Onion

www.facebook.com/onionbkk
With more than 100,000 fans, you can’t say this Facebook store isn’t popular. That’s partly down to the hip owner, House, the guitarist in the band Slur, but mostly thanks to an expansive collection of cool, vintage-style glasses at tempting prices that start from just B890. They now have shoes, socks and accessories, too.

The Kasama Shop

www.facebook.com/kasamashop
Kusuma, a creative at an advertising agency, started off by selling her own thrift store finds, before the hot vintage trend in the US inspired her to retail retro yet stylish men’s items, from shirts to shoes. She sells a mix of used and brand new items from big brands including Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, Prada and Calvin Klein.

OCTA

www.facebook.com/octabag
A business graduate turned her lucky number, eight, into the core inspiration for her somewhat octogonal designs. The results are bags and clutches in asscher and emerald-cut shapes in several colors.

The Rocking Dog

www.facebook.com/therockingdog
Founded by a couple, The Rocking Dog retails rustic-style leather bags in different sizes and types, from messenger to wallets, with minor dog-inspired details in honor of their beloved Siberian huskies. With items generally under B4,000, prices are nothing to be barked at, too. But all items are handmade so you’ll need to wait at least 2-3 weeks.

Crayon Couture

www.facebook.com/CrayonCouture
The goods: Women’s wear for work days or special events that call for a more dressed-up look. Easy to wear and to mix and match, the style is very feminine—think pleated skirts and tops with touches of lace.
The seller: They just launched their first collection a month ago, but are very responsive to comments and inquiries. We like how they regularly post mix and match looks as a way to interact with customers.
The deal:
1. Copy the product code below the photo of your desired item and paste it on their wall page.
2. Seller will confirm the payment in your inbox.
3. Confirm the payment transfer to seller’s inbox with payment amount, payment date and time, name and surname, address, e-mail and contact number.
4. Items will be sent seven days after date of payment.

Crossdoff

www.facebook.com/thecrossdoff
The goods: Original designs in the form of jewelry for working women, plus some black and gold numbers for a night out. Their earrings and rings come in a variety of styles, from Art Déco to crafts. Plus, they will soon be launching their first clothing collection.
The seller: Crossdoff started as the marketing project of four Thammasat students which they then turned into an actual business. It has been on Facebook for a year.
The deal:
1. Place your comment below any item you like along with your e-mail address.
2. The seller will e-mail you back the total amount and an account number. This includes shipping by EMS.
3. Confirm payment to the seller’s inbox with the following details: payment amount, payment date and time, name and surname, address, e-mail and contact number.

Bachop

www.facebook.com/bachopp
The goods: Leather luggage in bright colors, weekend travel bags and shoulder bags for everyday wear— Bachop has it all, and they also do classic colors if you’re not ready to rock a bright yellow tote.
The seller: Bag lovers who went from hobbyists to quitting their day jobs to run this page full time. Very responsive to inquiries.
The deal:
1. After a new item is posted, pre-order stays open for 10 days.
2. Message the seller and wait for their confirmation with payment amount and account details.
3. Confirm the payment transfer to the seller’s Facebook inbox with payment amount, payment date and time, name and surname, address, e-mail and contact number.

Eazy Pre-Order

www.facebook.com/eazyorder
The goods: Brand name imports ranging from gorgeous Chanel bags to H&M ballet flats and Super sunglasses.
The seller: Friendly and passionate, the fashionistas behind Eazy Pre-Order have acquired a lot of trust from their clients and respond very quickly to questions.
The deal:
1. Eazy Pre-Order is a “person” according to Facebook, not a “page.” So you’ll have to friend them before you can even browse their products.
2. Eazy Pre-Order brings in goods based on your order. The goods aren’t in Thailand. So first you’re going to have to go through their pictures and pick what you’d like them to import.
3. Copy the URL of the item’s picture and send it to the seller’s email at eazyorder@gmail.com.
4. Wait for the seller to confirm the payment amount.
5. Transfer 50% of the total amount. When the product finally arrives, the seller will send more photos of your item for confirmation and ask for the second half of the payment.
4. Send in the final 50% and wait for delivery.

Happy Go Lucky

www.facebook.com/happygoluckyshop
The goods: Korean-inspired girly t-shirts, cardigans, dresses, jeans, accessories and shoes.
The seller: They own a shop in Platinum Fashion Mall and created their own website and Facebook page to offer their clients alternative ways to shop. Note: they’re closing December 2011. Hurry!
The deal:
1. Browse items on the Facebook page and then make your order through www.happygolucky-shop.com
2. Choose your item and press “Add to cart.”
3. Pay your total amount via Paypal or bank transfer.
4. The seller will confirm all details via e-mail.
5. Items will be delivered within four days after payment.

De-Veen

www.facebook.com/deveenshop
The goods: A girly selection of long blazers, chiffon dresses and oversized shirts, all designed and produced by De-Veen.
The seller: A group of fashion loving girls who opened their clothing shop in Siam Square before going online.
The deal:
1. Place the order by posting the desired products on their Facebook wall.
2. The seller will confirm your order and total amount by inbox message.
3. Pay by bank transfer, and forward the confirmation details to the sellers inbox along with your address and contact info. Payment must be made within three business days.

