You first launched The Hidden Closet about four years ago from your personal interests and to tend to the sexual well-being of others. Were there any other specific reasons?
Before opening the shop, we often thought of ourselves as characters in Sex In The City. We enjoyed hanging out and talk about sex. We were very open-minded and wanted to help others explore their intimacy and eroticism. And that's when we first decided to open the shop in 2011. After opening for two years, we closed the first shop and then I reopened the shop again in Thong Lor Soi 6 in 2016.
Did you face any problems from friends and family when you decide to open this shop?
No, I didn't face any problems because my friends and family know me as a strong woman with a positive sex attitude.
What is one common misconception that people have about your store?
People think of my shop as just a toy store but it's really much more than that. I also offer lingerie, role-play costumes, BDSM leather gear, erotic jewellery, latex fetishwear and sexual wellness products like lube. Next month, I'll be taking it all even further by opening The Hidden Closet Studio, a second location in Ekamai Soi 12, which serves as an erotic lifestyle store, shibari classroom and a couples erotic photo studio.
What was the reasoning and decision to open the Hidden Closet Studio?
I've met so many amazing people over the last couple of years and I've learned there are so many dimensions to the erotic lifestyle. I'm now partnering with a super talented female shibari master and a number of other erotic photographers and artists that I respect very much. I also plan to sell erotic furniture and decor. I have so many varied interests.
Would the Hidden Closet Studio sell the same like in your first store or is there more of a focus on other features?
The original Hidden Closet in Thong Lor is essentially one small room stuffed with a tonne of great products to buy. It is almost literally a wild closet. My idea with the Hidden Closet Studio is to give my talented artistic friends space to create their own unique erotic worlds and teach classes such as shibari and couples photography. Ekamai Soi 12 is also Pridi Pranomyong 31. It's a house, so downstairs will be a shop selling erotic furniture and art pieces/paintings/lamps. Upstairs, we have a shibari photo studio and a boutique stay. The studio will be green and purple, and will be more sensual, intimate and less aggressive. The Shibari studio will be open for business starting Nov 5. Groups, couples and singles are welcome. The photo studio and lifestyle store will open shortly after. I plan to add erotic cocktail classes, reiki and erotic spirituality, couples massage classes and performance arts and erotic art events.
Has there been a change in the way Thais view sex, role-playing and toys compared to years before?
Thai people are definitely more comfortable with it. Women especially, are much bolder. I love that. With more awareness, Thai people have realised that sex products and healthy, frequent orgasms are a necessary part of a happy life. It is no longer taboo to have sex toys in your bedside drawer. Attitudes have changed.
Exploring sex is somewhat of a taboo in this conservative society, do you think your store has made any effects in challenging people's perception of erotica? If so, how?
I hope so! My products are all of the best quality, sourced worldwide. I choose items that are powerful, effective and beautiful to look at. Many of them don't even look like your standard toys. I want to erase the shame from sex in Thai society. I've served many happy couples, again and again. My customers are different now from when I first met them. I do believe my store changes people. One secret: I have more female customers than male. Many of my female customers (that have become girl friends) just call ahead for private shopping time. I'm happy to reserve the store for an hour or two for anyone. I've had a bunch of Hen Night parties, which are a lot of fun. I draw the curtains and pop a bottle of Champagne. Anyway -- men, women, couples... buying for themselves or buying gifts... everyone comes.
Are we going in a sexual revolution?
I think people have become more open. For example, maybe people are curious and willing to learn more about what shibari is. So they would go see a show, Maison Close's shows are great. You cannot just Google the term, it has to come from your own understanding. You have to see it to experience it, you have to try it and then you would know what it means to you. g
The Hidden Closet Studio opens on Nov 10. The opening party is scheduled for Nov 23, which will also launch Oranan's erotic fashion brand TOYY. Details will be available on The Hidden Closet Instagram.
Born and raised in Bangkok before studying in the UK and Australia, Oranan Tangpanitanon is the owner of The Hidden Closet, Bangkok's first erotic boutique, on Thong Lor 6. After working in the film industry for a few years, Oranan decided to open the Hidden Closet with her girlfriends in October 2011. That first iteration of the shop, however, has closed down and it moved location in 2016. The store has satisfied many customers looking to sizzle and spice up their sexual adventures and relationships, from offering sensual lingerie, sexy role-playing outfits, fetish gear such as paddles, handcuffs, ball gags, you name it. She will soon open her second branch, The Hidden Closet Studio on Ekamai 12, which will not only be a store but will include, among other services, a couples photo booth, classes and workshops dealing with various topics of eroticism for singles, couples and groups, art and performance events, and much more.
