Amaze

559 Rim Klong Saen Saeb Rd., beneath Rama 9 express way, next to Talay Bangkok, 02-245-8950/1. Open daily 6pm-late.
One-stop entertainment palace for dining, drinking and dancing to live music and commercial DJs. The outdoor area is has a great vista of the underside of the expressway!

Aqua

Four Seasons Hotel, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-254-1137. BTS Ratchadamri. Open daily 11am-midnight.
The ducks as well as the punters love the misty fans in this cool outdoor hangout. Chill out and soak up the airy vibes.

Hippie Hi

34/1 Khao San Rd., 02-629-3508, 06-604-7298. Open daily 11am-1am.
This sister of Hippie de Bar boasts a very sugary décor and ladies-who-lunch feel. Music is similar to its older sister—all inter 70-90s reggae, ska, pop rock, grunge and so forth.

Mayompuri

22 Chakraphong Rd., 02-629-3883/-4. Open daily noon-1am.
Swank beach-resort-like bar and restaurant. Alfresco dining accompanied by jazz, groovy house and nu-hip hop. From the outside, looks like Khao San; from the inside, Koh Samet.

Bag It

Bag fiends should not miss the trendy Rafe bags (from $679) straight from New York. What started in 1994 as a sideline to Rafe Totengco’s sought after accessories and belts line are now flyings off the shelves like hotcakes. The stylish classic pieces are meticulously designed by Totengco, and hint at sophisticated chic, crafted from the same factories used by most luxury brands. The bags, exclusively stocked at Colette in Singapore, have gained quite a following since they debuted here two years ago. So if you shoulder one of these, don’t be startled when designer Rafe Totengco runs up to you with his camera to take a snapshot (if he visits Singapore again, that is). He posts sightings of his fans proudly on his web site www.rafe.com for kicks. “They are always the same type of guys and gals that carry my bags. They are the cool, urban and chic professionals,” he says. Other celebrity fans back in New York include actresses Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria, Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan and Sandra Oh. The Fall/Winter collection runs an exciting eclectic mix of bags and versatile boots fashioned from tweeds, plaids, waxed leather, woolen knits and fresh colored fabrics. Bag a Rafe at Colette, #01-14, 583 Orchard Road, Forum The Shopping Mall, 6333-8589.

White Out

Christmas came early for fans of Swatch, as its trendy Swatch Xmas Collection has arrived. Boasting six eye-catching new designs that are a variation of the color white, topped with a twinkling translucence, they make an apt gift idea for both young and old. But our personal favorite is the limited edition “Arctic Touch” collection. Featuring beautiful snowflake motifs and coupled with silvery sheens and crystals, this is the one to buy. Available from Swatch #01-08, The Heeren Shops, 260 Orchard Rd., 6737-1917.

A Joy to Behold

Shona Joy is a self-titled label from Down Under. Based in Sydney, Shona draws from her fine arts background and instills a strong focus fusing arty floral prints in her collections. Her relentless pursuit of excellence through innovation was exemplified when she first started using wallpaper designs in fashion fabrics. Kitschy frocks, hippy vintage floral printed toile, romantic laces, and shirt dresses accented with matching fabric belts and detailed stitches are what you can expect from this talented designer. Sexy and fun, Shona Joy is widely sought after and endorsed by model Christy Turlington and many other international fashion magazines. How can you resist girly clothes like these? Pair them with heels, shift into sunny mode and enjoy a tea party with your best pals wearing these lovable finds. prices from $299. Select pieces are available exclusively from Antipodean, 27a Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, 6463-7336.

Game Face

Creative Technologies has just released a set of cool hardware for all you PC gamers. The Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Keyboard¹ ($99) is lightweight and stylish, but more importantly, it lights up for all you out there who prefer to get your game on in the darker corners of gaming cafes. The Creative Fatal1ty Professional Laser Mouse’s_² ($99) movement is smooth, allowing for the greatest of ease when stalking cyber enemies. And, last but not least, the Creative Mouse Gamer 7600L³ ($89) sports five customizable buttons, so that your gaming experience can be as personal and easy as possible. All these are available at The Creative Store (#04-06 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd., 6895-4100).

