Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s With Your Own Bad Self

Just like love, one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. To that end, The Reading Room art library will be hosting a blind date session where anyone can lend a book for free. The condition is simple: Books will be covered to show only their genre and synopses, and once borrowed, they must be returned within a month with a rating card to evaluate the dating experience. The theme for this year’s book selection is “resist.”

Book dates start Tuesday and run through Feb. 26 at The Reading Room in Soi Silom 19, across from Central Silom.

Spend the evening promoting the end of violence against women and girls through “The Vagina Monologues” by playwright Eve Ensler. Since 1998, it has been staged on the date around the world for charitable purposes to celebrate victories, Valentines and vaginas.

The Bangkok Community Theatre will perform the play at 7:30pm Tuesday through Feb. 18 at The Admiral’s Pub on Soi Sukhumvit 24. Tickets are 500 baht and can be purchased online.

Spread the love for our oceans at Greenpeace’s Heart for the Ocean,  a green event to call attention to the impacts of plastic on the marine environment. An eco-fashion show will be performed by schoolboy fashionista Apichet “Madaew” Atirattana, along with installation art, music and a panel discussion.

The event runs Tuesday through Feb. 19 on the first floor of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.

Many restaurants and bars also host events.

Revolucion Cocktail Bangkok on Soi Sathorn 10 is throwing a Moulin Rouge Party to celebrate the event with a Parisian cabaret starting at 6:30pm.

Poetic souls are invited to join Bangkok Lyrical Lunacy’s event Cupid’s Got A Gun, featuring poetry by the Bedroom Poet. Open mic slots will also be available and can be signed up for at the door. The event starts at 7pm at Live Lounge BKK on Soi Sukhumvit 13.

Want to hunt a loved one or friend down like a dog and end them? Try laser tag at Lazgam Laser Games on Soi Sukhumvit 22 where one can enjoy go hunting for humans in a labyrinth. Come in pairs, whether lovers, siblings or friends, and only pay for one entry. Games cost 350 baht.

Hit the ice in a pair also for the price of one and receive free chocolate at every branch of Sub-Zero Ice Skate. Entry is 280 baht.

So, found your Mr. Right or Mr. Wrong and taking the conventional route? For those who aren’t fortunate enough to dodge Cupid’s arrows, here are some options.

Nearly every mid- to high-end restaurant and hotel hosts multi-course feasts, just make sure to book in advance.

If you like the idea of cruising along the Chao Phraya River with a scenic view, there are many cruise boats to choose from. Book a smaller one for more intimacy, such as the Apsara dining cruise at a price not exceeding 3,000 baht per person or the Manohra Cruises for 2,300 baht.

Worried about being seasick but still want a river view? Then book a table at a romantic riverside spot like Chakrabongse Dining, at the traditional Thai Villa on Maharaj Road for 1,000 baht or at Sala Rim Naam at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which offers Thai traditional performances from 8:15pm to 9:30pm.

If you prefer the Bangkok skyline, there are many restaurants with fine rooftop views to choose from. SO Sofitel Bangkok offers several options with prices ranging from 3,900 baht to 19,000 baht per couple. Located on the 61st floor, Banyan Tree’s Vertigo and Boon Bar also offers an interesting selection of dishes, while the CRU Champagne Bar on Rama I Road delivers exclusive tastes of No 1 Pink Mumm Exclusive Champagne with a 360-degree panoramic view of the capital at almost 20,000 baht per couple, who can enter a raffle for a chance to win a 1 baht-weight (15.16 grams) gold necklace.