind protection. Spec-wise, it supports Bluetooth 1.1, 1.2, 2.0 and 2.1 + EDR, and has a talk time of six hours or standby time of five days. The only gripe we have is that it’s chunky and looks rather awkward with the swivel boom mic sticking out, which may make you look like a lost call-center rep if you’re not too careful.
$179 from Ban Leong Technologies, 4/F, 150 Ubi Ave. 4, 6512-9221.

3. Jabra White Stone
Jabra’s pint-sized and ever-popular Stone headset now comes in a cool white finish. Like its sleek black sibling, the albino Stone has some serious noise cancellation power thanks to its in-built Noise Blackout Extreme technology. Add in the discreet touch volume pad located on the outside of the headset, a fancy battery-level display, painless Bluetooth connectivity as well as Multiuse capabilities which let you connect to Bluetooth enabled devices simultaneously, and this baby is white hot.
$198 from Challenger, #02-34/35 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, 6376-6100.

The Buzz: Look no further than the massive one-stop experience center that is Interior Affairs to peruse the choicest bathroom and kitchen solutions.

The Vibe: At 28,000 square feet, Interior Affairs is Singapore’s largest such showroom with 32 kitchens, 27 bathrooms, and the world’s leading designer brands on display. Each show kitchen and bathroom is expertly curated and designed to mirror almost any home layout—it’s like stepping into your pal’s crib.

The Goods: Expect to see 14 European kitchen and bathroom brands such as Spain’s Sonia and German labels GROHE, Pronorm and Barletti. If you see something you like, there’s a design consultant on hand waiting to draw out that kitchen you’ve always wanted. Just expect to splash the cash as these items don’t come cheap. Prices for a bathroom range from between $3,500-$100,000 and $20,000-100,000 for a kitchen.

Why You’ll be Back: It’s the only place you ever need to go to kit out your dream bathroom or kitchen with the very chicest gear. You’ll just wish you had more space to play with. 

#01-02/#02-01 Natural Cool Lifestyle Hub, 29 Tai Seng Ave., 6632-7471. Open Mon-Sat 10am–8pm.

7. The Green Library

A collaboration project between the BMA and HSBC Thailand, this new library aims to be the most environmentally friendly public library in Asia and the first to be granted the Platinum certificate, the highest certificate in green building standards granted by the Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in America. It will be located in the Queen’s 60th Birthday Park in the Rom Klao community, Lad Krabang, and aims to be a learning hub for the local neighborhood, while acting as a prototype for people to study how they can save energy in their everyday life. After completion, the BMA will administrate this green space.
Verdict: We hope that the BMA will follow through on their commitment and really make the place a learning hub, not just another white elephant that is underused and left to rot.

WHERE: The Queen’s 60th Birthday Park in Rom Klao, Ladkrabang district
HOW MUCH?: B30 million
WHEN?: Dec 2010
LIKELIHOOD: 4
WORTHINESS: 3/5

8. BMA Office

The city’s corridors of power are on the move, as the BMA has outgrown its old home at City Hall. This mega-project sees them leave the old town and head to a new purpose-built property in Din Daeng. The new City Hall, dubbed the Bangkok City Tower, will occupy a total of 380,000 sq meters and consist of three 27 to 37-story-high towers, an assembly hall for the councilors to meet, a glass-covered plaza and a parking building to contain all the civil servants’ BMWs. Once they do move offices, the plan is to convert the former City Hall on Dinso Road into a museum and library that focuses on the history and culture of the city.
Verdict: The new buildings have turned into a bit of a bottomless money pit. Costs have spiraled out of control and deadlines have regularly been missed: all the hallmarks of the BMA at its worst.

