Chet, taxi driver

Who are the worst passengers?
The impolite ones. For example, recently I stopped for a group of young girls who asked me, “Ja pai mai?” Why couldn’t they just say, “Pai mai ka?”? They sounded like they didn’t care whether I gave them a lift or not, so I drove off.

What else bugs you?
Besides the traffic, I hate cars that honk every time I pull over to pick up a passenger. They really don’t have any sympathy. This is a taxi,and a taxi picks up passengers.

Do people tip you?
Farangs, mostly—and they usually take short trips. When the meter is B35, they will pay me B50 and tell me to keep the change. Some Thais tip, too, but only five or 10 baht.

Ever been robbed?
Never. But others taxis warn me not to pick up passengers from Pathumthani or Lum Lukka because they’ve been robbed there before.

Chayanit Kritsirithanarat, flight attendant

What’s the hardest thing about being a flight attendant?
Not to lose your patience, to compromise, to be punctual, to be alert and to take care of your health.

Any “bad passenger” stories you’d like to share?
Yes, we had a troublemaker yesterday. He asked one of my co-workers for a Pepsi, but she was busy. So she asked him to wait a minute and suddenly he started shouting at her, “F*** you!” and “F*** the captain!”

How did you deal with the Pepsi guy?
She told the supervisor who reported him to the captain. He was arrested when
we landed.

Vinai Priamsati, masseur at Sabai Thai Massage

What did you do before this job?
I was a “cheer” guy in an ab op nuat. I would talk to customers and say things like, “Number 30 is cute—she’s our star.” Compared to that job, being a masseur is much better.

How much do you earn per day?
I get 35 percent. So for a one-hour Thai massage, the customer pays B200 and I get B70.

Is this enough to live on?
Well, most of my income is from tips.

Do you get bad customers?
Yes, from time to time. Gays—mostly farangs—often misunderstand our service and try to harass me sexually. When this happens, I simply say, “What exactly do you expect? We offer massage. If you’re looking for something other than that, we don’t have it.”

X, Spa supervisor at luxury resort, Phuket

What is the secret to delivering good service?
If you’re in the service business, you need to have a service mind. Then you know naturally what the guest wants and needs. For example, I was the butler of a famous designer for years. He didn’t like to talk much, but with a single glance I could guess what he wanted. That’s how you make people really happy.

Any problems?
Rich Thais cause a lot of problems and have a bad attitude. They treat you like dirt.
In general, farangs respect employees more.

What about tipping?
Some guests put money on the table at the beginning of their stay and just say, “Take care of my family.” Maybe US$100. I like that. If you tip first, you know what kind of service you’re buying. If you tip at the end, some staff might not deliver 100% because they don’t know what they’re working for.

How do you deal with rude or angry guests?
The Thai way. We stay calm, quiet, gentle and we smile. You have to be more clever than your guest.

What would you like to tell guests?
When foreigners come for a Thai massage, they sometimes expect that “something” will happen at the end. We don’t blame them, because this is OK in some places, but not in our spa. We’ve had some guests slap money onto the massage bed and shout, “Do it!” At this point, the girls will leave the room.

Horror stories of service gone oh-so-wrong

Pak Torungsri, 35, proofreader

Recently, I went to Big C Ekkamai to pay my Quick Cash loan. As usual, I handed the bill to the staff. An eternity passed as they tried to scan the barcode, after which I was told, “It just doesn’t work.” So what now? It doesn’t work and that’s it? I ended up walking out to pay at another branch instead. A few weeks later, Quick Cash called to inform me that my bill was overdue. It turns out that the staff at Big C scanned the wrong barcode; the one she scanned was Citibank’s. So I’ve paid Citibank twice and I haven’t paid anything to Quick Cash. The incident has ruined my record at Quick Cash. Now my credit’s not as good as before and it’s all her fault.

Suthikiat Singka, 21, photographer

The worst service I ever experienced was from a nurse at Sappasitthiprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani. This lady didn’t care about the patients’ feelings at all. I once saw an old lady queuing for a long time. When she asked how long it would take to see a doctor, the nurse pointed her finger to the back of the waiting room and told the lady to sit there and wait. I don’t know if it’s because she’s tired or what, but a nurse shouldn’t behave with such bad manners.

