Huamark 09: A Concrete Block House Stands the Test of Time

By livingasean
November 21, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: foryeah! / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Nantiya /

Codenamed Huamark 09, this four-story home wrapped inside the concrete block envelope belongs to architect Intanon Chantip, aka “Non” of the INchan Atelier, a Bangkok-based architectural practice. It’s a design experiment aimed at testing several theories that he’d arrived at through intense study and experience. The architect wanted his concrete block home to tell its own story through changes in the looks of construction materials. Precisely, all the years that pass by will leave their trace of time as the house ages. It will be interesting to see how the building materials perform in the course of time.

Concrete Block House — The concrete block home resembles four big boxes stacked one on top of the other. The fence that protects the first floor of the house is painted a cool-toned white that contrasts with bare walls on Levels 2, 3 and 4 intentionally left exposed to blend with other houses in the neighborhood.

Not that long ago, Non and his wife Tharisra Chantip, aka Ploy, bought this 80-square-wah property (320 square meters) in Hua Mark District on the outskirts of Bangkok. They had the old 30-year-old house demolished to make room for a new four-story concrete home integrating office, art studio and residential spaces to form a coherent whole.

The building external envelope is built of concrete blocks without plaster. It’s left uncovered on purpose so as to blend with everything else in the neighborhood. All together the usable space comes to 490 square meters.

The homeowner couple divided the property into northern and southern sections. They raised the property slightly higher from ground level to put in a garden to the north, then a rectangular building to the south.

The building’s long side runs east-west to block prevailing winds and allow openings to control sunlight and breeze streaming into the home.

The house’s four-meter width is comparable to most row houses in the area. Each side has double walls that work simultaneously for ventilation and heat insulation. Door and window openings reinforce the concrete block house’s primary relationship to weather conditions, wind, and sun.

On the south side are fewer openings because of a staircase, while north and east sides have balconies and various service areas reaching around to the west side, which also has the double walls characteristic of the building’s overall design.

The four levels are divided according to function. The architects’ offices are primarily in two first floor rooms: a larger one with a long work table for working in teams and a smaller one that serves as meeting room and library.

The second floor is a private residential area, with a living room connecting to kitchen and dining area.

The third floor contains one bedroom for Non and Ploy and another for Non’s mother. The two are connected with a shared bathroom.

The fourth floor is a studio for creative work and enjoyment. It’s designed with a view to high flexibility of function in expectation of anticipated future changes as little members of the household gradually grow up.

Architect: INchan atelier

Noble Ambience Sukhumvit 42

By livingasean
November 17, 2017
LIVING,PROPERTY

Because happiness and joy is worth achieving, Noble Ambience Sukhumvit 42 is born with the quality of bringing delight. From every perspective, simple and clean form goes to work complementing functionality and culminates in a distinctive character. It’s a living embodiment of Lagom, the quality of balanced living “Not too little, not too much, just right.”

/// Thailand ///
Story: Ektida N. /// Photography: Noble Development

Project Concept

The term Lagom [la-gom] redefines happiness from the Swedish perspective. It encapsulates all the essential characteristics in a succinct way, whereby features deemed unnecessary are reduced to achieve the perfect balance. The idea is manifested in what Noble Ambience is all about – simple and appropriate. Completeness in design is achieved without sacrificing the good qualities and functionality for modern living. It comes in handy as a happy home, a place to relax and unwind away from relentless hustle and bustle of city life.

Site Location – Not too little

Despite being in the city center, Noble Ambience sits embraced in the calm and quiet of a residential neighborhood. Travel to and from the site is convenient both by car and urban public transport. The right size project is situated near Digital Gateway and only about 350 meters from the BTS Ekkamai Station. Location being everything and everlasting, it makes travel to prime destinations along Sukhumvit and Ekkamai easy, fast, and convenient.

