katherine campbell reports on bangkok’s latest news and views BOUTIQUE CHARM When it comes to places to stay, one new – or rather, old – establishment is treating guests to a unique boutique experience that promises to transport them back to Bangkok’s yesteryears. The historical quarter’s Old Bangkok Inn was originally a palace site bestowed to the owner’s family by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Nantiya Tulyanond recently decided to renovate the old Thai house and bring to Bangkok the charm of an English bed ’n’ breakfast. Each of the inn’s eight rooms is furnished with heirloom furniture and golden teak fixtures, and many are decorated with hand-painted porcelain created by Nantiya herself. Need another reason to visit? Old Bangkok Inn is one of the city’s few “green hotels”, working to reduce its impact on the community and the environment.

Old Bangkok Inn, 609 Pra Sumen Road, Phra Nakhon, tel +66 (0)2 629-1787, www.oldbangkokinn.com

CLASS ACT Rachada Grand Theatre on Rachadapiesk Road is a new world-class theatre that has the capacity to seat 2,000 people and is equipped with state-of-the art technology. A performance of Thai historical musical Siam Niramit kicked off the opening season and continues to wow audiences with stunning scenes of Thailand past and present. The 80-minute show is divided into three acts and runs daily at 8pm.

Rachada Grand Theatre, +66 (0)2 649-9222, www.siamniramit.com

GOING PLACES Travelling around Bangkok is set to get even easier with the recent approval of the long-awaited skytrain extension across the Chao Phraya River into Th onburi. The billion-baht project has been taken over by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) following lengthy delays; if everything goes according to plan, construction will be finished by October. The BMA will then begin testing of the extension, which will run 4.5km from Taksin Road to Bang Wa. OK! THAILAND Catching up with your favourite Thai and international celebrities while in Bangkok is now much easier. OK! has launched a Thai version of the popular celebrity news magazine that originated in the UK. The magazine hit the newsstands in November following a glitzy red-carpet launch party at The Offices at CentralWorld. OK! Thailand’s publisher, Kelly May, reveals that the magazine will not resort to paparazzi-style ambushing of celebrities in order to get all the juicy details of their lives. “We won’t do that,” she says. “We’re more about establishing relationships with the celebrities and telling their stories first, rather than going after them with cameras.” QUESTION OF TASTE Some of the world’s finest chefs descended on Bangkok for a week in November to showcase their talent at the Dome’s Epicurean Masters of the World event, a culinary celebration of epic proportions at the top of the State Tower. “The attendance of internationally respected chefs such as Heinz Winkler, the world’s youngest-ever Michelin three-star chef, will help boost Bangkok’s reputation as one of the world’s great dining centres,” commented General Manager Deepak Ohri. FILM FUN Recent years have seen a growth in the number of film festivals in Bangkok, but the one that still draws in the crowds is February’s Bangkok International Film Festival. Since its launch in 2003, the BKKIFF has become one of the most high-profile film festivals in Asia, helped in part by the city’s own burgeoning film market. Last year’s programme included more than 150 feature films with special guest appearances by stars such as Michael Douglas and Jeremy Irons. This year’s festival promises to be even more spectacular as part of the celebrations for the 60-year anniversary of His Royal Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the throne. Visit www.bangkokfilm.org for an offcial schedule and programme of events to be held at the festival’s new home, Siam Paragon. FASHION FANTASY Bhanu Inkawat, the designer who founded one of Thailand’s most illustrious fashion houses, Greyhound, 25 years ago, and who has long been a household name among Thai fashion gurus, is now making his presence known on the international circuit. His designs combine Asian influences and ethnic characteristics with a modern, sleek and contemporary aesthetic; avant-garde outfits are hand-craft ed using traditional Thai materials, such as woven cotton and various silks. Inkawat recently showcased the latest collection of his new brand, Grey, in a “Ghost Festivity” Halloween-themed presentation at ELLE fashion week, where the theatrics were as stunning as the creative costumes. Grey, black and navy fisherman pants and military trousers were paired with jersey tops and suit jackets, and accessorized with elaborate stage props, from oversized ghost heads to animal horns. Greyhound shops are located at Central Chitlom, Siam Centre and Emporium. www.greyhound.co.th MALL MAGIC Siam Paragon has been the talk of the town since construction began two years ago. It finally opened its doors to the public in December. The gleaming shopping centre represents the most ambitious consumer complex ever built in Thailand and fills the final gap in a line of malls that run along downtown Bangkok. Siam Paragon’s massive maze of more than 200 outlets is divided into 14 separate worlds and features the world’s leading luxury brands. The complex even boasts Siam Ocean World, the country’s largest aquarium, and Bangkok’s first world-class opera house. Watch this space for news on upcoming performances. BLONDE AMBITION ”There is another side to Bangkok than that seen in the guide books,” says Tina Kelly, one half of Two Blondes in Bangkok, “one that is a million miles away from a tuk-tuk ride and a shopping trip to Emporium.” Her co-director Leigh Anderson agrees, but also understands that “Bangkok is a vast and diverse city, and visitors risk missing out on so much if they don’t know where best to go.” So the two have created a unique service for business and pleasure travellers who want to experience the crème de la crème while avoiding the usual tourist destinations. Each client or small group is presented with a tailor-made itinerary incorporating some of Bangkok’s best-kept secrets – the ones only a long-time resident would know. Among the services are a VIP Meet and Greet welcome at the airport and trips to tiny tucked-away shops selling everything from gems to ancient artifacts. Tel + 66 (0)2 632-1600, www.tbib.co.th CHIVAS CHIC Who says you need to leave Thailand to experience Parisian nightlife or sit on the sidelines of a London-style fashion launch? Chivas Regal is on a mission to awaken Bangkok’s senses with a series of hip, cultural experiences from the world’s leading cities. Dubbed “Chivas Life … in the City,” the campaign melds electronic music with design, fashion, modern art, dance and dining in a celebration of urban culture. Chivas brought a range of unique music events to Thailand last year, but 2006 promises more – and an even wider artistic line-up to represent each city. Paris Passion & Glamour kicked off the campaign in November with the after-party for ELLE Fashion Week, followed by other Gallic-themed events. Taking the city by storm were DJs Charles Schilling and Stephane Pompougnac of Hotel Costes fame; trendy grafitti artist Andre; and Kult, one of the hippest streetwear fashion brands in Paris.

Coming next to Bangkok’s urban circuit in early 2006: Tokyo.