Renowned trendsetter and fashion, travel and
music journalist Thomas Erber is bringing his
famed “Le Cabinet de Curiosity” to Bangkok
for the first time. It’s a carefully curated, annual
exhibition of design objects, glittery costume
jewels, haute couture, food, music, art, fashion
photography and other curious goodies from
his cabinet on the ground floor of the opulent
Central Embassy mall. After holding exhibitions
in New York, Paris and London, the former
Vogue Homme International
reporter decided
he wanted Bangkok to be the first Asian city
to host the event. “It seems that Bangkok is
becoming the cool hub in South-East Asia, like
the region’s California,” he says. 20 November –
31 December.
centralembassy.com.
VINTAGE
“If you’re excited by the prospect of inexpensive
clothes, you must check out the vintage fashion
in section 6. Stall after stall of Levi’s, retro tees,
cute printed sundresses, Hawaiian shirts, Converse
Chuck Taylor’s, Doc Martens – the array is
bewildering. Happily, the sizes adhere to regular
Western measurements, which is heartening as most
local design stalls at JJ only carry more petite Thai
sizes.”
SOUVENIRS
“It’s considered inappropriate to buy a Buddha
statue for decorative purposes (signs throughout
the markets offer friendly reminders), but there’s no
shortage of better options. Carved wooden figures,
Northern Thai handicrafts, jewellery, bamboo table
wear, silk scarves and pashminas, muay thai boxer
shorts, pretty ceramic vessels and knickknacks –
stick to the main ring road and you’ll eventually
stumble across them all.”
HOME
“You can really get an appreciation for Thai
craftsmanship in the home-furnishings zone of
JJ. There seems no limit to what you can buy
– sofas, brass statues, bespoke wooden pieces,
wicker, marble, Chinoise antiques – and it’s easy
to arrange shipping back home. For something
you can pack into your carry-on luggage, boutique
perfumier Karmakamet between sections 1 and 2
makes unique scents for the home, all gorgeously
packaged.”
FOOD
“Staying energised at JJ is easy when you’ve got
delicious Thai treats available every two steps.
There are ice-lollies, fresh fruits, smoothies, sodas,
tapioca pearl drinks, choc-dipped bananas and
endless fried snacks. But the best pick-me-ups by
far are Thai iced tea (
cha nom yen
) and coconut
ice cream. The most famous place for iced tea
is just inside Kamphaeng Phet entrance, where
the vendors of tea and condensed milk spin like
whirling dervishes. Don’t try this at home.”
BODY
“JJ is a great place to buy bath products like
organic lotions, essential oils, incense sticks, scented
candles, bath salts and soaps. You can never own
too many of these things in the tropics. Thais
specialise in cutesy designs, so you’ll find lots of
novelty items that make fun gifts. All-natural fruit
soaps not only smell delicious, they’re free from
harsh chemicals and parabens. Section 21 is a great
area for these.”
FAHTHAI
87
THAILAND COUNTRY CODE
+66
EXCHANGE RATE
THB32 = US$1
CHIANG MAI FREQUENCY
Numerous flights every day to a variety of destinations
ULTIMATE CHATUCHAK MARKET GUIDE; HOT THAI MUSIC FESTIVAL
The popular, eclecticBigMountainMusicFestival is back
B A N G K O K
B A N G K O K
Thailand’s own Glastonbury is back again from 6-7 December. Held in the cool hills of Khao
Yai, a scenic national park two hours north-east of Bangkok, this is the place to go to take in
some crazy stage sets. Last year’s event featured a sticky-rice stage, with a huge sticky rice
basket surrounding the DJ decks, and even a sperm stage, with hundreds of swimming sperm
lining the tent. It’s also the place to head for a dose of Thailand’s eclectic youth subcultures,
from headbangers to punks to ravers. This year marks the sixth edition of the festival and some
70,000 fans are expected to descend on the six stages, dancing to the likes of local acts Lipta,
Slot Machine and Boy Peacemaker. Given the area’s agricultural focus – you’ll find cattle farms
and cowboy-themed bars along the highways – it’s no wonder the mascot is named Mr Steak.
There are plenty of guesthouses here but book early. Failing that, there are the campgrounds.
bigmountainmusicfestival.com
TEXT: CLAIRE KNOX, THOMAS STURROCK, BEK VAN VLIET, SIMON OSTHEIMER, AMY ARMAN
Curated
cool
Music fest
The hills are alive
QU I RKY MUS I C E VENT
