Our pick of the most exciting products, activities, art exhibitions, shows, food and hotel deals.
STUFF
The Blåvingad Collection / Ikea
Swedish furniture giant Ikea rolls out a home collection for kids that takes inspiration from life under the ocean's surface. From huggable ocean animal soft toys and aquatic textiles to toy games and dreamy lighting, the Blåvingad collection embarks your little ones on an immersive journey of wonder. The collection came about to bring children's perspectives ashore. The idea that shapes product development and design ideas is based on the Ikea Kids Advisory Panel, which took feedback from 40 children about their curiosity about the ocean. Sustainable materials — such as 100% recycled polyester — were used in selected items like soft toys, which is a clear nod to all marine life. Go to ikea.com/th.
H&M Move: Dance Collection / H&M
American choreographer JaQuel Knight joins H&M Move for an activewear collection that inspires people to dance. Expect dancefloor-ready garments for both men and women; think of tracksuits in rich burgundy and forest green that are done up in the brand’s innovative made-for-moving material, DryMove, with moisture-wicking technology to pull sweat away and keep you comfortably dry. Shop at th.hm.com.
Rukkit "The Tiger" Edition / Seiko
Following the collaboration with noted artist Alex Face last year, Seiko 5 Sports gets another artistic look with another Thai street artist. Rukkit Satapornvajana was recruited by Japanese watchmaker Seiko to art up the brand's sports watch with his flair. Dubbed Rukkit "The Tiger" Edition, the collab timepiece features a roaring tiger face in a colourful and geometric style on the watch face. Its black stainless-steel strap adds elegance to the watch's golden bezel, or you can opt for a sporty look with a black fabric strap with two red stripes. Visit seikoboutiquethailand.com.
Moo Festive Mood / Moo official store, Siam Paragon Department / Ongoing
Moo, a menswear and lifestyle brand led by Polpat “Moo” Asavaprapha, designer and founder of Asava Group, recently launched the “Moo Festive Mood” collection to welcome the holiday season. The Moo Reusable Tote Bag gives leftover material the upcycled treatment and breathes new life into it, using fabrics that might otherwise be treated as waste and combining each leftover into a new design. The main focus of this special collection is to reduce manufacturing waste and help solve an environmental problem. Featuring various design options from paisley print to stripes in different variations namely yellow stripes, blue stripes, red stripes and multicolour stripes, each bag comes in a unique design depending on the original garment. Grab your limited-edition Moo reusable tote bag at the Moo official store, second floor, Siam Paragon Department store area (menswear department) or at moomoothings.com or Line Shopping: @moomoothings.
JOIN
Paint & Wine: Merry Christmas Edition / The Hive Prakanong / Dec 8
Sip some wine and get inspired while unleashing your creativity on a canvas at the Hive Prakanong. Your favourite "Paint & Wine" art class is back for a festive season with a Christmas theme. B500 gets you a seat in the freestyle painting class, including a canvas, paint supplies and two drinks. Save your spot at bit.ly/3FGzRBW.
Find Your Ways Out Of Depression / Muchimore / Dec 3
Srinagarindra's Muchimore has teamed up with Healthy Living by Dr. Nok to host a mindful workshop that helps you deal with depression. For B899 per person, the healing programme is designed to walk you through your depression stages. It also offers long-term practises to cope with your stress through wholesome activities, such as breathwork, an emotional release workshop and herbal therapy. Book a seat via fb.com/muchimorelife.
Sathorn Side Splitters Comedy Night / Kha Gastrobar / Dec 8
Side-splitting stand-up comedy returns to Kha Gastrobar on Suan Plu Road. Taking the stage is a line-up of Bangkok-based comedians, such as Justin St. Denis, a runner-up in the 2018 Manager's Bangkok International Comedy Competition, and Le’Ana Freeman, an African-American woman with a lust for adventure and awkward situations. Tickets cost B300 per person via bit.ly/3AT97uA.
