Absolute Thai Lifestyle Magazine 08

Feb-Mar 09

BRAD PITT Pa g e 3 1

Corporate Membership The benefits to business of Thailand Elite Corporate Membership will put you on top of business society, from recognition to business facilitation services that no other cards could bring. Besides, during our introduction period (lasting 6 months) it now comes up with the best offer ever, with our introduction rate of THB 2,000,000 per membership of 2 Designees (from the regular rate of THB 3,000,000 per membership of 2 Designees). Likewise, you can simply add more value to your member ship by additionally apply for more Designees at the rate of THB 1,000,000 each (from the regular rate of THB 1,500,000 per Designee).

Special Visa Privilege Special 5-year Multiple entry visa for Designees Arrival and Departure VIP greeting and escort on International Airport by our Personal Assistants for Designees and Designee’s guests Exclusive fast track immigration and passport control processing for Designees and Designee’sguests Free Service Limousine: Complimentary limousine transfer to residence or hotel on arrival and departure for Designees and Designee’s guests (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Samui) Golf: Complimentary green fee for over 30 golf courses for Designees and Designee’s guests Spa: Complimentary spa treatment at over 60 luxurious facilities for Designees Hospital : Complimentary annual health check up for Designees City Club: Centrally located city club facilities at Member’s disposal Insurance: Personal accident insurance up to THB2,000,000 coverage for Designees Thai Airways Benefit Buy a full fare First Class on International routes and receive a complimentary companion ticket 25% discount on full fare for Business Class flight on domestic route ROPG Gold Benefit Obtain Royal Orchid Plus Golf status upon registration (available for the initially authorized designees ) Government Concierge Government Contact Facilitation, Immigration Service, Driver’s License Facilitation and Work Permit Facilitation Business Concierge Business Networking, Legal, Banking, Financial and Taxation Facilitation Other Benefits Special discount and hand-free shopping with one point payment service Priority reservation & enhanced service at hotels and dinning establishments Member Contact Centre English 24-hour service Mandarin, Japanese & Korean 6.00 am – 9.00 pm Membership Validity 30 years Membership Fee THB 2,000,000 (VAT excluded) for 2 initial Designees and more can be added up concurrently with the additional Designee fee of THB 1,000,000 per Designee (VAT excluded) Designee Transfer Unlimited transferable with Designee Transfer Fee of THB 10,000 per Designee (VAT excluded)

Contents

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5

Issue February & March 2009

Tropical Weddings Four Seasons Koh Samui

24

31

Brad Pitt

16

Humour

19

Health and Well-being

31

Cover Feature

37

Hot Properties

45

Recipe

61

Travel

77

Fashion

84

Horoscope

11

Tropical Weddings

24

Four Seasons Koh Samui

51

Benjaporn Karoonkornsakul

67

Golf in Thailand

75

Zonda

80

Tropical Gardening

CREDITS

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Chairman: Bryan Lunt Bryan.Lunt@AbsoluteThai.com

Design: Grapho Design, Phuket info@graphodesign.com

Managing Director (Thailand): Andrew C. Parker ap@AbsoluteThai.com

Printing: Phongwarin phongwarin@inet.co.th

Editor: Supachart Ruamsamu Supachart@AbsoluteThai.com Feature Editor: Tim Knight TimKnight@AbsoluteThai.com

Recipe

General Manager: Callum McKay Callum@AbsoluteThai.com

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Advertising Sales Callum McKay Callum@AbsoluteThai.com Mobile: (+66) 83 596 7537 Tidarat Maturos Neung@AbsoluteThai.com Mobile: (+66) 89 660 7660

Publisher: Absolute Group

Absolute Thai is published by San, Sea and Sand Co. Ltd. Registration Number 8837354810366. Registered address 42/11 Taveewong Road, Kathu, Patong, Phuket. Design by Grapho Design, Phuket. Printed by Phongwarin LTD., Samutprakarn. All material is strictly copyrighted and all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without prior permission of the copyright holder. All information and data are correct at time of publication.

Zonda

Editor’s Note While

I am sure many of you have already broken most, if not all, of you new year’s resolutions already, I hope this issue finds you well, and that you are enjoying the best time of the year to be in Thailand (weather wise that is). The cooler temperatures make it a perfect time to grab this information packed issue of Absolute Thai and go sit outside and read under a tree while not melting in the heat.

In our last issue, we highlighted Angelina Jolie to show our readers what an amazing person she is, both on and off the screen, so it seemed only fitting to fill you in on her other half, and let you see that Brad Pitt might just be well on his way to becoming one of Hollywood’s ‘living legends’. Not only that, like his girl Ms. Jolie, he is a philanthropist and freely shares his money to help make our world a better place. Pitt and Jolie set a fine example of people who have made it in life and, instead of hording all of their good fortune, they realize that life is more than just movies and glamour and therefore do what they can to help out those who need it. If all the people in the world that had the same resources as this couple do and would share their wealth and fame, preventable atrocities would start running scared.

OK, enough of my preaching. A lot of effort went into the rest of this issue to ensure our reputation of bringing relevant, entertaining and timely information to our readers continues. We have introduced a new golfing section written by golfing pro Andrew Joyce for those that enjoy this wonderful game. Every issue, Andrew will give tips on everything from improving your swing to proper golf course attire. Despite what most think, golf is a very exciting game and is good for challenging one’s self.

For those who have enjoyed our gardening articles, we included a wonderful article on how to build a ‘no-dig’ garden and therefore grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs. Once garden is built, it is a cinch to maintain and is a great hobby. Nothing beats eating and sharing your own homegrown food.

In this issue, you’ll also find information on having a wedding in Thailand, and while you’re here doing that, why not go ahead and get some cosmetic surgery too? We tell you all things you need to know to help you prepare for these life changing decisions. Whatever you do, do not miss the hilarious article on uniforms. If you’ve been in Thailand for any length of time, you’ll understand and relate to this article with no problem.

Also, for those who are looking for a get a way and want a truly luxurious atmosphere to relax in, read the article on the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui.

We had a hard time finding words that truly described what an amazing place it really is.

Tropical Weddings

11

A Wedding to Remember

Tim Knight

A wedding ceremony in Thailand is a perfect way for a couple to start their new lives together.

