Guru by Bangkok Post's pick of the most exciting products, activities, food and travel to indulge in.
EAT
Sky-high festivities / Centara Grand at CentralWorld / Dec 31
End the year with a bang 55 floors above the city at Centara Grand at CentralWorld. Indulge in an exquisite eight-course gala dinner at Red Sky Restaurant, paired with panoramic views of Bangkok, live entertainment and a DJ to keep you dancing all through the night. A sumptuous feast awaits with Imperial oscietra caviar, Nova Scotia lobster, White truffles and Hitachi Wagyu. After the feast, wait for the clock to strike 12 and watch the spectacular fireworks display light up the night sky as you raise a toast to the new year. The price includes a complimentary bottle of Champagne Pommery Brut Royal N.V. for every couple. At Ventisi, enjoy an international dinner buffet with free-flow sparkling wine, cocktails, wines and beers. At Uno Mas, book a table for the “Surf And Turf Celebration” and enjoy seafood on ice, cooked-to-order gourmet courses, free-flow Champagne Pommery Brut Royal N.V., premium drinks, cocktails and white & red wines. At Cocoa XO, the New Year’s Eve party includes free-flow cocktails, cognac, spirits, wines and beers, and unlimited house-made chocolates! At Cru Champagne Bar, get access to Bangkok’s most exclusive New Year’s party with free-flow Champagne Pommery Brut Royal N.V., selected cocktails, spirits and wines.
Magic of the holidays / Capella Bangkok
The urban resort by the Chao Phraya River is the setting to indulge in the magic of the holidays. A festive gift for a celebration surprise, Capella Bangkok’s festive hamper is inspired by Charoen Krung Road. Expect homemade treats and locally-sourced products, available in medium and large sizes. Purchases can be made until Dec 31. Festive menus for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch pay homage to time-honoured holiday traditions. A spread of scrumptious offerings that honour classic Thai fare, as well as traditional Christmas favourites can be expected at Phra Nakhon, along with Christmas carols and live music, festive games and a special visit from Santa Claus. At Michelin-starred Côte by Mauro Colagreco, a special menu will a white Christmas. The Festive Signature High Tea offers Capella’s Signature Diamant Champagne, bottled exclusively for the urban resort by the Vranken Pommery house, or with merry Gin & Tea cocktails. Welcome 2024 on a high note at Phra Nakhon, Côte by Colagreco and Stella, which are all offering dazzling dining experiences, riveting entertainment and heartening feasts. Guests will get access to the Courtyard, live entertainment and the fireworks showcase.
Festive Season / Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok transforms into a magical holiday wonderland with sparkling lights, festive decorations and a magnificent Christmas tree. On Dec 24, the Riverside Terrace offers a poolside and riverside buffet featuring regional and international favourites such as Velvet pumpkin soup with golden and black truffle chantilly; Roasted and stuffed Christmas turkey; Rotisserie-roasted Barbary duck with mulberry honey; potato dumplings; Oven-baked Virginia ham glazed with maple syrup; and Chestnut Mont Blanc. Enjoy live entertainment, including a performance by Pure Ekkapan, winner of The Voice All Stars Thailand 2022, amidst a classic festive atmosphere that promises the perfect family celebration. Cap off Christmas Eve with a magical firework display above the Chao Phraya River. Known for exceptional seafood, premium cuts, and classic grills, Lord Jim’s will offer a Christmas Eve dinner. On Dec 25, a Christmas lunch at Lord Jim’s will feature a selection of fresh seafood, fish and premium meats. Ring in the New Year at Riverside Terrace with a welcome cocktail in The Authors’ Lounge and continue with a gala buffet dinner accompanied by fantastic entertainment from The Sun Band. The highlight is a splendid buffet offering international and Thai delicacies. On Jan 1, join the New Year's Day brunch at Lord Jim’s.
