Apr 21 2012

Hot Global Nanpa models in Bangkok, 1/2

Hot Global Nanpa models in Bangkok, 2012

The model video was an interesting experience to shoot. It was my pleasure to work with those 4 models. Special thanks to the Le Meridien hotel, Silom.
I fucked up my editing a bit, because I just did it without having much time (sleepy at nights), so a few scenes appear double. But Thomas developed the sound so well that you actually think that it was wanted that way. The sound is the best Thomas created so far for Global Nanpa and we will kick out more stuff together. I recently arranged an agreement with Jakob which will guarantee you more high quality video viewing pleasure later this year for a larger project. Some stuff we work on needs more preperation time and things in Germany always keep me very busy.
His colleagues are responsible for the pseudo 3-D imaging and animations of the model video. It looks pretty cool. My photography and lighting wasn’t good enough to really bring out the effect well. The very last picture, showing Milk in Krabi jungle, of the video shows the effect best.

Looking forward meeting Steve soon again, my former lab supervisor at MIT.

Alright, hope you enjoy it !

Nicci above is a Victoria’s Secret Singapore model. She looked lovely in the traditional Thai dress.

Above a nice chinese dress.

Check out the dragon tatttoo.

Hm, quite seductive…

Great posing of Nicci again.

Some fun close to Chao Phraya river.

See you, Peninsula hotel.

Apr 21 2012

Hot Global Nanpa models in Bangkok, 2/2

Hot Global Nanpa models in Bangkok, 2012

Here are some a little bit naughty see-through-nipple shots in tank tops at the pool area of the Le Meridien hotel and hot lingerie shots of Lookpare (FHM Thailand, GND 2009).

I have to thank the models again for having made my life so easy. I really didn’t say much, the posing was done spontaneously based on general ideas.

I had a bad cold that day having had just arrived from Colombia and a terrible flight experience. Nevertheless, I am glad that everything worked out and we did most of the shots like orginally planned; one of it we had to delay though, because it would have needed more preperation time.

Apr 21 2012

ESC to return

The video got shot and edited by me. The sound was developed by Thomas. He sampled some voices and words from Phulay Bay employees as “Now is the very best time” or “Thai massage” in a cool way. At 8:18 the sound really takes you in a different world, it is my favorite scene actually with the view over the buildings of Silom, Bangkok. Well done Thomas !

The video starts in the lagoon of Koh Hong Island, then we are at Koh Samui airport (got my vote for the world’s most charming airport), later you see Phulay Bay, afterwards Tiger Cave Krabi, Hot Springs Krabi, the helicopter flight around Phuket area, Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh, Muse hotel Bangkok, Sofitel So Bangkok, Hua Hin Hills vineyard, Le Meridien hotel Silom Bangkok, Jok’s kitchen, Medellin/Colombia, sexy Thai models at grand avantgarde suite/Le Meridien hotel Bangkok, Peninsula hotel Bangkok, Chao Phraya river, Metropolitan hotel, Sherbet, Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza, Central World, Conrad hotel Bangkok. Look back at the older posts if you are more interested in some of the places.
Many thanks to all the people on the way.
Alright, see you out there, Nanpa maniacs !

Welcome back Mr. Thaksin.

Apr 15 2012

Hua Hin Hills vineyard

The Hua Hin Hills vineyard was a project of one the Thai Red Bull owner sons. What they have established there in Hua Hin is really amazing considering the in general tropical climate of Thailand.
The vineyard was built on a former elephant corral where wild Asian elephants were domesticated.

A real wine tasting is not possible (actual winery is in Samut Sakhon) but you can overview the area, look at the grapes, take a ride on elephants, eat/drink at the restaurant Sala and shop for wines. I have no clue about wines but their wine is supposed to be surprisingly good. Most foreigners at first might not trust Thai wine, it will simply take more time until the good word is spreading into more internationally acclaimed restaurants.
I was drinking very delicious juice/smoothies made from their grapes. The food itself was good, not exceptional but I really enjoyed the scenic views.