W

hether you choose an intimate ceremony in an ornate Buddhist temple, a grand gala on a white, sandy beach or a balloon ride high above lush green forests, a Thailand destination wedding will forever be remembered by both you and your guests. Buddhist and Christian weddings are both offered in this worldwide wedding haven where some of the most unique and imaginative ceremonies can be found. Have your most special day planned by either a wedding coordinator, resort or other organization at a very affordable price.

“Affordability, natural beauty, convenience and hospitality are just a couple of the reasons that couples flock to Thailand from around the globe to recite their vows each year,” said Mrs. Kaneungnit Chotikakul, International Public Relations director for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). “In recent years, Thailand has become one of the world’s most popular travel destinations for weddings and honeymoons,” said Mrs. Kaneungnit. “Many couples choose Thailand, an exotic tropical paradise, because they wish to tie the knot in a land renowned for its irresistible combination of rich culture, welcoming traditions and warm

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Tropical Weddings

and caring hospitality that displays the true sense of grace and style.”

“And, of course, no wedding would be a valuable once-in-alifetime affair if it didn’t have high value for the money.

Northern Thailand is especially popular for couples seeking a romantic way to explore nature and culture,” added Mrs. Kaneungnit. “To the north, in Thailand’s Lanna region, the city of Lampang is popular for brides and groomsmen dressing in traditional gowns and proceeding on elephant back down municipal streets to the ceremony. Central Thailand proves a perfect location for those who want a more cultural or traditional Buddhist wedding,” said Mrs. Kaneungnit, “while the south is popular for its beautiful weddings on the beach and the exotic and annual Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony.”

Unique wedding opportunities include ceremonies on hot air balloons, tropical islands, river boats or in quiet rainforests.

Overall, a wedding in Thailand will cost about half the price it would in other countries. The TAT alone offers nine Thailand wedding destination packages.

Many resorts and hotels in Thailand will provide help in setting up your wedding. Do your research beforehand to find a resort right for you. Some of the more popular locations include Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai and Bangkok. In Chiang Mai, Thailandweddings.com can help you plan your experience with a Christian wedding, a civil wedding or any number of Thai wedding packages available. Packages can include exciting details like Thai fireworks, elephants and fire balloons, or “Kom Loi,” which are traditional paper lanterns lit on fire to keep bad luck away. Other Thailand destination wedding organizers include Creative Events Asia and Weddings Faraway.

The internet is a fantastic source for finding all the information you need.

Foreigners and residents should expect some legal formalities

when getting married in Thailand. In addition to providing a copy of a passport from foreigners and both party ID cards and House Registration Certificates for Thai residents, they will need to fill out a Letter of Affirmation issued by an Embassy or Consulate. The completed affirmation documents must be returned to the Embassy, along with other necessary documentation of divorce, previous spouse death, income, two references from their home country and a list of children and their ages. The signed Affirmation Letter has to be translated and certified by the relevant Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then taken, with other necessary documents, to the Legalization Division of Consular Affairs Department in Bangkok. Afterwards, documentation must be brought to a local District Registrar office, also known as an Amphur. Several Amphur offices are located in Bangkok. Lastly, the marriage certificate should be translated back to one’s home language before leaving Thailand. Expect two to three days at least to complete all the paperwork.

Tropical Weddings

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Weddings in Thailand are legally accepted in most all other countries. Thailand marriage registration requirements include that a bride and groom must be at least 17 years old to file for marriage. Otherwise, permission must be granted by a court and by their parents. Other requirements include that a widow or divorcee cannot marry less than 310 days after the previous marriage has expired unless she has given birth to a child, is remarrying the same person, is not pregnant or an approval from a court to remarry is obtained.

Thai Traditional Wedding The evening before a Thai traditional wedding a Buddhist ceremony is held where the couple pays homage to the ancestors of the bride. During the ceremony, the couple wears ordinary clothing and there are nine monks present that sit on straw mats with a bottle of water and a glass before them.

The couple sits at what would best be described as an altar

closest to the first monk. A sacred thread is then twirled around the head of the bride and groom and unrolled into the monk’s hand, and a bowl of water is blessed by the monks.

The following morning, the nine monks arrive again, and sprinkle the blessed water on those who are present. This time the bride and groom wear traditional Thai dress for the wedding.

The couple then kneels close together and a holy string would again be strung in a circular motion around the heads of the couple.

There are nine trays each containing small dishes placed before each monk. Prayers are said and the couple then gives each monk a small amount of money. Monks are not allowed to touch money so it is placed into nine envelopes and handed out. After eating, the monks then go back to their temple.

During the retreat season monks are not permitted outside of the temple.

The final procedure for a traditional Thai wedding is that the couple kneels on a small pedestal with clasped hands. They have garlands around their necks and a village elder says a few words. Â Each guest would then arrive and pour water out of a shell onto their hands and say a few words. They also hand the couple an envelope with money, and the couple reciprocates by handing them a small wedding memento.

Christian Wedding Christian weddings are widely available in Thailand as well.

Even though the country is 98% Buddhist, the Thai government allows freedom of religion, and therefore Christian churches are found in every part of the country. Baptist, Catholic, Protestant and other Christian churches are available for Christian couples to use for a wedding ceremony. Also, licensed priests and pastors can perform a wedding ceremony anywhere the couple wants. Whether on a beach or in a

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Tropical Weddings

mountain village, the priests and pastors are more than happy to wed a Christian couple.

“It always brings me joy to see two Christians getting married and starting a family,” says Pastor Anatcha Pacharoen of Samui Mercy Baptist Church, a 5 year old church started on Koh Samui for Westerners. “We can perform the wedding ceremony in our church here or near the beach; wherever the couple chooses.”

Many hotels and resorts have a list of Christian churches and can set up a meeting between the couple and the church’s priest or pastor. It is a good idea for the couple to contact the priest or pastor and discuss what exactly the couple’s needs are. Establishing a strong bond between the couple and the priest or pastor is highly recommended as he can provide guidance and insight into the blessing of a wedding.

Being that marriage is a serious act, as well as a lifelong commitment, many churches require that all members who wish to marry receive counseling in order to prepare and ensure a long lasting marriage.

A wedding is already stressful enough. When you add on top of that the difficulties of having that wedding in a foreign country it could become seemingly downright impossible. The language barrier, time difference and cultural differences can make o rganizing a perfect wedding difficult at best. Luckily, there are many services that take care of all the details for you. Many hotels and resorts have staff dedicated to the sole purpose of weddings, and their experience comes as a huge help to those who want to just relax and enjoy their special day. Also, since you’re already in beautiful Thailand, there is no need to pack again and go anywhere else for a honeymoon!