WHERE: Mitmaitree Road, Din Daeng
HOW MUCH?: B8 million
WHEN?: 2014
LIKELIHOOD: 5
WORTHINESS: 1/5

9. Skywalk across the Chao pHraya

Another sky walk project, and another project to honor the 84th birthday of His Majesty next year. This one will allow us all to stroll across the Chao Phraya River, without having to get our feet wet. The pedestrian bridge will stretch between Tha Prachan and Wang Lang Piers, next to Siriraj Hospital. The sky walk will be 10m wide, 300m long and will be 5.50 meters (or two stories) above the river. The BMA clearly know their citizens, though, as this is no normal footbridge; there will be fast lane slides, elevators, and even air-conditioning!
Verdict: We think it’s a great idea and a great way to try and refocus the city on the river, something that many leading capitals around the world have done so successfully. Still, a billion baht is a hefty price tag for a bridge.
WHERE: Thaprachan to Wang Lang Pier, across Chao Phraya River
HOW MUCH?: B800 million to 1 billion
WHEN?: Construction 2011 (if approved). Completion 2013.
LIKELIHOOD: 2
WORTHINESS: 3/5

10. Downtown Skywalks

The private sector, in the form of the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA), has plans to build the mother of all pedestrian bridges. When completed it will connect CentralWorld to Pratunam, then turn left down Petchaburi Rd., and run all the way to Ratchathewi BTS Station. Perhaps spurred on by this, the BMA has also decided to move forward on their plan to build three kilometers of skywalk connecting Siam to Victory Monument. The walkway will be situated in the space underneath the BTS line and pass via Siam, Ratchathewi, Phayathai and Victory Monument stations and also connect to the airport link station at Phayathai. There also three additional extension skywalks in the pipeline: from Wongwian Yai to Taksin bridge; from Ramkhamhaeng intersection to Hua Mak Stadium (where it will connect to a new proposed monorail from Thong Lor-Hua Mak Stadium, and, finally the most ambitious of all, an eight-kilometer stretch from Chitlom to Bang Na.
Verdict: These areas are plagued by roads too large and too dangerous to cross on foot. If these projects include some sort of green element a la New York High Line (see page 12), they will be an improvement. Of course, we would prefer pedestrian solutions that allow us to walk on the streets.

WHERE: All over Bangkok but mainly on the Sukhumvit Line and Victory Monument to Siam.
HOW MUCH?: B3.3 billion
WHEN?: Dream on.
LIKELIHOOD: 5
WORTHINESS: 3/5

11. New Bridge to the New Parliament

The new parliament building on Samsen Rd., on the banks of the Chao Phraya and due to complete in 2014, is a mega project in itself but one the government is responsible for, so we won’t waste time here commenting on how ugly and expensive we think it is. Instead, we’ll focus on the related mega project to build a new bridge to connect the area to nearby expressways and the other side of the river. The initial proposal was rejected by the government who complained that it would spoil their lovely views. The government then proposed alternative plans to build tunnels or bridges on Keawkaika Rd., or in the Bang Po area. The BMA pointed out that these alternative plans would create additional traffic, require more people to relocate not to mention cost a lot more. The plan for the tunnel was over three times more expensive and would affect 1,000 homes compared to 200 houses in the original plan. That’s before we get into the difficulties of constructing a tunnel in the swampy soil under the Chao Phraya River.
Verdict: To our untrained eye it seems obvious that sticking to the BMA’s original plan is the most sensible solution. But we’re talking politics here so that’s probably the one solution that will never happen.

WHERE: From the express way at Rama 9 to Taling Chan, with an offshoot running to Kiak Kaay intersection.
HOW MUCH?: B12 billion
WHEN?: This could take a decade.
LIKELIHOOD: 3
WORTHINESS: 1/5

Remember some of these mega old projects?

It sure seems like the universe is trying to tell me something (perhaps that I should be brushing up on my skills in the kitchen), what with the many, many cooking classes that are all the rage at the moment. There was celeb chef Curtis Stone with Coriander Leaf’s Samia Ahad for the Sun Festival, and, more recently, a masterclass with chef Scott Webster of Osia, the first in the Chef Signatures series presented by DBS Indulge. This culinary maestro, who hails from New South Wales, skillfully demonstrated a three-course meal of polenta and panko-crumbed foie gras atop a disc of braised daikon, Grainge Black Angus Beef tenderloin on a blueberry risotto drizzled with bone marrow sauce and Valrhona hot chocolate soup, topped with a quenelle of black pepper ice cream and a sesame tuile at the AFC studio (#07-02 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6834-4829). If you missed it, the next one features Kunio Tokuoka in Dec, and Emmanuel Stroobant in Jan. Log on to www.asianfoodchannel.com/dbs for details.