Exterior Design Concept – Not too much

Noble Ambience is an 8-story residential condominium project on Sukhumvit 42. The layout of the building is designed to embrace a verdant oasis that lies within. The condominium itself stands surrounded by green spaces and communities that have already been in existence, hence plenty of trees all about. Crisp, clean lines ensure the building fits in well with the rhythms and conditions in the environment. Tall, streamlined design reduces a feeling of being in confined spaces, resulting in a light and airy urban appeal without disturbing the charms of the surroundings.

Apart from a unique personality, a lot goes into creating green spaces for relaxation in the central courtyard. Where appropriate, larger than average balconies are put in at intervals to make room for green plants. Carefully thought out plans ensure they harmonize with the facades in both colors and textures, resulting in a perfect visual blend from every perspective.

For a pleasing visual blend where existing buildings are generally considered not too high, the project elects to use mainly earth tones, rich warm colors with a brownish hue, to slow down the pace of everyday urban lifestyle. This results in a more relaxing atmosphere. The overall effect is impressive, thanks to a swimming pool at the center that provides a welcome contrast with nearby tree lines in brownish colors. With a beautiful yard, every day is a happy day.

Interior Design Concept – Just right

Facilities

Step into an oasis of serenity and begin the journey to a simple lifestyle. That reason is enough for making Noble Ambience a cool and restful place. Experience true relaxation in the lobby done in Minimalistic style per the Lagom concept. Indulge in the simplicities of modern living the Swedish style. Glass windows that stand tall from the floor to the ceiling allow the verdant central courtyard to be seen in full view all day every day. Green design allows in plenty of health-giving natural light, and helps cut down on energy consumption.

It’s a good idea to work out while taking in panoramic views of the garden. The Glass House Gym is designed for you to do exactly that. The light and airy atmosphere is priceless and charming. Whilst there, experience the color that is changing hues at different times.

Amidst the Serene Courtyard, a swimming pool provides visual continuity all the way to the lobby.

One-bedroom type

The one-bedroom unit comes with all the functionality in the right proportion. The room space divider is there reduce the reliance on air conditioning, and limit it to where cooling is needed. There’s a kitchenette at the point of entry for easy offloading of grocery, thereby eliminating the need to disturb normal arrangements in other areas. Light fixtures are put in place according to needs in relation to furniture and other household appliances.

Two-bedroom type

The two-bedroom unit comes with an added dining area with all the functionality in position according to needs. Only lighter shades of colors are chosen to make it easy on the eyes and conducive to relaxation. Natural shades make the space look bigger and more airy. That’s why neutrals are the best palette for room design.

If your goal is happiness that comes from balance between work and relaxation, Nobel Ambience Sukhumvit 42 is the answer you have been looking for. Ensconced in the calm and quiet of a residential neighborhood, it is designed to accommodate modern lifestyle needs and go hand in hand with a hive of activity the city brings. In every sense of the word, happiness is all about balance.

Noble Ambience Sukhumvit 42 is only 350 meters from the BTS Ekkamai Station. Every unit comes fully furnished. Prices start at 3.59 million baht*. Register online for a 100,000-baht* discount now. Or drop in for a tour of demonstration units and make a reservation there from now until November 23, 2017. At Noble Remix Sales Office is located next to the BTS Thonglor Station (Exit 2). For more information, visit website at www.noblehome.com.

PSA: A Lush Compact Tropical House in Chiang Mai

By livingasean
November 10, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuttikorn Suthiapa / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

In house design, the phrase “limited space” raises worrisome questions for some. Here, though, homeowner Sarin Nilsonthi used modern Tropical design techniques and inner space connectivity to build large-house functionality and comfort into a compact house plan.

“I designed this house on one A4 sheet of paper,” said Sarin with a smile.

“Since it’s small, I tried to write down all the functionality we’d need on a single sheet of paper, and named the house ‘PSA,’ from ‘Paper Series A.’ I can still recall entertaining the idea of living in a small Tropical home with all necessary features and conveniences neatly fit into it.”