Tropical Weddings

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Humour Tropical Weddings

UNIFORMS Dan White

Humour Tropical Weddings

17

Give a man a whistle and he might just be annoying. Give him a uniform with that whistle and you might have created a monster.

onslaught they faced. Having taken the pom-pom as a trophy of war, the British Guard regiments then incorporated them into their own uniforms.

In Thailand, uniforms are popular. Mysteriously they also often seem to be at least one size too tight. This is certainly true of the Royal Thai Police who have to sweat their way through the hot season in man-made fibers of skin-hugging brown, a fiendish camouflage that helps them blend in with Bangkok’s filthy smog, dust and dirt of the never ending building sites that fill the narrow sois with rumbling cement trucks and leathery skinned construction workers in brightly colored sweat-shirts and canary yellow hardhats.

The French military meanwhile, who may be useless at actually winning any wars against anyone except unarmed toddlers and pacifist midgets on valium (as General Norman Schwarzkopf said, “Going to war without the French is like going deer-hunting without an accordion.”), remained impossibly smug on account of their fancy new flat headgear –the rakish kepi. This is a stylish plastic bucket with a cardboard peak attached. So suave. So chic. So French.

The tight factor is also true of young female university students (hooray!) who keep the country in a state of moral panic over their painted on micro-minis and button-popping tight white blouses. Moral panic there might be, but the general global (male) consensus seems to be a definite thumbs-up all round.

In terms of male consensus, the same could be said of the police who have become something of a sartorial icon in parts of the gay community for who stretched brown nylon is something of a turn on. Every month Thailand’s finest file hundreds of formal complaints of being harassed by wolf whistles and lewdly positive comments from passing posies of lithe young men with fashionably gelled hair and ironed white wranglers.

Given the recent political crises, parts of Bangkok have been virtual ‘no-go’ areas for the Thai constabulary. In reality, they have long been used to this kind of terror in the workplace. Ever since the famous 2001 ‘Silom Soi 4 Incident’ when a crack squad of elite moped-troopers was cornered by an equally well-disciplined phalanx of enthusiastic, rambling layboys. The boys in brown survived the terrifying attention, but were held against their will for a week and a half purely by the power of camp innuendo.

Although the uniform obsession is strong in Thailand, it is also global.

In Britain for instance, the Queen is guarded by ranks of men in red jackets with giant pom-poms on their heads. It’s a little known fact that originally the giant bearskin pompom hat was a French invention stolen from Napoleon’s Republican Guards in 1815.

As the Battle of Waterloo raged to an eventual bloody British victory, the Duke of Wellington famously inspired the Grenadier Guards with the words, “Up Guards and at ‘em!” The British troops then vanquished the Frenchmen in pom-poms who were way too busy adjusting their earrings and kissing each other manfully to notice the immanent

Uniforms often mean power, and power corrupts. Nowhere is this more terrifying than amongst parking attendants.

The ear splitting squeal of the whistle is followed by orders delivered with terrifying arrogance to move your vehicle three centimeters to the left. This is usually done after you have locked all the doors and are halfway across the car park with armfuls of luggage, shopping or children.

Then of course there are the bizarrely appointed so-called ‘Tourist Police Volunteers’ who have started to make an appearance on the streets of Pattaya and Chiang Mai. Their very official blue uniform is issued along with a cosh and handcuffs to be used against the wicked. The qualifications needed for becoming a Tourist Police Volunteer are very tough indeed, and the checks are rigorous. First, you have to fill in the ‘Volunteer Tourist Police Application Form,’ and then you have to hand it in at a desk called ‘Applications to Join the Volunteer Tourist Police’. Many hopeful applicants drop out at this stage, unable to bear the remorseless pressure.

After you have made it through the initial hellish stages of ‘ Filling in the Application Form’, then comes what hardened volunteers call, with dread, “Hell Week”.

This really weeds out the weaklings, and divides the sheep from the goats. The course is harsh and is precisely designed to mimic the eventual tough real-life situations that you might encounter as a real Tourist Police Volunteer.

For seven full days the hopeful trainee has to sit around in the ‘Same-Same-But-Different’ beer bar on Pattaya’s Walking Street talking about the exchange rates and a girl called Ae with a tattooed Austrian roofer named Horst. If you make it through that ordeal then you are in.

All tourists sleep better at night knowing that they are protected by these superb, highly vetted, highly trained men and women in noble uniform!

So we all should be happy that uniforms abound in Thailand to keep peace and order at every turn. Next time you see someone in uniform, give them a tip of your cap or a quick salute, they’ve worked hard for the right to wear it.

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It pays to use the experts

Thailand’s Medical Tourism

19

Tim Knight

FOR

many of us, our physical appearance plays an important role in how we view ourselves and how others view us. Our physical appearance can affect how we feel about ourselves and how we reflect it to others. There is nothing wrong with wanting to change the way we look, especially for those of us who are unhappy with it.

Some people change their appearance by dieting, exercising or changing their lifestyle. However, more and more people are opting to enhance their appearance with plastic or cosmetic surgery.

Plastic or cosmetic surgery is a technique that reshapes structures of the body to restore or enhance one’s appearance. Some of the common techniques used are incision, excision, microsurgery, chemosurgery, electro surgery, laser surgery, dermabrasion and liposuction. The difference between “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” is that plastic surgery is dedicated to the surgical repairs of defects of form or function, which may include cosmetic surgery, as well as reconstructive surgery while “cosmetic surgery” is designed to improve cosmetics or looks alone. For the rest of this article, the two terms will be used interchangeably as they are in every day conversation.

There are many reasons to have cosmetic surgery; such as to restore one’s appearance that was damaged by trauma, or to correct birth defects. For those who are unsatisfied with a specific part of their body, cosmetic surgery can also help to enhance self esteem. In any case, the decision to have cosmetic surgery should not be made lightly. There are always risks involved in any type of surgery, which could result in complications. Moreover, you are not always (and cannot be) guaranteed of the exact results you want. Therefore, it is important to talk with your physicians about the possible benefits and risks (both physical and mental) of choosing to undergo

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Thailand’s Medical Tourism about people who have become “addicted” to cosmetic surgery (Michael Jackson might fall into this category). It is important to understand the implications that cosmetic surgery will have on your life. Your physical appearance is only a small part of who you are.