Take a Tablet

Fujitsu will be unleashing three new tablet PCs very soon—the Lifebook P1620 and T4215 and the stylistic ST5112. Each of these are Windows Vista ready and sport the very useful three dimensional shock sensor utility, which works to decrease the risk of damage to the hard drive, in case of excessive impact or vibrations. The ST5112 is set to be released in late November for $4,688. The P1620 and the T4215 are due out in December. Watch this space for more news regarding these products.

Boom! Shake the Room!

There are plenty of MP3 player speaker systems on the market right now, but the iBoom Travel ($149) really sets itself apart. Style-wise, it’s nothing to scoff at—coming in two simple, but sleek colors: pearly white and black metallica—the iBoom is also compatible with the latest iPod products, weighs in at only 420g and boasts the very cool DLO Bass Management Circuitry, which provides extended bass. Pick this baby in late Nov from Challenger Superstore (#05-20 Funan DigitaLife Mall, 109 Orchard Rd., 6339-9008).

More Walking

Sony Ericsson has launched the W950i ($1038), the latest in the company’s incredibly popular line of Walkman phones. Continuing in the same vein as its predecessors, the W950i has a whopping 4GB of storage and has the functionality and sound quality of a normal standalone player. All this, plus a touch screen for easy navigation through songs. The phone features hold their own pretty well too-with email and web browsing at broadband speeds and a user-friendly interface. Pick one up at The M1 Shop (#B1-28/29 Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., Hotline 1800-843-8383).

Not so long ago finding a good sandwich in town that wasn’t made of sugar-filled bread and topped with pork floss was like finding a needle in a haystack. But these days, getting a good sandwich can be as simple as heading to the nearest store in town. Long gone are the times where the only place to buy bread with filling was BreadTalk. Today there are plenty of innovative punters out there making tasty gourmet sandwiches and wraps. Here are our faves.

Toast

#01-09 OUB Centre, 1 Raffles Place, 6534-1755.
This baby pink sandwich place from the same team behind The Marmalade Pantry has become a veritable institution in its own right for good quality sandwiches and wraps. A mind-boggling range of food is available here. On top of sandwiches and wraps, you can also munch on salads ($4.80-6.50), cakes ($3.20-5) and cupcakes ($3.70). Over time, we have tried quite a few of the sandwiches and wraps, and are always impressed. The chicken Caesar sandwich ($6) follows its salad equivalent closely, and is filled with chunky pieces of grilled chicken, romaine lettuce and Caesar dressing on ciabatta. The bacon and avocado sandwich ($7.50), with watercress on panini bread is slightly salty, but the avocado balances it nicely. The roast beef sandwich ($7.50) with caramelized onions and wasabi mayo on panini is nice too. The ones we like most are the masala chicken wrap ($7.50) with Indian spiced chicken, fresh mango, Romaine lettuce and mint, and the tuna sambal ($6), with dried shrimp and rocket on panini bread. They are inspired, zesty and tasty, with a nice local flavor. Neither are they too spicy. And of course, don’t forget those fabulous cupcakes. Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-3pm.

THOS SB

3/F, Raffles The Plaza, 80 Bras Basah Rd., 6431-6156.
This cafe gets top marks for the most innovative sandwich names. Each sandwich name gives a hint of what you can expect from the sandwich. We are most taken with Busy Ben ($8)—a fun mix of roasted tandoori chicken, cucumber and apple raita and mint chutney on garlic naan. It’s tasty, light and not too spicy. The Party Animal Paulette ($8) is a must-try for ham and pineapple fans. With its smoked forest ham, pineapple and upland cresse filling on a butter croissant, it’s certainly worth trying. Balthasar the Big Boss ($9.50), a man-sized treat of roasted veal loin, melted cheese, sautéed onion and honey mustard on sun-dried foccacia, is our other favorite. And even better, THOS SB is a place where you can eat with some privacy, despite its centralized locale. Open Mon-Fri 8am-9pm; Sat-Sun 9am-9pm.

The Sandwich Shop

#01-02 Robinson Centre, 61 Robinson Rd., 6536-5232.
Known for its distinctive packaging and truly enormous sandwiches, The Sandwich Shop wields a steady influence on the busy office crowd around the area. The interior is relaxing and fun, with friendly staff and a huge chalkboard on the wall. Sandwiches, wraps and baguettes are all sold here. All sandwiches, wraps and yogurts are made fresh every day then pre-packed, so all you have to do is just choose, then go. Special sandwich requests can be made at the counter. The sandwiches can be eaten toasted or non-toasted, and come on either rye, wholemeal or multi-grain bread. The Massive All Day Breakfast sandwich ($7.50) is probably the star of the show though. Toasted and stuffed with tasty ingredients including egg mayo, mixed salad leaves, sausages, bacon and mushrooms, it is absolutely yummy. Other notables are the teriyaki chicken wrap ($6.50), the strawberry and mango smoothies ($5), and the granola and honey, and strawberry yogurts ($3.40). This is a hassle-free alternative for busy office folks. Open Mon-Fri 7am-6:30pm.