I had actually spontaneously interviewed the chief gardener of the place who is a really fun and energetic character. Sadly I double-pressed my record button which made the recording stop after a second. He was even driving me in his jeep around the area (for free) and explained a bit about how it all started. It is an about 40 min drive from Hua Hin beach area. I had a very old but entertaining tuk tuk driver getting me there who was shooting at high speed over all the little street holes on the way. But we still had fun and I bought him a soft drink later on.

Apr 15 2012

Metropolitan hotel, Bangkok

The 171 rooms contemporary design hotel impresses with its personal touch and cozy atmosphere.

I had a terrace room there for which I paid around THB 6k++. Price/value was excellent here. The little terrace with an outdoor shower is a fun idea. Although there are no views, you can get a fresh breeze of air and some rest. Most remarkable is the huge, ground pool, only more space for chairs would have been good (8 beds are not enough). Hotel guests around mostly are really friendly and relaxed.

Nahm, their authentic Thai restaurant, is operated by Michelin star chef Thompson. He is considered to be one of the best chefs in town. Mr. Thompson actually had the room right opposite from mine. We once left for our room around 10pm and chatted shortly before entering. He is an incredible friendly and skilled guy. He lives in the hotel because it is just more convenient for him. He regularly flies to London to take care of things for his restaurant in London in addition.

Oiek gave me a tour, we explored the different facilities and he also showed the top room room, the COMO suite which measures 300sm. Celebrities like Kylie Minogue and Mariah Carey had stayed there during their Bangkok visits. MTV likes to host parties/events at this hotel as well. The COMO suite costs something around THB 60k++ published. What really shocked me was that this room got its own elevator. I think I have seen most of the top suites of the best hotels in Bangkok, but a private elevator nobody else offers yet. The around 7 meter heigh ceilings of the duplex suite are impressive as well, similar in height like the grand avantgarde suite ones of the Le Meridien, Silom.

The style of the whole hotel is more minimalistic.

Apr 15 2012

Banyan Tree hotel, Bangkok

The 327 rooms hotel is located at South Sathorn road close to several embassies. The hotel is famous for its rooftop bar/restaurant Vertigo.

I had a one-bedroom suite there for which I paid something around THB 6.5k++, price/value was ok for it. The rooms aren’t most modern anymore but still fine and the design is pleasent. The executive lounge is ok and the little garden behind glasses of the lobby area and the basement area restaurant was a good idea.

The staff in general seems to be more on the slow end. I had luck with my check-in getting a helpful trainee who seemed to be much more eager to work than some of the other faces I saw around there.
The pool was a huge dissapointment, tiny for the amount of guests, but not many people use it there anyway. I didn’t try the spa, the staff on that flor in general wasn’t really attentive and helpful.
The views from Vertigo are great. The views aren’t as good as the ones at Sirocco, Lebua State Tower, but F&B is better at Vertigo – still not great though.

I had the opportunity to get a tour through the presidential suite which is pretty cool. Especially the living room is spectacular with a large dining table at a stylish window and the possibility to look down on it from a flor above (duplex suite).
The person who introduced me to the room told me the rate for it would be only THB 35k++. I can only suppose that this was a wrong price quote, I guess the real published rate should be around double that price. The trees inside the suite aren’t real ones but still this presidenial suite is unique from its style in Bangkok.

Apr 15 2012

Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong hotel

This 333 rooms modern and trendy Marriott hotel near Chit Lom BTS station and Erawan shrine opened early 2010, so it is still rather new.

I had a studio suite there for which I paid something around THB 6k++ was pretty much ok. For the price category around THB 5k++ the hotel is a good (not great) one, moreover they are close to a few luxury hotels on Ratchadamri road like Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons and St. Regis. They are focussing similar like the Hansar hotel on the more economic guests in that area. Whereas Hansar is more tourist-driven, the Renaissance is stronger business-driven and they simply have 3 times more rooms.
The rooms are modern and the bathrooms are excellent. Coloring/design of the rooms and lobby isn’t exactly my taste, but it is ok. Bad is that the rooms aren’t really sound-proof.