Pavé Chocolates & Confections (93 East Coast Rd., 6342-0677) has introduced some new treats, such as El Pirata Paco, layer upon layer of almond sponge, lemon-infused cream and saffron-scented meringue ($7.50); chocolate nuggets of Yen (named after their pâtissier), with a white truffle-infused center; and Monastrell, with roasted almonds and saffron (both $3.20). They’re also doing all day French breakfasts on weekends with crossiants, pain au chocolat and Croque Monsieur (from $3.50).

The dreaded renovations at Raffles City Shopping Centre (252 North Bridge Rd.) are finally coming to a close, with a whole gamut of food-related establishments launched over the last two weeks. Noteworthy ones include DIY Teppanyaki Sho Teppan (#B1-44B, 6336-2118), Taiwanese eatery Ximending (#B1-44C, 6336-2118), Canelé (#B1-81/82, 6334-7377), Chocolate Research Facility (#B1-49, 6333-5328) and Kaffe & Te Boutique (#B1-51, 6527-3229). Also new in town is Qafé (#01-01, 21 Tanjong Pagar Rd., 9487-1287), which we anticipate will be hot with the yuppies and celebs as it’s headed by CEO of Fly Entertainment and comedian, Irene Ang. I’m hoping to check out this Western-fusion café soon (schedule permitting) and I’ll be sure to keep you good folks posted once I do. If you beat me to it, drop me a line at [email protected] and tell me what you think.

SuperNature’s (#01-21/23/27 Park House, 21 Orchard Boulevard, 6304-1338) last Super Sunday for the year happens on Nov 28. Stop by from 10am-6pm and score yourself some fantastic discounts on organic products. If you get the munchies while shopping (I certainly do), be sure to help yourself to some roasted Rhug Estate milk-fed lamb with pita bread at their sampler station.

1. Monorail Siam-Sayan

The BMA have drawn up plans for no less than 8 monorail routes throughout the city. Of these, three have been prioritized and, at present, the first to actually happen will be the circular monorail route between Siam, Chulalongkorn University and Sam Yan. The 1.5 kilometer circuit aims to reduce traffic, especially on Rama I Road where cars currently average 6-8 kilometers per hour. They hope the monorail will service at least 5,000 people a day, with Chulalongkorn University providing a depot space for the monorail trains to be housed. The other two priority routes are from Yummarat Intersection to the BMA Building (completion date: three years) and Bang Na to Suvarnabhumi Airport (completion date: 4 years). There are further five routes penciled in for the as yet undisclosed future: Thong Lor-Ekkamai-Ramkhameng University; Ratchada-Ladprao intersection-Chatuchak Park and three lines in Thonburi. Even the private sector is getting in on the act, with a project to connect the Grand Square housing project to the Rama 9 MRT station that hopes to service 30,000 people.
Verdict: Nice idea but a completely unrealistic timeframe.

WHERE: Siam, Sam Yan, Chula
HOW MUCH?: B5 billion
WHEN?:To be built in 2011, Open Dec 5, 2012
LIKELIHOOD: 3
WORTHINESS: 3/5

2. Bangkok Eye

We all know about the positive impact that the London Eye in London and the Singapore Flyer had on their cities. Now Thailand might be getting its own high-flying ferris wheel, offering 360-degree views of the city, after the Bangkok Governor, Sukhumbhand Paripatra mentioned possible plans for a Bangkok Eye. Opinion was split between fierce criticism over the lavish budget and excited anticipation. The project is still very much up in the air, with no definite plans as to where the wheel would be, or who would pay for it. Still the working plan is for it to be 176 meters high (making it the world’s tallest), and there is a preferred site next to the Chao Phraya River. Meanwhile the Governor insists the money will come from private sector investment only. The BMA see the Eye as being a big tourist attraction: the London Eye gets 3.5 million visitors a year.
Verdict: Heck, if we don’t have to pay for it, we’ll take it. But can we think of a more original name, please?