Parallel Apparel

www.facebook.com/parallel.apparel
The goods: Striped unisex t-shirts with both short and long sleeves in a variety of colors. They also do some long striped dresses.
The seller: These stripe-addicts have been on Facebook for a year now, and can be spotted at artsy festivals around town.
The deal:
1. Leave a comment on your item of choice with your email, or email your order to parallel.apparel@live.com.
2. Wait for the total amount and seller’s account number so you can make a bank transfer.
3. Send an inbox message to the seller with the details of your processed bank transfer, address, and contact info. The product will then be shipped.

INFRD

www.facebook.com/INFRDBKK
The goods: In addition to their street wear house brand, this shop imports limited edition and hard-to-find products from across the globe: shoes, watches, iPod cases—you name it. The product range is somewhere between hipster, hip hop and indie, if there really is a difference anymore.
The seller: Running a Siam Square brick and mortar store in addition to the online storefront can cause a little delay on the back end, but they stock stuff that no one else does.
The deal: Send in your order by using the “Contact Us” form and then receive order confirmation through email and SMS. Pay and your order will be shipped.

Err-or Design

www.facebook.com/errordesign
The goods: Arguably the freshest designs from Bangkok’s most respected graphic design collective. Err-or produces T-shirts featuring designs inspired by Bangkok, Thai politics and every aspect of urban lifestyle.
The seller: The FB-commerce version of the popular Siam Square based shop allows a hands-off approach to processing, so no back and forth communication is required.
The deal: Using a seamless e-commerce plug-in, this Facebook shop is virtually its own online store with all the commerce capabilities to boot. Just fill your cart and checkout as you would on any online shopping site.

The Hair Shop

http://www.facebook.com/TheHairShop.TH
The goods: Hair extension products and full-on wigs made of plastic or real human hair. They come in an assortment of colors.
The seller: Actress and model Bowie Atthama opened her business just six months ago, and says it is an easy way to get this sort of beauty product without having to go into the depths Pratunam.
The deal: Check out the pictures on the website, and send your order via Facebook, email, or call her directly. You can pay by credit card or transfer the money to her account. Orders usually get delivered within 3-4 days.

Gaggan

Seven Spoons

The Aston Gastro Bar

Why we love it: This charming little bistro combines all the things we like when eating out: affordable food that’s interesting and comforting, lots of imported beers and a laidback atmosphere with sophisticated touches.

The menu: A combination of Asian flavors and a French sensibility, mostly in the ever-popular tapas form.

What to eat: The roasted bone marrow with salsa verde and crusty bread (B130), where the cartilaginous, fatty texture of the marrow is balanced with the garlicky salsa. Other dishes, too, feature high quality ingredients competently handled, such as the seared duck breast (with Asian pear and orange jelly, B280)—generous slices of fresh and fatty meat cooked to medium-rare perfection.

What to drink: Choose one of the myriad imported beers. Try the St. Louis, a sweet Belgian lambic that comes in different fruit flavours (B150).

2/F, Crystal Design Center, 1420 Praditmanoontham Rd., 02-102-2323. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight.

Bangkok Burger Company

Why we love it: For a while it seemed like Iron Fairies was the only place doing just burgers. But with the opening of Bangkok Burger Company we have perhaps the first serious restaurant dedicated exclusively to everyone’s favorite food.

The menu: Classic, artery-clogging burger goodness with modern twists for someone who likes a little extra.

What to eat: Unlike other burger menus elsewhere, the variations here are quite wide and interesting, from The Swiss (with Swiss cheese, garlic mushrooms and sautéed onions, B230/295) to The Italian (with Mozzarella cheese, olives, pesto oregano and marinara sauce on the side, B230/295).

What to drink: Apart from the nice, American touch of ice cream shakes (B95-110), they do what they call “grown-up shakes” that are ice cream shakes with shots of liqueur, like the cookies and cream (Oreos, ice cream, butterscotch schnapps and chocolate liqueur, B195).

G/F Opus Building, Thong Lor Soi 10, 02-715-9407. Open daily 11am-11pm.

Gastro 1/6 (RMA Institute)

Why we love it: This adorable garden café with loads of hanging greenery has become very popular, among Thais and expats alike, as one of the few places in the city with a non-buffet brunch.

The menu: Arguably some of the best egg breakfasts in the city, which often overshadows their stellar lunch choices.

What to eat: The tortilla with Spanish ham (a kind of egg and potato frittata, B180) and the full English breakfast (B380) which boasts, in addition to good eggs and proper toasted baguette, homemade Cumberland sausages, sautéed mushrooms and very garlicky spinach. The lunch menu is brief, but delicious and changes frequently.

What to drink: It’s hard to find a decent coffee in Bangkok, but they have frothy lattes and espressos that’ll satisfy at least some caffeine afficionados.