Supaporn Padungsawat, 27, systems analyst

Just a few weeks ago, I went to a minimart on Koh Pa Ngan. There’s only one convenience store on the island, so everyone has to buy snacks, drinks, toilet paper and everything else there. The staff at the shop are very unfriendly to Thais, but take pains to please farangs. I tried to buy a snack and put it on the counter, but the cashier completely ignored me. Another place is MK Suki, next to Central Bangna. Other branches may be better—MK Trendi is good—but this one is unbearable. You have to wait ages to place your order, and the staff don’t take care of your table at all. I was very upset, so I criticized their service in the comment form. I hope they improve.

Kitisak Singsungneoun, 27, lecturer

I went to a bar—can’t remember the name—and everything was fine until I tipped the waiter. My friends and I were about to leave, when the waiter walked back to our table to give back the money that I’d tipped him. I was stunned. I’m not sure if I tipped him too little or if he misunderstood and thought that I’d forgotten my change, but it’s rude either way. A waiter shouldn’t refuse a tip. So I just dropped the money on the floor and walked out. Other tables were looking, but I didn’t care.

The Tipping Points

BK guides you through the delicate protocol of international tipping

Australia: Tipping is not widespread in Australia. Some may leave coins on the bar or tell cab drivers to keep the change. A tip of 10 percent in restaurants for impressive service is normal. But tipping in hotels and hair salons is still an uncommon practice.

UK: Tipping is preferred and expected here in places. At hotels, 10-15 percent of the room cost is already added to the bill, so no need to tip more. But for restaurants and taxis, it’s 10 percent. In hair salons, the customary rate is 2 pounds for the hairdresser and 1 pound for the assistant. No tipping in pubs.

USA: Tipping is universal in the States. In sit-down restaurants, you are expected to tip 15-20 percent of the bill; for taxis, 10-15 percent. If you go to a restaurant with a large group, however, they’ll often include a charge for service on the bill. And remember: never tip government officers.

Japan: Tipping is not practiced in Japan except in exceptional cases—a personal limousine driver, for instance.

Singapore: No tipping here, either; it’s just not the Singaporean way. A 10 percent service charge is already included in your restaurant and hotel bills. Also, tipping at the airport is strictly forbidden.

Hong Kong: In restaurants, there’s a service charge included but additional tipping is expected. Bellboys and porters also look forward to tips. But for taxis you don’t need to pay extra.

Thailand: Normally, tipping is not a must, but in some cases it can provide incentive for staff to take good care of you on your next visit. Tips of B10-20 for bellboys and waiters are standard practice. Technically there’s no need to tip taxi drivers, but if you insist on waiting for that 3 baht change, we’re not getting in a cab with you.

This May Day, Duangtawan Nilayon raises a toast to all of the workers who have to deal with our crap.

BreakS
Silom Soi 2/1, upper floor of @Richard’s, 02-632-8928. Open Wed-Fri-Sat 6pm-late.

Hidden in the wrong location and surrounded by places for men from over the rainbow, this tiny place is for straight people to hang out and listen to hip hop, house and even some percussion performed by the Japanese owner himself.

Flix

Royal City Avenue, Rama 9, 02-203-0377/-8. Open daily, 9pm-2am.

Though it’s part of the big Slim complex, the music is far different. Neither hip hop nor live Thai pop music is played here, but house and other alternative tunes are spun by house DJs and special guests from time to time.

Indus

71 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-258-4900. Open daily 11am-midnight.

The lavish Moroccan bar and restaurant has no live music but Arabic tunes to shake your boobs and hips. The cute “mixologist” just moved in to create your drinks and smooth out your night.

The room

231/7 Sarasin Rd., 02-650-2955. Open daily 6pm-1am.

Has panache and flair but is often quiet—except late Fri and Sat. For a pleasant and relaxed night out, this is a sane option. Mr. DJ spins mostly house tunes with a little touch of disco dance music for the purple crowd.

BarSu

250 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-649-8385. Open daily 6pm-2am. www.barsubangkok.com
The loo is located in the back end of the place with dimmed lights and many glass doors and mirrors. The soft music is enough to drown out sounds, and there are plenty of napkins on the way out to clean up any spillage. Indeed, it's time to “eatPLAYdance”.

GLOW

96/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-261-3007, 02-261-4446. Open daily 6pm-1am.
Head to the third floor where many people can’t be bothered to climb for a pee. Don’t worry about sweating—that sheen will only enhance your post-coital glow.

Inch

Esplanade Zone, 55/49-60 Ratchadapisek Rd., next to Pump Up, 02-641-2963-/5. Open daily 7pm-2am. MRT Thailand Cultural Center. www.inchclub.com.
There are plenty of toilets either on the ground floor or you can opt for the leopard loo on the second floor for something a bit more animal. No queue, no toilet serviceman and no one cares.