Overall, it’s a small house plan that takes account of the size and comparative relation to a whole. Like so, post and beam construction is done in somewhat unusual ways to create the right kind of space in each part.

“We didn’t set the beams and posts this way because we wanted to, but in order to set things up in the right way. Still, anyone living in this house will have to be the same height as my wife and I,” Sarin said smiling.

Upon our arrival, the first thing we saw was a massive steel panel which the homeowner left rusted on purpose to show a stylish authenticity of construction materials. The principal front that looks onto the street shields the second floor from heat while showing off the shipping-container design of the office area. Below is a carport paved with fine gravel reaching up to the house entrance.

Compact Tropical House — The carport and relaxation area beneath the home office section.

Sarin intentionally kept the front yard fence low to create a clearly defined “inside the fence” area. There’s a gravel yard with benches and trees which actually becomes a part of the house itself. The house walls are rough concrete all around, and H-beams sunk into the yard support the office section, which is raised above a lower area where Sarin and his wife Pairin Boonpinid plan to open a café in the future.

Inside, on the lower floor, the living room, dining area and kitchen are all connected, each ceiling at a different level. For good ventilation and a sense of spaciousness, the living room has a double height ceiling. Nearby, the ceilings in the dining area and kitchen are set slightly lower, with electric lighting giving them each a unique identity.

The staircase has no railing, so is accessed from any direction; you can just walk down to sit and relax in the dining area, which is also used to store kitchen necessities: spices, condiments, even a refrigerator.

The living room with a double height ceiling and tall glass windows.

Openings in the exterior walls are perfectly arranged to let air and light in for a spacious feeling.

Going up the stairs and turning left brings us into the container-shaped office, the rusted outer wall reaching up to the third floor as protection against heat. The container surface is rainproof, with a layer of insulation between it and a plywood surface that gives an orderly look to the interior. There is also a houseguest bedroom on this floor that’s currently being used as a reading room, but planned as Air B&B tourist accommodation once the café opens.

The workroom opens to greenery on both sides. It includes storage space and a large table for work and meetings.

The entrance to the master bedroom is in the back, accessible via a corridor next to the kitchen; Sarin designed it as a separate building so as to remain private when the café/hostel section opens. It’s accessed without going through other sections of the house. Here the floor is raised up above the ground as protection against moisture damage, and there is a skylight above for indirect lighting.

This bedroom has an overhead storage space reachable by ladder. The closet for clothes is below with a bed directly on the floor to give more space, and a bare cement ceiling positioned to reflect light indirectly.

All the above features combine to give this compact house a comfortable, airy feeling, enhanced by imaginative placement of openings for breezes and natural light.

Sarin refers to the greenery and openness as creating “breathing space,” as rooms are all interconnected, airy, sunny, and in touch with the natural world. He likens this house to a well-tailored suit: the tailor has to measure, ask about the wearer’s taste, and plan everything to be comfortable and pleasing. A truly beautiful design!

Architect: D KWA Architectural Design Studio

STYLE 2017: Asia’s Most Stylish Fair in Bangkok

By livingasean
October 18, 2017
HAPPENING,SPECIAL SCOOP

STYLE 2017, the region’s most comprehensive lifestyle trade show, is happening now in Bangkok. Embracing the concept “Life+Style,” it is fast becoming a global marketplace attracting over 60,000 buyers and poised to transform Bangkok into a regional hub of the lifestyle industry.

/// Thailand ///
Photography: Nantiya

STYLE is the region’s largest and most comprehensive lifestyle trade show, comprises three main events in one, namely: Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair: BIFF&BIL, Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair: BIG+BIH and Thailand International Furniture Fair: TIFF. The fair is hosted by The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) between October 17-21, 2017 at BITEC Bangna with local and international entrepreneurs across 2,000 sales booths and expected 2,000 million Baht worth of business transaction.

