JOEL QUENBY REVEALS BANGKOK’S LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS

Technicolour ThaiIand
The timeless musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” recently debuted in the Kingdom with a run at the Bangkok Playhouse.

“I chose this story because I think it’s a classic that people of all ages can enjoy,” said producer and narrator Tianchai Sooktiang from Voice Studio Performing Arts Academy. “The story and music are easy to appreciate and understand since they’re not complicated. I wanted Thais to get a chance to see this wonderful play with a complete Thai production team.”

The cast followed the original English-language script used by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice for their legendary first collaboration. The show, which retells the biblical story of Joseph, has been bursting global box offices for over 30 years – and, with the Bangkok edition a sell-out success, its multi-hued charms remain as vibrant as ever.

Forgotten Melodies
Uncharted Thai classical compositions dating back hundreds of years are enjoying a brand-new lease of life, thanks to Sugree Charoensuk, director of Mahidol University College of Music and the founder of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO).

“We want to conserve our local ancient songs – those that are often heard as well as the more obscure compositions,” said TPO conductor Lt Prateep Suphanrojn.

The first-ever orchestral performances of the ancient melodies played out at the music college’s auditorium in May. Now TPO aims to generate overseas awareness.

“We need to promote original Thai music by taking pride in it, just as other nations are proud of theirs,” says Sugree. “That is how international fame is won.”

The ardent teacher and musician, who launched the college in 1987 with only 12 students, says the orchestra will continue to perform regularly through November and will also feature international guest soloists at each concert. www.mahidol.ac.th

Paragon of Top
Siam Paragon shopping complex welcomed a mix of international and Asian stars at the MTV Asia Awards 2006 in early May.

Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland and Asian heart-throb Wang Leehom co-hosted in front of a 4,600-capacity crowd for the event, which is now in its fifth year, and is beamed to over 400 million households around the world. US rockers Korn kicked off proceedings before local acts like rap outfit, Thaitainium, and pop siren, Tata Young took the opportunity to jam with international popsters like former Blue bandmates Simon Webbe and Lee Ryan.

With pan-regional award-winners including Ricky Martin (Favourite Male) and Kelly Clarkson (Favourite Female), it is evident that the Awards’ focus remains firmly fixed on pop. www.mtvasiaawards.com

Land of Rising Influence
For years, a cultural gulf, plus the complex kanji writing system, has kept Japan in the twilight for Thais – even more so than in the West. But while Manga comics were once the Thais’ main window on the Land of the Rising Sun, free lifestyle magazines are now being distributed at Bangkok’s Skytrain and subway stations, showing there’s more to the country than J-Pop and Ultraman.

Titles like Daco, Move and Cawaii (named after the cutesy pop-culture phenomenon that produced Hello Kitty) offer guidance on everyday Japanese customs, as well as up-to-date advice on where to find the best green tea and ramen locally.

The burgeoning fascination with all things Japanese extended to Bangkok’snightlife scene with the “Tokyo Nights” festival, and a four-night showcase of underground Japanese DJs that rocked top clubs like Flix, Club Astra, Glow and Q Bar over a recent holiday weekend.

Those with a hunger for Japan also have the opportunity to learn the secret of the nation’s cuisine at the monthly workshop – Aki’s Real Traditional Japanese Cooking Class – held at the JW Marriott Bangkok’s Tsu + Nami restaurants.

Led by the expert and affable Head Chef Aki, the monthly class reveals a few secrets of Japanese cooking, followed by a chance to eat the real deal afterwards.

Tel +62 (0)2 656-7700 ext 4359,
marriott.com/bkkdt

PURRRR-FECT PIECES
Kit-Ti Jewelry’s arresting fashion accessories have graced countless catwalks, adorned the necks of Thai royalty, been profiled by TIME magazine, purchased by Whitney Houston, and recommended as one of “five things to buy in Bangkok” by Wallpaper* UK.

Designer Kitti Manoonphol and managing director Ittipol “Tony” Rerkdee are the brains behind the innovative mix ’n’ match designs, which blend colourful beads with precious stones and more unexpected items like pencils, feathers, even dolls.

Fah Thai caught up with Tony at their funky, recently-opened flagship store in the popular Silom shopping district.

Having previously dealt in exclusive sales only, why did you decide to open a shop?
We started out as a hobby. Kitti was only producing one edition of each collection at that time, so it was easier to do one-to-one sales. However, six years later, we’ve moved on, so now we have a showroom instead of having our jewellery in a box in the trunk of my car all the time. We have been trying to open a shop for years, but there were always unforeseen circumstances that somehow prevented us from doing so.

What future projects are lined up?
Trying to make the gallery more successful and better known; we want everyone to come and see our unique jewellery. Ultimately, we want to do more exhibitions in places that we’ve never been, like the United States and European cities. Business-wise, we would like to find an investor who loves our designs and can use them for another brand because production costs hinder expansion.

What do you love about Bangkok?
Bangkok is a vibrant city, and certainly one of Asia’s leading cosmopolitan centres. It’s got everything. You can find food 24/7 – from streetside food to high-class restaurants. Everything is so cheap and yet still of good quality, compared to many other places. Even though traffic is bad, people are so nice. The city’s infrastructure is also becoming more developed, with extensions to Skytrain and MRT lines, making it easier to get around. www.kittijewelry.com

Oh, You Pretty Things !
Bed Supperclub started Bangkok’s original “models night” in 2004 and club-land has since been overrun with beautiful people. Themed nights at trendy spots like Zantika and

The Met Bar have seen unhappy campers grumbling into their overpriced cocktails while a genetically-advantaged rent-a-crowd parties for free.

Sylvia Andreas, PR executive at the Japanese eatery Koi, issues models with passes to receive “complimentary dinner and drinks every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.” Meanwhile, Bed’s senior executive Jonathan Apichari “allows models to come any night of the week, free of charge”.

“The main objective is not just to provide a free luxury lifestyle for models,” says Apichari. “It’s also to bring people from the fashion industry closer together. At the end of the night, people land jobs. It’s a win-win situation.”

It seems Derek Zoolander, star of the US box office hit comedy about the industry, said it best: “If there is anything that this horrible tragedy can teach us, it’s that a model’s life is a precious, precious commodity.”

Bangkok’s Secret Garden
Those who enjoy natural beauty and a glimpse back in time would not usually consider downtown Bangkok the best place to start looking. However, a bird’s eye view reveals the shape of a huge sap-green thumb chiselled out by the Chao Phraya River nestled among the futuristic cityscape.

Bangkrachao peninsula is a watershed of mangrove jungle, serpentine canals and fertile plantations. In contrast to the docks, factories and slums backed by skyscrapers hugging the city-side banks, Bangkrachao presents a time capsule from the early days.

Follow a random little path through sunlit dappled glades and see the antique houses on stilts, mangrove-wrapped orchards, wild fruit and flowers, kingfishers, butterflies and even monitor lizards.

You can get there by a variety of rickety jetties, but there’s a safe one from the end of Narathiwas Najakarindra Road, a 15-minute taxi ride from Chong Nongsi Skytrain.

To arrange a bicycle tour of Bangkrachao, contact Dutch expat guide Co van Kessel at covankessel@yahoo.com or visit www..amazingbangkokcyclist.com/