Phranakorn Bar

58/2 Soi Damnoenklang Tai. 02-622-0282. Open daily 6pm-1am.
Don’t worry when you see just one toilet since this place normally is not packed on the weekdays and not till 11pm on the weekends. Most of all, the staffs seem to gather around the counter and don’t really care what you do in the toilet.

Summer Breeze

Spa Herbnara (117/8 Parnchit 5, Soi Thonglor, 02-712-9501/09. www.spaherbnara.com) promises to cool down the summer with three special promotions. Choose between a 90-minute body scrub and Aloe Vera body massage at B1,000 (regularly B2,000), a two hour Akasuri scrub and deep facial cleaning treatment at B1,400 (from B1,900) or a facial and herbal milk bath at B1,200 (B1,900). Through Jun 30.

Drink & Dance

A new café and dance studio is coming to town. Determined to stir up some serious dance fever in Bangkok, Salsa Hacha (130/5 Silom Soi 6, 02-634-3383/4. www.salsahacha.com) offers tango, belly dance, zouk, merengue and of course salsa. Even a striptease course is available at this fusion cafe. B100 per class; B3,500 per 10 hours of either workshops or series of coursess. 10% discount for group registration (minimum 4 persons).

Fast Fit

Fitness freaks, now hear this! The Bodhi (4/F, Erawan Bangkok, Ploenchit Rd., 02-250-7882/3. www.thebodhi.com) has just debuted its latest machine. Step on Fit Vibe and its vibration plate will strengthen your muscles, reduce weight and prevent cellulite. This especially suits those who want to get in shape real fast because spending only 20 minutes on the machine equals an hour training session. Try it now at all branches of The Bodhi.

Aldo’s

Cascade Club, The Ascott, 187 Sathorn Rd., Yannnawa, Sathorn Bangkok, 02676-6969.
Aldo’s is divided into a large air-conditioned room and an outdoor pool area, which features romantic cabana dining. Offers delicious and healthy Mediterranean cuisine and a great wine list. Dining under the roof of a sala with a pool beside you—that’s one romantic Songkran.

AQUA

Four Seasons Hotel, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-254-1137. BTS Ratchadamri. Open daily 11am-midnight.
The ducks as well as the punters love the misty fans in this cool outdoor hangout. Dipping yourself in the pond or using that water to splash into your date’s face is not recommended—unless you really hate him/her.

Bay Ta Ra-Bar Ta Le

100 Jakraphong Rd., Soi Rambutri, Pranakorn, 02-281-2899, 08-6323-5403. Open daily 6pm-1am.
Secluded bar with vivid blue pool and painfully hip glass building as a backdrop. The alfresco area gives you space to chill out on white beach chairs while the band plays Thai and English songs nightly. Nice.

WATERSIDE

13/16, Moo 9, Pradit Manootham Rd., Bueng Koom, 02- 943-9496/-7. www.waterside-bkk.com. Open daily 5pm-1am.
This establishment actually sits on the water. The sophisticated lighting creates a convincing illusion of intimacy. Live music performed by in house bands starts at 7pm. Expect Thai pop rock, commercial pop and inter songs, plus lots of golden oldies of Thai/inter pop tunes.

10 other places we will be sad to see go

Anchan Gaemchei
Manager of Bangkok Forum

What’s the definition of “public space”?
It can be a concrete building or a virtual space open for gatherings and discussion. A basic example is a park, but a web board or online community can also be a public space.

What kind of public space does Bangkok need?
Both real and virtual spaces. Recently, I heard the news that the Vietnamese government is now encouraging people to send comments and suggestions through the internet. I think our BMA has something like that, but it’s not widely known. It should be the people who suggest how things should be done, not the government telling us to sit down and listen to their ideas.

What can we do to save our public spaces?
Set up seminars, coordinate with NGOs, collect people’s opinions with comment boxes…

Which part of Bangkok should be conserved?
All of it. Bangkok is not a good city to build huge projects because our land is soft and lower than sea level. Skyscrapers also require a lot of energy for their air-con. We need to think about global warming and the next generation’s future.

Anusorn Tipayanon
Architect, columnist, author of Muang Yen

What’s your opinion on the closing of Suan Lum Night Bazaar?
We need to carefully consider things before we let every space in our city become more and more commercial. Sellers will always attempt to reach more customers. It is inevitable for big companies to be attracted to such a prime location as Suan Lum.

