It's okay to be a kid every now and then. By that, we don't mean asking your parents for permission to go out, throwing a tantrum when you don't get what you want or picking your nose and eating the booger either. Eww.
In the spirit of Thai Children's Day (the second Saturday of every January), we think every kid at heart should enjoy some good clean fun to keep their inner child alive and happy. This week, as big kids ourselves, we scouted the city for venues where you can role-play, be silly and basically let your kiddie side out for the sake of some LOL'ing.
You're never too old to have fun, peeps. Happy Children's Day!
Zombie Killing Spree
Wanna blow some zombies' heads off or fend off some space pirates after a stressful office week? Then head to VR1 for a truly immersive gaming experience.
This first VR cafe in Thailand is a brainchild of two Thai techie guys. Keng and Air tried VR cafes abroad before deciding to open their own last month. There are three VR systems available -- HTC Vive, Oculus and Playstation VR -- all of which are plugged into super souped-up CPUs.
Photos by VR1
If you're a noob, don't worry. They will give you a tutorial and help you get your gear on. You won't be walking into walls as grids'll show up when you're too close to one. There are 70 games to choose from, ranging from shooting, horror, co-op to party games. We tried zombie-shooting, The Brookhaven Experiment, thinking it would be less scary at noon. Boy, we were so wrong. It turned out to be an exhilarating experience blowing zombies' heads off at close range and turning around to see others coming for you. Scary but fun. Your inner child may come out screaming.
While you're having your VR adventure, your friends can watch it on a big TV screen and comfortably cheer you on from the sofa too. There are six rooms where your gang can have fun together, in privacy. Get the one with a green screen in case you want a video clip of you playing at no extra cost. For multiplayer games, you'll need to book two rooms.
Besides VR games, the cafe also offers F&B and 30 board games (B60-B70 per hour). Who knows, you may shoot better with a caffeine (or beer) kick. The first hour of a VR game costs B650 (B550 per every extra hour), which isn't outrageous at all when spilt with friends.
On Jan 14, a child that comes with parents will receive one appetiser for free. Discounts and lucky draw are available too.
VR1, noon-midnight, between Thong Lor Soi 4-6, Aneckvanich Building (look for Nail Salon and walk up to VR1), 2/F. 080-288-2777.
Your Mini Me
Forget your teddy bear. With the help of minimii, you'll have your new favourite plush doll to cuddle up with, the perk being that it'll look just like you! (Well, that is, unless you have some serious issues with yourself.)
minimii will transfer your likeness onto a cuddly doll, according to your preferences. Simply send minimii pictures of your face (or that of your loved one) along with a few more style references of what you would like your doll to look like -- biker chick, mermaid, blushing bride etc -- and they'll create your very own doll in just three days.
Photos by minimii
The standard doll costs B1,990 and arrives in an aluminium zip lock bag. For B2,990, your doll will come with another set of clothes, a voice recorder, personalised stickers and a cute box to keep it in too. That extra B1,000 is a reasonable deal, considering the extra items you'll receive on top of the doll. The Guru team got turned into minimii dolls and we must say they are very cute indeed. Free shipping worldwide.
Contact minimii at http://fb.com/minimiiworld and www.minimiiworld.com.
Sharpest Shooter
A laser tag game at LAZGAM is like a finger gun times ten. To the best of our knowledge, this place was the first of its kind in Bangkok before several similar venues popped up.
Each shooter puts on this sci-fi-looking vest with a gun and five sensors. These sensors are spots where you try to shoot at other players to gain points and also where you get hit. They have this sophisticated system that can configure a laser game in many ways -- an every-man-for-himself scenario, a shoot-out between two to six teams, an in-the-dark battle and more.
Photo by Lazgam
At the beginning of each game, all shooters have some time to find their spots in a cyberpunk maze. No one is safe (from getting hit) as there are grids on the floor and the walls, so you need to be on the constant move to ensure your survival. Your vest will tell you when you get hit and congratulate you when you hit someone. It even tells you who hit you so you can exact revenge. Muah ha ha ha.