Juiced Rawbars

Unit 7, #B1-08 Republic Plaza, 9 Raffles Place, 6535-3230.
Consisting of a small counter in the basement, Juiced Rawbars is a haven for the health and time-conscious populace. Hailing from Sydney, it’s a great place for getting healthy, freshly-made salads, tortilla wraps, soups ($5.90), juices ($5-6), smoothies ($5.50-6.50) and yogurts ($3.50) made fresh every day. The set lunches ($10.50) consist of a salad, a juice, a wrap, or soup. Design your own salad for $7.50. So they don’t actually sell sandwiches per se (what Juiced really specializes in is tortilla wraps which are best eaten toasted) but their wraps are so delicious we just had to mention them anyway. The Mexican wrap ($7.50), filled with chicken, kidney beans, avocado, cheese, tomato corn and other ingredients, is our favorite. However, the Asian wrap ($6.50) and the chicken Caesar wrap ($7.50) are also tasty. The former is rather like our popiah, chock-full of vegetables and tofu, while the chicken Caesar contains nice chunks of chicken, bacon bits and parmesan cheese. Stop by early for lunch, as this place gets busy, and you’ll get a longer chat with the gregarious owner, Loretta. Open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat 10am-2pm

The Food Barn

#02-34/35 Caltex House, 30 Raffles Place, 6536-0733.
This sandwich place has a wide selection of classic and signature sandwiches, soups ($4) and salads ($7-7.50). We tried the roast beef and arugala sandwich ($7.90), which comprised of thick slices of bread with generous slabs of both ingredients in between. Its portions are extremely hearty and can easily be shared. The tuna and egg sandwich ($6) is another good choice with a filling of tuna, sliced eggs, gherkins, celery, onion and mayo with lettuce and tomatoes on herb foccacia. The Tuscan roasted vegetable sandwich ($7) has roasted butternut squash, roma tomatoes, capsicums and carrots flavored with fresh herb pesto on sesame stirato, which made for an interesting mix of flavors, and perfect for vegetarians. The Food Barn is a good to visit with friends, as the huge portions can be shared. Open Mon-Fri 8am-6:30pm.

We all know style is important, but for those who are more environmentally conscious, these three labels are worth checking out. UK streetwear label Maharishi creates its line of clothing using hemp and natural fiber materials, while Singapore-based UK designers Belle and Dean and the O Line by Dorothy Perkins use mainly organically farmed cotton. I-S brings you a lowdown on these labels.

Maharishi

The fashion conscious must have heard of Maharishi, the über cool (and ultra luxurious) street wear label that was founded by Creative Director Hardy Blechman back in 1995. This must-have among London’s hipper and trendier folk still reigns as the one of the most sought after fashion brands today—its combination of sleek cuts and even sleeker embroidery designs (featuring images of skulls, dragons, mountains and just about everything in between), with hemp and natural fiber materials, make it hot even after all these years. No other label can attest to being environmentally conscious and high fashion all the same.

In an exclusive interview with I-S, Blechman states that “the label has always been about bringing positive change within the fashion industry with our products. But not forgetting the style aspect, we also try to collaborate with various artists such as Futura and the Andy Warhol foundation to come up with exclusive products that are highly desirable all the same.”

While Maharishi and its sister line, MHI, have been coveted the world over for their edgy designs, few realize that the label was the first to use recycled materials and military surpluses. Organic cotton, which helps to lessen the amount of harmful chemicals used in cotton production, is also one of the staple materials in Maharishi garments. For its Autumn/Winter collection this year, look out for recycled pieces as well as sweatshirts that are organically farmed, further solidifying Maharishi’s status as one of the most influential, environmentally conscious and progressive fashion labels ever.

Maharishi is available from Blackjack, #01-10 Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd., 6735-0975.