Thailand is a world leader in cosmetic surgery, and its affordable procedures and high quality care make it one of the most popular medical tourism destinations around the globe. Thousands of foreign patients come to Thailand each year to receive cosmetic surgery ranging from nose reduction surgery to cosmetic ear surgery; all offered at low costs when compared with prices for similar treatments in the West.

any procedure.

There are four essential steps that individuals who are considering having cosmetic surgery should take. First, do the research on the procedure, particularly the benefits and the risks involved. Ask your doctor to show you photographs and to explain the possible results and consequences. Also, you most definitely should talk to other patients who have already had the procedure, so that you will know what to expect.

Second, have realistic and clear expectations of the result.

People with unrealistic expectations will often be disappointed with their outcome.You should always remember that cosmetic surgery is used to enhance your own physical features and not necessary replicate those of another person. Third, consult your physicians. Make sure that your cosmetic surgeon thoroughly reviews and discusses your full medical history with you to determine the most appropriate options. Fourth, choose a board certified surgeon who is well trained and qualified to perform the procedure so that you can be sure you are in good hands. Speaking with your doctor’s other patients will give you a very good idea about the doctor you have chosen.

While cosmetic surgery can benefit individuals who are unsatisfied with a single aspect of their body, it is probably not the best answer for those who are unhappy with their overall appearance. These people are probably not going to be satisfied with the result of a single procedure and may fall into a trap of having more and more procedures done, which is both risky and costly. Tabloid magazines are full of stories

Before

After

Thailand is the ideal place to get cosmetic and plastic surgery done.

While here, you can enjoy the exquisite Thai hospitality and food and get some good quality and inexpensive plastic surgery thrown in too. This form of surgery is ideal for the reconstruction of abnormalities in the body caused by birth defects or damage caused by an accident. Similarly, plastic surgery can be very helpful in removing tumors. Moreover, there are further complications that sometimes require a complete reconstruction for which plastic surgery can be used. Thailand

Thailand’s Medical Tourism offers all these procedures and more; you could say Thailand is on the “cutting edge” of cosmetic surgery.

Your whole trip to Thailand, including airfare, the recreational activities at the resort and the plastic or cosmetic surgery will cost you less than the cost of just the surgery alone in other countries. There are certain cosmetic procedures of plastic surgery that Thailand has gained recognition for, including: nose jobs, eyelid surgery, hair transplant and liposuction.

However, Thailand is also the number one choice for people who are unable to find treatments too complex in their own countries.

The entire package that Thailand has to offer is quite attractive.

The tropical climate with the great food and unique culture serve as a huge tourist attraction as it is. With the development of cosmetic surgery facilities, Thailand has managed to boost its tourism industry as well as the number of people coming in from foreign lands specifically to receive its medical services f rom expert surgeons. Not so long ago, plastic surgery was a rarely heard of procedure, and was only performed on people with serious medical conditions. But thanks to medical advancements and the changing of people’s attitudes, the use of surgery to solely enhance one’s appearance has exploded.

One of the things that has greatly contributed to the world wide popularity of cosmetic surgery is the influence of the media. Not only is the media being used to advertise the availability of low cost plastic surgery it is also influencing the minds of the people to use this service and to get their physical features enhanced. Under these circumstances, Thailand seems to be capitalizing on the trend.

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Bangkok is the main hub for cosmetic surgery with internationally accredited hospitals offering state-of-the-art technology along with a high level of care. Cosmetic surgery packages in Thailand typically include operative costs and post-operative care and accommodation. Packages that include more than one procedure are available, thus lowering the overall costs even further. Because of Thailand’s tourist boom, hospitals in Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and other resort locations now offer these surgeries. All one has to do is search the internet to get an idea of the possibilities. Why not stay at a 5-star beachside resort while recuperating?

Bumrungrad and Bangkok General hospitals receive the most international patients per year at 400,000 and 150,000 patients respectively. The former has a plastic surgery center that offers everything from liposuction to rhinoplasty and forehead lifts to breast augmentation. The latter also offers an extensive list of plastic surgery treatments and packages, with cosmetic eyelid surgery and breast lift procedures available.

Cosmetic surgery and aftercare in Thailand is not only affordable, but safe too; with many doctors having studied medicine abroad in Europe or North America. Cosmetic surgeons in Thailand are well qualified with hospital staff and doctors well versed in English. Many facilities have international relations staff on hand to translate and assist patients.

Thailand is also a global leader in hospitality, meaning patients can rest assured they will be well cared for after the surgery.

Elaborate spa and massage treatments offer considerable savings compared to Western prices and can complement plastic surgery treatments. Rest is essential after any surgery, and a rest at a luxury beachside resort beats resting at home on the couch.

The bottom line is that it all comes down to your choice and your decision. Do not get lazy or lackadaisical about this life altering choice. Do your homework, and discuss it at length with doctors, loved ones and friends before making a firm decision because there is no going back, but if you do decide to ‘get some work done’ then Thailand is by far the best place to have it done.

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Thailand’s Medical Tourism

Thailand’s Medical Tourism

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Four Seasons

Four Seasons

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Luxurious Island Hideaway: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

Tim Knight

For those who like to travel in style, or for those who have worked hard and are ready for a completely relaxing and care free holiday, nothing can compare to a respite at a Four Seasons resort. Known around the world for their impeccable treatment of guests, you simply cannot do better than Four Seasons.

Located on the northwest tip of the island Koh Samui, Four Seasons introduces its own legendary warmth and service to an exotic hillside retreat. Quietly secluded in Laem Yai Bay, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui offers an unforgettable arrival experience. The driveway leads up a very steep hill where guests are greeted with a ceremonial Thai gong that sounds as soaring teak doors – flanked by six-meter-high walls – open to reveal a magnificent view,all from 350 feet above sea level. Neighboring islands dot the sparkling turquoise waters beyond.

The resort resides in a valley, and completely blends into the beautifully wooded and floral landscape. It spills down a terraced hillside onto its private beach. Guests are more than welcome to walk around the resort, but a buggy ride is just a quick phone call away.

