THAI Smile on the move

Following the expansion of its services to include more regional destinations, THAI Smile Airways will move its operation at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport from January 16. The move follows the integration of the airline’s operating base with Thai Airways International, its big sister. THAI Smile Airways recently introduced scheduled flights to Jaipur, Lucknow and Gaya in India and is planning to add new routes to China as well as more domestic flights to such popular domestic destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen. Call 1181 or visit http://www.ThaiSmileAir.com.

Seasonal sensations

The Fireplace Grill and Bar at Bangkok InterContinental hotel introduces a new “Savour the Season” menu to celebrate the New Year. Available from now through March, it features such highlights as freshly-hunted organic duck, beautifully complemented with beetroot and duck jus, and blue mussels, prepared to the diner’s personal preference. For something lighter, check out the marinated scallop carpaccio with avocado and crabmeat, and charcoal grilled heirloom beetroot with goat cheese. Designed and prepared by chef Sebastian Reische, the new menu underlines the harmony between tastes and textures. Book a table at (02) 656 0444 extension 5502 or visit http://www.Bangkok.Intercontinental.com.

Strange brews

Brewski, Bangkok’s latest watering hole at Radisson Blu Plaza, is offering craft beer fans more than 100 kinds of beer from microbreweries around the world. Ranging from light and refreshing to bold and hoppy with sweeter accents, the rooftop bar is the perfect place to taste pilsners, wheat ales, stouts, brown ales and IPAs. Located in the heart of Sukhumvit, one of Bangkok’s most exclusive districts, the sleek and sophisticated watering hole has such brews as “Dead Guy Ale” from Oregon, “Wild Turkey Bourbon Stout” (a stout noted for its deep ebony hue and a beautiful mahogany head), and “Chouffe Soleil” from Belgium. Brewski is open daily from 5pm to 1am. Visit VenuesBkk.com or call (02) 302 3333.

Amazing Thailand on show

The Thailand Tourism Festival returns to Bangkok’s Lumpini Park from January 25-29 and as ever will be offering lots of festive events and tourism promotions. This year’s highlight is “The Villages of Five Regions” featuring the best and finest from different parts of Thailand. In the Northern Village, for example, visitors can admire colourful Lanna parasols and lanterns. This annual tourism event also celebrates Thailand’s ethnic diversity with the Akha, Lahu, Hmong, Karen and other hill tribes showing off their food and traditional dances.