STYLE 2017 assists and caters to all needs of all parties with the offering of specialized services to accommodate both exhibitors and visitors. These include business matching services at Buyer Lounge assisted by interpreters of many languages such as English, Chinese and Japanese; DITP SERVICE CENTER that combines all DITP services in one spot and Logistic Consultancy on the ground to provide logistic solution and facilitate on-site goods transport

Besides, STYLE 2017 renders itself as a source of inspiration with 20 fascinating exhibitions as well as trend updates, design inspiration, fashion and lifestyle trends that can developed into business opportunities. Fashion buffs should not miss Trend Forum 2018, QURATED Fashion Incubation Project and other co-hosted exhibitions to inspire and offer designers and creators a platform to showcase their creativity and develop ideas to become tangible products. DITP also teams up with Chaipattana Foundation to host an exhibition in honor and remembrance of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej with workshop of funerary flower making made from vetiver grass for the royal cremation.

STYLE is held between October 17-21 2017 (trade days : October 17-19,10am-6pm and public days: October 20-21 , 10am-9pm) at Hall 98-104, Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

Link : www.stylebangkokfair.com

Highlights of the 2017 Baan Lae Suan Fair: “Remembering Our Guiding Light”

By livingasean
October 9, 2017
HAPPENING,SPECIAL SCOOP

It’s almost as if you were walking right into the pages of Baan Lae Suan Magazine itself! Bigger than ever, the 2017 Baan Lae Suan Fair fills the entire exhibition hall with presentations and sales of a huge variety of house and garden products. Expositions, activities, information, and updates on what’s trending now are grouped under the headings “Design,” “Living,” and “Outdoor Living.”

/// Thailand ///
Story: Baanlaesuan / Photography: Rittirong Tongjunsuk

This year’s theme: “Remembering Our Guiding Light.”

This year’s theme is about interdependence. How do we live together in a relationship of mutual benefits? Through the ages mankind has found the answer in nature’s own secret: All things, living and non-living, need balance for sustainable existence. Balance in this sense doesn’t mean “equality,” but rather mutual fulfillment: if there’s a surplus on one side, use it to fill a deficit elsewhere. Keep things in the right balance, neither too hot nor too cold. Whether among people or generally in nature, a balanced interdependence results in beautiful growth and the memories that last forever. And we vow to never forget the one who sent a guiding light for us to follow.

1. Demonstration houses: “Divide – Connect – Abundance”

These three words illustrate the concept of living together. Divide usable space, possessions, and wealth to create utility. Connect with others, become closer through mutual dependence. Find Abundance in living together. Demonstration homes are structured around mutually dependent living, with common dining, kitchen, and bathroom spaces, while at the same time each structure has its own relaxation and activity areas geared to individual lifestyles and preferences.

2. Garden Zone – by Baan Lae Suan Publishing

This zone is one of Baan Lae Suan Publishing’s biggest hits, returning this year under the theme “Backyard Garden.” Take delight in small garden spots, relaxing corners in a gazebo, and other examples of how to make full use of space around the house. Here organic agriculture fans can learn about soil care and growing vegetables, and participate in free workshops. Absolutely not to be missed! Follow up on activity schedules and find the workshops you’ve been waiting for at www.facebook.com/Baanlaesuanbooks

Garden Plants Competition

At this year’s biggest plants competition, you’ll find unique and hard-to-find species that will arouse curiosity and interest. The plant life from all regions comes together in a single place at the 2017 Baan Lae Suan Fair.

Competition Categories:

Cactus and succulents: Oct. 28
Orchids: Oct. 30-31
Ferns: Nov. 1
Bromeliads: Nov. 3-4

3. “My Home” Workshop Space

Interior decoration is the topic of exhibitions and workshops under the theme “My Home School,” an event featuring a series of flashbacks of happy childhood memories. There’s a fun spot set up for taking pictures, which children will love. Adults will find plenty of great ideas for home décor. It’s an opportunity to try their hand at creating something in the workshop area.