Designed and built by world renowned designer of resorts, Bill Bensley, the Four Seasons Koh Samui is nestled inside a stunning enclave with 60 spacious villas and 14 Residence Villas, each with an oversized infinity-edge pool. As well, the resort has two restaurants, an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, a fitness centre and an exceptionally wide range of recreational activities. An indulgent hideaway of understated elegance, Four Seasons offers distinctive design, an incomparable location, gracious hospitality, outstanding 24-hour service and a tranquil refuge, where guests may do as much or as little as they like.

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Four Seasons

“This is exactly what we were looking for,” said UK national’s Keith and Edith Richbell, two of the resort’s recent guests.

“We worked hard all year, and we knew we would get what we were looking for at a Four Seasons resort, and being on a tropical island as well just makes it all that much better.”

The couple was staying at the resort for 13 nights, but by the fifth day, had yet to leave the resort’s premises. Lounging by the private beach and pool during the day and relaxing in their private, fully furnished villas at night, it is easy to see why.

Guest Rooms and Residence Villas The resort’s structures are beautifully blended into the hillside amongst coconut, jackfruit and mango trees. Reminiscent of a private Southern Thai sanctuary, each villa is built on stilts, with sweeping views over Laem Yai Bay and the Gulf of Siam or the beautifully landscaped gardens. Soothing turquoise blue or sea foam green tones accent the villas’ contemporary interiors. All feature an al fresco living space beneath a thatched canopy, an air-conditioned bedroom and an oversized infinity pool.Ensuite bathrooms feature a spacious dressing area, two vanities, a custom-made, shell-shaped terrazzo bathtub, separate glass-walled shower, secluded WC, and sliding glass doors that open onto a sundeck for an open-air bathing experience. The beds make one feel as if sleeping on a cloud.

More like a private home than a guest room, the spacious and secluded Villas features 60-m² of indoor space, a massive 42-m² outdoor hardwood deck and a 15-m² private infinity-edge pool. The sundeck becomes an outdoor living room, with a curtained daybed, a marble dining table, two chaise lounges and a refrigerated private bar – a perfect spot for sunbathing and swimming by day, for a romantic candlelit dinner or cocktails at night.

Four Seasons

Steps from the lapping waves on the resort’s private beach, the Beach Villas have an unobstructed view of the Gulf and magnificent Samui sunsets. Looking over the 67-m² private infinity-edge pool, the sundeck also features a curtained daybed, dining table, two chaise lounges, and a refrigerated private bar. One of the Beach Villas may only be accessed from the beach, idyllic for honeymooners or guests wanting a romantic getaway.

Dotted around the hillside, the luxurious Residence Villas range from two to five bedrooms. Ideal for families or groups to share the magic of Samui, they all offer breathtaking views of the ocean and the island of Koh Phangan. A stay is further enhanced by the services of a mae baan (live-in housekeeper).

The Residences Villas’ décor features a rich palette of pewter, beige and silver, accented by yellow, brown and bronze.

The indoor dining area accommodates up to 10 guests and is serviced by an adjacent fully equipped kitchen – where guests may cook for themselves or invite a Four Seasons chef to prepare a meal to their specifications.

Further enhancements to the five-Bedroom Residence Villa

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include a formal dining room, a walk-in wine cellar, two kitchens including a show kitchen for the use of guests, and a media room. The outdoor space includes a deck where guests may relax comfortably. In a separate dining pavilion overlooking the sea, guests may dine comfortably at the sunken Japanese-style dining table.

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is an idyllic base for families, and extends an especially warm welcome to its young guests, from offering a welcome amenity such as a coconut animal or soft toys on arrival to providing coloring books and crayons, board games, jig saw puzzles and books. Babysitting services may be arranged through the concierge. In addition, the Concierge will advise on activities to create special memories for the entire family. Possibilities include a day at Angthong National Marine Park, a visit to the Butterfly Garden or an island cruise.

Inspired by its exquisite tropical beach setting, the resort serves exceptional Italian and Thai fare, prepared to extraordinarily high standards. Using locally grown fruits,

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Four Seasons

vegetables and spices, as well as a rich diversity of fresh seafood, innovative menus have been created with typical Four Seasons flair for the resort’s restaurants, as well as for In-Villa Dining.

Named after the local blue palm tree, Lan Tania is superbly located at the top of the Resort, more than 100 meters above the beach. Diners may sit indoors, in air-conditioned comfort; outside on the terrace, cooled by gentle breezes; or in the adjoining Lounge beneath high thatched roofs. This is the ideal place to enjoy an unforgettable sunset.

Lan Tania also serves a breakfast buffet featuring Continental, Thai and Asian dishes, and a full American breakfast à la carte.

For those who like honey, an actual honeycomb is used that has fresh and delicious honey dripping from it.

On the beach below, Pla Pla serves fresh fish daily, prepared according to individual request. White Thai sandstone walls and floors provide a dramatic contrast to the steel blue, silver, eggplant and saffron décor that defines the restaurant’s casual ambience. The menu includes a comprehensive seafood selection, meat and vegetarian options, and local dishes – authentically prepared, with varying degrees of spiciness.

Don’t feel like leaving your villa? Hungry at 3 in the morning?

Just lift the receiver of the phone and place an order and it will magically appear. The staff will set the food up on your patio complete with all the trimmings. Just sit down and enjoy.

The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui offers a delicate balance of refreshment for mind, body and beauty.

Centuries-old healing techniques, summoning the secrets of herbal and holistic remedies, are deeply rooted in Thailand’s rich spa heritage. Further calmed by the gentle sights and

sounds of the jungle, guests of the spa can retreat from hectic urban life into the authentic peace of Samui.

A nearby yoga pavilion is open from sunrise to sunset for guests to practice in private. One-hour Hatha yoga and Anusara-inspired yoga lessons are available, led by the resort’s resident yogis.

When you’re ready to leave the beach chair and tackle something new, the resort has plenty to offer. A bartending class as well as a fruit and vegetable carving class are available. The resort garden and landscaping tour is amazing as the resort’s chief gardener guides you through the 17 hectares of lush landscaping. There are 856 coconut trees, two million re-planted trees and shrubs and 150 varieties of flowers to look at!

Explore the waters of Thailand’s east coast aboard SIAMSEAS, the resort’s 11.2-metre cruising boat. With an inner cabin, a flybridge, a captain’s station and comfortable seating for ten people, a cruise aboard SIAMSEAS is a perfect day out for the family or group of friends.

