Pesto is a term many know as Italian pesto sauce, featuring a vibrant green color, distinctive aroma, and a perfectly balanced savory-salty flavor.

Similarly, PESTO – Modern Handcrafted Osteria Sukhumvit 31 is an Italian restaurant located at the heart of the city on Sukhumvit 31, and it captures this name's essence beautifully.

Today we're bringing you to Pesto restaurant. If you love Italian food, pasta, pizza, and salads, rush over to check out this review because every single menu item here is truly worth eating.

What's even better, the chef here is "Thanisorn Sinchinsuk" or "Chef Nai," who graduated from the world-renowned culinary institute Le Cordon Bleu.

Deep Fried Calamari with Tartar Sauce

Let's start with an appetizer: Deep Fried Calamari with Tartar Sauce—Italian-style battered and fried squid. Chef Nai explains that the squid comes directly from Surat Thani Province, famous for its freshness and natural sweet flavor. When coated with the restaurant's specially formulated light batter that maintains a crispy exterior and tender interior, this dish is an absolute delight.

Proosciutto with Ventriciana and Parmigiano

Next is Prosciutto with Ventriciana and Parmigiano, featuring aged Parma ham that's been cured for as long as 24 months from Italy, served alongside Parmigiano cheese that adds a savory richness. This dish pairs exceptionally well with wine.

Wild Rocket Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Salad lovers will appreciate the Wild Rocket Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette—arugula drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette that provides a sweet-tart flavor, with saltiness from Parma ham, topped with cheese that complements everything beautifully.

Sourdough Pizza Mushroom and Italian Sausage

Here comes the restaurant's highlight: Sourdough Pizza Mushroom and Italian Sausage. This sourdough base pizza is truly impressive from the first bite, and importantly, it's not overly heavy. Everyone should definitely try this dish.

Fettuccine Pesto Sauce

Next up is the signature pasta dish: Fettuccine Pesto Sauce. Fettuccine noodles tossed with pesto sauce made from basil combined with Thai basil to enhance the aroma, topped with cheese—this is genuinely delightful.

Beef Lasagna

This is the restaurant's best-selling dish: Beef Lasagna, a signature menu item. The ragù sauce is slow-cooked for approximately one day to fully infuse the meat. Between the layers are béchamel sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmigiano cheese layered throughout. This dish is absolutely rich, perfectly balanced, and beautifully executed.

BBQ Pork Rib

Moving on to BBQ Pork Rib, marinated pork ribs where Chef Nai uses organic coffee as a component in the barbecue sauce marinade. The pork is incredibly tender, practically melting in your mouth, and the barbecue sauce flavor is excellent. Another must-try dish.

Tiramisu

Finishing with something sweet: even when you're full, dessert must be included. Tiramisu with its fragrant, sweet, and delicate flavor, accompanied by silky-smooth Panna Cotta and strawberry sauce that cuts through the sweetness perfectly.

Panna Cotta

"When you come here, you'll experience a new dining experience. The menu changes regularly so our customers always enjoy something fresh. Plus, the food prices here are very reasonable," Chef Nai shares.

Currently, PESTO has three branches: PESTO – Modern Handcrafted Osteria Sukhumvit 31: Open daily, 11:00 AM-10:00 PM PESTO – Pasta & Espresso Osteria Sukhumvit 87: Open daily, 11:00 AM-10:00 PM PESTO – Modern Handcrafted Osteria Rama 9: Open daily

Prime Minister Anuthon Charnvirakul responded sharply to accusations from Pol. Gen. Sereepitakkul Temiywes, a Serirung Thai Party list MP who plans to file a constitutional court petition questioning the PM's qualifications and ethics over the Khao Kradong land seizure case. Speaking at Government House on May 18 at 4:55 PM, Anuthon dismissed the ethics complaint, sarcastically suggesting that "manufacturing water" would also violate ethics standards. When asked if his comments referred to someone who might go to Buri Ram, Anuthon questioned why anyone would need to do so, casually offering to take the person out for a meal if he had free time.

When asked if he was concerned about the case's impact on him, Anuthon turned the question back on reporters, stating he had no involvement. He explained his registered residence in Buri Ram was a constitutional requirement for MPs and was established when he was leading the Phum Jai Thai Party. He emphasized he had never owned land or conducted business in Buri Ram.

Anuthon stated he was unsure what specific charges Sereepitakkul was bringing but could not prevent anyone from suing him. He noted the matter was now in court and would proceed according to judicial process. When asked about countersuit possibilities, Anuthon criticized Sereepitakkul, who is 80 years old, for suddenly causing trouble. He characterized this as typical old police intimidation tactics and expressed confusion about what might have upset the general, suggesting they previously got along well and questioning what offense he may have committed.

The State Railway of Thailand is taking action against the train driver and track supervisor involved in the recent collision, with preliminary dismissals from civil service positions and an investigation committee established to examine multiple individuals.

On May 18, 2025, Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angskul discussed the collision between a State Railway train and a Bangkok Mass Transit Authority bus. The Transport Ministry is conducting comprehensive fact-checking on driver standards, track control systems, warning systems, and substance testing procedures to determine the accident's true cause, with preliminary results expected by Wednesday.