WHERE: On the banks of the Chao Phraya river  close to the Grand Palace.
HOW MUCH?: B30 billion
WHEN?: Not scheduled.
LIKELIHOOD: 1
WORTHINESS: 3/5

3. Flood Prevention System

While the city might have got away with it this year, especially when compared with the rest of the country, flooding is a problem that’s not going to go away. In response to this, the BMA announced plans to build four nearly six-meter-high underground tunnels as part of their long-term flood prevention scheme. After years spending billions on short-term solutions, this new plan, supported by the Engineering Institute of Thailand, is a longer term fix that increases the city’s drainage capacity from the current rate of 95 cubic meters a second to as much as 240 cubic meters. The 36 km of tunnels will be positioned in the following areas of town: Don Muang (13.5 km), Ratchadaphisek-Sutthisan (6.5 km), Suan Luang Rama IX (9.5 km), and Rama 9-Ramkhamhaeng (5 km). They will drain water from large parts of the city stretching from Din Daeng to Phra Khanong and Bang Na to Lad Phrao. All the water will be siphoned off into the Chao Phraya River.
Verdict: That these huge holes will be dug in some seriously crowded parts of town does make us a little concerned about the upheaval it’s going to cause. And won’t the Chao Phraya flood over with all that extra water? And aren’t we all going to drown in 2012 anyway?

WHERE: Don Muang, Ratchadaphisek, Suan Luang and Rama 9.
HOW MUCH?: B150 million/km or B5.4 billion total.
WHEN?: The first tunnel is set to open Jan, 2011
LIKELIHOOD: 4
WORTHINESS: 4/5

4. Homeless shelter

Before the BMA decided to make over Sanam Luang it wasn’t just home to a load of pigeons. It was also the spot where the city’s homeless population came to sleep at night. As part of the transformation, the BMA wanted to find somewhere a bit more permanent to house the homeless and turned their attention to the old Rama 6 Technology Vocational School. They are now renovating the 1,600-square-meter space. When it’s finished it should be able to house 400 people. It’s due to complete at the same time that Sanam Luang is set to reopen, so preventing the homeless heading back to their old sleeping spot. They are still deciding whether to offer a bed for the night for free or charge B30 a night.
Verdict: A worthy first step towards a long term solution to homelessness in Bangkok. We just hope they see sense and don’t charge for the privilege—and continue to develop cheap housing that people could actually call home.

WHERE: Rama 6 Technology Vocational School
HOW MUCH?: Not confirmed.
WHEN?: In negotiations for a 1-3 year lease with an option to buy. Renovations will last 4-5 months after the budget is approved.
LIKELIHOOD: 4
WORTHINESS: 4/5

5. New Futsal Stadium

You might not know it but Thailand is actually going to be hosting the next FIFA Futsal World Cup in the autumn of 2012. Of course that means we need a flagship stadium to host the indoor version of the beautiful game and the BMA (with the approval of the Cabinet) recently selected a site at the BMA Training and Development Institute in Nong Chok. The 12,000-seat stadium will occupy 80,000 square-meters, and will be designed by King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. After a two month bidding process, construction is due to begin in August 2011 and should take 14 months with a grand opening set for November 2012. The BMA has also set aside budgets to improve all the existing indoor stadiums like Indoor Stadium Hua Mak and Nimibut Stadium.
Verdict: The whole plan is on a very tight schedule and we’re not sure this is really the best location for the stadium either. It is a lowland area at a high risk of flooding and it is not exactly easy to get to. We would have preferred the other option put forward: to build the stadium in the Makkasan area on State Railway of Thailand land. Too bad it would have cost the BMA a lot more to secure the space needed.