4. Room Pavilion Zone
Multiple house design products in a super-cool atmosphere

Room Magazine returns with an exhibition called “Room Square,” a super-chic café with a menu created just for the Fair. Here you can also get inspirations for your own designs and décor at “Design Talk” seminars held in collaboration with LivingASEAN.com.

Hope to see you all at the 2017 Baan Lae Suan Fair, October 27 to November 5, IMPACT Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani. For more information, go to: http://www.baanlaesuan.com/fair2017/

A New Boutique Hotel in Singapore’s Historic Chinatown

By livingasean
October 3, 2017
CULTURE,DESIGN

Embracing warmth, comfort, and privacy, a new boutique hotel takes up a row of six former shophouses in Singapore’s historic Chinatown. The beautifully renovated Hotel Mono retains the charm of Southeast Asian styled architecture, while highlighting the distinctive personality of Rococo-era ornamentation.

/// Singapore ///
Story: Weena Baramee /// Photography: Hotel Mono

An expression of art and the interior inside the Lobby at Hotel Mono

Its Rococo aesthetic is apparent in the lightness of interior design, cozy spaces, and the tall and narrow windows that speak to the French stylistic period. The gentle black and white theme on the exterior seamlessly interweaves with the lifestyles of traditional Singapore and the city’s urban bustle.

Loft style décor that is a component in interior design

A striking new landmark on historic Mosque Street, the 46-room Hotel Mono is an independent hotel catering to the needs of design-conscious travelers. Its statement-making black-and-white facade has been turning heads. The hotel occupies a row of six conservation shophouses, which have been completely transformed in an extensive refurbishment by President Design Award-winning firm Spacedge Designs. Hotel Mono was officially opened in November 2016.

The stylishly chic hotel presents an appealing proposition for discerning travelers – high quality rooms and service standards at very attractive prices. “We want to provide accommodations that are the best value for the money and a five-star service experience,” said GM Glenn Quah.

Besides charm and comfort in every room, guests enjoy better quality beddings, bathroom amenities and more spacious rooms, for prices comparable to the budget accommodations in the same area. Rates at the 46-room Hotel Mono start at just $160 net per night for a Double room, while a Family room sleeping four people costs under $300.

The bathroom ensemble reflects simplicity with contemporary flair.

Its bathrooms represent the conceptualization of a hip retreat for design-savvy travelers (and locals) – guests who appreciate the originality of design. A bold and contemporary design language is relevant throughout the hotel. Every room features a seamless integration of metal bars that traverse the space like lines drawn in the air, meantime, functioning as light fixtures, coat hangers and sculptures.

The boutique hotel celebrates the quality of being the only one of its kind. Due to restrictions and particulars in the floor plans of shophouse styled architecture, no two rooms are identical. Their unique characters are manifested in the name that affirms the validity of these bold and original design concepts.

Link : http://hotelmono.com/

Box-Shaped Steel House Surrounded by Nature

By livingasean
October 3, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Kor Lordkam / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: W Workspace /

This box-shaped steel house, hidden in shady green woods, has a cool, peaceful resort atmosphere. – hard to believe it’s right in the middle of a congested city!

Designing architect Boonlert Hemvijitraphan of Boon Design took up the challenge set by the owner: create a home on the limited plot that is neither cramped nor stuffy.

Boonlert said, “The challenge was to make that work within the urban context. Fortunately, the owner gave us a completely free hand; our job was simply to design a comfortable residence on a 360-square-meter (90-square-wah) property. The starting point was what we saw in the original landscaping here.”

The property was not large, and its location right in the center of a capital city was seriously limiting

How to build a comfortable residence here? The garden/orchard greenery was used as a tool to create a sense of spaciousness.

Instead of the house spreading outwards toward the fence, it rose vertically as a 2½-storey home with open space beneath the house used as a carport and multipurpose area, the rest of the property becoming a relaxing, park-like space.

High-ceilinged living room, naturally bright and airy, with a great view of outside greenery.

