During a break filming The Beach, Leonardo DiCaprio
hit Thailand's star city for some R&R--relaxin' and rockin'
InStyle Magazine--February 2000
By Alison Singh Gee
Leonardo DiCaprio might have thought he'd be getting a reprieve from Hollywood-movie-idol mania when he signed on to star in The Beach. The much buzzed about feature, which opens this month, was scheduled to shoot at remote locations in Thailand, including Khao Yai National Park and the island of Phi Phi Leh. Apparently they weren't remote enough. The 25-year-old DiCaprio found himself besieged by fans, including gaggles of teenage Thai girls. Worse, Thai environmentalists, claiming the filmmakers were destroying the local shoreline, donned "Leo" masks and staged moisy protests, disrupting shooting for several days. DiCaprio took advantage of the delay, treating himself to a three-day respite in Bangkok.
Thailand's capital city, a mecca for Western backpackers and luxury travelers alike, has served as a backdrop in American productions like the 1997 James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies and, more recently, was the nominal setting for Anna and the King. Set along the Chao Phraya ("the River of Kings"), Bangkok is a vibrant, contradictory city, filled with gilded temples, spectacular restaurants and discos, and scores of houses of ill repute.
DiCaprio's home away from home wa the Oriental Bangkok, a venerable 124-year-old hotel that has played host to such worldclass visitors as Grace Kelly, Tom Cruise, and Gore Vidal. Accompanied by a group of 10 friends (and a few bodyguards), the actor checked into the Oriental Suite, a lavish, 3,000 square foot pied-à-terre perched on the hotel's 16th floor.
The Oriental Suite comprises a master bedroom, featuring a king-size, antique for-poster bed; a guest bedroom; a dining room, full-size kitchen and bar; a library that includes works of legendary writers (and former Oriental guests) Graham Greene and Somerset Maugham, among others; and a living room with a wrap around balcony that offers stunning views of Bangkok.
Unlike his character in Woody Allen's Celebrity, DiCaprio wrecked no rooms and was reportedly an ideal guest. The suite's private butler, Suthon Thijai, a diminutive man who has worked at the hotel for 14 years, said with a smile that "Leonardo was very polite. When I asked if I was good-looking enough to be a movie star, he put a hand on my shoulder and joked, 'Suthon, you're handsome, but, man, are you short.'" The Oriental Bangkok, 48 Oriental Ave.; 662-236-0400; fax, 662-236-1937. The Oriental Suite, $2,000; other rooms and suites, $250-$2,200.
Bangkok is also known for gorgeous handicrafts, especially exotic Thai and Burmese antiques, many of which--since the value of Thailand's currency has fallen--are now excellent bargains. Like many visitors, DiCaprio shopped his way through the city during his visit. One stop was the Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company, founded by an American architect who came to Thailand in the 1940s and revived international interest in the country's silk. Thompson's boutique offers vivid fabrics, cutting-edge Asian clothing, and such whimsical gifts as handmade teddy bears dressed in Thai silk suits (about $30, depending on exchange rate.) Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company, 9 Surawong Road; 662-632-8100; fax, 662-236-6777.
Naturally, DiCaprio and his crew found their way to Lumphini Stadium, a famous venue for Thai kickboxing--the notorious, male-dominated sport that has become almost a national pastime and increasingly popular in many parts of the world. The actor caught a few rounds of the technique, which invloves artful punching and kicking (even to the groin--ouch!). Lumphini Stadium, Rama IV Road; 662-251-4303. Matches begin at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday and Friday; 5 P.M. and 8:30 P.M. Saturday. DiCaprio's ringside seats cost around $25 per person. Cheap seats begin at $5.
The group also took an adrenaline-pumping ride down the River of Kings in speedy long-tail boats, zipping by temples, floating markets, canoes and fishermen along the way. The Thai-style boats can be charted privately for $10 per hour, either through a hotel concierge or at the Boat Tour Center. River City Complex, near the Royal Orchid Sheraton, off Charoen Krung Road; http://www.rivercity.co.th
A trip to Bangkok requires that visitors indulge in some high-culture activites as well. DiCaprio chose to visit the Grand Palace, whose lavish 200-year-old grounds are the site of the elaborate royal halls and the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace, Na Phra Lan Road, near Sanam Luang. Open daily from 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Admission is $4.
Of course, no visit to a city would be complete without checking out the hottest discos in town. Leo and his friends danced the night away at Taurus, one of Bangkok's hippest nightspots. Taurus, 61-62 Sukhumvit, Soi 26; 662-261-3991. Open nightly from 7 P.M. to 2 A.M. Admission is $14.
Finally, DiCaprio sought a holiday from his own holiday. He booked a soothing 90-minute Oriental Thai massage at the Oriental Spa, located in his hotel. The quiet halls and private treatment rooms are redolent of lemongrass and eucalyptus, a delight to senses. The Oriental Spa, 48 Oriental Ave.; 662-439-7613; fax, 662-439-7587. Spa treatments start at $34 and are available to nonguests. The Oriental Thai massage costs around $53.