Holiday spirit / Lacol Khaoyai / Dec 24 and Dec 31
Luxury hotel Lacol Khaoyai celebrates the festive season with two spectacular events: an exclusive Christmas Eve Dinner and a grand New Year’s Eve celebration, "A Remarkable Night". Start the festivities with the exclusive four-course Christmas Eve dinner featuring the finest seasonal ingredients, each course paired with a carefully selected glass of wine. The dinner will be complemented by live Christmas carols, adding a touch of festive cheer. The celebrations continue as guests are invited to ring in the New Year with "A Remarkable Night" on Dec 31. Bid farewell to the old and welcome 2024 with an exquisite international buffet, live music, lucky draw, and a stunning fireworks display at midnight.
Holiday hampers / Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
The hotel’s new series of festive hampers capture the heartwarming spirit of the holiday season. They are handwoven baskets crafted by traditional Thai communities and filled with luxurious goodies. Produced by villagers in two rural Thai provinces using time-honoured techniques that reflect the unique artistry of each region, the water hyacinth baskets are woven by a group in Baan Sukkasem, Nakhom Pathom. The group has been using this natural artform for more than 40 years to help clear the invasive plant from the Tha Chin River, while also generating income for the community. Other baskets have been carefully crafted by a group of villagers in Ban Khok Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, using krajood trees (salt marsh bulrush) — a One Tambon One Product (Otop) project that has empowered local people to weave mats and bags using organic native materials. The krajood baskets include The Grande Prestige Hampers filled with panettone, macadamia cookies, chocolate Santas, fruitcake, sweet grissini, chocolate almonds, macarons and organic honey, plus a bottle of Montaudon, TWG exclusive premium teas or non-alcoholic sparkling wine. The Sense Of Romance Hampers come packed with assorted praline chocolates, parmesan grissini, oatmeal cookies and a scented candle, plus a bottle of Montaudon or non-alcoholic sparkling wine. The water hyacinth baskets are available with a choice of two hampers — The Holiday Bliss Hampers, filled with a collection of designer bathroom amenities from Byredo, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion, plus a scented candle, pillow mist and TWG exclusive premium teas and The Festive Delights Set features fruitcake, almond cookies, red velvet cookies and Parmesan grissini. Advanced pre-orders (at least 24 hours) are required. Hampers can be picked up from Orchid Café.
Collaboration menu / The House Of Suntory x Sarnies Sukhumvit / Until Jan 14
Sarnies Sukhumvit has joined forces with The House Of Suntory to create a collaboration menu. Across all Sarnies outposts, get refreshing spritzers like the Haku Spritz with sakura, salted plum and tonic or the limited-time-only mulled wine made with Suntory Kakubin Whisky, red wine, honey, citrus and house spices. With the food exclusives at Sarnies Sukhumvit, find Roku G&T eggs benny that features Roku gin and beetroot-cured smoked salmon; Haku vodka sugo pizza and Open-flamed pork ribs featuring Suntory Kakubin Whisky bulldog sauce. There is also the Suntory Kakubin Whisky sour sorbet with a red wine drizzle. On Dec 24 a “Christmas Canele Workshop” will be conducted from 1-4pm at Apartment by Chow (Sarnies Sukhumvit, Level 2). The workshop will feature canelé flavours using The House Of Suntory spirits and attendees will recreate a classic canelé with Roku gin pastry cream, a matcha canele and a beautiful chocolate canelé with Suntory Kakubin Whisky ganache. On Dec 30, chef Pete from Minimal Meal will host a Japanese tea workshop from 1-3pm at Apartment by Chow. Learn about Japanese tea in detail and various ways to craft unique tea-based beverages. The workshop ends with exploring sencha with Roku Gin and houjicha with Suntory Kakubin Whisky. On Dec 31 from 5pm to 2am, countdown to New Years at Sarnies Sukhumvit and F*nkytown, along with live music by Frank Rovillstone from 9-11pm and Bondipity from 11pm to 1am. All guests get rooftop access through F*nkytown at midnight.
