Tesla finally comes to the Kingdom, a new vampire-themed bar, and more!

By Aiden Jewelle Gonzales

EAT & DRINK

ANACONDA LATINO NIKKEI BAR

Another watering hole in bustling Sukhumvit Soi 11, Anaconda – Latino Nikkei Bar is, true to its name, Thailand’s first-ever Latino Nikkei restaurant. Promising a wild time in more ways than one, this haunt will transport you to a rainforest juxtaposed with luxe furnishings and modern amenities; a true urban jungle. Their unusual menu claims to combine the different umami flavours of Asian, Latin American, and Peruvian cuisines, elevated by contemporary techniques by their renowned chefs. Order dishes such as their Anaconda mango maki, made with fresh Thai mangoes and avocadoes; or their beautifully- plated Truffle ice soba comprising homemade soba and truffle dashi. Make sure to sample their snake-themed drinks which are sure to bite, such as their Rattlesnake cocktail, a concoction made with creamy absinthe, with a nutty aftertaste.
Facebook: @anacondabarbangkok

YANKII ROBATAYAKI & BAR

Soho Hospitality’s fifth lifestyle restaurant, Yankii Robatayaki & Bar is an all-new take on Japanese robatayaki, otherwise known as hot charcoal-cooked food, similar to a Western barbecue. Delivering traditional yet unconventional dishes made with premium ingredients and distinguished by strong and distinctive flavours, this restaurant will be an interesting addition to the line of F&B offerings in Sukhumvit Soi 24. The name itself is derived from a word referring to a group of rebellious Japanese youths who refuse to conform to strict societal norms – perfect for a restaurant that is sure to push the envelope in every way. Facebook: @yankiirestaurant

KILIK SOCIAL CLUB

Named after the Tagalog word kilik or kilig, roughly translated as ‘butterflies in your stomach,’ this new bar in Sukhumvit Soi 26 is a converted warehouse with plenty of room for large groups. Capacious and designed with an industrial-chic vibe in mind, the space offers plenty of comfortable seating, and even a private room for up to 20 people, with a minimum spend of THB 30,000. Bartender Chulapat ‘Jun’ Charoenloet, of Find The Photo Booth fame, is bringing his deft expertise behind the bar to their unique drinks menu, which is split into three parts. First is their Enchanted by Nature Part I: Butterfly Series, where all the drinks are based on the bar’s namesake butterflies, such as their Blue morpho cocktail, made with blue spirulina algae and cacao juice and yoghurt. The second and third are their seasonal menu and signature drinks, respectively. There’s also live jazz music from Thursdays to Saturdays, and an array of bar bites to pair with their drinks. Facebook: Kilik Social Club

BAR DUSK

Metalheads and hard rock fans, this one’s for you. Nestled in The HUB Phahol-Ari, where you can find an array of restaurants, cafés, and rooftop bars in the increasingly-popular Ari district; Bar DUSK is a haven for those looking for more hard-core music than the usual pop and R&B suspects. Like the city at dusk, the bar is drenched in red, and this lends itself to its other, almost anachronistic theme: vampires. Their love for all things bloodsucking can be seen in the décor, the art, and the drinks, such as their Vampire’s tears strawberry negroni. The genre of rock music changes with each week, so make sure to check out their Facebook page for their lineup. Facebook: Bar DUSK

SAMRUB SAMRUB THAI

Samrub Samrub Thai, currently number 31 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, is reopening its doors in a new location, this time in Saladaeng. Hidden behind a garage, the new space is on the first floor of the childhood home of co-owner Thanyaporn ‘Mint Jarukittikun, half of the husband-and-wife power couple behind the restaurant. She and husband Prin Polsuk have pledged to keep the same concept, which is progressive Thai food that turns conventional cooking traditions on its head, served in an unpretentious atmosphere, similar to dining at a friend’s home. Facebook: @samrubsamrubthai

STAY

VALIA HOTEL

The self-proclaimed “crown jewel” of the Kingston Hotels Group portfolio, Valia Hotel is opening its doors in Sukhumvit Soi 24, embracing the concept of an enchanted odyssey along the Silk Road. Derived from the rare Bellevalia Chrisii bloom that was once discovered on the famed route in Turkey, and the Greek word for ‘queen,’ the hotel channels the sybaritic luxury of silk and the East-meets-West flora and fauna found along the Silk Road, seen in their luxe furnishings and art. Look out for their soon-to-be-opened Florae Restaurant headed by the renowned Chef Geoffrey Blythe, which will soon be serving up delicious and daring dishes using Thai ingredients but techniques and elements from around the world. www.valiahotelbangkok.com