Belle and Dean

Based in Singapore, Belle and Dean was founded by Brits Dean O’Sullivan and Issy Richardson. Their men’s, women’s and baby wear are made to last and of designer quality, tagged with surprisingly affordable pricing (with baby rompers starting from $15, and men’s and women’s tanks from $24 and $22 respectively). The duo started their label here because they believed in the benefits of organic clothing and wanted to spread the word. They aim to see change in Singapore, as “we’d like to see Singapore catch up with Japan or the UK in terms of eco-living...where organic food, energy-efficient homes and sustainable clothing are established and growing,” says Richardson. “We think that it is only right that people who are in a position to do so like us, should support protecting our environment.”

Made from the long staple variety of organically farmed cotton, the result is soft unbleached rustic white plain T-shirts, ribbed cotton tanks and also T-shirts that come with hand-drawn screen prints of endangered plants and animals. As a former archaeologist, Richardson specialized in animal remains and injects some of that experience into her designs. Detailed illustrations of mystic looking peacocks, grizzly bears, funky doe-eyed giraffes, wild rabbits and soulful Catalan donkeys have proved popular, and are printed on the tees using dyes free of lead. The cuts are flattering and as the tops are kept very basic, so they go well with almost anything and will live long in your wardrobe. Belle and Dean is celebrating its sixth month of success in Singapore with a Christmas sale.

Log onto their website www.belleanddean.com now to purchase, or call 9389-9132.

O Line by Dorothy Perkins

While not popularly known to be environmentally friendly, the UK female high-street brand Dorothy Perkins boasts a little known O Line that should be a hit among the fashion and socially conscious. Don’t believe us? Just check out its T-shirts and tank tops that boast lines and logos such as “Recycle,” “Plant More Trees,” “Save Energy” and “Turn Off The Taps.” Made entirely out of organic cotton that is grown without pesticides or genetically modified seed and ripened by the sun in a natural environment, the tops have a soft vintage washed look to them, and simply paired with jeans or a cropped jacket, you’re almost good to go.

Tops from the O Line are now on sale for $13 or less, and available from #01-007 Suntec City, 3 Temasek Blvd., 6336-2761.

We have all heard these phrases over and over again: “Nothing in life comes for free,” “You can’t get something for nothing,” “You can’t get anything worthwhile for free.” This is especially true in a competitive city like this—“free” just isn’t in our dictionary.

But the truth is, there are freebies out there, they just aren’t advertised real well. Don’t let those cynical conceptions stop you from enjoying the free stuff Bangkok has to offer. Keep your money intact, put your checkbook away and let the city’s free magazine introduce you to some of the great free goods and services around town.

Just in case you’re wondering, when we say “free,” we don’t mean “buy one, get one free” or “free with your purchase of this or that.” Oh no—when we say “free,” we mean you don’t even have to open your wallet for it.

Free Flicks

Have you ever seen a film so bad you feel obliged to fake a laugh just so that you could get something out of your money? With the B600 you just spent on a premium seat at the theater, you might feel like you would have been better off with an hour of massage. The good news is there are a lot of places in town that screen quality flicks for free.

Every Friday and the first and the third Tuesdays of the month, catch classic Japanese films at Japan Foundation (10/F Sermmit Tower, Sukhumvit Soi 21, 02-260-8560/-4, www.jfbkk.or.th). The theme varies each month­—this month’s theme is “Friends.” See the film page for the upcoming movies.

At Rewat Buddhinand Room (2/F, Main Library, Thammasat University, Tha Prachan, 02-613-3529, www.tu.ac.th), the “Talk to Movie” program is held every Thursday, 5pm onwards. The event showcases various critically acclaimed flicks, which are rarely seen in mainstream theaters. Leading the talk is Prof. Songyod Viewhong. Here’s the lineup of the upcoming program: Nov 23. It’s Raining in Santiago: Set in 1973 Chile, director Helvio Soto painstakingly dramatizes the military takeover of the Chilean leftist government. Nov 30. Fahrenheit 451: A fireman starts to question his duty of burning books assigned by the government that doesn’t want to deal with intellectual, independently minded citizens. Free admission, but there is a dress code: No tank tops or shorts, please. It’s in the university, after all.

