Guru by Bangkok Post's pick of the most exciting products, activities, art exhibitions, shows, food and hotel deals.
STUFF
Year of the Rabbit Collection / Gucci
Ahead of the Chinese New Year celebration on Jan 22, Gucci crafts a festive capsule collection that honours the Year Of The Rabbit. The men’s and women’s wardrobes, including footwear and accessory departments, are hyped up with depictions of rabbits, which represent intelligence, health and longevity. The collection sees a variety of bright colours and bunny-centric motifs take centrestage in the brand’s commemorative collection, bridging the Chinese zodiacs and the masses through fashion. Among the highlights is a stylish combo of a technical jacket and jogging pants that present this year's zodiac bunny in quirky graffiti prints. Visit gucci.com.
New Year Shine Collection / Mac
Mac's Lunar New Year collection prepares a selection of beauty essentials to let your inner beauty shine through. Named "the "New Year Shine" collection, it features the brand's best-selling products in specially designed packages. The lipstick comes in four neutral tones that give you not only life but also luck, thanks to a flamboyant red case that symbolises good fortune. A liquid-powder highlighter offers a luminous finish in two shades, Beaming Blush and Show Gold, on a powder surface embossed with a Chinese knot. A limited-edition highlight palette offers eight warm-toned neutral shades, presented in orange/red gradient packaging with Chinese motifs. Go to maccosmetics.co.th.
Lunar New Year Collection 2023 / Bang & Olufsen
In gearing up for the Chinese New Year celebration, Bang & Olufsen debuts a limited-edition set of the five most iconic audio products that have been done up in a festive palette. The line-up includes the Beoplay A9 home speaker, Beolit 20 portable speaker, Beosound A1 portable speaker, Beoplay H95 headphones and Beoplay EX wireless earphones. All are rendered in Lunar Red, Jade Green and Gold Tone, which are the colours that B&O derives inspiration from the Silk Road. Aside from the colours, the commemorative collection sees some design elements that pay homage to traditional Chinese cultures, such as a decorative Chinese knot on the Beolit 20 and Beosound A1 that act as a good-luck charm. Shop at bang-olufsen.com.
JOIN
Dosa Workshop / Suananda / Jan 7
Located near Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Silom, the homely vegetarian restaurant Suananda will host a cooking class on Jan 7. For B2,000 per person, learn how to make three distinct varieties of dosa, along with a choice of fillings and chutneys. The price includes recipe notes and lunch. Bring a friend to get 10% off. Reserve a seat via tinyurl.com/SavouryIndianCrepes.
Jaitalad Farm & Folk Market / Bambini Villa / Jan 7-8
Head over to Bambini Villa, a lifestyle community mall on Sukhumvit 26, to browse through an array of organic goods at "Jaitalad Farm & Folk Market". The weekend farmer’s market is in support of farmers while providing them a space to sell their products and connecting them with city dwellers. Expect local vendors selling organic veggies and fruits fresh from the farm. There will also be home-baked bakeries and handicrafts. Visit fb.com/bambinivilla.
Almond Blossom Workshop / Tentacles Workshop / Jan 11
Tentacles Workshop on Narathiwas 22 invites aspiring artists to recreate one of Vincent Van Gogh's iconic paintings, Almond Blossoms, from the late 19th century in acrylic. The oil painting was meant to be a sentimental gift to his nephew, while the floral blooms he painted reminded him of hope and the rebirth of life. The art class costs B1,800 per participant and includes snacks and beverages. Save your spot via fb.com/TentaclesN22.
Urban Gray / The Art of Living / Until Jan 27
The Art Of Living, an art gallery in the sales office of Tait Sathorn 12 by Raimond Land, is hosting "Urban Gray" as a pop-up art show in collaboration with Joyman Gallery. Pongsatat Uaiklang, whose work adorns various landmarks and hotels in Thailand and abroad, presents sculptures and abstract paintings, which he creates under the concept of "Urban Gray". Free admission. The sales office is on Soi Pramuan and opens daily from 9.30am-6pm.
Vivid Recollection Of The Past / River City Bangkok / Until Jan 8
You have until this weekend to enjoy the "Vivid Recollection Of The Past" exhibition in the RCB Artery on the first floor. Curated by Charnchai Siriwittayacharoen, this group show highlights paintings and mixed media by various Thai artists. Anchana Nankala’s series of water-lily paintings and two impressions of a lotus pond by the venerated Thai artist Taweesak Ujugatanond are the highlights. River City Bangkok is on Charoen Krung 24. More info at fb.com/RiverCityBangkok.
STAY
Heavenly Package / Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa / Until Mar 31
As the name promises, the "Heavenly" package offered by Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa has your tropical getaway covered with many privileges. The beachfront resort offers a lavish stay for a starting rate of B5,936 per night. By booking a minimum of two nights, guests can enjoy daily breakfast at Banana Leaf Restaurant and a choice of a two-course lunch or dinner set for two people. Complimentary roundtrip airport transfers and a late check-out until 3pm are included. Book by Mar 31 for a stay through Jun 30. Visit bit.ly/3i6YDSe.