The large garden was set up to the south to get the best breeze and the best shade from plants and trees.

The garden is planted on soil raised 1.2 meters higher than before to be level with the 3-meter height of the living room.

The living room connects with the dining area beneath the mezzanine, with the kitchen behind the glass door

The metal bookshelf reaching almost to the mezzanine also acts as weight-bearing support for the staircase behind it.

The first floor has a high “double volume” ceiling for more natural light and ventilation. A steel staircase rises from the living room to the mezzanine, which holds a workroom and guest bedroom, and up to the second floor, the owner’s private space.

The single staircase up from the carport connects everything from the ground to the top floor.

Mezzanine walkway with banister and protective grating steel is the primary building material, but natural materials such as bamboo are also important.

Bamboo shades cover the house façade, filtering sunlight, protecting against rain, giving privacy from outside view, yet still allowing good ventilation.

“We used steel not because we especially wanted to use steel, but because it was light, and we wanted that quality,” explained Boonlert.

“Each material has its own particular value. Coming up with a principle means coming up with the quality we want. Design is a value in itself.”

The architecture of this house reflects modern times. It’s surrounded by the natural environment people long for, so no matter chaotic and confused the outside world, in this home there’s a mood of relaxation and contentment: it’s just a great place to live.

Elevated porch connecting to the garden.

Architect: Boonlert Hemvijitraphan of Boon Design (www.boondesign.co.th)

Room x Living ASEAN Design Talk Vol.2 (Myanmar): ASEAN ARCHITECTURE DESIGN

By livingasean
October 3, 2017
SPECIAL SCOOP

Besides the honor of Living ASEAN’s being a presenter and media partner at the fourth Myanmar Build & Décor Fair, one of this year’s event highlights was its invitation of leading Thai architect M.L. Varudh Varavarn of Vin Varavarn Architects (VVA) as keynote speaker on the topic “ASEAN Architecture Design.”

/// Myanmar ///
Story: Nawapat D., PM Praphatsorn /// Photography: Damrong Lee, PM Praphatsorn

The fourth Myanmar Build & Décor Fair, September 28 -30 at Myanmar Event Park (MEP) in Yangon, Myanmar, organized by well-known event planner ICVeX and affiliates, was just as great as in any of the three previous years, full of fully furnished booths surrounded by enthusiastic admirers.

Besides Living ASEAN’s honor at being a presenter and media partner at the fourth Myanmar Build & Décor event, one of this year’s highlights was its invitation of leading Thai architect M.L. Varudh Varavarn, founder of Vin Varavarn Architects (VVA) and recipient of world-class awards from many institutions, as keynote speaker on the topic “ASEAN Architecture Design.” This attracted a large audience who were completely captivated with his speech.

Before turning the microphone over to M.L. Varudh Varavarn, the seminar was introduced by Mr. Jeremiah Pitakwong, Managing Editor of the Baan Lae Suan (House and Garden) Magazine Group, taking the stage to speak on the topic of “Modern Tropical Region,” showing seminar participants many facets of “modern tropical” architecture.

He used the example of the Amarin Printing and Publishing offices, designed and built with a shady, refreshing atmosphere by Plan Architect, one of Thailand’s leading architectural firms, whose prime focus is on living intelligently in hot, humid conditions.

“We’re lucky to be living and working in one of the best examples of modern tropical architecture in both the smaller buildings and the taller ones. We don’t have elevators, but there are long covered walkways where we get to experience the heat in hot weather and the wetness of the rainy season,” said Mr. Pitakwong.

He went on to introduce Living ASEAN, an online subsidiary of Amarin, as well as magazines, books, and TV programs that bring concepts of modern tropical living to readers and audiences, and spoke about the Baan Lae Suan Fair, which brings together Amarin’s own modern tropical community, as he drew on his own impressions in many years of travel and photographing houses all around the ASEAN region to find ways to inspire others.