Pridi Banomyong Institute (65/1 Soi Thonglor, 02-380-3860, www.pridiinstitute.com) also screens a mix of classic flicks and blockbuster hits on its 43-inch TV on the first weekend of each month. The screening starts from 12:30pm onwards. Stop by for its free films next month on Dec 2-3, and enjoy such movies as Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Grease with John Travolta and the Oscar-winning West Side Story.

If you don’t mind noisy kids, TK Park (8/F, CentralWorld, 02-257-4300, www.tkpark.or.th) is a good place to catch popular Thai hits. The “knowledge” park treats movie buffs to a free film every Sunday at 2pm. Wondering what P’Bird looked like when he was young? Stop by for a screening of Langkha Deang on Nov 26.

Also worth checking is a selection of French films at Alliance Francaise (29 South Sathorn Rd., 02-670-4230, www.alliance-francaise.or.th), where they hold free screenings in their spacious theater every Saturday at 5:15pm.

Free Beauty

If you fancy a free haircut or wouldn’t mind a free blow-dry and aren’t scared of being a guinea pig for a stylist trainee, there are various beauty schools where their young apprentices give you a free snip, shampoo and blow-dry. Try Grace Siam The School of Beautification (5, Petchburi Rd., 02-653-6951/-20. Mon-Sat 9am-3pm), Korn Klao Beauty Salon School (57/141-5, Wireless Rd., 02-251-8033. Mon-Fri 9am-3pm) or Gade Glao Institute of Beautification (1678/1-4, Soi Phaholyothin 30/1, 02-513-9749/-51. Mon-Sat 9am-3pm). Want a curly, wavy perm like those bright-eyed Korean actresses? You get that for free too, but you have to pay for the necessary chemicals. A haircut gone wrong is a big nightmare, but fret not—if your dream hairstyle turns out to be horrendous, there’s professional staff around to help correct it. One warning—don’t go for a free blow-dry when you are in a hurry because it’s likely that the hairdresser in training will spend at least an hour on your locks.

If you don’t mind the dirty looks when you don’t buy anything afterwards, you can always hit up one of the makeup counters in department stores. The trick is not to get your whole face done in one place. It’s better to graze--toner at Clinique, then lipstick at Red Earth, then blush at Mac, then eye shadow at RMK, and then you’re set! For wide open spaces and huge selection, Paragon Beauty Hall (M/F, 02-610-9000. Open daily 10am-10pm.) can’t be beat. Or try Central Chidlom (Open daily 10am-10pm. 02-793-7777) if you’re too lazy to walk around for your free face.

Free Courses

Taking up a language course is an investment in your future; but it can be time-consuming and arduous, not to mention expensive. But at Cocolo International Center (3/F, Piyawan Building, Phaholyothin Rd., 02-619-8591/-3, [email protected]), you can have a one-hour free trial Japanese class. Obviously, you certainly can’t master the Japanese tongue in just one hour, but you can learn enough phrases to get by. If you are planning a trip to Japan, the trial lesson is useful to learn how to haggle with the vendors, order some ramen, or pick up a cute Japanese person.

For t hose planning to take a TOEFL test, Wall Street Institute (try Silom branch, G/F, Kamol Sukosol Building, Silom Rd., 02-237-7070, www.wallstreet.in.th) offers a free English exam so that you know how much you need to work on to get the satisfying result. Visit the website to register. 

Free Plays

While the past West Side Story show and performances at the Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music might have cost you a hefty sum, there are a lot of plays on offer for free at the Bangkok Theater Festival. The annual event returns to TK Park on Nov 17-25, treating audiences to an array of stage pieces by various troupes such as Naked Masks and 8x8 Theater. Also, every Sunday 6-9pm, you can enjoy various performances in the leafy garden of Patravadi Theatre (69/1 Soi Wat Rakang, Arun Amarin Rd., 02-412-7287, www.patravaditheatre.com).

If you prefer something more upbeat or want to rock out after an exhausting week, try the free concerts at Center Point of Siam Square, where up-and-coming bands belt out their tunes every Friday from 4pm onwards. Also keeping you entertained is the big TV screen opposite the fountain showing music videos from popular artists.

From Nov 22-24, mingle with the art students at the annual Gift Town (the Faculty of Education Chulalongkorn University, 4-9pm, 081-613-1555), where they showcase their masterpieces and put on fashion shows. What’s more, you can also enjoy free performances by various artists like Paradox, Slur, Lemon Soup and Morning Surfers.

