Ever wanted a place to get drunk in without being confined in a concrete box? Well we have rounded up some places for you where you can get in touch with nature while savoring its juice. (read more...)

Wet, dirty, smelly and low standards of hygiene—if you are one of those who don’t like going to the markets for one of those reasons, try Bon Marche´ (Tessaban Prachasongkhoh Rd., Phachaniwet 1, near Wat Samiennaree, www.bonmarche.co.th. Open daily 9am-7pm)

Though the name is French for “inexpensive,” the products at Bon Marche´, compared to other wet markets, aren’t as cheap as its name suggests. Browsing through its bright, clean market space, you’ll find high-quality food with high prices to match. There’s also a “lake,” an air-con shopping area, jewelry shops and spas, making Bon Marche´ the spot for hi-so ladies and their families to shop.  (read more...)

Dear Mr. Know-It-All: I’m addicted to going to art exhibitions. Photographs, installations, paintings, I just love showing up and chatting with artists and fellow art lovers. However, I disappoint myself every time I try to take up something artistic. I can’t sculpt, pottery doesn’t seem to work for me and photography is too complicated. I decided that maybe a more conventional form of art like drawing might be better for me. Can you suggest some art schools where they have open drawing courses for a 20-something like me?—Artsy Wannabe (read more...)

You’ve hit the sack, it’s been 15 minutes and you haven’t felt this awake all day. Eyes shut tight, or wide open staring at the ceiling, the long wait for sleep is beginning to frustrate you, and the irritation is just adding to the agitation. With every minute that goes by, you just feel more and more awake. If this sounds all too familiar, you may be suffering from insomnia. (read more...)

Back in 1973, Ekachai Uekrongtham started ACTION Theatre in Singapore and directed a string of plays and musicals. The artistic director made his big screen debut with 2003’s Beautiful Boxer and now he’s back with Pleasure Factory, an official selection at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, starring Taiwanese actress Yang Kuei Mai and Ananda Everingham. (read more...)

No, it’s not a weird code from outer space—it’s a new IM program that integrates your countless instant messaging accounts into one for easy access. (read more...)

photography by Nuttaporn Srisirirungsimakul

Nakorn Ratchasima is nicknamed Korat because much of the business there, and tourism, revolves around ko (cows). With such draws as Khao Yai National Park or Ratchaprapa Dam, it is an ever-popular driving destination for the weekend, or for a one-day tour to sightsee, eat and play. The sunflowers will bloom later this month, so if you are yearning for a trip filled with picturesque sunflower fields, start planning now. And of course, don’t miss out on Korat’s culinary attractions: fruit plantations, dairy farms, ranches, vineyards and more. (read more...)

From Oct 27-Nov 4, Michelin-star Chef Andrea Mazzoni, from the famed Rossini restaurant in Florence, Italy, makes a special appearance at another Rossini’s, here in Bangkok (Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, 250 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-649-8364) to showcase his innovative Italian cuisine. (read more...)

Still Jonesin' for Jazz

New Orleans-based Leroy Jones has been blowing his horn since he was 10 years old. Forty years since he picked up a trumpet and seven albums later, he’s played with some of the biggest contemporary names in jazz, and is known worldwide, in part because he tours half the year. (read more...)

In the Fast Lane

Robert “Chawakij” Boughey is a Thai-born Japanese-American A1 driver (slightly different from Formula 1 in that each team competes on behalf of a country). At the age of 24, and only four years after he began racing, he built a name for himself by winning the 2004 Rookie of the Year Prize and by placing first and second in several BMW events. Robert was recently named a Thai national athlete and also received the Thai name “Chawakij” from the Royal Family. Whenever he’s not out racing in another country for weeks at a time, this Thonglor resident cruises around Bangkok, “driving pretty slowly.” (read more...)

Go here, go there. This place rocks, this place sucks. We always get to do all the talking and give places the thumbs up, or send them into oblivion with a single one-star rating. Oh the power, the rush, the thrill... But once a year, we get off our soapbox and let you call the shots. Most of the time, your opinions are pretty much in line with ours. But sometimes, the experience is sobering. “What? That’s your favorite Japanese restaurant?” some of us choked when we saw the results (scroll down to "Dining" too see which one that is). But hey, we printed it, because in this issue, you’re in charge. Read on to see what makes you shiver, leap with glee, or want to pack your bags and leave Bangkok forever. (read more...)