It has been a long time since we last dressed up in Bangkok and, given we more or less live out of bags these days, it was trickier than it should be. As our clothes are now between Europe and Asia, and Bangkok and Isaan, and long story short, I managed to pull together an old suit, but my favourite Ted Baker brogues had gone aloof. They maybe in UK. So I resorted to having a cheap pair delivered for the night as we put on out fancy pants for a night out with Ricola on the top levels of the Speakeasy and Rooftop Bar at Hotel Muse. So we were invited to this influencer event along with other bloggers and influencers, I am guessing (I barely have time to blog myself), on what would be a very Swiss themed visit to Bangkok as we also had to renew the lease of our Sukhumvit condo to our well known Swiss DJ and Muay Thai tenant. And, while I don’t normally join these “social” events, I was won over by the words “cocktail attire”, which reads to me as “free cocktails”. And Fanfan was on board given she’s been obsessed with Switzerland ever since our stay in Interlaken last summer.
Anyway, two free cocktails later, and I had already broken-even on the shoes. And they were fantastic cocktails flavoured with Ricola sweet syrups and fresh herbs from the mountains of Switzerland, as Ricola do pride themselves on an authentic Swiss product and their renowned quality. The canapes were equally Swiss serving local cheeses, cold cuts, and snacks, but unfortunately raclette and fondue didn’t make the table, as they’re really not the best examples of finger food. Anyway, it was a enjoyable and jolly event, with lots of Swiss cliches like the bearded Swiss gentleman playing the massive alpine horn and accordion, or Schwyzerörgeli to give it’s Swiss name. Although they did draw the line at lederhosen and yodeling, but people did at least shout “Ricola” a lot in a yodel-esque manner. Oh and there was adancing Ricola box, obviously, as no party would be complete without one.
As expected the event centered around Ricola with lots of sweet samples and an introduction to their herbs that are all grown, without the use of pesticides or insecticides, on the Swiss mountainsides. As Ricola do pride themselves on authenticity and environmentally friendly products. So you are experiencing a little piece of Switzerland in every sweet, and Ricola are a bit like the Evian of the herbal sweet business. Of course there was more of a fun side to the event where game rooms were set-up in the grandeur rooms of the Muse’s Speakeasy rooftop bar and Fanfan went all in on the “stacking Ricola boxes” game where she piled the big boxes to dangerously high heights. Only to find that the winner was awarded on “boxes used”, rather than “how high you can pile them”. She still came in second however and won lots of Ricola presents to bring to the rice fields of Isaan, so they too can experience a little bit of Switzerland. Anyway, it was a great night with great scenery in the surrounding Langsuan area. And for more information on Ricola, visit thier Thai website or just buy a product in a 7-Eleven, Tesco or Family Mart.
Allan is an Asia obsessed travel blogger based in Bangkok and Isaan. Travels for food, a bit of booze, and thrives on being lost in alien cultures.
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