Festive season / Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok / Dec 24-25, Dec 31
Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok celebrates the joy of Christmas and the New Year against the backdrop of the majestic Chao Phraya River with several sumptuous feasts. On Christmas Eve, indulge in a lavish buffet at the River Barge Restaurant, where delights include Crabmeat and avocado tartare salmon rolls, Fine de Claire and Normandy oysters, Foie gras pork cordon bleu, Whole roasted turkey, Peking duck rolls, Roasted Hokkaido Wagyu beef A5 ribeye, Spicy seafood salad with lemongrass and chilli paste. There will be Christmas carol singing and Santa Claus will make an appearance. On Dec 25, feast on Thai, Chinese, Japanese and European dishes, including Pan-seared salmon, Chicken roulade stuffed with spinach and ricotta, Capsicum sauce, Steamed spicy seafood souffle, Braised pork belly Southern style, Roasted red pork with honey, Assorted sushi and sashimi, and more. Enjoy a lavish buffet dinner, funky entertainment from Cho and her band, and DJ Natty to take you back to the 70s and 80s, and a breathtaking fireworks finale. The buffet features a live seafood station serving Imperial Beluga caviar with traditional condiments, Canadian lobster, Fine de Claire oysters and more. Other stations include the pasta station, teppanyaki station serving foie gras, roasted goose with bread sauce and cranberries, and roast Australian Wagyu tomahawk.
Dim sum lunch / Liu, Conrad Bangkok
Enjoy all the dim sum you can eat for lunch at Liu, Conrad Bangkok on Witthayu Road. Led by executive Chinese chef Andy Fung, Liu's repertoire of dim sum and a-la-carte dishes can be enjoyed for 180 minutes on weekdays, weekends or public holidays. The range includes Steamed vegetables and wild mushroom dumplings with black truffle sauce, Steamed minced shrimp and scallop dumplings with wasabi mayo, Steamed minced kurobuta dumplings with crab meat and black truffle sauce, Steamed snow crab claw with shrimp in red curry sauce and Steamed shrimp dumpling topped with salmon roe. Other dishes include Double-boiled chicken soup with Chinese herbs and black mushroom, Grilled saba fillet with gong bao sauce, Crispy shrimp and vegetable cake with sweet and sour sauce, Crispy US scallop with fresh fruit and vegetable salad, Double-boiled pork spare ribs soup with turnip and black garlic, Pecking duck roll, Braised abalone with oyster sauce and Steamed snow fish with wild mushroom. Celebrate Xmas or New Year with a Cantonese vibe and a special set menu for four people available on Dec 24, 25 and 31. The festive menu includes Tropical fruits topped with fried prawn and mayo, Braised fish maw soup with abalone, conpoy and black mushroom, Traditional roasted Peking Duck Hong Kong style (half) with homemade pancake, Sauteed squid slices and sea asparagus with broccoli in XO sauce, Liu's signature pressed barbecued crispy pork belly and more.
JOIN
Guest shift / F*nkytown x The House Of Suntory / Dec 28
F*nkytown will launch itself with its first guest shift — Shingo Gokan, the driving force behind SG Group and the brains behind the World’s 50 Best Bars such as Speak Low in Shanghai and The SG Club in Tokyo. In collaboration with The House Of Suntory, the event reunites Gokan and Pae Ketumarn, F*nkytown’s group beverage manager, who trained under Gokan. Gokan will showcase his signature creations from 8-11pm. DJ Takamichi will spin city-pop beats to complement the experience, while F*nkytown’s kitchen will present specials for the night, such as Roku gin scallop aguachile, Ebi katsu sando with local river prawns and desserts like the Suntory kakubin whisky sour sorbet. Limited seating is available so reservations are highly recommended.