Each game lasts 15 minutes but your adrenaline and heart rate will surely go up as you sneak your way around the battlefield while trying to land a shot. At the end, a report card will show how well you did. There are party packages available too.
LAZGAM, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, will open the second branch in March at CentralFestival Pattaya and another in Major Ratchayothin in April. More are coming to major cities across Thailand. On Tue, all games cost B190 per person all day. Happy hours take place on Mon-Fri from noon-4pm during which all games cost B199.
On Jan 14, all games will cost only B100 for everyone. I repeat B100.
LAZGAM -- Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-2am, Sat 10am-2am, Sun 10am-midnight. Holiday Inn Sukhumvit 22, 5/F. www.lazgam.com, http://fb.com/lazgamlasergames, 02-663-7703. B350 per person for first game.
Grown-up Tea Party
Take your tea party to new levels at Dandelion Cafe. They're hosting "Wonderland Tea Party" for those looking to enjoy adorable desserts in a whimsical atmosphere inspired by, of course, Alice in Wonderland.
Their F&B package includes two teas and eight desserts, all of which are inspired by Lewis Carroll's novel, with names like Mad hatter big four cake, Queen's dress cupcake and Cheshire cat's tail. You can drink and eat to your heart's (and stomach's) content, except for two items which will be given only once. They can arrange these tea parties any day of the week at 11am, 2pm or 5pm but you need to book at least three days in advance. The cafe will reserve a private space for tea parties which will last two hours. Cute props like flower crowns and flower bracelets can be provided as well.
The minimum size of your tea party must be at least four people for the price of B520 per person. But the cost per head will go down if your group is bigger (up to 10 people). You don't need big bucks to have a private party.
Dandelion Cafe - 9am-7pm, between Sukhumvit Soi 49-51, http://fb.com/dandelioncafebkk, 085-145-3181.
Get Your Nerd On
We're just entering 2017 but Game Over is upgrading like it's 2020 already. It's still a cool place to satisfy your appetite for PC games on serious CPUs (B200 for the first two hours, B100 for extra hour), board games (free or B50 per hour for selected titles), console games (B250 per hour) and food in one sitting, except no, it's looking to become more inclusive than ever.
Whether you want to play PC, board or console games, you're required to pay for a B100 lifetime membership first. To play board or console games, you'll only need one person with a membership in your group. You get free two-hour board games when your food or drink receipt totals at least B500 and free two-hour console games when your food or drink receipt totals at least B1,000. Pay B200 per hour to play pool and for that there's no membership required.
The venue is being expanded in terms of size and concept. The original area with tables for food and board games are still there as are the private rooms for the serious PC gamers. It now also boasts a full kitchen which Meat & Bones is in charge of, a full bar headed by Niko and Viktor (Swedish mixologist duo whose portfolio include Wonderfruit and Glow), a playground room for children and a new lounge for DJs and parties. Also in the pipeline is a capsule hotel where guests have free access to games. Game Over isn't kidding around, peeps.
Game Over 2.0 will officially be launched on Jan 27 with a party. A full new menu and new opening hours - from 7am-late on Tue-Sun - starts from Jan 28 onwards.
Game Over -- Tue-Fri 5pm-2am, Sat-Sun 11am-2am until Jan 27, Liberty Plaza, Thong Lor, 02-170-7684, http://fb.com/GAMEOVERLOUNGETH.
Gulliver's Travels
Fans of scale models, city-building games and photography should find the miniature world (scaled at 1:87) in the newly-opened Stanley MiniVenture to be an enjoyable experience.
11 different zones are featured over 1,000sqm, ranging from a mining town, a European town, a port town to a full-on city. There are countless photogenic scenes to snap and minute but amazing details to be discovered for yourself.
