ISSUE OF THE WEEK

OLD HOME


Soundtrack: A Love Supreme - John Coltrane


I had the amazing opportunity to visit the home of two lovely sisters from Phrae province in Thailand.
What you must understand is that these traditional teak wood homes are now a rarity as many are being torn down for the wood is highly sought after.
Many illegal trades are an on-going  problem for conserving this small yet significant part of Thai heritage.

It was a big slice of humble pie for me, as a born and bred city girl. Not because of the seemingly difference in the social economic class but it made me re-evaluate all the things that I claim I 'need' in my life.

This is the cooking area where all the delicious meals are prepared. Obviously it does not look like your western standard kitchen but the way I see it is, well, what exactly do you need to make a meal? Fire and a container right?

In old Thai homes, before the influence of western traditions, bedrooms were simply a place where the whole family sleeps and outside on the open space that is known as the 'living room' is where the socializing and eating happens.

Here are the 2 lovely sisters who kindly let us in. 

Many traditional houses are on stilts. The ground floor would be used for storage, for keeping animals and also from flood prevention.

I would love more than anything to have a home with hints of this kind of architecture. 
Yes, it is the 21st century but there needs to be a middle ground for traditions and the modern world to exist and not collide.


Food of thought  : )


Colour Box

DIY OF THE WEEK

SMOOTH AS SILK

Soundtrack: Summertime - Ella Fitzgerald


Customizing your clothes needs to become an essential part of your lifestyle. Every man should have a tailored suit in his wardrobe. One in black, one in mat silver and one in navy blue with soft thin pin stripes. Don't even get me started on double-cuffed shirts.

Luckily for women, there are a few more choices in materials and patterns. Generally, you can get away with being far more flamboyant and frilly.

Silk has a kinky undertone I think. Shiny and liquid. It is perhaps more of a feminine material but gentlemen please don't shy away from it. Have you tried silk boxers?

NATIONAL TREASURE

It's been a long tradition for Thai people to wear silk. Somewhere as an heir loom or as formal wear, it is folded nicely or hung in the majority of Thai closets.

There is this particular shop that sells vintage Thai silk by the metre. The patterns are amazing; mostly block printed but some woven.

Walking into the shop is like stepping through a time machine. Even their computer is still the size of a small fridge where the screen is black.

These fabrics can be made into anything you can think of. They are strong enough for upholstery and soft enough for garments.

YOU WILL NEED

•  3-6 metres for trousers
•  2-4 metres for top
•  3-7 metres for jacket
•  3-5 metres for dress
•  3-5 metres for shirt
•  3-5 metres for shorts

FOR MEN

Do not let the colourful patterns put you off. There are very appropriate subtle patterns that you can easily incorporate into your modern wardrobe. 

Like plain mat silk materials or if you are open, some checkered patterned ones are great for a bit of variation. Flower patterns are not always your enemy, it is all about subtlety and being poignantly understated.

WHAT KIND

Shorts

Suit/pocket/cuff/collar lining

Pocket squares

FOR WOMEN

There are all kinds of possibilities here but perhaps invest in key pieces like skirts or jackets. Shorts for the summer? 

WHERE

Most department stores will have fabrics shop, There is one in Sukhumvit soi 24 that sells Pucci prints by the metre and beautiful French lace.

The vintage silk shop mentioned above is called Pattanapusa.

Here is their address:

300 Phahurat rd

Wang Burapha Pirom,

Phranakorn

Bangkok

10200

Call them at 02 222-0723

Happy tailoring!

Colour Box

PLACE OF THE WEEK

TALAD ROD FAI


Soundtrack: Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett




One of Bangkok's many vintage markets; Talad Rod Fai has the advantage of being located in an über cool quarter.
Next door to JJ weekend market, Talad Rod Fai is like it's hipster-cool cousin who only comes out at night with beer and whiskey in hand.

                                   


As well as 2nd hand clothes, you can find random knick-knacks and vintage furniture, while cars and motorcycles surround the area.. There are 3 lanes of stalls with shops flanked on both sides and house shops circling it. The famous defected train track has been invaded by drinking stalls, over grown trees and happy hipsters.

Of course it wouldn't be a Thai market without awesome food stalls. Still in keeping with its vintage theme, there is this drink stall that serves freshly made carbonated drinks. What is that? Basically your common soda drinks but you can choose your own flavour and the soda man then pumps bubbles into your glass. "This was how I drank my sodas when I was a baby!" said the proud ownner.

... So my friend and I obviously proceeded to break our diet-of-the-week and indulged in a giant helping of pepper and garlic stir fried pork served over hot steamy rice with a side of sunny-side up fried egg, oh and garnished with my favourite homie Coriander The Herb. This dish is one of Thai people's many many comfort foods.

Definitely worth a visit and get your thrift on! 


Opening time:


Fridays and Saturdays from about 6pm til 12am



Getting there:


You can take a taxi and simply tell the driver: Talad Rod Fai or take the MRT and get off at Kampeangphet station, walk towards exit 2. Once at street level turn right and walk for about 300 metres, the market will be on your right. 


To take:


A giant tote bag or something else of boy equivalent to stuff all the possibly useless things that you bought. Also this way you won't need to use plastic bags and be environmentally conscious. Thailand still has a bad habit of over-using styrofoam boxes and plastic bags so every little helps I think.  


Good luck and happy treasure hunting!




Colour Box