The Buzz From Bangkok

Regular customers of the ultratrendy Met Bar in London's Metropolitan Hotel now have one less reason to stay close to their primary watering hole. The Metropolitan's sister hotel, the Metropolitan Bangkok, is scheduled for a soft opening this week — and yes, the Met Bar will be spawning a Thai clone.

The Metropolitan is billing itself as "Bangkok's first truly contemporary hotel." By that you can expect the whole dark- wood, Zen-grotto aesthetic so beloved of modern designers, as well as somber staff uniforms devised by fashion's dark prince, Yohji Yamamoto. Other au courant knickknacks include Shambhala bathroom...