Bangkok: Sugar & spice, everything nice
A Bangkok experience almost always revolves around affordable food, clothes and jewelry. More and more, a visitor realizes that the Thais are quite sophisticated, exposed to world brands, and have robust buying power.
The retail world has converged in this exciting city: British, Italian, French and American brands are represented alongside Thai names and all of these are presented with edgy, state-of-the-taste merchandising. And the word “sale” weakens the shopper’s resolve to resist temptation.
Japanese and Vietnamese noodle restaurants compete with those that serve Thai noodles. Indian restaurants heatedly compete with Thai outlets. Every food court offers an array of palate pleasers, or, in many cases, hot and flavorful tongue scorchers.
Paco Caparas, a foodie like his dad, Dr. Vic, told us that Thais are discriminating and demanding eaters. Competition is so stiff in Bangkok that a restaurant cannot stay open if its menu is below par. Restaurants have to continuously please their local customers, while competing against other restaurants with equal fervor.
He brought us to The Local on Sukumvit 23, a lovely 100-year-old Thai house transformed into a restaurant. To quote from their brochure, their food “allows a glimpse into familiar flavors from the past, made by real Thai chefs, or as they are referred to in Thai, mothers of the kitchen.”
Kram (translation: “relaxing blue”), on Sukumvit 39, is also a converted residence. We had dinner in the garden, under the stars. As we enjoyed the delicious curries, the cool January night did not help keep the torrents of sweat at bay. (Lesson learned: when eating Thai food, always bring a face towel. Tissues don’t work).
We have fallen in love with The Kempinski Hotel and have decided to stay there again and again. Aside from its impeccable service, their buffet breakfast offers food done better. Maybe it is just the fact that they have a menu of freshly prepared, to-your-liking eggs: poached with Alaskan crab meat, topped with truffle Hollandaise sauce or scrambled with caviar and croutons. They also offer the ubiquitous roti or nan bread, sold on the streets of Bangkok, but here served with condensed milk, grilled banana and cocoa sugar. It is called City of Angels pancake — truly heavenly!
The Paragon Supermarket is a super fun place to buy Thai snacks and fruit. They allow free tasting — I was full after sampling their crackers, nuts, tamarind (seedless, for lazy people like me), green mangoes, mangosteen and macopa.
Clothes run the gamut of names and prices. European brands seem to be the preference of the (affluent) locals, while tourists prefer the local, more affordable Thai brands. Thai designers have merged their European exposure with a local aesthetic to come up with their own style, using good quality material.
Offered in numerous kiosks, small stalls and boutiques, gemstones seem quite popular. Prices (and grades of quality) of these round gems — each promising good health, wealth, tranquility, and happiness — vary from store to store. (A potential buyer has to have a good eye and must go to a legitimate store. And having done that, it is always prudent to canvass prices and bargain, bargain, bargain). Rattanan Prasertphundu, owner and designer for Parvay at Central Embassy, recommends you pile up the gemstone bracelets on your wrist, the more the better.
We are told that Thai names have a meaning based on the Balinese Buddhist Sanskrit. We met Chutimaporn Kasemsuk, director of public relations at The Peninsula Bangkok. Her first name stands for “a gift from an angel.” Her last name means “always happy.” Truly, her name describes Cee (her nickname) — sweet, angelic, young, happy.
There is always something new to discover in Bangkok, and one leaves the city, wanting to return and discover more — more sugar and spice, more things nice!
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