DIY Gingerbread House / Shangri-La Bangkok’s Lobby Lounge / Until Dec 23
Spend quality time with family and introduce the little ones to the world of imagination and creativity. This fun family-friendly workshop is suitable for adults and kids. Available from Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 2pm until Dec 23with 24 hours advance reservation.
Art of embroidery / Jim Thompson Surawong showroom
Jim Thompson has announced a "Cushion Embroidery Workshop" at the Jim Thompson Surawong showroom. The workshop allows patrons to transform exquisite Jim Thompson fabrics into personalised cushions or placemats. Customers will have the unique opportunity to embroider their initials or a chosen floral pattern, to create a bespoke piece of home décor while enjoying a selection of refreshments in a relaxed, inspiring atmosphere. In conjunction with the workshop, customers will get the opportunity to discover the latest Autumn Collection 2023. This new collection features unique interior fabrics perfect for any aesthetic, from the classic charm of Jim Thompson and No.9 Thompson to the refined British elegance of Fox Linton. Spanning three floors, the showroom is a testament to the style, where classic meets contemporary in a 'perfect blending' of design philosophies. The third floor showcases magnificent home decorations, furniture, and antiques from celebrated Thai brands such as Lotus Arts de Vivre, Muse Design, and Art Resources, alongside artisanal creations from De Siam, the Chiang Mai craft brand. The Jim Thompson flagship store extends an open invitation to explore and be inspired.
Game Over / Paradise Lost / Dec 31
Paradise Lost, Bangkok’s neo-tropical rooftop bar, will raise a toast to 2024 with an “electropical” New Year’s Eve party promising the perfect view of the fireworks. "Game Over" promises an unforgettable night of entertainment, dancing to live DJ performances with the latest lighting effects. A neon-tinged atmosphere will set the stage for an incredible start to 2024. Along with a panoramic 360° view of Bangkok’s skyline and the NYE fireworks, expect a design that combines lush greenery with striking pink and yellow hues. In keeping with the theme of a post-apocalyptic world on the mend, enter a lab-like setting complete with unique installations and extra-sensory surprises, while the cocktail and mocktail menus will highlight local, sustainable ingredients and the latest eco-friendly processes. An impeccable dining experience awaits with an exclusive menu of fun and festive bites. Expect Crispy Tuna Ceviche, Fried Okra, Beef Wagyu sando and The Frozen Pineapple. Paradise Lost's year-end offerings includes a menu of special baos from Dec 23-30. These include The Peanut Butter & Belly, packed with juicy pork belly, peanut puree and leek confit; and The KCC, which comes stuffed with Korean-style crispy fried chicken and melted Cheddar. The Roasty stars Japanese-style tataki beef, stir-fried and seasoned with soy sauce and lemongrass. The Prawn Star is made with prawns marinated in a Middle Eastern-inspired recipe of cumin and yoghurt. Vegans can indulge in The Veggy Good, which features roasted asparagus and Lebanese-style baba ganoush made of roasted eggplant.
Group exhibition / River City Bangkok / Until Jan 14
A group joint exhibition by four Thai artists Gumsak Atipiboonsin, Opas Chotiphantawanon, Suttipan Suttichai and Thanachai Ujjin showcases their journeys as seasoned artists. The exhibition compares the artists’ lives, which have weathered the heat and the chill, with their journey across the four seasons. Some seasons bloom with joy and vibrancy, while others are less sunny. Some seasons evoke contemplation and some overflow with feelings too intricate to explain. The artists encapsulate the seasons through their soulful artistry. "A Long Way" is on show until Jan 14 at RCB Galleria 3, 2nd floor, River City Bangkok. Free admission.
TRAVEL
Tropical retreat / Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach / Dec 23-24, Dec 30-31
To celebrate the festive season on Tawan Ron Beach, Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach has room packages. Valid for a two-night stay on Dec 23-24, the “Christmas Tropical Retreat” includes a hoice of rooms, suites or villas, daily breakfast and the “Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner & BBQ” at La Cucina and Wok Wok! For end-of-year revellers, the “New Year Enchantment by the Beach” package includes a two-night stay on Dec 30-31 and a five-course New Year’s Eve dinner at Fish Club and daily breakfast.