Learn about wines from around the world and familiarize yourself with over 190 wine labels at the resort’s scheduled wine tastings. Vintages include different grape varieties, Thai wines and New and Old World wines.

The beach sports offered are: badminton, soccer, table tennis, volleyball, takraw (Thai game), Muay Thai boxing class and coconut pétanque. The goal of pétanque, a variation of boule, is to throw metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball, except coconuts are used here.

The saying, “You get what you pay for” could not be truer here. A vacation at the Four Seasons Koh Samui will leave you counting down the days until your return.

Four Seasons

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Brad Pitt

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BRAD PITT

Tim Knight Photos Courtesy of Solarpix.com

Brad Pitt is a culmination of what most women call a perfect man. He’s been topping just about every sexiest, hottest and most eligible bachelor list around the world – year after year. He behaves way too well for men to hate him. He acts well, is always working, donates a lot of time and money and is a dad for 6 kids. Together with Angelina Jolie, they form a global Dream Couple. Does he have what it takes to be a Living Legend?

William Bradley“Brad”Pitt was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, 45 years ago. He has been one of Hollywood’s top earners over the past ten years as he currently averages $20 million per movie he stars in. His and Jolie’s exclusive pictures of their newborn twins made a record $14 million – for charity. Money isn’t short within the Pitt-Jolie family.

However, like most of the new faces around Tinsel Town, Brad went through extra and small speech parts for almost five years before he got the brake that opened the doors to stardom. But once he got that break, his career was on warp speed.

The movie Thelma and Louise was the fuel to Pitt’s career that he was looking for. When Brad was showing his famous “six pack” abs while wearing a cowboy hat after his love scene with Thelma (Geena Davis), a sex symbol was born!

A few years later he was acting as a stoner roommate in one of the all time most unnoticed brilliant movies – True Romance. Quentin Tarantino’s story was directed by Tony Scott (Ridley’s brother) who later worked with Pitt in Spy Game (co-starring Robert Redford) and in The Assassination of Jesse James.

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Brad Pitt

True Romance had a dazzling cast, and, along with exceptional acting performances, Brad fit in like a glove and held his ground; growing his fan base wider. A little known fact is that since he was making Kalifornia at the same time, he couldn’t accept the lead role in True Romance which therefore went to Christian Slater.

In 1994, it was Brad’s time to step up to the platform in Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles with co-star Tom Cruise. The movie also stared Christian Slater who got the role because of the death of River Phoenix. The movie was a massive success grossing over $220 million worldwide.

It finalized Brad’s future as a movie star.

And then he was off: Legends of the Fall, Se7en, Twelve Monkeys, Sleepers, The Devil’s Own, Seven Years in Tibet, Meet Joe Black, Fight Club, Snatch, The Mexican, Spy Game, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Ocean’s Eleven (Twelve and Thirteen), The Assassination of Jesse James, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Burn After Reading.

He has acted opposite many living screen legends too: Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman, Al Pacino, Robert Redford and Harrison Ford. Pitt could soon be looking at becoming one himself.

The year 2009 brought Brad a lot of recognition from his lead role in The Curios Case of Benjamin Button; which gained Pitt 5 Golden Globe nominations. However, he walked away empty handed at the January 11 awards ceremony, and so did Jolie who had been nominated for best dramatic movie actress in The Changeling. But not all is lost, Pitt was voted ‘Favorite Leading Man’ by the People’s Choice Awards where voting is done by normal everyday people. While he does not have a Golden Globe yet, he is very much entrenched in people’s minds and hearts. Also, he is sure to be nominated for an Oscar for his role in Benjamin Button. Nominations will be announced on January 22 and the ceremony will be on February 22. A lead role Oscar would certainly seal Brad’s immortality and put him on a pedestal with some of his all time favorites.

Yet there is lot more behind

the handsome devil crust that he is. Should a man with his credentials need an Oscar or Golden Globe in order to be recognized of the work he has done?

Pitt grew up in Springfield, Missouri, as the eldest of three children in a devoutly Southern Baptist family. His father, Bill Pitt, owned a trucking company, and his mother, Jane, was a family counselor. Brad originally aspired to be an advertising art director, studying journalism at the University of Missouri.

Nevertheless, he had other quiet aspirations. He acted on impulse and dropped out of college, packed up his old Datsun and headed west to pursue an acting career in Lala Land (a.k.a., Los Angeles). At this time, he was just two credits shy of a college degree.

When Pitt was asked why he left university, he responded that he had sinking feeling as graduation approached, and that he just wasn’t ready to settle down. “I loved films. If they didn’t come to me, I’d go to them,” he said.

After he moved to LA, he went through a number of odd jobs, stretching from delivery man to chauffeuring striptease girls, pushing cigarettes to assisting a soap opera writer, and even dancing in a restaurant dressed up as a chicken. He did all this to pay for acting classes.

Pitt’s determination is the reason why he took the lead role in Seven Years in Tibet. It is the true story of Heinirich Harrer, an Austrian mountain climber, who became friends with the Dalai Lama during the period China was taking over Tibet.

Director Jean-Jacques Annaud sent a team to Tibet to secretly film footage. About 20 minutes of it made it into the finalized

Brad Pitt

film. This was kept secret even after the film’s premiere and was not a known fact until the summer of 1999. Because of his role in the movie, Pitt is banned from ever entering China.

Brad’s dating resume includes some of Hollywood’s hottest starlets: Christina Applegate, Juliette Lewis, Robin Givens (Mike Tyson’s ex), Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston, whom he met on a blind date organized by their mutual agent. And then lastly Angelina Jolie.

The set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith was their starting point, and the end to Pitt’s marriage with Aniston. Though Brad had been making donations to different charities already, it was the relationship with Jolie that really brought out all the goodness that he possesses within him.

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Brad Pitt

When he visited the New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward after Hurricane Katrina, he was shocked by what he saw: the remnants of people’s lives strewn across the streets, and an entire neighborhood torn apart and turned upside down. Pitt was even more disturbed by the lack of a clear plan to address the situation. Many were quietly saying there was no chance the Lower 9th Ward would ever be re-built. This area is one of the richest cultural communities in the country and was, until Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005, a crossroads of families, music and social interaction.

Inspired by the courage and hope of the residents he met, Pitt resolved to do whatever he could to help them rebuild.