Initial reports show the train driver possessed an existing locomotive license but had not yet verified identity for a new license under the Rail Transport Act, which took effect on March 27, 2025, during its 120-day transition period. The State Railway's internal license and the Rail Transport Authority's permit operate separately. Previously, the State Railway used its own system, but the new law brought additional oversight by the Rail Transport Authority, creating a system transition. However, Deputy Minister Siripong emphasized this is not an excuse—even during the legal grace period, accountability and investigation remain necessary.

Regarding substance and alcohol testing, alcohol checks are routinely conducted before each duty, while drug screening uses random testing rounds. Screen tests for the train driver showed positive results across all substances, though specific drug types have not been disclosed as results are preliminary. It remains unclear whether the driver admits to drug use, pending police investigation and interrogation.

The driver and track supervisor provided conflicting statements, requiring full investigation before proceeding. Both have been preliminarily dismissed from civil service pending investigation transparency, with an investigation committee formed to examine multiple parties. Progress reports are due by May 20, 2025.

The Transport Ministry is implementing short-term solutions by improving personnel management and reducing human error, while long-term strategies will incorporate technology to reduce risk, requiring significant budget allocation and accelerated infrastructure projects. The Prime Minister has directed all agencies to implement systematic management despite bureaucratic constraints.

Regarding freight train operations, the Transport Ministry is considering restricting heavy cargo train schedules during daytime hours, similar to land transport regulations, as freight trains require longer braking distances and higher operational skill levels. Night-time operations will be emphasized.

At 4:55 p.m. on May 18, 2025, at Government House, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed reports that the government was backing away from plans to purchase broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He stated: "The government will coordinate to the best of its ability and explore every possible avenue." When asked how the government views redirecting World Cup broadcasting funds toward Thai football development instead, Anutin clarified that no government budget or public funds are being used. Rather, the government is facilitating and providing support to interested private parties willing to make the broadcast happen. When asked whether Thai people still have a chance to watch the World Cup, Anutin replied with a "Best Effort" commitment.

On May 18, 2024, online videos circulated showing one woman and two men brandishing a fake gun and knife while threatening and assaulting a man on Highway 24 near the Thanon Hak intersection in Nang Rong District, Buriram Province, shocking onlookers.

The victim, 31-year-old salesman Thanavut, filed a police report at Nang Rong Police Station against the three known individuals who attacked him with firearms and blades, leaving him injured.

Police interrogated three suspects from the video: Khamsing, 40; Darawadee ("Je Chiao"), 53; and Chairat, 39. Seized evidence included the clothing worn during the incident, a fake gun, and a knife.

Khamsing claimed Thanavut had borrowed nearly 4,000 baht from his wife Darawadee but refused to repay after several months and blocked contact on Facebook and Line. He said he encountered Thanavut by chance near Pak intersection in Chaloem Phakiat District and asked him to stop for discussion, but Thanavut fled, prompting a 10-kilometer chase before they met again at the Thanon Hak traffic light intersection in Nang Rong District.

Khamsing stated he originally intended to collect the debt amicably but a verbal dispute escalated. He claimed Thanavut attacked him first, causing him to fall and attempt to restrain him. Khamsing admitted using a knife once in anger but claimed the gun was fake and he had no intention to harm anyone.

Darawadee said she initially lent money out of compassion, feeling sympathy for Thanavut's situation. She admitted feeling upset about the incident and stated she was attempting to defend herself by grabbing Thanavut's chest when her husband intervened.

Thanavut testified he borrowed a total of 14,000 baht and had repaid 12,000 baht, leaving 2,000 baht outstanding. He claimed the defendants posted about the debt on social media, which upset him and caused him to stop answering their calls.

Thanavut insisted the defendants' actions were disproportionate, as they used firearms and knives causing injury. He also stated they stole his company's money bag containing approximately 8,000 baht in cash, vowing to pursue the case to its conclusion.

Nang Rong Police Commander Pol. Col. Anon Lekdee revealed that investigators tracked down all three perpetrators. Initial charges include unlawfully carrying a knife, robbery, and threats. Additional charges are under investigation before prosecution proceeds.

On May 18, 2025, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, investigators from Makkasan Police Station brought train driver Sayomporn and railway employee Uten before the court. They are charged with reckless conduct resulting in death, serious injury, and bodily harm. The incident occurred on May 16 at 3:36 p.m. near the Airport Link Makkasan railway station when a freight train collided with a Route 206 bus traveling on Asoke-Dindaeng Road from Rama 9 intersection. The bus was positioned across the railway tracks when the train struck its left side, causing the bus to lose control and collide with another parked vehicle. The investigation determined that Uten, the road-flagging attendant, failed to properly display stop signals, preventing the train driver from seeing the warning. Both suspects denied the charges during questioning. The court ordered them detained until May 29 while investigations continue, with 30 witnesses still to be interviewed. Prosecutors, victims, and key witnesses opposed bail release due to the severity of charges and flight risk. The court ultimately approved bail at 100,000 baht per person. Additional reports indicate the train driver tested positive for methamphetamine and cannabis, with his last use approximately 10 days prior.