My welcome there was rather impersonal and they have those security detectors at the entrance which makes going in there sometimes a bit of a hassle. The staff was ok, but didn’t make a great or poor impression, above average I would say.
The pool is a good one, long and it got some fine views in addition. The pool temperature might be too cold though.
Overall it is a solid hotel for THB 4-5k++ stays but I simply would have wished to get more positively surprised and fascinated.

Apr 14 2012

Sivatel hotel and Central Embassy, Bangkok I Feb. 12

I had another pleasent stay at the Sivatel hotel on Witthayu road. They gave me a free upgrade from a regal to a grand regal suite which measures around 80sm and has views from its bathroom/bathtub. The staff is really friendly and helpful. Because the hotel got very popular, the pool area was crowded on my last visit which wasn’t too great for me but I enjoyed their gym.
Construction at Central Embassy is improving steadily, I watched the site for a while. Around end of 2013 the building shall be opened. Park Hyatt will be opened sometime in 2014.

Apr 14 2012

Sherbet, Bangkok

Sherbet by BKCOOLCLUB on Ekkamai is one of the hottest gentlemen clubs in Bangkok at the moment. It was the only G-club I visited on my last trip.
From my point of view, the place got better and better over the years whereas the older Pent declined a bit. First the Forte (my former favorite one), then the Piano got shut down.

The amount of eye-candy is remarkable. Of the more than 100 girls, there really are lots of pretty girls around. About 5-10% of the guests are farangs and about a quarter of the girls speak ok English. The place was fully packed when I visited them. I wish there would be more quiet areas around at Sherbet like at the Pent. Sherbet still has a wine room though.

The shows and dance routine is pretty good at Sherbet, it is among the best I have seen in the G-clubs. I still wish the girls would behave more natural. In the video you see at least 1 girl getting wild for a moment on the stage, The majority are just playing down the dance shift time with half efforts – but it is everywhere the same.
The real shows are very well choreographed, you cannot find that anywhere else in the world in similar establishments. They also regularly bring some talented artists on the stage for special events.

Apr 07 2012

Footprints across the Andaman Sea, Thailand 2012

The video features 22-year-old Thai girl Milk from Bangkok.

The scenes got shot at several islands/beaches in the Andaman Sea, to name a few : Koh Hong, Poda island, Chicken Island, Railay beach, Koh Phi Phi, Maya Bay, Border Island, Bamboo Island.

We shot the video on 2 days, always standing up 1 hour before sunrise. At those beach places, I really have no problems with standing up early (for work I do it everyday around 5:30am anyway), it is just a very different mood I am having there than in crazy Bangkok.

And we really did achieve to be at beaches like Koh Hong, Bamboo Island and Maya Bay (“The Beach”) completely alone and set the first footprints into the sand of those beautiful beaches between 6.30am to 8.30am. We even captured this on Valentine’s day 2012 and on the following day. In spite of the fame of those beaches and high number of tourists arriving every day, we did manage it to be first and alone for at least 2 hours.

Milk and I had a lot fun with the shoot. She was posing very sweet.

We had help from two guys of the Phulay Bay, Ritz Carlton reserve, who took us around with a longtail boat and later a speedboat.

The Andaman Sea is big, this was just a small part, including some islands/beaches that are very popular in the area and that can easily/quite shortly be reached from either Krabi or Phuket or Yao Noi.

The video got shot and edited by me. My video style isn’t really good yet but at least I am improving and just enjoy doing this – think back of my style 5 years ago, early 2007. Thomas developed the sound. Especially I like the part in the “secret” lagoon at Koh Hong island from 4:40 min onwards, the sound gets really groovy around 5:00 min.