Just as importantly, he wanted to help recreate and nurture the unique culture and spirit of the Lower 9th Ward, which symbolizes the soul of New Orleans. He understood instinctively that a New Orleans rebuilt without the Lower 9th Ward would never bring back or restore what he saw as the heart and soul of the city.

He began by working with the Global Green organization to sponsor an architecture competition aimed at generating ideas. Pitt worked with local community leaders as well as experts from around the world to develop viable initiatives.

The successful project inspired Pitt’s new focus, the Make It Right Foundation. To show that he was truly sincere, he donated $5 million seed money from his own pocket.

Brad Pitt

Pitt is also behind Not On Our Watch, which is an organization that focuses global attention and resources to stop and prevent mass atrocities, such as in Darfur. With him is long time friends George Clooney, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Jerry Weintraub.

In addition to his own projects he is one of the many movie and music stars that have joined Nelson Mandela’s 46664 projects. As a big fan of Mandela, he’s now one of the ambassadors for the organization that fights against HIV/AIDS.

46664 uses the international stature and moral authority of Nelson Mandela to create a global network of influential ambassadors to promote the campaign. Through their participation in high-profile events, they promote awareness about the disease and advocate for greater protection against HIV infection.

In past years, Pitt’s movie focus has turned more and more into producing. He has already locked himself as the producer in a production that is scheduled to come out in 2012 (The Odyssey). In between, he’ll be acting or producing several productions per year. Currently he is shooting in the lead role of a new Quentin Tarantino movie, Inglorious Bastards.

Pitt surely has proven that he has the qualities that are required from an actor/producer who is eager to become an

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acknowledged living legend: Charm, looks, power, money, good behavior, modesty, multi talent, signature laugh, honesty, good heart and a radiant movie resume. He is a true family man with 6 kids of which three are adopted. He’s hanging out with the Queen Starlet Angelina Jolie who makes him glow secret energy that allows him to stretch his influence to many corners of the world. But he is not an Oscar winner – yet.

He is a man on a mission to make the world of ours just a bit of a better place. Brad Pitt, born December 18th, 1963 – is on the cusp of becoming a Living Legend.

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Palm Grove

Palm Grove

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INVESTING IN THAILAND Now is the time, here is the place

Absolute Palm Grove Pattaya Thailand

“THERES NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO INVEST IN THAILAND” Thailand is Asia’s leading tourist destination with nearly 15 million international tourists coming to Thailand each year and many millions more from a pool of 82 million domestic tourists in Asia visit the country each year.

Indeed, this buoyant tourist sector, coupled with the increasing investment by the government in the country’s infrastructure, has resulted in a growth of approximately 10-15% per year for the past two years, and it is for these reasons that the entry level for property in the country is significantly lower than in more established European locations with similar booming tourist industries.

But that’s not all that’s been bringing in investors; another key factor is that in many parts of Thailand, the local economy relies heavily on tourism and property investment, which in

turn encourages both strong economic growth and capital returns. Furthermore, there is no capital gains tax for private investors. With no sub-prime financing debt, due to Thailand being a cash orientated market, prices are more stable with no big yo-yoing of property prices – just steady growth.

It is a direct result of these encouraging factors for foreign investors that Thailand is the largest growth market in Asia. The country has strong business links with China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Its rapidly developing infrastructure, along with world-class resort facilities with major global brand names investing in new projects across Thailand, make it an attractive investment option for many.

When you throw into the mix the opening of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which makes Thailand

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Palm Grove

even more accessible, it should come as no surprise that those in the know are confidently forecasting continued growth.

One of the regions which is increasingly gaining the attention of overseas investors is the area of Pattaya, one of the countries warmest and sunniest spots. It is very popular with international tourists, boasting fantastic beaches, abundant shopping, brilliant golf courses and a vibrant nightlife. What’s more important, the new international airport puts this destination within 90 minutes of Bangkok, which will ensure that its popularity with holidaymakers will continue to grow.

Absolute Palm Grove Villas is a small development of just 4 luxurious private pool villas, and is located just outside

Pattaya. It is one of the many developments taken on by Absolute Group, a firm that has been established within Thailand for over 10 years. Absolute Group has a further 6 sites currently under construction within Thailand spread across Pattaya, Koh Samui and Phuket.

Absolute Palm Grove Villas is truly beautiful villas that set a new benchmark for design and comfort. These two-story villas are completely detached, and provide 188 square meters of living space. Each villa has three bedrooms and three en-suite bathrooms. All villas host a private swimming pool with jacuzzi, underwater lighting and sunbathing terraces. The villas are based very near the mostly expat area of beautiful Mabprachan Lake, which offers a wide range of restaurants and water sports and the world famous Nongnooch Tropical Botanical Gardens. As well, the villas are situated only a few minutes from the beach and are close to many stunning golf courses.

All the villas are built to Western standards, with full air-conditioning throughout the villas, state-of-the-art appliances, wireless internet throughout, UBC satellite television, a high-tech security system, included 24-hour security as well as luxury limo service.

The villas easily accommodate 6 persons in the spacious 3 large bedrooms. No expense was spared in creating the stunning interiors with top furnishings, including flat-screen TVs in every bedroom.

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For those wishing to commute to Bangkok or Rayong, the motorway slip road is literally a three minute drive from the villas, thus giving a travel time of only 90 minutes to Bangkok or even less for Suvarnabhumi airport.

With prices starting at 850,000 Baht (fractional ownership), villas of this quality, style, location and value for money do not come onto the market often.

All of the 3 large bedrooms are en-suite with the largest having a tiled balcony. The en-suite shower rooms are in the popular “wet-room” design and have all the high quality contemporary fittings.

In the main living area, soft cushioned sofas face a large flat-screen TV with a DVD player and a surround sound system which compliments an exquisitely designed and modern solid teak dining table. Perfect for relaxing or entertaining guests.

All the amenities and furnishings were thoughtfully hand chosen for the home’s occupants to enjoy: from the magnificent handmade Thai chandeliers to the intricate twisted twig mirrors; each an art object in its own right.

The kitchens are of high Western standards, and are furnished with modern appliances and plenty of marbled work surfaces and cupboard spaces.

The bedrooms and beds are nothing short of breathtaking. The ultimate in tailored bed linen has been provided by using 400 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets together with stacked goose-down pillows, pad and duvet; guaranteeing a perfect night’s sleep. One bedroom is also child friendly with twin beds that are also roomy enough for adult use if required.

