Showing 1 - 5 of 5
Festival showdown
Life, Gary Boyle, Published on 14/11/2019
» Thai indie kids used to wish Bangkok had an international music festival -- now they've got two happening at the same time. Music fans will need to flip a coin this weekend to choose between Maho Rasop and Very Festival, both of which have international headliners and both of which are on Saturday and Sunday, only a few kilometres apart.
Vivid Saffron nights
Holiday Time, Gary Boyle, Published on 25/12/2018
» At this time of year, both Bangkokians and tourists alike head for the elevators. Hit the top button in any decent hotel’s lift and within a minute you’ll be stepping out to a dazzling view of the city. Grab a seat as near to the edge as you dare, order a cocktail, relax and grab that all-important selfie.
An anthology of fabled fare
Holiday Time, Gary Boyle, Published on 19/12/2016
» Action! A vintage Merc pulls off Sathorn Road, glides around a fountain and slows to a halt outside a grand mansion. A suited concierge opens the car door, allowing an immaculately dressed couple to exit the vehicle. The mansion doors swing open to reveal an immaculate time capsule of late 19th century luxury chic. The couple are led to a pair of deep leather armchair and sit at the precise moment a pair of welcome cocktails arrive. Cut!
Uptown is the new downtown
News, Gary Boyle, Published on 12/12/2014
» Sorry CBD dwellers, zone 1 citizens and heart of the city hipsters: downtown is over. Developers have ripped the soul out of your neighbourhood and hoodwinked you into paying astonishing rent for the privilege. Who wants to pay more for a macaroon in Ploen Chit than in Paris, or buy a New York Deli-style brunch for the price of a flight to Phuket?
Ring in the new
Life, Gary Boyle, Published on 16/12/2013
» Bangkok was different in February 1970, back when Dusit Thani first opened her doors onto the junction of Silom and Rama IV. Beer was ten baht, gas one baht a litre, a good hotel room eight dollars. Siam Centre was a copse of trees by a dusty roundabout. An original print ad for the hotel boasted of 'a wide choice of sophisticated supper clubs, Continental and Siamese restaurants, coffee shops and cocktail lounges.' The photo shows the building looking much as it does today, minus the towering downtown skyscrapers, which is precisely the appeal of this grand dame of Bangkok hospitality.