Free (for) Pets

Soi Dog Rescue (www.soidogrescue.org) is looking for a new home for its soi dogs and stray cats. To make sure the puppies will be in good hands, the non-profit organization requires you to fill in a long questionnaire about why you want a pet and how you are going to take care of it. The adoption process is free, but donations are welcomed.
Take your puppy for a free rabies vaccination at Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s rabies control department (Mitmaitree Rd., Din Daeng, 02-245-3311, 02-245-5906. Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm). Call ahead in advance since the queue is quite long.

Free Fortune Reading

We heard about the fortuneteller in Hua Hin who presumably gives an accurate prediction of your future for the next whole year for B8,000. Most of her customers, of course, are celebrities and from the hiso crowd. If you can’t afford the pricey charge, why not try consulting the e-fortune tellers?

Some of the free fortune reading sites are www.horazard.com, where you can use various kinds of readings from tarot cards to crystal balls and www.e-tarocchi.com, where your love life prospect is at a click. Or simply fill in your personal details at www.fortunestars.com and have your fortune emailed directly to your inbox. The site offers a glimpse of your future in the next two months.

Free Exercise

Feeling a bit apprehensive about paying for a membership to a gym that is already too overcrowded during the hours you want to go? Get ready to kiss those love handles good bye for free. Almost every park in town has free aerobics classes nightly sometime between 5-7pm. Hop over to Lumpini Park or Benjasiri Park after work someday and follow the sound of the hyperactive techno, then join in the fun. It’s not so silly once you get over the initial embarrassment—we promise!

If that seems a little too much for you, both these parks also offer free tai chi. You may have to do a little research beforehand as it isn’t a “guided class” so to speak, but you can just follow along in the back until you get the moves down—no one will mind.

Why watercolors?
I’m quite a sentimental person. I believe that water brings luck. Like if we have a picture of a canal at home, happiness will be brought to our lives as well and the sadness will be gone. And I prefer something natural to something artificial.

What makes your work different?
I’m honest with my work and myself. I can’t force anyone to buy my books. There’s an image of a mackerel seller in this book—no one would ever do this. I want people to see our real Thai way of life.

What do you get out of publishing a book?
Writing a book is like leaving a message in a bottle and letting it float out to sea. And one day there might be someone who gets it by chance. This is the beauty of making a book.

What’s your goal with this book?
My goal is to represent Thailand. Thailand’s image is about eating, drinking and sex, but as an artist, I present other facets of Thai life. There are a lot of beautiful places in Thailand. And this book will improve Thailand’s image in the eyes of foreigners.

So technically it’s illegal to be out this late drinking and god knows what else, but apparently martial law has been good for some people: insomniacs, alcoholics and people looking to get laid—which is pretty much everyone we know. Apparently the men in green like to party more than the men in brown?

Lang Suan Soi something

Newly opened, soon to be newly closed (if it isn’t already), this nightspot is located just steps from the road in an old restaurant space you wouldn’t guess was frequented by late-nighters. Once inside, you find a big airy hall like something a train or cars would run through with a long bar on two sides and a vibe quite similar to Q Bar’s. The crowd is mainly expats and their girlfriends. Beers are B200.

Ratchada Soi something

Not just one but three places to plant yourself sometimes exist here, depending on what the men in uniforms permit. One is warehouse size, air-conditioned with hip hop tunes playing all night, while the other two are outdoors, alfresco country house and something like an Indonesian resort playing Thai hit songs mostly. They serve up whisky in plastic green tea bottles or—even worse—whisky in condiment dispensers. Under age punters frequent these joints and all of them dress the same.

Ratchadamri-ish

This place near Central World is popular with middle management and above who like to tell others what to do. It’s a dark, seedy place located in the middle of a shopping/office complex. Pay B300 to get in and you get to spend the evening with a mixed crowd of desperate men and sleazy girls. They play commercial hip hop. Skip this one unless you are really hard up.

Silom Soi Something

This place is open as a go-go in the early evening but after 1am turns into a late-nightclub with the x-factor, which some of Bed’s regulars might enjoy as the DJ regularly plays house and electro tunes till 5am. Entry fee is B100, which gets you one drink at the back counter. Don’t be surprised if you find topless boys shaking their thing as it’s their regular afterhour sanctuary.

