THEGUIDE
thailand
88
FAHTHAI
COUNTRY CODE
+66
EXCHANGE RATE
THB30 = US$1
CHIANG RAI FREQUENCY
3 flights per day from Bangkok
COCKTAIL MAESTRO’S BANGKOK HAUNTS; ART IN THE CITY
You've travelled extensively. What persuaded you to
call Bangkok home?
I was drawn here by the hospitality business but
pulled in by the people. Thai people, with their
distinctive culture, ultimately define this city. As
most cities get swallowed up by homogenised
globalisation, Bangkok boldly holds on to its roots
with pockets of cultural distinction.
What are your favourite places in this city?
Bangkok is a great hospitality town so of course I
enjoy visiting the better watering holes with cocktails
by Chanond Purananda, Justin Dunn, Tor Jinaphan,
the Soren brothers and Mirko Gardelliano. And then
there are the eateries by Ian Chalermkittichai, Jess
Barnes, Jarrett Wrisley and Paolo Vitaletti, Tim Butler,
and Ouypornchaisakul and Tanataveetram. I’m also
a fan of the emerging art culture in Thailand, partially
led by gallery owners such as Panada Lerthattasin,
Darren Hausler and Hossein Farmani.
Is the cocktail culture here becoming more
sophisticated?
Bangkok has undoubtedly seen local bar patrons expand
their palate from whisky and soda to Old Fashioneds
and Sazeracs. It’s clear this trend is only growing
and people are getting a better experience because of
the market’s response in bringing in knowledgeable,
experienced and passionate drink-makers.
Let's say you're on a beautiful beach at sunset... what
are you drinking?
A daiquiri in its original form – a quality rum, just-
juiced lime and sugar (maybe a touch of fresh egg
white for body and dispersion of flavours). I may
want a bit of local colour in there as well. If I’m
on a beach in Thailand perhaps some pandanus or
jasmine. None of this, of course, would be blended
– simply shaken with ice and strained in a martini
glass to avoid adulteration.
What made you want to open your new bar?
To be honest, I didn’t. I've been in this industry for
over two decades – if ever there was a role that was
less glamorous than it appears it would be a bar
owner. Ash Sutton, who has been a good friend of
mine for years, had been suggesting designing a bar
for me for quite some time. He worked on laying
out the entire design of the place based on what he
knows about my interests.
josephboroski.com
*Boroski's unnamed, secret bar is tucked down a
lower, odd-numbered soi running off Thong Lor
B A N G K O K
Speak easy
JosephBoroski couldwell be
Bangkok’smost in-demand
mixologist.He gives us his take
onBangkok’s burgeoningbar
scene and talks about his new
“secret”Thonglor bar
STREET-ART EXHIBITION
Cutting-edge contemporary art space
Toot Yung has a new, racy exhibition
dubbed “Gang Bang”. It’s a collection
of colourful erotic illustrations by 20
of Thailand’s best-known street artists.
The show includes poignant work by
gallery founder Myrtille Tibayrenc (top,
right). Running through 8 December.
tootyunggallery.com
B A N G K O K
What's on
