Valentine's Day in Bangkok: Ideas for the non-traditionalist

Let’s face it. Valentine’s Day can be a miserable affair. Watching love-struck couples flit about is grating, especially if you’re single and missing out on the action. 

Too often, you get ripped off at restaurants and pay over the odds for a mediocre meal notable only for a wilting rose on the table and a cheap heart-shaped box of chocolates. 

In Bangkok, however, it is possible to both shun V-Day’s saccharine stereotypes and have a ball with your respective belle or beau at the same time.

Pay a visit to the ‘shrine of love’ 

First things first, get your mojo working with a ceremonial stop at the Trimurti Shrine. Constructed outside of one of Bangkok’s cathedrals of capitalism in 1989, the replica of a Hindu-style Ayyudhya-era shrine is supposed to bestow the usual benefits of peace, happiness and prosperity on worshipers. 

In recent years, however, this shrine outside of CentralWorld's Isetan department store (BTS: Chidlom) has gained a reputation for fulfilling the romantic desires of worshipers. Expect roses and red candles galore on the big day as hordes of singles, couples and pretty much anyone seeking love or lust kneels down to ask for luck. 

Also on CNNGo: A Bangkok shrine for your every need  

Aphrodisiac-themed fine dining with a side of spankings

For gourmet, head to Gaggan on Soi Langsuan where the eponymous chef is serving a 10-course tasting menu with a twist (2,000 baht ++ a head). 

His usual unusual array of molecular and progressive Indian cuisine will feature a Valentine’s Day theme with creations such as: Viagra, which is Royale Cabanon oysters served with lemony Arugula chutney air; Love Potion, foie gras with walnut soil and raspberry powder; and Harry met Sally, seafood risotto with Kashmiri saffron and honey cress. 

Park your performance anxiety at the door as there’s a participatory angle to the affair. Ladies have the pleasure of “painting their love” by segueing to the bar and making a white sangria cocktail, a supposed sign of love and purity, and adding fruits and cresses of her choice, depicting the color of her love. 

At the meal’s climax, the man must demonstrate courage and passion with the “Fast Love” finale -- making an ice-cream dessert with liquid nitrogen. (Website: www.eatatgaggan.com. Tel: +66 (0)2 652 1700)

Also on CNNGo: Gaggan: Indian cuisine at molecular levels

Or, redden your cheeks with something a little saucier by strutting over to Bed Supperclub’s “Strawberries and Spankings,” which features a five-course meal (3,000 baht per couple) and a club night inspired by the Karma Sutra.

The dinner is filled with aphrodisiac qualities -- pink ginger and raw oyster shooters –- but it’s what’s going on away from the ‘beds’ that will draw the most attention. 

Set against the backdrop of imagery from the classic Indian tome of love, the club’s in-house dominatrix will be whipping up a frenzy and probing partygoers on what really tickles their fancy -– riding crop, rolled-up magazine or paddle. 

(Sukhumvit Soi 11. Website: www.bedsupperclub.com. Tel: +66 (0)2 651 3537)

Celebrate the darker side of love 

For those wanting to puncture the heart-shaped myth that Valentine’s Day is all sweet love and kisses, February 14 is being given a more melancholic spin at “Lover, you should’ve come over…”

Inspired by the Jeff Buckley song of the same name, Happy Monday Bar is putting on a free night that includes a live acoustic love set by Bangkok icon Gene Kasidit, cheesy and romantic tunes from DJ Corny Love and rock 'n’ roll from DJ Lovers Rock.

It’ll be something of a tongue-in-cheek affair says Kasidit, who is organizing the event.

“I don't exactly know what sort of vibes I'm trying to create really,” he says. “Every Valentine’s Day for the last three years we just take the piss out of love, with nights called Love Hurts, etc. 

"But this one is slightly hopeful …it's more like a get together of friends and strangers who appreciate different kinds of love, who are more attracted to its darker side.”

(Soi Ekamai. Website: www.myspace.com/happymondaybar. Tel: +66 (0)2-714-3935)

Also on CNNGo: The fabulous Gene Kasidit talks solo 'Affairs' and Bangkok after dark