SOMERSET PATTAYA

Currently in its soft opening phase, Somerset Pattaya is located opposite the landmark Central Festival Pattaya mall, right in the centre of town, but still with stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand. Both a hotel and serviced apartment, the property is walking distance to the beach, and has 324 keys, encompassing studios to three-bedroom units, all fitted with modern amenities and striking designs. It also has a range of MICE facilities for business travellers, as well as ones for the whole family, including a kids’ club and a gym. Facebook: Somerset Pattaya

ANDAZ PATTAYA JOMTIEN BEACH, A CONCEPT BY HYATT

The Hyatt brand is bringing its first-ever Andaz hotel to Thailand, Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach, A Concept by Hyatt. Meaning ‘personal style’ in Hindi, the Andaz brand is associated with luxury and a certain lifestyle, and there are over 20 of these hotels in the world’s most renowned cities, spanning New York, London, Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Bali, and more. This latest iteration aims to bring local flavour to its distinctive design, and encourages its guests to reconnect with nature in their sprawling 6.4-hectare plot filled with lush verdure. The resort has 204 keys, including lavish accommodations such as their Private Pool Suite which has a private pool and a large balcony to look out on the verdant grounds. The property also boasts six F&B outlets, and a spa. hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/thailand/andaz-pattaya-jomtien-beach/utpaz

THE SALIL HOTEL RIVERSIDE BANGKOK

Tucked into Charoenkrung next to the riverfront, The Salil Hotel Riverside Bangkok is one more addition to the riverside’s glut of luxury properties. With beautiful architecture surrounding a central courtyard, the hotel takes sumptuousness to a new level with its design and furnishings. It provides a myriad of F&B options, from their all- day-dining Nava Kitchen with Thai dishes and grilled specialities; to their Brix Dessert Bar with brunch options; to their soon-to-be- opened Pacific Cigar Divan, Bangkok’s first and only rooftop cigar and whisky bar. They also have a tap room for craft beers, for the beer aficionados among you. https://thesalilriverside.com

CHATRIUM GRAND BANGKOK

Located on Phetchaburi Road, Chatrium Grand Bangkok “blends the timeless grace of Thai culture with the grandeur of world-class luxury and hospitality.” Elegant and with a distinct point of view, the sprawling hotel has a remarkable 582 keys, encompassing rooms and suites, each with their own distinctive design, from the Club Room with access to their 32nd-floor lounge; to their plush Penthouse with a full butler’s kitchen, and dining for up to 12 guests. They also have four dining options, encompassing Savio, their East-meets-West restaurant replete with pan-Asian and international cuisine; Casia, which serves up French-Mediterranean cuisine from an award-winning chef; Flow, their pool lounge; and their Lobby Lounge where you can relax with their signature afternoon tea. www.chatrium.com/grandbangkok

RADISSON RESORT & SUITES PHUKET

Opened a few months ago, Radisson Resort & Suites Phuket is the Radisson brand’s fifth hotel in Thailand, and is nestled on the golden sands of Kamala Beach. A 30-minute ride from Phuket International Airport, this award-winning location has 179 brightly-coloured suites; a spa; a Kid’s World area; a fully-equipped fitness centre; an expansive pool; and six F&B options, including their all-day dining Breeze restaurant, a sports bar, and even a Wow Cow ice cream shop. Facebook: @Radissonresortandsuites

MUU BANGKOK

The prestigious MUU Hotels & Resorts has just made its debut in Thailand with MUU Bangkok, located in the buzzing district of Thong Lo. ‘MUU’ is a play on the Thai word for community and kinship, and to that end, the hotel’s vision revolves around human interaction and comfort for their guests. The 148-room property boasts spacious rooms, suites and residences, starting with the Deluxe King, up to the Thong Lo Suite, which also includes an outsized private balcony. While the property channels an olde-worlde art deco charm from the 1920s – and a speakeasy on the premises leans into that vibe – it also has cutting-edge amenities throughout, especially in its gym. https://muuhotels.com

VISIT

TESLA

The long-anticipated launch of Tesla in Thailand finally happened at the iconic Siam Paragon this December. There, the EV brand introduced their Model Y and Model 3 vehicles to the Thai market, which is ready to embrace the prestige of sitting in traffic in these models, which do not come cheap. The former starts at THB 1.9 million and goes up to THB 2.3 million, while the latter starts at THB 1.7 million and goes up to THB 2.5 million. This launch comes at a crucial time for Thailand, as the government is hoping to push more electronic vehicles, offering subsidies and tax cuts, and it is hoped that the introduction of Tesla will push the momentum further. www.tesla.com/en_TH

SIAM YACHT CLUB

Opening in the new year, Siam Yacht Club exudes exclusivity from its name alone. Sitting beneath the iconic Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, this riverside restaurant offers socialising options for “pleasure seekers by the river” with spacious decks and rooms designed to mimic a luxury liner. Expect a range of delicious food and tipples once it opens its doors, plenty of networking opportunities, and, according to them “nothing less than fantastic days and nights by the river”. Facebook: @royalorchidsheratonhotel