WHERE: BMA Training and Development Institute, Nong Chok district
HOW MUCH?: B1.3 billion
WHEN?: Nov 2012
LIKELIHOOD: 4
WORTHINESS: 1/5

6. Sanam luAng Make-over

Funded by the government’s “Thai Khemkhaeng” stimulus program, this on-going project is one of a number of events scheduled to celebrate the King’s 84th birthday next year. After getting rid of all the vendors, homeless people and animals (including 10,000 pigeons said to have been relocated to Ratchaburi), the BMA handed over Sanam Luang to the army to revamp the 120,000-square-meter area—apparently soldiers are great with flowers. The park will be split into two sections: the southern half, close to the palace, will be turned into a ceremonial ground for royal events, while the northern section will be concrete-paved for public use. The huge budget will be spent on landscaping, tree planting, new benches, lighting and underground public toilets! They’re also spending money on improving the drainage system so you avoid having to stand in floodwater while using the loo.
Verdict: Parks and toilets are nice but we would have liked to keep the vendors.

WHERE: Sanam Luang
HOW MUCH?: B181 million
WHEN?: Jul 2011
LIKELIHOOD: 5
WORTHINESS: 2/5

Next

We’ll try most things, especially when they’re potentially good for the body, but acupuncture continues to baffle us and for good reason. Said to be a good form of physiotherapy and effective against a wide range of illnesses (it’s approved by the World Health Organization), the process of this traditional Chinese healing method involves the manipulation of needles into the patient’s skin, and the activation of heat and sometimes even electric currents. Bizarre? Perhaps. But many claim it works. “I have had eczema for a very long time. A few months ago, my condition worsened even though I was applying the prescribed cream religiously. I consulted a traditional medicine doctor, who advised me to fix the imbalance in my body through acupuncture. The situation gradually eased over five to six weeks of treatment,” says flight stewardess Janet Lim. Marathon runner Benjamin Goh also goes for acupuncture to treat post workout pains. “After you get over the ant bite-like pricks, the whole process actually becomes quite relaxing,” he says. Want to give it a try? Pain relief is just a prick away at these places.

Aimin Acupuncture Weight Loss Center
With the rate of obesity in Singapore increasing dangerously, we predict more people will be turning to acupuncture for help. The acupuncture treatments here specialize in regulating the body’s nervous system and hormones to suppress appetite as well as increase metabolic rate simultaneously so that total body weight may be reduced. Obviously, it is essential that you disclose any diagnosed medical conditions, with details of the type of medication you’re taking. Patients weighing over 150kg are also required to produce a recent medical report with at least six months validity. Make an appointment for a free 30-minute trial if you’re wary of the procedure.
#01-05/06 Starhub Center, 51 Cuppage Rd., 6225-2321. Open Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm.

Chiang Acupuncture Specialist
Well established in Singapore, this center boasts the services of renowned sinseh Chiang Yok-Wah, who’s had experience treating all sorts of medical conditions using acupuncture. Well-versed in traditional as well as modern techniques, Chiang also teaches acupuncture to aspiring specialists and offers needle-less options in his treatments. What we particularly like is how he incorporates a few minutes of back and neck massage, as well as cupping (another traditional form of healing regularly practiced by the Malay community) into each session. A session here starts from $80.
#17-10 Shaw Ctr., 1 Scotts Rd., 6737-7390. Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm.

Fong Acupuncture and Medical Hall
This clinic has been offering acupuncture services and other traditional Chinese methods of healing for the past 15 years. Needle-less acupuncture is also available here, with an electro-simulator machine working in the place of needles. Fong also provides treatments for obstetric patients, optometric as well as stroke patients, and administers tui na massages for muscle injuries. The therapists here often combine acupuncture with recommendations of health food and supplements that may be available at the clinic. Sessions are by appointment only so be sure to book a slot at least a day in advance. A session here (excluding medicine) ranges from $35-40.
#01-270, Blk. 479 Jurong West St. 41, 6563-8619. Open Mon, Tue & Fri 9:30am-1pm, 2-5pm, 6-9pm, Thu & Sat 9:30am-1pm, 2-5pm.