Artist In Residence / The Peninsula Bangkok / Until Dec 30
Discover the stunningly intricate, traditional and vanishing Thai lacquer-art technique of lai kammalor, with a special art installation by acclaimed local artist and associate professor Niroj Jarungjitvittawat. The exhibited works, collectively titled “Sati” (a term for mindfulness or consciousness) have been commissioned as part of The Peninsula Bangkok’s artist in residence programme. The programme collaborates with up and coming local artists to offer guests uniquely immersive artistic experiences — in part, by hosting artists in residence, who use studio and exhibition spaces on hotel premises to create work and interact with visitors. Lai kammalor, a centuries-old painting technique that dates to the Ayutthaya period of the Kingdom of Siam, employs lacquer, gold leaf and powdered tempera to create elaborately patterned designs. These were used to adorn the doors, windows, partitions and cabinetry in many of the country’s grandest historic palaces and temples, including Bangkok’s Grand Palace. Niroj has made it his personal mission to preserve this distinctive artistic tradition through his own works, including the dozen paintings which comprise “Sati”, displayed on the mezzanine floor and artist studio at The Peninsula Bangkok. “My dedication to lai kammalor goes beyond simply wanting to introduce this ancient Thai method to modern-day art enthusiasts, or to my students,” says Niroj, who teaches art at Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin. “It is my way of promoting the higher cultural values embodied in the approach — goodness, faith, truth — to viewers around the world.” To book an Artist Studio Tour guided by Niroj, call 02-020-2888 or email pbk@peninsula.com. Visit peninsula.com/art.
The Renaissance Woman / Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok / Until Feb 20, 2023
Bangkok-based Italian artist Saverio Lucci, a prolific contemporary artist and designer, with a strong aesthetic influence in popular culture is holding a exhibition entitled “The Renaissance Woman” throughout the ground floor of the Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok on Sukhumvit 24. His portrait style evolves from great European and Italian traditions and inculcates Japanese style, as well. The artist closely examines emotional aspects, human soul, ambiguity, nuances, all of the sentiments of the heart, with abstract and dreamlike influences. In his 18 elegant paintings made between 2021 and 2022. Lucci often brought together, in a single drawing, observations he had made at different times or using different methods, thus allowing him to convincingly illustrate a beauty and emotion. The exhibition is open from 10am-4pm. A private tour lead by the artist can be booked by emailing saverio@saveriolucci.com. Elevate the art experience at Mondo with the “Festive Hi-Tea”, starting at B765, celebrating the spirit of Christmas. Or enjoy the Grill In The Garden at Mondo Terrace. Call 02-620-6666 or email bkksu.fb@hilton.com.
The (Un)Commentary Tour / Kbank Siam Pic-Ganesha Theatre / Dec 6
Alec Benjamin brings “The (Un)Commentary Tour” to Asia with a one-off performance at Kbank Siam Pic-Ganesha Theatre next Tuesday, courtesy of Live Nation Tero. Having come a long way from promoting his music in parking lots of concert venues, singer-songwriter Alec Benjamin continued his introspective run of music in 2022 with the release of his sophomore album (Un)Commentary, which American Songwriter dubbed as “striking”, further stating, “His dazzling wordplay delights in every track. But the songs also deliver profound messages both personal and worldly.” Find out why he has amassed several billions of global streams and views. Tickets are priced at B2,200 and B2,600 and available via Thai Ticket Major at bit.ly/3UnBYxW.
Johnny’s World Tour ’22 / Lido Connect / Dec 9
Johnny Stimson brings his Johnny’s World Tour to Bangkok with an intimate debut at Lido Connect Hall 3 next Friday. The American singer-songwriter from Texas navigates opposite feelings of love and loss, joy and sorrow and nostalgia and growing up through his raspy and soulful R&B croon and stripped-down music, as evident in his hits such as Smile and Flower. In 2021, he released two critically-acclaimed albums “Flower” and “Butterflies” with the first going 2X platinum in Korea. This year, Stimson started releasing songs from his next project “Johnny’s World” and touring around the world and Thailand is one of his four Asian stops. It’ll be a night to be serenaded and feel warm and fussy inside. The tickets are available via Thai Ticket Major at bit.ly/3GZCsr4.
Maroon 5 World Tour 2022 in Bangkok / Rajamangala Stadium / Dec 10
US pop-rock band Maroon 5 will return to Bangkok for the sixth time and will perform their first stadium gig in Bangkok (we checked) at Rajamangala Stadium. If you want to see frontman Adam Levine move like Jagger while belching out their hits with his tenor, go to Thai Ticket Major at bit.ly/3FgU68t for your last chance to get a ticket.