Photos by Pornchai Sereemongkonpol
The lighting changes gradually take you from a day to a night mood. This isn't strictly about taking photos, though. Some mini people move and some zones come with interactive activities. You can press a button to turn on the wind turbines or send up smoke from a factory. At the port zone, you can control a cargo ship too. They aren't trying to duplicate any city in particular but if you look close enough you'll notice replicas of famous buildings and skyscrapers of the world.
Before reaching the souvenir shop, you can paint a mini person or a tree for free but if you want to take it home, it will cost you an extra B100 and B50 respectively. One-day passes are B650 per person and B450 per child. It's a bit steep but you can spend as much time in there as you like. You can even go out and come back later.
Stanley MiniVenture -- 10am-8pm, Gateway Ekamai, 2/F, BTS Ekkamai, http://fb.com/StanleyMiniVenture, 02-048-9924.
Need for Speed
Newly-opened IMPACT Speed Park is another adrenaline-pumping venue on our list. This is where you can go-kart, whether you're seven or seventy.
The 800-metre long outdoor circuit is equipped with safety measures and can be adjusted to keep it challenging for racers. There's no hot surface on all karts as their motors and batteries are fully enclosed. You can also have the positions of the steering wheel and the seat adjusted so you can speed in comfort. Your race is eco-friendly too, as all of the 30 karts, which are manufactured with the latest technology in France by Sodikart, run on electricity -- a real first in Thailand. The adjacent building is fully air-conditioned and equipped with facilities for racers and a lounge. One session lasts eight minutes and how many laps you can complete is up to your ability.
Photos by IMPACT Speed Park
A one-year B100 membership is required for adult and kid racers. Until Jan 31, one session cost B455 per adult (older than 14) and B365 per child (aged 7-14). Racers aged 7-11 will receive a 50% discount on Jan 14-15. All proceeds will go to support local schools.
It's quite a long way to go but IMPACT Speed Park is part of Muang Thong waterfront where you can also enjoy a lake-side meal at Breeze Cafe & Bar, and paddle water bikes in the Muang Thong Thani lake.
IMPACT Speed Park -- Mon-Fri 4pm-midnight, Sat-Sun noon-midnight. Tiwanon-Pakkred 36 Road, Banmai, Pakkred, Nonthaburi. www.impactspeedpark.com, http://fb.com/impactspeedpark, 02-055-8900.
Children's Day Events
Here's our pick of events inspired by Children's Day
- Until Jan 15, Siam Paragon will become a playground. At Lego Kid's Day, kids can unleash their imagination with these colourful blocks and compete to win prizes. Buy selected Lego products and you'll get to donate to Phradabos Foundation. Pokémon Day 2017 features Pikachu race, Pikachu parade and games. The highlight, in our opinion, are the various Lego constructions in tribute to the late King by professional model builders.
- Until Jan 15, The EmQuartier will celebrate Thai Children's Day with superheroes, clowns and food. Musician Trai "Boy" Bhumirat and his daughter will perform together on Jan 14 at 6pm. Iron Chef Kids will take place on Jan 15 at 1pm. Kiddy menus from popular restaurants will also be available.
- Rock4Kidz Volume 1&3/4 at Soy Sauce (Charoen Krung Soi 24) will be organised to raise awareness and funds for World Vision to assist vulnerable children in Pattaya. The rock line-up includes Degaruda, Cana, Brand New Sunset and more. The concert starts from 4-10pm on Jan 14. Get your free tickets at http://go.eventpop.me/Rock4Kidz.
- Celebrate Children's Day like adults with a pool BBQ party at The Westin Grande Sukhumvit (Sukhumvit Soi 19, 02-207-8000) from noon-4pm. Take a dip in the rooftop saltwater swimming pool while enjoying a skyline view. Enjoy drinks from the pool bar, pizzas, hot dogs, burgers, skewers, chicken wings and more. B890 per person with soft drinks and mocktails. B390 for kids aged 4-12.
