Cult Thai Movie Screening
The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand will screen the cult Thai movie, Ploy on September 18th. The work of renowned Thai director, Penek Ratanaruang, Ploy was one of last year's most talked-about films. Following a premierat the Cannes festival, the film went on to win awards at film festivals around the world.
Ploy focuses on a day in the life of a Thai couple, Wit and Dang, who return to Bangkok after many years living abroad to attend a family funeral. The couple is staying in a hotel when Wit invites a girl he meets in the hotel's bar to their room. An argument with his wife exposes the strain of their seven-year marriage, an institution which the director portrays with a mixture of cynicism and sensitivity. An extra dimension to the psychological drama introduced by the purely physical relationship between Nut, a bartender, and Tum, a hotel maid, who make passionate love in the adjacent room.
The film will be shown on September 18th at 8pm. 150 baht for non-members.
The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, The Penthouse, Maneeya Center, 518/5 Ploenchit Road. Tel: 02-652-0580/1 E-mail: info@fccthai.com Nearest skytrain station, Ploenchit.
10th International Festival of Dance and Music
From September 15th - October 13th, the 10th International Festival of Dance and Music will bring performers from around the world to Bangkok for a series of shows at the Thailand Cultural Center. This year's event features ballet, opera, symphony orchestras, contemporary ballet, jazz performances and much more.
The festival opens on September 15th with a performance of the Requiem by the Russian composer Boris Tishchenco, conducted by Robert Luther, and performed by the Russian Symphony Orchestra from Bashkir.
The festival closes on October 13th with a performance of the much loved opera, Carmen, performed by the Inaki Urlezaga Group from Argentina. They will finish the evening in style with a spectacular tango showcase. For more information see www.bangkokfestivals.com
Thailand Cultural Centre, Ratchadepisek Road, Huay Kwang, Tel: 02 262 3456
Cycling in Khao Yai Part 1
Despite its reputation for chaotic traffic and major highways carving up the country, Thailand is becoming increasingly popular with cyclists. Once away from the main roads the country reveals a network of byways passing through a stunning landscape. With the introduction of a cycle tour that combines soft adventure with visit to Khao Yai's vineyards, local travel operator Spice Roads have come up with the perfect weekend getaway.
Living within the concrete confines of Bangkok it is easy to forget just how close we are to some truly fabulous countryside. The usual traffic-congested weekend escape routes from the city all too often lead to Pattaya, a place loathed as much as it is loved. But head northeast instead of south and bright lights, beaches, bar girls and beer boys are replaced by a very different kind of wildlife. A two-wheeled excursion into KhaoYai with Spice Roads provides a unique experience skillfully designed to help riders discover stunning countryside, quiet back roads and dirt trails, abundant birdlife and, of course, a taste of the increasingly popular local wines.
Less than two hours after leaving central Bangkok our minibus, complete with cycle mechanic, half a dozen bikes strapped to the roof-rack and enough spare parts, fresh fruit and drinks to support a major sporting event, pulled up at the edge of Khao Yai National Park. The area has long been regarded as Thailand's finest national park and is known for its outstanding beauty. Buying a prime patch of dirt close to the stunning park became popular with wealthy Bangkokians years ago; prices increased to frightening levels as it was snapped up and holiday homes mushroomed. In more recent years, however, the region has begun to attract bigger players. The cooler Khao Yai climate, fertile soil and proximity to Bangkok mean that the area is now considered one of the best locations in Thailand for growing grapes. On the gently rolling hills and in the valleys that skirt the park, bamboo, bananas and fruits trees are steadily being replaced by acres of grapevines.
Kitted out with top quality TREK mountain bikes and cycle helmets we planned to visit two of the biggest and best vineyards in the area, PB Valley and the Granmonte Estate - by the indirect route. As the first gentle hill approached it soon became clear that we were all going to have to earn our taste of wine. Having done little cycling since my teens and now encumbered by a less than appealing middle-aged spread I decided it was actually good to have a goal to aim for. Spurred on by the promise of drink or not, there is no doubt that cycling in Thailand is the best way to get up close and personal with this beautiful country. The two day KhaoYai Wine Trails cycle tour is meticulously planned and soon after a steady pedal along a stretch of deserted tarmac we turned off the main drag onto a dirt track and were heading towards tree-covered limestone outcrops. It wasn't long before the rust-coloured arteries got the heart beating a little faster. Downhill runs over rough ground were a sobering experience producing involuntary busts of speed and the inevitable panicky snap at the breaks. Exhilarating but not too demanding, the first stretch acted as a good warm up. The track that lead the group on to the Grandemonte Estate became increasingly more of a challenge for some of the unseasoned cyclists but the tour leaders offered an alternatively route for those we not accustomed to such a workout. The reward for enduring the thigh-burning climb up troublesome slopes was a series high speed freewheeling descents. Soon we were rolling passed the thousands of carefully manicured vines that covered the valley floor.
Cycling in Khao Yai Part 2
Thai wine production is still in its infancy. The first vineyard in the country, Chateaux Loei, located in the upper reaches of Thailand's northeast, started a mere ten years ago and has lead to many others across the country and indeed in the region. In the beginning many were skeptical about the possible success but Thai vintners have proved everybody wrong and the produce of some vineyards is increasingly receiving favourable responses from abroad. Vineyards have now sprung up in Hua Hin and Pattaya. Cambodia and Myanmar have also joined the Southeast Asia wine club and recently established their first vines. In would be no surprise if the coffee producing countries of Laos and Vietnam soon turn to grapes as well.