Empower Your Well-Being / The Westin Grande Sukhumvit / until Apr 30
Take your staycation to a new wholesome level with the "Empower Your Well-Being" package from The Westin Grande Sukhumvit. Perk up your urban escape with savings on room rates and temping benefits when booking a minimum stay of two nights at rates that begin at B6,372 per night. You will get a complimentary upgrade to kick back in Premium Deluxe, with daily breakfast and late check-out until 4pm. The special amenity includes a refreshing natural coconut juice and a Westin tote bag. Stay on top of your wellness game with a 25% discount on rejuvenating spa treatments at Vareena Spa. Another highlight is an afternoon tea at Zest Bar & Terrace. Go to bit.ly/3Z5anp3.
Back to Nature Plus Offer / Soneva Kiri / Until Aug 31
Reconnect with Mother Nature on the tranquil island of Koh Kood at Soneva Kiri. With the "Back To Nature Plus" offer, guests can indulge in barefoot island living while reaping the perks that the ultra-luxury resort has to offer. Think of a complimentary shared return flight on a private plane, daily breakfast and dinner with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, the signature Barefoot Butler and a 10% discount on F&B. The package is bookable for Thai residents only, starting from B99,500 for a three-day and two-night stay for two guests. Reservation at soneva.com/resorts/soneva-kiri.
EAT
Lobster Tsukemen / Menya Itto / Till stocks last
Remember the exclusive Boston lobster tsukemen dish at Menya Itto, when it was located in the Erawan shopping centre — the one that was served only at a certain time of the year and required pre-ordering? Since the popular ramen restaurant moved into Gaysorn Tower, the dish no longer requires pre-ordering and is being served until stocks last. The Homard bleu Breton are the aristocrats of the lobster world, known for their sweet flavour and at Menya Itto are priced at B1900++ (depending on the size the price may go up to B2,200++ baht). The signature lobster tsukemen features a whole (both claws and tomalley intact) 500g Homard from Brittany grilled with French butter and premium naturally-brewed sake. It is served with a bisque made from whole lobsters, which are a mix of Boston and Brittany, and whole chickens for added flavour. The bisque is made Japanese style, which means it is deglazed with the naturally-brewed sake. The housemade tsukemen noodles have yukari sprinkled on top for a subtle, tangy hit of red shiso in every bite. Call 063-045-0236.
Raan Dung Ross Ded / Salathip, Shangri-La Bangkok / Jan 7
The Shangri-La Bangkok will host the eighth “Raan Dung Ross Ded: RDRD Street Food Market @Salathip”, a riverfront outdoor market with live music and fun activities on Jan 7 from 5.30-9.30pm. The street food featured will be from different regions of Thailand, and will include art and handicrafts. Stalls are from the Michelin Guide Thailand and dishes are priced starting at B100. Call 02-236-7777, email restaurants.slbk@shangri-la.com or visit bit.ly/RDRD-7JAN2023-Media.
Epiphany / Zing, Centara Grand at CentralWorld / Until Jan 31
Celebrate Epiphany, the Feast Of The Three Kings, and the baptism of Jesus on Jan 6 with a Galette des Rois. The traditional French tart celebrates the day the Three Kings visited the infant Jesus. Baked throughout January, the puff pastry tart, filled with frangipane, an almond custard cream with a hint of vanilla, is available for B690 nett at Zing. In true French tradition, two figurines or "fèves" will be hidden in the almond cream filling of the Galette des Rois. Whoever finds one of them is crowned king or queen for the day and everyone must obey their every whim or command. Call 02-100-1234, ext. 6485 or email diningcgcw@chr.co.th to place an order.
Winter truffles / Akira Back / Until Jan 31
Akira Back, the Asian restaurant at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, will be serving winter truffles throughout January. Enter 2023 in style with a choice of indulgent à la carte dishes that showcase the highly-prized ingredient. Sourced from the shady woodlands of southern Europe, black winter truffles will be in four special dishes: Akira Back’s signature Truffle tuna pizza (B740++), Truffle mushroom pizza (B600++), Pan-seared halibut (B830++) and Japanese A5 wagyu (B4,050++). Call 02-059-5999, email restaurant-reservations.bkkqp@marriotthotels.com or visit sevn.ly/xVAiAU7H.
WATCH
The Pale Blue Eye on Netflix
Premiering on Jan 6
A retired detective recruits an astute West Point cadet named Edgar Allan Poe to help him solve a grisly murder mystery at the US Military Academy.
Lady Boss: The Jackie Collins Story in cinema
Directed by Laura Fairrie.
Who's in it?
Tita Cahn, Hazel Collins and Jackie Collins.
What's it about?
The documentary takes viewers through the trailblazing life of novelist Jackie Collins. Spinning together fact and fiction, it reveals the untold story of a ground-breaking author and her mission to build a one-woman literary empire. Narrated by a cast of Collins' closest friends and family, the film shares the private struggles of a woman who became an icon of 80s feminism whilst hiding her vulnerability behind a carefully crafted, powerful, public persona.
Why watch it?
It evolves from a celebration of Collins' revolutionary novels — which placed female sexuality at the heart of their storytelling — into a multi-layered deliberation on feminism, family dynamics, and the universal quest to understand how our childhood experiences and early traumas ultimately make us who we are.
