May seemed to fly by, and June was suddenly around the corner. Perhaps its because I have reached a more respectable age and everything seems to move faster while I move slower.
May also brought the first real monsoon downpours, and I found myself longing for a proper pair of rubber boots, as you never quite know what might be hiding in all that water.
At the end of May, I finally managed for the first time in quite a while, to make my way to Mahidol University to attend a concert in the Prince Mahidol Hall with a friend, featuring compositions by Mozart and Schubert. If Mahidol University was not located so far from the city center, I would be a regular concertgoer. The concert hall is world class, and so are the performances. This time, the clarinet was in focus, with a quintet performing.
The concert ended with a standing ovation and repeated curtain calls.
Then June arrived, and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, SWECHAM, sent out its invitation to the traditional Midsummer lunch. This time, two occasions were combined, as June 6 also mark Sweden’s National Day.
As in previous years, a few of us volunteers took it upon ourselves to visit the flower market and fill several large IKEA bags with suitable greenery and flowers for wreath making. It has become a much-appreciated tradition to make flower wreaths to wear during the lunch, and many of the Thai guests, in particular, find it a fun and original feature of celebration.
The luncheon took, as the last years, place at Westin Grande Hotel Asoke and the dining area was, as usual, nicely set.
Traditional Swedish Midsummer food was served, along with the obligatory schnapps, beer, and wine, as tradition calls for.
The atmosphere was cheerful and became merrier with every round of schnapps.
No real Midsummer celebration would be complete without a maypole and the rather amusing little frog dance, which incidentally the adults seem to find even more entertaining than the children do.
But, as they say, all good things must come to an end. Cheerful and slightly merry, the satisfied guests strolled out into the warm, late afternoon, some perhaps ready for further adventures in town, while others were no doubt heading straight for the sofa and some well-earned rest.
During the month of June, a new restaurant will open on Sukhumvit soi 12 as SWISS PEAK opens its doors. Here, guests will be able to enjoy a wide variety of Swiss delicacies. The menu will feature popular cheese fondues, raclette, and Switzerland’s beloved potato specialty, Rösti and much more. Swiss wines such as Dole, a light red wine, will be available, alongside classic wines from France, Australia, Germany, and more.
Step through the door and imagine yourself surrounded by alpine peaks and the gentle sound of cows wearing the traditional bells. Enjoy authentic cuisine and fine drinks in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The opening is just around the corner.
As far as I know, this will become Bangkok’s second Swiss restaurant, following the legendary Chesa, which is still going strong and continues to deliver quality dining. The two restaurants are unlikely to compete directly, instead offering different atmosphere and price ranges.
Stay tuned for more upcoming news. It is always something going on in and around Bangkok, never a dull minute.
Many of us Scandinavians are preparing for our summer stay in Scandinavia now, but as much as we love summer in the Nordic countries, we are just as happy to return to Thailand when the Scandinavian summer draws to a close!