The Granmonte Estate currently produces 60,000 bottles of wine a year, a figure soon set to increase to 100,000. Most of the wine is still sold in Thailand but the export market is steadily growing, along with the reputation of the wine. Although few would yet argue that Thai wine is a fine tipple, it is undoubtedly improving. Those who were unfortunate enough to sample Chataeux Loei a few years ago could only describe it as ‘undrinkable'. Today, most Thai wines still lack the body and depth of flavour of imported wine but they are far less offensive to the palette than they were. Where they continue to fall down is on price. The 1,000 baht demanded for a rather bland Granmonte vintage when spent wisely could buy a very fine drop indeed.
Khao Yai National Park and its environs make for a great escape from Bangkok especially when combined with a tour of the vineyards.
The Spice Roads two day, one night KhaoYai Wine Trails cycling tour makes a super weekend break. It covers 60 kilometres of riding through beautiful scenery and includes meals and a night in the Cabbages and Condoms resort. The cycling is not too demanding and is therefore suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. It leaves Bangkok every Saturday morning but can also be arranged for weekdays. The Bangkok based company is the leading adventure cycle tour operator in Southeast Asia and run several tours across Thailand as well as in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia and the Philippines. For further information visit http://www.spiceroads.com/
Wine info: http://www.khaoyaiwinery.com/ and http://www.granmonte.com/
Exhibition for Cyclone Relief in Myanmar
An upcoming exhibition at the Asian Fine Arts Gallery in Silom Galleria features Helen Jandamit. The show, entitled Triality, The Inner Vision, features the artist's dreamy landscapes. Originally from London, Helen Jandamit has been based in Thailand for over 30 years. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, London, the artist has also studied and practiced Vipassana meditation in the tradition of Mahasri Sayadaw of Burma. In 1997 she received the third level of ordination at the Hwa-Om Sa Temple in Kwang Ju, South Korea but left the order in 2006.
Proceeds from the sale of the artist's work will be donated to UNESCO Bangkok to assist ongoing cyclone relief work in Myanmar. Triality, The Inner Vision is showing from August 21st until September 7th.
Asian Fine Arts Gallery, Silom Galleri, 3rd Floor, 919/1 Silom Road, Bangkok.
Alice Day Lights Up The Living Room
One of the world's great jazz vocalists, affectionately known as ‘The Lady' is in Bangkok for a string of virtuoso performances at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit's cool jazz bar, The Living Room. During her residency Alice's vocal artistry will be complimented by the outstanding Chicago-born musician double bass player Donald Jackson.
Like all the greats, Alice Day has committed her entire life to music. Born into that musical tradition, the roots of her music are in the gospel. Growing up in Miami, Florida the journey from gospel to jazz came about at a remarkably tender age. Her first experience of working with a ‘name' was fellow Floridian, Cannonball Adderley. By the age of thirteen or fourteen she was singing in the jazz clubs in a happening area called Overtown" recalls Alice.
To listen to Alice sing is true a joy. It is impossible not to be moved by the depth of feeling she instills into jazz classics, a feat only possible by those who have devoted their life to the genre. There is nothing predictable about Alice Day's performances. Playful and exploratory in her approach to the more obscure jazz numbers, a song is rarely performed the same way twice. Tempo and delivery vary according to inclination, nuances are exploited. Alice Day performs with the Shawn Kelley Trio featuring Donald Jackson at The Living Room at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Road. Nearest BTS station, Asoke. Until the 14th September, Tuesday - Thursday from 9 p.m. - 11.45 p.m., Friday - Saturday from 9.30 p.m. - 12.15 a.m.
Trendy Hotspots in Bangkok
With a host of new bars, clubs, restaurants and shopping malls, Bangkok has become recognised as the trendsetter in Southeast Asia. People flock here from all over the region to experience the vibrant nightlife, fantastic food and unique shopping opportunities.
Shop
Not so long ago the now oh so fashionable Thonglor was just another side street off the busy Sukhumvit Road. The opening of a skytrain station at the end of the soi changed all that. Suddenly, Thonglor was more accessible and it soon became a trendy area to live. New houses and chic apartments sprung up. Boutiques, coffee shops and bars followed. The opening of H1, a hip mini-mall confirmed Thonglors status as the heart of Bangkok’s evolution into a capital of cool. Other notable trendy shopping experiences down Thonglor include, Playground! It is home to a CD shop, a Starbucks with ipod stations, an extensive magazine store and much more. Nearby, Basheer bookstore specializes on volumes on graphic design, photography, art, and fashion. Walk down leafy Thonglor and its many side sois and you’ll discover great little restaurants, shops and spas.
Stay
The Dream Hotel is one of the coolest places to stay in Bangkok. Located on Sukhumvit Soi 15, the Dream advertises itself as five-star ‘Hautel Couture’. The hotel is the brain-child of Indian-American, Vikram Chatwal who also has a Dream in New York. Dream Bangkok blends chic East and funky West. Indigo blue corridors with soft washed out lighting lead you to your room. The Dream is also the location of many jazz parties and promotions attended by Bangkok’s in-crowd.
Nightlife
BarSu is an ultra-cool club housed on the ground floor of the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit at 250 Sukhumit Road. The stylish club serves cutting-edge cuisine, creative cocktails and wine, all in a sophisticated setting. BarSu was conceived and created by a global team of the designers, consultants and artistic talent. The visually dramatic club has immediately become popular with the over 30s Bangkok crowd who feel disenfranchised by the city’s present night entertainment scene. The music is an eclectic mix of retro sounds, and refreshing free of techno, rap and hip hop.