Direct flights to Shanghai / AirAsia / Until Dec 31
Travellers can choose from two Bangkok airports to fly to Shanghai with AirAsia. Thai AirAsia has launched a new route from Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok to Shanghai, China. The four-and-a-half-hour flight begins service on Feb 2 and will be available five times a week (Mon, Wed, Friday, Sat and Sun). To mark the new route, a promotional fare is available for booking until Dec 31 for travels between Feb 2 to March 30.
STUFF
Season gifts / Alexander Lamont
The Alexander Lamont Gallery at Warehouse 30 and the online gift shop is offering a selection of objects made from luminous, precious materials that bring a shimmering elegance to the holiday festivities. Bidri vases are named after cities beside the Mediterranean Sea and are inspired by the enchanting effect of moonlight on water. Slender silver elements are fused onto the surface of cast vases to create beautiful flashes of light in the black metal. Below the Golden Horn in Istanbul is the Bosphorus River that lies between Europe and Asia. The reflection of minarets and domes in the water from the black sea inspired the idea for the Bosphorus Tray. Its gently curving form with comfortable bronze handles, is covered in layers of natural lacquer rubbed through to create a subtle pattern of light and dark that mimics reflections in the moving surface of water. The shape is ideal for carrying the crystal glasses of Apple tea that are drunk in the salons beside the river or a Champagne cocktail.
Special collab / Fendi x Hiroshi Fujiwara, Fendi x FRGMT x Pokémon / From Jan 4
The "Friends Of Fendi" is a diverse series of projects and collections conceived by Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini Fendi. Hiroshi Fujiwara enters the world of Fendi with "Fragment", creating Fendi x FRGMT. In celebration of the Year Of The Dragon, Fendi x FRGMT x Pokémon initiates a twist with Fujiwara's collab with The Pokémon Company, which spotlights dragon-type Pokémon. A concentrated approach is found in Fendi x FRGMT with "FF Fragment", which reinterprets Hiroshi’s FRGMT signature on the iconic FF jacquard logo. Disrupted "FF Fragment" is applied on iconic Peekaboo ISeeU Small and Baguette women’s bag, as well as mini icons Baguette Pouch and Mini Mon Trésor, together with a new foldable Baguette shopper and soft hobo bag. While men’s mainstays such as a messenger large and a belt bag further utilise the FRGMT disruption with yellow contrast zips. A unisex white T-shirt with a Fendi x FRGMT special logo completes the offer. In Fendi x FRGMT x Pokémon, Fendi’s most recognisable icons, in the shape of its Peekaboo and Baguette bags for women’s and men’s together with the FF logo, meet Pokémon, in the shape of their renowned Dragon-type Pokémon. The collaboration with Pokémon also includes Dragonite realised by the expert hands of the Fendi leather artisans. Fendi, Fragment and Pokémon will also launch "Pokémon Go", the mobile game sensation from Niantic where players can discover Pokémon as they explore the world around them. Starting on Jan 4, Pokémon Go Trainers can obtain digital avatar items featuring designs from the Fendi x FRGMT x Pokémon collection. The Fendi x FRGMT and Fendi x FRGMT x Pokémon collections will be available in selected Fendi boutiques from Jan 4.
Limited edition collab / Uniqlo x Marimekko / From Jan 1
The limited collab collection between Uniqlo and Marimekko will be available in stores and online from Jan 1. The collection highlights fleece and Heattech fabrics, and is inspired by Nordic nature and animals, a given since Marimekko is a Finnish design house. Of course, Marimekko's famous prints will be featured and there will be four of them, namely Kivet (stone), Kissapöllö (owl), Seireeni (water movement) and Hattara (cloud).