Meaww! Move over, cute cat coming through. Put on black cat leggings from Vivi to show your affection for sweet, fluffy animals. (B590)

My sweet candy is so sassy. Colorful striped leggings from Hot Cake. (B299)

Be a princess for a day. Check out ViVi’s sparkling crown and jewelry leggings. (B590)

Beatlejuice, Beatlejuice, Beatlejuice. Call his name thrice and here he is in Hot Cake’s (very) shocking pink leggings. (B299)

Ta-Dah! This classic one from Orange Jasmine is truly for polka dot crazed girls. (B250)

Stripes are never out of date. Cream and brown stripe leggings from the cozy Garten shop. (B450)

You have your own bed, but there are still many reasons to explore the mushrooming world of small and boutique hotels around Bangkok: You might want to find a nice room for your visiting friends, or perhaps you need a place for inspiration, escape or a dirty weekend. Here are four to consider.

Arun Residence

A true boutique hotel with just five rooms, Arun Residence (36-38 Soi Pratoo Nok Yoong, Maharat Rd., 02-221-9158) sits on the edge of (and partly over) the Chao Phraya, directly across from Wat Arun, and it’s set up to take full advantage of the view. Three of the four regular rooms have big windows onto the river, and with double-height ceilings and cozy sleeping lofts, they maintain a balance between airiness and privacy. (The walls are a bit thin, though.) The romantic Arun suite, which occupies the entire third floor, has a good-sized private deck. The décor is earthy and understated, with polished cement walls, lots of wood and all-white bed linens, but there are touches of luxury in all the right places (like beautiful, modern bathrooms, DVD players and free wireless throughout the building). The two-level, mostly alfresco restaurant, The Deck, serves high-end Western and Thai food at reasonable prices (about B100 for most Thai dishes, B650 for foie gras).
Standard room: B2,950
Arun Suite: B4,700 (all prices include taxes and continental breakfast)

Dream

You see Tata Young set the room on fire in her music video, but you’ll be glad to know that the rooms here are still safe and sound, right in the heart of the city. Dream (10 Sukhumvit Soi 15, 02-254-8534, www.dreambkk.com), is sister to Dream New York, and appropriately mixes glossy American and Thai influence in its high-ceiling lobby lounge. All 101 of the rooms are equipped with everything you could wish for, including high speed broadband internet access, Egyptian cotton sheets and blue “therapy light,” which supposedly encourages a deep, restful sleep. Its Flava restaurant is nice and chic, as long as you can afford B600 pad thai. Doesn’t that sound just like the kind of place Tata would love to stay?
Standard room: US$180 (B6,708)
Dream Suite: US$295 (B11,090)

The Eugenia

It’s hard to resist falling in love with The Eugenia (267 Soi Sukhumvit 31, 02-259-9011, www.theeugenia.com) at first sight. Just a glance at the British-Indian decoration and the first thing that comes to mind is that “it’s not a hotel.” Feeling more like the residence of an English gentleman who cherishes the charm of the Orient, The Eugenia will make you feel like a guest invited to join an afternoon tea and spend a night resting in a nice comfortable room specially prepared to welcome an old companion back home. Limited to 12 suites, it ensures your privacy. Although decorated with antique furniture, all rooms are equipped with full facilities. Wifi, mini bar and UBC cable TV are provided. Downstairs, they have a cozy cafe, swim-able pool (if you don’t mind the neighbor construction site) and lounge serving you various cocktails (including its signature, The Eugenia at B280).
Sawasdee Suite: B5,800.
The Eugenia Suite: B6,200.

Shanghai Inn

Like a lost city, the three-star boutique hotel is hidden from those who don’t look for it. With Top’s Supermarket on the first floor and the hotel sign hanging among thousands of others on Yaowarat Road, Shanghai Inn (479-481 Yaowarat Rd., 02-221-2121, www.shotw.com/shanghai-inn) sits on the fourth and fifth floors of the old Yaowarat Square. The designer hotel blends modern amenities with traditional Chinese touches. The 51 superior rooms and four junior suites are small but equipped with top-end facilities like in-room wifi, mini bar, safe deposit box and satellite TV. Only the junior suites have windows that can be opened to the view of Chinatown. The Tea House terrace, open daily 6:30am-10:30pm, serves breakfast in the morning, tea in the afternoon and sinful drinks in the early evening. For real food, guests can head downstairs for Krua Jengor and Tohkai.
Superior Room: B2,300
Junior Suite: B4,000