Tag Archives: Bangkok

Hot on the Highstreet Week 206 – Sretsis

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If you love shopping Bangkok is the ideal place for you, many tourists visit Thailand’s capital city JUST to shop. The huge, shiny, air-conditioned shopping malls Siam Discovery, MBK, Central World, and Siam Paragon are all found in the Siam district, connected by convenient walkways. Others centres such as the more boutique Emporium is found in Sukhumvit. I was initially put off by these overwhelming stores housing many international designers, but if you look hard you can discover local brands that are inspiring and interesting.

In Paragon Department Store, within the Paragon complex, I found Sretsis… Sretsis is a collaboration between Pim Sumhahuta and her two sisters, Kly and Matina. The brand name is sisters spelled backwards and represents the strong bond they have. Sretsis creator and lead designer Pim Sukhahuta graduated from the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York in 2003 already with a store, two fashion shows, and a covetable internship with Marc Jacobs to her name. Her achievement with this successful and innovative brand is testament to her talent and vision.

Pim’s eclectic East meets West background and studies are realised in her colourful and imaginative designs. The flamboyant clashing patterns and excessive frills of previous collections reminded me of the bold but pretty designs by Brit, Luella. This season Sretsis presents ‘Children of the Stars’ for Spring / Summer 2014. A collection of quirky and girly ready-to-wear clothes and whimsical, imaginative accessories. Thin tops are adorned with glistening chunky rhinestone crystals, whilst flimsy playsuits are made from tropical exotic silks and edged in lace. The shop was quite simply my dream wardrobe. Accessories can be found in one corner of the shop, heart shaped sunglasses, and studded sparkling rings. I couldn’t resist getting the green heart ring, which seemed reasonable, costing £40. Most garments cost between £70-200.

Sretsis is a breath of fresh air in the suffocating streets of Bangkok. Psychedelic prints, delicate designs and a lot of personality… I fell in love with the whole collection.

Visit the Sretsis website for more information and to see the whole collection: www.sretsis.com

Hot on the Highstreet Week 205 – Bangkok

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Chatuchak – This weekend only market is North of uptown Bangkok. It is the largest market in Thailand covering over 27 acres with over 15,000 stalls. You can find everything here, Section 6 is particularly good for vintage finds, whilst other areas focus on accessories, jewellery, phone covers and gifts. I recommend wandering through and browsing the colourful array of goods with a freshly squeezed orange juice in hand. When you are feeling weary, stop for a 30 minute foot massage (150THB – £3).

Open Wednesday and Thursday for plants and flowers 6am-6pm, Friday for wholesale 6am-6pm, Saturday and Sunday whole market 6am-6pm. Best to get the Skytrain to Mo Chit station (exit 1) as traffic can be bad.

Propaganda – Now located in two venues (The Emporium in Sukhumvit, and fourth floor of the Siam Discovery Center) this design led boutique sells a range of intriguing items, most memorable perhaps are the witty plastic pieces, like the molar shaped stools.

MBK Center – This futuristic shiny building is home to many familiar brands both authentic and fake. If you are looking for a good quality imitation this is the place to spend your cash. 2000 stores and services spread over eight floors, it is heaven for shopaholics, and just across the walkway from Siam Discovery and Paragon shopping centres.

Almeta – Most dash to Jim Thompson House for their silk tailoring in Bangkok, however Almeta offers the highest quality luxury handmade silk and has an impressive Silk a la Carte service. Customers can choose from over 1000 iridescent silk colours, yarn types and weights. Almeta are also the creators of Lazy Silk, the only machine-washable Thai silk. If you want something tailor made try to leave time for a couple of fittings.

Find the shop on Sukhumvit 23 and walkable from Asok Skytrain station.

It’s Happened To Be A Closet – A mad and eclectic retro bohemian clothing store, that also serves as a tea room and nail salon. You could spend hours rummaging through the pretty floor-to-ceiling piles.

For more Bangkok shopping ideas, look here.

Brunch at Naamyaa, Angel

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Naamyaa is the first Bangkok cafe in London… an authentic representation of the eateries that feed so much of the Thai population. Well travelled fans of Thailand may be surprised by the split menu which includes some Western familiars as well as the more exotic Eastern favourites. These cafes are most often hidden away in the shopping areas of Thai cities providing sustenance for the hungry locals visiting the blissfully air conditioned centre to shop and eat.

The London restaurant, which comes from Busaba guru Alan Yau, is named after the signature dish on the menu. Naamyaa is a classic Bangkok Breakfast of warm Kanom Jin Noodle served with a plate of pickled morning glory, star fruit, free range soft boiled egg, Thai herb & clear soup. Delicious, comforting and easily personalised according to individual preference.

Occupying a huge space near Angel tube station, the venue could easily be bare and uninteresting but, thanks to the eclectic decor and design, manages to exude character. The central kitchen is very involving and the amazing golden ladies (each and every one is blessed by monks) add some glitz and glamour to the main room.

Naamyaa is now offering a plethora of unique brunch choices, both Eastern and Western inspired. If you want something more familiar try the wonderfully textured corn fritter with crispy bacon, rocket and aioli. If you’re feeling more daring (which I would definitely urge) opt for a more authentic Bangkok dish. We tried the following:

Khao dtom: Thai rice porridge with pork, soft boiled egg, Asian celery, ginger & pork broth.

Changmama’s pan-fried turnip cake with Chinese chive & beansprouts

Rice cake salad with cucumber, ginger, mint & peanut with sweet Thai sauce

Naamyaa with green chicken curry

Morning glory with yellow bean, Thai garlic & red chilli

Satay gai: chicken satay with peanut sauce

Jasmine tea smoked baby back pork ribs

I expected to dislike some of the more curious sounding dishes, but found these to be my favourites. Thai rice porridge with pork is wonderfully warming and light with tender meat. Turnip cake is strangely addictive, soft sweet cubes in a lovely dressing. If you like ribs you will love the Naamyaa jasmine smoked variety, they are melt-in-the-mouth exquisite with a hint of exotic jasmine and a sticky coating.

We experienced a range of the drinks on offer… the freshly infused lemongrass tea with honey was my favourite, a soothing blend ideal for sore throats. Jasmine mango is pretty amazing too, a much thicker fruity drink. There are seven breakfast smoothie options… my guest loved the Maca Peach which uses the ancient Peruvian herb, a superfood for rejuvenating energy levels mixed with white peach, milk and banana, I wasn’t a massive fan.

I was relieved to see an absence of jelly rice type Thai desserts, instead we ordered two subtle ice-cream based dishes. I can particularly recommend the Mascarpone ice-cream with strawberry coulis and Thai basil: refreshing, sweet with extra tasty grated young coconut, it would complement any meal.

Naamyaa got our seal of approval all round. Great for brunch, lunch, breakfast or dinner.

For an Eastern twist on the typically Western tradition of brunch, head to Alan Yau’s Bangkok-inspired cafe.

407 St John St., EC1V 4AB‎; 020 3122 0988

More information here: www.naamyaa.com