M.L. Varudh Varavarn’s talk, aiming both to educate and inspire, was based on three of his most impressive and internationally recognized projects: 1) The Pine Crest Residence, a modern residence on Soi Tonson in Bangkok, simply designed for the most comfortable living, 2) Botanica Khao Yai, a resort project located in the well-known vacation area of Thailand like Khao Yai, and 3) finally, one of his favorite works, Bann Huay San Yaw – Post Disaster School. This was one of 9 “por dee por dee (perfectly adequate)” classrooms in the Design for Disaster (D4D) relief project for schools damaged in the May 5, 2014 6.3 magnitude Chiang Rai earthquake.

“The day after it happened, the Thai disaster relief network D4D sent me pictures on my phone and asked me to participate in designing and building new schools for children in northern Thailand. You’d never want to have kids have to study in those miserable conditions, so I said I’d be very happy to join the program and do everything I could to help,” explained M.L. Varudh, while showing pictures of students studying in emergency classrooms that were simply unacceptable places to study, and where he’d followed up by building a new school building to replace the ones that had collapsed. This became a demonstration structure whose design other victims of the Chiang Rai disaster could adapt for use in building earthquake-resistant houses.

After the lectures, many seminar participants came up to Living ASEAN booth to chat and ask questions and in the hopes of talking and getting better acquainted with M.L. Varudh and the Living ASEAN website work team, as the first “ROOM x LIVING ASEAN DESIGN TALK” event in Myanmar created quite a positive buzz. We are looking forward to next year, and thinking about which architects we’ll invite to speak then.

Bangkok Is Top Global Destination City, Continued Growth Forecast for 2017

By livingasean
October 2, 2017
BUZZ,EXPLORE

Bangkok was at the highest place on the chart of Top Ten Global Destination Cities attracting 19.41 million visitors in 2016, outranking London, Paris, Dubai, and Singapore. A Mastercard index released recently showed the Thai capital benefited the most from international travel, while further growth in visitor arrivals were in the forecast for 2017.

/// ASEAN ///

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Bangkok / Photo: Tanakitt Khum-on

Visitor Volume

The Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index predicted that Bangkok’s visitor arrivals would increase by 4.0 percent in the 2017 calendar year, while Singapore was forecast to move up one notch growing by 2.6 percent and outranking New York (at minus 2.4 percent). Meantime, Kuala Lumpur was likely to post a strong 7.2 percent gain in visitor arrivals for 2017, enabling it to keep its eighth place on the chart.

From 2009 to 2016, two ASEAN cities also saw strong growth in visitor arrivals, namely: Jakarta up 18.2 percent, and Hanoi up 16.4 percent. Of all 132 destinations across the globe, Osaka was at the top with a whopping 24.0 percent growth in overnight visitor arrivals during the 8-year period.

Overall, international visitors to leading global destination cities increased in the 2016 calendar year. As for 2017, Tokyo’s visitor numbers were forecast to increase by as much as 12.2 percent, making it the strongest growth in visitors among the top ten.

National Gallery Singapore / Photo: Sitthisak Namkham

Cross-border Spending

The Mastercard index was more than just a ranking of top destination cities across the globe. Apart from international visitor volume, it also looked into tourist spending that contributed to furthering economic growth of countries. For the 2016 calendar year, Dubai was at the top with overnight visitors spending $28.50 billion, followed by New York ($17.02 billion), London ($16.09 billion), Singapore ($15.69 billion), and Bangkok ($14.08 billion), all in USD. Destination cities benefited greatly from tourism. Shopping accounted for 22.9 percent of tourist spending, local service 21.5 percent, and food and beverages 20.6 percent).

Royal Palace, Bangkok / Photo: Aphirux Suksa

Reference:

https://newsroom.mastercard.com/digital-press-kits/mastercard-global-destination-cities-index-2017/

https://newsroom.mastercard.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Mastercard-Destination-Cities-Index-Report.pdf

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Seven of the Hippest New Places Everyone in Bangkok Should Check Out

By livingasean
September 20, 2017
EXPLORE,JOURNEY

Here are seven newly opened spots you should make a point of seeing next time you visit Bangkok. They are not only great tourist spots, but museums of knowledge where you can enjoy yourself the whole day long.