RMA Institute, Soi Sap Namthip 2, 238 Sukumvit Soi 26. Open Tue-Sun 8:30am-3pm.

Mellow

Why we love it: Mellow lives up to its name: warm, cozy, wood-heavy décor involving beams and brick walls, high (but not too high) ceilings and friendly staff. It’s the kind of place you might go to on a Saturday night with your friends, or with your beloved on a Sunday night to wind down after a long weekend of partying.

The menu: Pastas, salads, and a few fusion items. Typical but solidly executed.

What to eat: The buffalo wings appetizer (B150) comes with a crackling batter that holds up firmly against the sauce and moist, seasoned chicken inside. The rocket salad with Italian sausage (B260) packs generous amounts of seared sausage and a mountain of fresh rocket, even if it falls victim to some slight overdressing.

What to drink: Good cocktails you can enjoy at their happy hour (2 for 1, Sun-Thu from 5-7pm). Apple martinis are B250, Midori sours are B180.

1/F Penny’s Balcony, Thong Lor Soi 16, 02-382-0064. Open daily 11-1am.

Oskar

Why we love it: Two houses down from Bed Supperclub, Oskar Bistro is a restaurant with a slightly clubby vibe. It certainly packs a lot of things under one roof: a hearty menu, a long list of cheap drinks and a live DJ spinning music that makes eating dinner feel like you’re swaying slowly on a dance floor.

The menu: The predominantly French ownership behind Oskar means that some Southern French dishes make their way onto the menu, alongside hearty American dishes and comfort food.

What to eat: Their signature Oskar salad (B230) is composed of duck confit, ham, plums, eggs and truffle oil. They do a brief selection of wood-oven pizzas (B195-325)—including some more unusual ones like the Casablanca, with minced lamb chop and merguez sausage—as well as some cocottes (French casserole stews) like the duck parmentier (B250) and the ratatouille (B220).

What to drink: There is a pretty wide, exciting (and affordable) choice of booze, from the ten wines by the glass (B135-265) to the cocktails (B150-225); there’s even several Scotch whiskey options for under B300 a glass.

24 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-255-3377. Open daily 6-11pm. BTS Nana.

Roast

Why we love it: With its huge windows, marble tables and solid, comfy seating, Roast is definitely one of the most handsome places to open this year. The brunch was an instant hit, but it took Roast a while to figure out its dinnertime offering: affordable wines and tasty tapas.

The menu: Full on breakfast and brunch dishes in the day time, and a tapas menu in the evening. The tapas are heavy on the lime and garlic and flavors are refreshingly Mediterranean despite the Thai ingredients. Many dishes follow the same winning formula: comforting, fried produce with tangy, lime-heavy sauces to cut through the fat.

What to eat: For dinner, try the fried crab cakes with tartar sauce and tomato salsa (B320), meatballs on guacamole (B180), and calamari on a tangy, garlic aioli (B160).

What to drink: Some of the best coffees in town (French press B120-B140, espressos B80-B140). They also serve a great selection of wines all day (B790-B1,290).

2/F Seenspace, Thong Lor Soi 13, 02-185-2866. Open daily, 10am-10:30pm.

Snapper

Why we love it: The Cheap Charlie’s cul-de-sac on Sukhumvit Soi 11 has been seeing some new additions of late. The highlight among them, we think, is Snapper, a simple, very casual restaurant specializing in sustainably fished New Zealand seafood.

The menu: Calling itself Bangkok’s first NZ restaurant, Snapper is currently doing a pretty interesting fish and chips menu, with new dishes due to be added in the weeks to come.

What to eat: Choose from about five types of NZ fish and chips like the fleshy and strongly-flavored Tarakihi (B170) or the slightly milder Southern King Fish (B160). Snacks like the deep-fried mussels (B30) and tiger prawns (B60 each) are also fresh and delicious.

What to drink: A short and sweet wine list comprised of stuff from NZ and Australia: whites and a light Pinot Noir that will go well with your seafood. Bottles range from B1,200-1,700, and they have two wines by the glass at B160.

1/22 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-651-1098. Open 5pm-midnight. BTS Nana.

Do you think Facebook shopping is a sustainable business model? Is it at its peak or is it only just beginning?
Yes, certainly Facebook is a sustainable business model. It’s pretty much almost what a direct-sell model would look like. Once you like a page, you are committed to that page; whatever they post or advertise will appear on your page. It is probably in the early stages now, but many small businesses are testing their new products on Facebook, where it is free or relatively low cost to start a business.

What percentage of your sales comes from Facebook?
At INFRD, around 10% of sales are carried out through Facebook, but over 50% of customers that come visit our shop at one point or another have seen products on our Facebook page before they make their decision to buy.

Have you ever bought anything from a Facebook shop?
I haven’t really bought anything straight from a Facebook shop, but I always use it to help me in my buying decision and before I decide to go to the actual shop.
INFRD is located on Siam Square Soi 2, near the crosswalk.