In your opinion, how is Bankok’s city planning?
Our city became a mess from the moment we had Chinese shophouses. They combine residential and commercial areas together with living upstairs and a first floor used as a shop. A good city plan should start with zoning.

What are criteria for preserving one area?
A way of life, a certain indigenous uniqueness. The question is, what do we want to keep, and what do we want to borrow from other cultures?

Can you suggest some ways to improve our city?
I think it’s hard to do anything for Bangkok now. But in old cities like Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Prae or Nan, we should start zoning seriously before it’s too late.

Neil Thompson
Deputy Managing Director of BEC Tero Entertainment

What’s your opinion on Suan Lum closing?  
We are sad that we will lose a great downtown venue. However, we are hopeful that when they develop the site they will include a performing arts facility. Bangkok needs a lot more of these.

Why did BEC Tero choose Suan Lum?
We have always been on the lookout for good venues with downtown locations and easy for patrons to access. With the underground station and the link to the Night Bazzar, the Suan Lum hall was ideal.

Do you think Bangkok should have more venues for concerts/events?
Yes, Bangkok is in dire need of more venues with various capacities. We have the best indoor arena in Asia with Impact Arena but beyond that, there is a big void. With Paragon and Central World both offering multi-purpose halls, it relieves the pressure on exhibition venues, but they are not well suited to concerts. There is still a need for a downtown indoor venue with 5–7,000 seat capacity, good acoustics, and where everyone can see the show. The more venues we have, the easier it is for promoters to bring in a bigger selection of artists and shows to Bangkok.

Brian Mertens
Author of Bangkok Design

How do you feel about the end of Suan Lum?
The city might just lose another bit of its soul. And it might also lose an economic asset both for tourism and for cultivating local design and crafts. If you look thoroughly, you’ll find that several hundred budding designers and crafts entrepreneurs have taken root there. Leading architect Amanda Levete, of London’s Future Systems, recently visited Bangkok and cited Suan Lum as the thing she found remarkable about the city. She gets flown around the world by governments and companies begging her to design for them, so she knows what’s out there.

People like malls. Aren’t malls a sign of progress?
That’s how Singaporean planners thought, and so they sacrificed much of the city’s old neighborhoods and traditional markets. Now Singapore is under chronic pressure to find enough tourists and enough shoppers. They have to throw money at advertising, promotions, and devising new cultural attractions that don’t have much authenticity. Suan Lum is not old, but it’s certainly authentic. It’s real people presenting the things they create themselves, not corporations and brands. You just don’t find this kind of charm in a mall.

We already have Siam Square and JJ. Don’t they cover our needs for cheap retail space?
Suan Lum is better for grown-ups to shop because it’s cooler, less congested and a bit fancier than Chatuchak. It’s more diverse than Siam Square, which is focused on youth fashions.

Isn’t the real battle putting Thai designers into the malls?
The malls need the Thai designers, not the other way around.

Dr. Suvit Yodmanee
Minister of Tourism and Sports

What impact will the closing of Suan Lum Nigh Bazaar have on tourism?
Suan Lum Night Bazaar is a major tourist attraction in Bangkok, but I don’t think it will affect tourism as a whole if it were to close down. Tourists who come here can always find other places to visit; there are many more. And yet, Suan Lum is a great place to come and relax; people will definitely miss it.

Should there be more places like Suan Lum?
It actually depends on the type of tourists, too—a place like Khao San for example attracts only a certain type of tourist—so one place alone can’t affect the tourism industry as a whole.

Chol Bunnag
Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University

If Suan Lum closes, do you think it will affect the Thai economy?
The effect won’t be that big, but people will have fewer choices for sure, assuming that goods sold at Suan Lum and Chatuchak differ from those in malls. The real issue here is not this though, it is the use of public space.

Can you explain?
Suan Lum itself has two characteristics: it’s a commercial space rented out by vendors and a free public space located next to a public park where people can come and go as they please. This is different from a mall.

What’s the value of the Suan Lum Night Bazaar?
It generates social networking. A few months ago, I remember there was some kind of local cooking contest at BEC Tero Hall. Street vendors came together and exchanged know-how. This kind of connection building is called social capital. If Suan Lum shuts down, this capital will be lost.

Do you have any suggestions?
Well, Central already got the lease so it’s up to them now. I hope they offer wide open spaces for people to sit and talk.

Do you think the government should intervene?
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) should do something. This is about the welfare of the community, not just a conflict of interests between P Con and the Crown Property Bureau. At least they should do a survey among the affected community.