EAT
Dine In The Dark / Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit / Wednesday to Saturday
The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is hosting the “Dine In The Dark”, a unique fine-dining experience at Barsu, where diners are plunged into darkness as they are led into the dining room. Without vision, they will rely on the remaining senses – touch, taste, smell and hearing together with a visually impaired guide. A surprise menu by the hotel’s chefs will showcase distinctive flavours and textures. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available and other dietary requirements can be accommodated. Every meal can be accompanied by a choice of beverages, including premium beverages. For every customer hosted at DID, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit donates B50 to the Foundation For The Blind in Thailand, a non-profit organisation in Bangkok. DID is available every Wednesday to Saturday, 6-10pm. Special price on Line Shopping is B1,700 nett per person, including a welcome drink (normal price B1,943 nett per person). Call 02-649-8888 or email bkklcbarsu@marriott.com or visit bit.ly/SGS_LINEShopping.
Fundraising Gala Dinner / Chiva-Som, Hua Hin / Dec 12-13
Wellness destination Chiva-Som in Hua Hin is continuing to preserve the area’s mangroves with a fundraising gala dinner for Krailart Niwate Mangrove Ecosystem Preservation Project on Dec 12. The dinner will be a collaboration between chef Dan Bark of Michelin-starred Cadence and Chiva-Som’s executive chef Sinchai Srivipa. They will present an eight-course wellness menu, which begins with a mocktail reception at the Orchid Lounge, followed by dinner at the Taste of Siam overlooking the ocean. Highlight dishes include an amuse-bouche of Kingfish and caviar, Tender Wagyu beef with kimchi and miso, and a unique savoury-sweet dessert inspired by the Thai dish miang kham. In addition, many dishes will feature fresh, organic produce sourced from Chiva-Som’s gardens.
STAY
Relaunch announcement / Dinso Resort Phuket
IHG Hotels & Resorts welcomes Dinso Resort Phuket to its luxury- and lifestyle-focused portfolio, which marks the resort as the fourth property of the Vignette Collection in Thailand. No one can beat this hillside resort's design-led landscaping and structural design, which are down to earth and blend with Patong wildwood. Another strong suit of the resort is its sustainability approach, which aligns with Vignette Collection's new direction. Sit tight for an upgrade that is promised to take Patong to the next level of beach destination. Dinso Resort Phuket will be bookable on the IHG website and part of the Vignette Collection by mid-2023. Visit bit.ly/3V3t6Ph.
A Night On Us / Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve / Until Apr 16
Book your Andaman seascape at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, for a minimum of four nights, while one of the nights will be on the house. With "A Night On Us”, book your stay for four nights to pay for three, or eight for six nights, with a rate starting at B23,500 per night for the Reserve Pavilion. The privileges include a welcome amenity, a daily buffet breakfast for two guests, a complimentary daily boat to Hong Island and 24-hour butler service. Book at ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/phulay-bay.
Celebrate & Play / Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 / Until Dec 15
Although Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 has been around Nana for more than a decade, it never fails to keep up with the buzz of the party street. The hotel has celebrated its 11th anniversary and rolled out an offer. With "Celebrate & Play", guests can book their stays with breakfast at an exclusive anniversary rate starting from B4,011 per night. Start your urban escape as early as 11am for check-in and head over to WXYZ Bar for a welcome drink to make a toast to another fabulous year of the hotel. Another perk is a 20% discount on F&B and laundry services. The anniversary deal is bookable through Dec 15 for stays taken by Dec 28. Go to at bit.ly/3ANiTym.
WATCH
Three Thousand Years Of Longing in cinemas
Directed by George Miller.
Who's in it?
Tilda Swinton, Idris Elba and Erdil Yasaroglu.
What's it about?
A lonely scholar, on a trip to Istanbul, discovers a Djinn who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom.
Why watch it?
To understand our constant desire for companionship.
She Said in cinemas
Directed by Maria Schrader.
Who's in it?
Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan and Patricia Clarkson.
What's it about?
'New York Times' reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor break one of the most important stories in a generation — a story that helped ignite a movement and shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood.
Why watch it?
The true story of the Harvey Weinstein's accounts of sexual abuse.