/// THAILAND ///

Story: Weena Baramee /// Photography: Nantiya Busabong, Tanakitt Khum-on, Sitthisak Namkham, Soopakorn Srisakul, Ritthirong Chanthongsuk

Changchui

The new Changchui Creative Space on Sirindhorn Road sprawls over 4 acres (11 rai) with restaurant, coffee shop, and a wide variety of other shops scattered about. Inside you’ll see a collection of buildings often set at unusual angles and built mainly with recycled materials: corrugated iron, glass, wood panels, wrought iron, and old doors and windows such as you might see in Bangkok communities. The eclectic beauty of this mix is what gives Chanchui its unique identity. Here are all sorts of beautiful spots where it’s fun to pull out your phone and take selfies.

Link : www.changchuibangkok.com

YELO House

For 40 years a Ratchathewi district warehouse for printing equipment, after that this building sat abandoned and lifeless, but it’s now been transformed into a creative space for inventors, designers, artisans, and support personnel. The 480-square-meter indoor space holds an art gallery, office, meeting hall, co-working space, photo studio, and an area for holding workshops and organizing events. The name YELO comes from “You Ever Live Once,” expressing how the old warehouse has come back to life and vitality once more.

Link : https://www.facebook.com/yelohouse/

Warehouse 30

Creative Community Mall is the brainchild of Duangrit Bunnag, famous Thai architect and teacher. Here he has transformed an old warehouse from the mid-1940s into an exciting creative space stretching over 600 square meters and divided into rooms where visitors can dig in and indulge themselves in whatever catches their fancy at a co-working space, art exhibition, clothing store, flower shop, bookshop, hip coffee shop, and on and on. The space also includes the Warehouse 30 flea market for homemade articles and a multi-use space for setting up exhibits, workshops, or various events.

Link : https://www.facebook.com/TheWarehouse30/

Baan Bangkhen

Here’s a new vintage-style spot where the visitor can chill out and travel back in time to old Thailand, with lots of places with murals and scenes perfect for picture-taking. Almost every corner holds a treasure trove of knowledge from the past. The café and restaurant are open 24 hours, and also there’s a new building nostalgically designed as an old-style Thai commercial house full of an exciting collection of antique furniture and ornamentation.

Link : https://www.facebook.com/baanbangkhen/

TCDC Charoenkrung

TCDC has moved to a spiffy new location: the central post office building on Charoenkrung Road. An 8,700-square-meter area five stories high holds a general library, material library, makerspace, co-working space, workshop, and an area for small or large exhibitions. The building was built in 1940 C.E, Throughout the building and especially on the front, you’ll see beautiful period art deco works commissioned by the Department of Architecture.

Link : https://www.facebook.com/tcdc.thailand/

Bangkok City Library

The Bangkok City Library at the Khok Wua Intersection is a true learning center. Filling a space of more than 4,590 square meters, its light-colored walls, high ceiling, glass windows, and skylights give a feeling of spacious comfort that simply invites you to sit down for a good read. The library is 4 storeys high, books arranged by category on each storey, with comfortable seating in every corner.

Link : https://www.facebook.com/bangkokcitylibrary/

Siam Serpentarium

This repository of knowledge about the lives of snakes offers a mixed media exhibition light and sound show suitable for people of any age and gender. The building is in three main sections: the “virtual museum” zone which holds the mixed media show with lifelike models and 3-dimensional pictures, a “snake garden” with more than 50 species of snakes both common and rare, and the “Naga Theater.” In this last zone snake doctors demonstrate how to extract snake venom from live specimens, and there is a stage play about naga and garuda legends.

Link : https://www.facebook.com/siamserpentarium/

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