10 Places We Will Be Sad to See Go
 

1. BEC Tero Hall
02-252-9292, www.bec-terohall.com.
Many concerts, parties and events have been organized here since its opening in 2003. The stage has welcomed numerous international and Thai artists.
New Location: None planned.

2. La Belle
Lopburi Soi 3, 08-9110-6160.
We love this Bollywood-in-Bangkok shop for its Indian mosaic lamps, chandeliers, mirrors and candlesticks.
New Location: No immediate plans.

3. Doi Tung Coffee
Doi Tung Development Project Tourist Center, 02-252-7114 ext 217 or 234. www.doitung.org.
A trendy coffee shop under royal patronage, Doi Tung is more than an ordinary café. Its selection of coffee is part of the Doitung Development Project, which was initiated to alleviate poverty in rural areas. The shop also offers cottage handicraft and design products, all locally made.
New Location: None planned.

4. Gakabear
D463-464, Lopburi Soi 6, 08-1584-4327.
Fluffy bears are the passion of Khun Kla, who runs this shop as a sideline job. Here you can find all sorts of teddy accessories: teddy safety belts, teddy mouse pads and teddy pillows. Prices range from B145-490.
New Location: Possibly Siam Square or Chatuchak Weekend Market.

5. His Story
Lopburi Soi 8, 08-9000-2999. www.hisstorybkk.com.
This stall stands out from others with its classic décor and fashionable outfits for men. His Story has a variety of choices of shirts, pants, shoes and bags at prices starting at B1,290.
New Location: No immediate plans

6. La Roue de Paris
The Ferris wheel attracts lovers, friends, and families to Suan Lum for B100 per ride. Bangkok doesn’t have another big wheel, and if it needs to move out, we’ll sorely miss the fresh air up there.
Next Destination: Singapore.

7. Ruaen Ngam
Lopburi Soi 1, 02-231-3269, 08-5815-9038.
Another local design outfit, this one offers ceramics, big and small. They’ll also make custom items.
New Location: Chatuchak Weekend Market, Section 7 Soi 1.

8. Sitz Design
Lopburi Soi 5, 02-736-1846.
The showroom of a local design company, Sitz has been selling stylish furniture and offering interior design services here for three years. Every piece in the shop is made at its own factory.
New Location: 29/10 Soi Sri Akssorn, Fuel Rd.

9. Traditional Thai Puppet Theater (Joe Louis)
02-252-9683/4, 02-252-5227/-9, 02-251-0978/9. www.thaipuppet.com.
Winner of the best traditional performance award at the 10th World Festival of Puppet Art in Prague last year, this is Thailand’s most widely known puppet show, yet it’s still at risk of being closed. Nightly shows at 7:30pm.
New Location: None planned.

10. The Violin Shop
Ayudhya Soi 5
You wouldn’t expect to see a secondhand violin shop in a night bazaar, but there it is. Like taking a step back in time, the elderly shop owner always seems to be sitting there, busy fixing an old instrument or reading a newspaper.
New Location: Narathivas Road Soi 10 TKTKTKT phone number

Duangtawan Nilayon thinks about saving Suan Lum Night Bazaar!

Ad Here

13 Samsen Rd., Phranakorn, 08-9769-4613. Open daily 6pm-noon.
This Banglampoo bar hosts live blues and jazz by energetic local musicians nightly. Unlike most jazz bars, this watering hole is petite, cozy and a little bit grimy—just the way the regulars like it. It’s a great place to meet other down-to-Earth music lovers without having to put on shoes or damage your wallet.

Bamboo Bar

Oriental Hotel, 48 Oriental Avenue, 02-659-9000 ext 7690/1. Open Sun-Thu 11-1am, Fri-Sat 11-2am.
Sheri Elle White from St Louis, Missouri, performs smooth and sassy jazz amidst the Bamboo Bar’s Colonial elegance and refined atmosphere. Hear her from 10pm until close, Mon-Sat, through 30 Jun.

Diplomat Bar

Conrad Hotel, All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Rd., 02-690-9999. Open Sun-Thu 10-1am, Fri-Sat 10-2am. BTS Ploenchit.
This swanky lobby bar attracts a mixed crowd of in-house guests and locals. From Apr 19, hear accomplished American singer Cheryl Hayes, who was the opening act at Bangkok’s Royale Jazz Festival (Mon-Fri 7:30pm, Sat 9:45pm. Through Jul 8). Happy hour 4-6pm: buy 1, get 1 free.