Laser Acupuncture Centre
If you want to experience the benefits of acupuncture but can’t get over your fear of needles, give these guys a call. They were the first in Singapore to advocate laser acupuncture (check the Singapore Book of Records in 2007 if you don’t believe us), which involves the penetration of the body’s deep tissues through laser energy. The power of light is used as a catalyst to jig certain processes in the body and increase blood circulation to promote healing and well-being. Their patients are typically sportsmen, men and women facing the problem of hair loss and even smokers who want to kick the nasty habit. Resident therapist Rodney Lim has been dabbling in the sciences of light transmission and acupuncture for over 30 years, and is often referred to as a “techno acupuncturist” for his specialist skill. Consultations may be on a walk-in basis but make an appointment if you require home care services. A laser treatment here starts from $75.
#05-08 Parklane Shopping Mall, 35 Selegie Rd., 6742-9883. Open Mon-Fri 9:30am-6:30pm, Sat 9:30am-3pm.

Still freaked out? Get an “acupuncture massage” at these spots instead:

Refresh Day Spa
We like this cozy parlor as a one-stop center for all things wellness. If you’re unsure which of the massages is best for your body, you may want to schedule a session with their resident physio director, who will gauge your overall wellbeing and recommend a package to relieve your shortcomings. Our favorites include the Acu Recharge ($98 for one hour), which helps to promote energy flow in the body and the Tui Na ($128 for one hour), which includes cupping to help detox and ease body pain.
#02-08 Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Rd., 6438-7128, www.refresh.com.sg.

Spa Botanica
We haven’t come across a bad review of this place yet, probably because it’s set in such an idyllic location. Their treatments are to die for, too, including the east-west blend massage, which employs a mix of pressure techniques inspired by traditional Chinese healing and modern Western medicine. A one-hour session costs $138.
The Sentosa Resort & Spa, 2 Bt. Manis Rd., 6371-1318.

House at Dempsey
After you walk up the hill (or out of the cab, if you’re smart), you’ll find a refreshing enclave made up of a spa, beauty emporium, restaurant and bar. The spa provides a wide range of treatments with quirky names, including the House Proud massage, which uses acupressure (without the needles, don’t worry) to untangle knots and cramps in the body. A one-hour session costs $120.
8D Dempsey Rd., 6475-7375, www.dempseyhouse.com.

The year’s coming to a close and we hear the sounds of annual leave forms being filed and, hopefully, approved. While there are more than a handful of destinations on our travel wish list, one of our favorite go to spots is always Thailand. That’s thanks, in no small way, to the fantastic food and lively entertainment, at a smidgen of what you’d normally have to shell out for a gay, old time. Here are our picks for some of the city’s best Thai restaurants, to tide you over till you can make a break for it.

KHA
33 Hyderabad Rd., 6476-9000.
Nestled in charming Hort Park, visiting this establishment is almost a trip in itself. With the view of the lush greenery in the glow of the sunset, you could almost believe you’re somewhere else entirely. The relaxed ambiance and lovely alfresco area have all you need for a romantic meal. But it’s not all about the ambiance, though that’s certainly divine. The food’s good too. Ease yourself gently into the evening with a grilled salmon soufflé on lemongrass sticks, dressed with a red curry sauce and sitting on a pomelo salad ($16), or some deep fried banana flowers with sweet chili sauce ($12). If you’re looking to build up a slow burn, the gaeng massaman—a slow-braised lamb shank in a massaman gravy ($32) is a good option. Alternatively, the wok-fried chicken with cashew nuts, spring onions and sweet chili jam ($22) is a tasty dish and only mildly spicy. The black sticky rice and date pudding, with mango ice cream and tamarind caramel sauce ($14) makes for a sweet end to your meal. And while the fare here tends to be more subtle in flavor, don’t let that deter you. The entire experience is a thoroughly pleasant one.