Saxophone

3/8 Phya Thai Rd., 02-245-3592. Open daily 6pm-2am. BTS Victory Monument.
This bastion of jazz and blues may be getting on in years but it’s certainly got charm. The real aficionados head for the downstairs stage, while drinkers and billiards players casually check out the action from the mezzanine. Jazz Mon-Thu; blues Fri-Sun.

How did you come to work with each other?
Ditapong: He [Witawat] contacted the gallery first. Fortunately, the gallery was looking for another artist and I was there with my work.

What can we expect from your work?
Witawat: We always rush in Bangkok. We hurry to go to work, to have lunch, or to go home. Beauty is not hard to find if you just slow down a little. I want to tell people that there are many beautiful places in Bangkok if you know how to see them. Even the simplest thing can be a great art work.
Ditapong: It’s all about time; when time passes, things change. For instance, there were many fine buildings on the New Road, but now they look old and dilapidated. I want to say that nothing lasts forever.

Why do you paint on a zinc-coated sheet?
Ditapong: Because I can use techniques that I can’t use on canvas. Painting on a zinc-coated sheet makes the picture look old with its spoor and rust. When we look at those pictures, we feel as if they are something really old and have existed for many years.

Where is your favorite place?
Witawat: I like everywhere in this city. But the most impressive moment is at dusk: with sunset, the sky’s color is shaded in many colors and it looks gorgeous.

Why aren’t art galleries as popular as cinema nowadays?
Ditapong: People have gotten used to movies and television. Unlike films, art galleries have no television commercials or money to buy advertising media. People have grown up with these things, so they feel more comfortable going to see a movie than going to see an art show.
Witawat: You should think of going to see an art exhibition like going to see a film. The first thing you’ll see is the beauty of the pictures, and it’ll be so much better if you can understand what those pictures are trying to say. In fact, many years ago, people used to see art works at temples, but now we have grown up with something else: pop culture.

Legendary Touch

For the ultimate in football delusion, step into the shoes of Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho. Of course, at B62,000 they’re not exactly geared towards the favelas children who will make up tomorrow’s Brazil National Team—why you probably won’t even want to get them muddied at all! What shame. With their distinctive design based on Ronaldinho’s personal instructions, these shoes could truly possess the power to remote control the ball into the goal. At Nike shops and authorized dealers. (Try Sport Revolution, 1/F, Siam Center, 02-662-4036/7. Open daily 10:30am-10:00pm.)

Ni Hau!

Learn to speak basic Mandarin Chinese and enjoy a delicious meal at the same time. A bright buy-one-get-another idea from The China House, The Oriental Hotel (48 Oriental Avenue, 02-659-9000. www.mandarinoriental.com) costs you B1,150 for a three-course meal—dim sum, soup and noodles—plus fruit and Chinese tea. Each topic of conversation is selected and monitored by the Centre Art & Language Academy (CALA). Book now at 02-659-9000 ext Public Relations.

BarSu

250 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-649-8385. Open daily 6pm-2am. www.barsubangkok.com.
Here you’ll find a large circular area with cozy couches (a.k.a. “love seats”) lining the periphery. Ignore the DJ and draw her in close with those magic words, “Will you marry me? At least for the next two hours?” That’s sure to charm the pants off her. If not, settle for some nibbles; the menu was designed by a two-star Michelin chef.

Crystal Lounge

28 Sukhumvit Soi 20 (next to Koi), 02-258-1599. Open daily 11am-1am. www.crystal-lounge.com.
A nice place to lure your date for dining, then scoot over to the crystal shop to buy her a little ring and drop that question like a hot 10 baht coin. Will she pick it up, or will she just pass on by, like a stingy hiso striding past a nude beggar? Well, you have nothing to lose by trying. Crystal Lounge is redefining the meaning of “one-stop service” for lovers.

Moon Bar at Veritigo

61/F, Banyan Tree, 21/100 South Sathorn Rd., 02-679-1200. Open daily 5pm-1am (weather permiting).
This sky-high, open-air rooftop bar offers a panoramic view of the city, with telescopes on hand to provide pervy close ups. Lounge and jazz music enhance your mood. For a memorable evening, do the deed at Moon Bar…then never look back.

To Die For

H1, 998 Soi Thonglor, 02-381-4714. Open Sun-Thu 11:30am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11:30am-1am.
You’ve been with your significant other for how long now? Well, as they say, either poop or get off the pot. Tie that knot without a second thought! This is a romantic place to make it happen, and in those recliners in the back, you can even propose horizontally! Honestly, though, she won’t mind where you take her, as long as you really mean it, and she really is the one “to die for.”