Patara Fine Thai Cuisine
#03-14 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Rd., 6737-0818.
A short distance from the center of town is 18-year-old Patara Fine Thai. In the fickle world of F&B, we reckon its continued endurance speaks to the quality of the food served here. Expect an elegant restaurant that’s not the least bit stuffy (thank goodness!), with a clear focus on good, simple Thai cuisine; with dark wood accents and traditional fixtures completing the desired effect. For a real feast, order their seven-course lunch or dinner sets ($68) that feature classics such as Tom Kha Goong and Som Tum (spicy green papaya salad with prawns and toasted coconut). Other highlights include beef green curry with sweet basil, grilled beef/pork/prawns wrapped in betel nut leaves and Gang Kua Goong Sapparod (prawns and pineapple in a mild yellow curry). We should probably mention that the food is served on Benjarong (Thai porcelain), so you can dine like Thai royals do. If you fancy an attempt at doing it yourself, they also offer cooking classes so you can learn how to get it right.

Porn’s
28 Liang Seah St., 6337-5535.
Before you go off on an unsavory train of thought, we feel inclined to state that this joint has nothing to do with that business whatsoever, so get your minds out of the gutter people. This is actually Pornsak Prajakwit’s casual eatery (you should already know him from his TV work), but it does style itself as Sexy Thai Food. We’re not entirely sure about that, but we can certainly vouch for the delicious grub in a back-to-basics themed setting, with white walls and playful graffiti. We suggest giving the fried stuffed chicken wings a go ($8.50 for three), with a minced meat, mashed roasted chestnut and vermicelli filling, as well as the Pad Thai hor kai ($9.90), with noodles done just right and encased in a thin-skinned omelet (add a dash of sugar for a different taste sensation). Other staples include tom yum goong ($10.90), which packs a powerful lemongrass punch in its clear, spicy broth, and Thai green curry (also $10.90), with plenty of tender chicken strips in a rich, coconutty gravy. Wash it down with some ice cold lemongrass juice ($4.50) and Thai roselle and lime ($3.90), both light and refreshing beverages that are perfectly suited to calm your palate. A great spot for fuss-free Thai, just be sure to make a reservation on the weekends as it’s proving to be extremely popular with the younger crowd (hoping to catch a glimpse of Porn himself perhaps).

Soht & Baay
#04-11/05-01 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6509-6058.
The highly-successful Soht & Baay, a direct export from Thailand, is helmed by the modest and cheerful chef Apasara. Its dominance spans two floors in the eclectic ION Orchard, but we suggest eating at the main bright and airy dining room, which affords a view of Orchard Road (if that’s your thing). If not, the food itself is definitely noteworthy. Until the end of Nov, kick things off with some special salad options, such as an unusual coconut shoot salad done in “Som Tum” style with charcoal-grilled jumbo prawns, or papaya strips accompanied by fried chicken wings and crunchy julienned cucumbers that contrast beautifully with crispy soft shell crab (from $15.90). Be sure to try the award-winning Tom Yum Kung ($13.90)—a full-bodied soup that’s both perfectly tangy and spicy. Another standout performer is the Plaa Krapong Tod Namplaa ($7/100g)—a whole sea bass fried till a golden crisp best enjoyed with a tart combination of shredded mango, red onions and homemade fish sauce. Scrumptious crab dishes are also available from now through Dec, including fresh blue crab in an intoxicating turmeric gravy, addictive black pepper soft shell crabs tossed with kaffir lime leaves and yet more crabs in a coconut milk-based sauce of tamarind, red onions and chili (from $15.90).

Other Highlights
Indulge in more Thai at these fine establishments:

Diandin Leluk
#03-25 Golden Mile Complex, 5001 Beach Rd., 6396-5515.

First Thai
23 Purvis St., 6339-3123.

Jim Thompson
45 Minden Rd., 6475-6088.

Mai Thai
#01-58 Blk. 44 Jalan Merah Saga, Chip Bee Gardens, 6474-3108.

Tawandang Microbrewery
#01-01, 26 Dempsey Rd., 6476-6742.

Thanying Restaurant
G/F Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa, 1 Larkhill Rd., 6825-3881.
 

Cooking Classes
The following places will have you perfecting your Pad Thai in no time:

Patara Fine Thai Cuisine
#03-14 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Rd., 6737-0818.

Coriander Leaf
#02-03, 3A Merchant Court, Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6732-3354.