Privacy and security are complete, and you may sunbathe or dip in your own pool at your leisure.

Summary on Features and Benefits of Fractional Ownership : Features : A legal,secure share of a condo Unit

Benefits : Low entry level purchase price safe and secure.

Choice

Buy the high or low season Months

Asset

Increase in value and can be Resold

One payment

No further payments , own Forever.

Affordable Management fees

Cover all common ground and Internal repairs/ maintenance

Rental income

If not used by owner, guarantees Given on rental income 7% for 5 Years.

Cost effective , high returns on investment , and tax efficient..

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Palm Grove

Palm Grove

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Palm Grove

www.graphodesign.com Tel: +66(0)7624 6526-7

Palm Grove

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Humour

Stir fried mud crab with currr powder

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Stir fried mud crab with curry powder

Ingredients Sliced Onion Sliced Goat pepper (Red) Spring Onion Chinese celery 2 eggs 1/2 cup of milk 1 tbsp. roasted chili paste (nam prik pao) 2 tbsp. oyster sauce 2 tpsp. of soy sauce 1 tsp. of sugar Chopped garlic 2 tbsp. Oil 1/2 cup of chicken soup (clear soup) 2 tbsp. curry powder

Method: 1. Wash the crab, chop into pieces, 2. Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a frying pan. When it is hot, put in the garlic, goat pepper and onion.

3. Add chicken soup and oyster sauce,soy sauce and sugar.

4. Put the crab, stir fried until done and then add the curry powder.

5. Mix the milk and the chili paste and then beat in the egg.

6. Put the spring onion,Chinese cerely and continue cooking until done; then dip onto a dish and serve.

SAVOEY Restaurant Safari Beach Hotel Patong Beach Reservations 076 341 171-4 Open daily 10:00 - midnight

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Sumac Spiced Lamb With Cous Cous & Harissa

Sumac Spiced Lamb with Cous Cous & Harissa

by Fredrik Larsson, Chef de Cuisine For the Lamb

1 Lamb rack approx 300 gm 1 Tbs caraway seeds 1 Tbs of Arabic Sumac which can be found in supermarkets Sea salt to taste

For the Cous Cous

100 gm Cous Cous 20 gm Blond raisins 2 Tbs of chopped Coriander 1 Tbs chopped Shallot

Harissa Sauce

20 gm Tomato paste 10 gm Honey 1 Tbs of Caraway seeds ½ tbs of cinnamon 1 Tbs chopped garlic 2 Tbs chopped tomatoes 1 Tbs chopped red capsicum ½ Tbs Chopped red Chili 100 ml of Chicken stock Black pepper to taste

Lamb juice with Dates 100 gm veal stock 100 gm Lamb stock 100 gm red wine 20 gm dried dates 1 Tbs dried thyme leaves 1 Fresh tomato cut in half

Method Start with the Harissa sauce.

Blend the chicken stock, Honey & Tomato paste in a pan. Heat it up and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic & Capsicum. Cook for another 5 minutes. Add the Caraway seeds & Cinnamon. Add the chili and set aside, add black pepper to taste.

Soak the Cous Cous in warm water for 1 hour. When it is soft, heat it up with the raisins and chopped shallots.

Add salt to taste. Before serving, finish with coriander leaves.

For the lamb sauce, heat up the lamb stock, Veal stock & Red wine, Reduce until half, set aside & add the tomato, dates & thyme leaves.

Marinate the lamb with the spices for 10 minutes and sear in a very warm pan without oil, this will make the spice roast nicely and give a stronger flavor. Bake in oven on 175 degrees for 6 minutes. Rest for 10 minutes before cutting.

Tikka spiced Salmon

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Spicy Green Coconut Curry Chicken

Indigo Pearl Naiyang Beach and National Park, Phuket 83110, Thailand Tel: +66 (0)76 327006 Fax: +66 (0)76 327 338-9 Email: info@indigo-pearl.com Web: www.indigo-pearl.com

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Benjaporn Karoonkornsakul

Yoga Empire stretches from Bangkok to across the land.

A

fter just six yoga lessons, Benjaporn gave up her high-flying career in Hong Kong and checked in to a yoga boot camp with Bikram Chudury. Benjaporn Karoonkornsakul knows all about life-changing decisions.

Now, five years later, she has opened eight yoga studios in Thailand, including the the Absolute Sanctuary on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, and two further studios in Singapore.

“It all started with a search for ways to keep myself fit,” says Benjaporn. “Yoga was the answer that worked for me.”

At that time she was also searching around for a new business opportunity in Bangkok and recognized the signs of a growing trend for yoga. She set up her first Absolute Yoga studio with a hope that it would do enough for her to return to her old job. But the baby business had teething problems, and she had to be there to solve them all.

Less than two years down the road, Benjaporn opened a second branch in Soi Thong Lor (Sukhimvit 55).‘The expansion gave me a clear direction,” says Benjaporn, explaining how finding this direction was all down to choice.

“We had to choose – either settle for a small boutique-style yoga studio, or go for the grander scale. At the time, I thought we were ready to expand, so I jumped in.” Since then she’s got together with several business partners in Thailand, as well as one in Singapore, where she opened the Yoga Infinity studio.

“Early last year, Absolute Yoga expanded a lot, with our biggest studio yet at Amarin Plaza, for which we’ve secured the detox programme run by Rasayana.”

Benjaporn says she may slow down with just one new branch for the next year, plus franchises in Chaing Mai , Phuket or Pattaya.

Slowing down or not, it’s a shock to hear such a power-house of a business woman talk of work as fun. But trial and error, she says, is the secret to her progress. “If I stop it means we go backwards. That’s why I have to be active and show the way for my team of 80 staff, and the thousands of customers.”

Benjaporn works hard to keep all her instructors updated, holding a teacher meeting every Thursday to keep them abreast of the latest techniques and teaching methods.

Absolute Yoga Studios currently has 2-3,000 clients who practice regularly, out of a total of 20,000 to 25,000 members.

Benjaporn still finds time to leave her office and walk down the hall to attend the odd yoga class, but the missed calls on her phone when she gets back shows just how busy she is.

“Other people can leave their work behind and come and relax their minds in our yoga class, but I actually practice in my own workspace. I know it’s not good for my yoga, but I can’t help looking at the wall, monitoring the light, seeing if the towels are clean. It’s hard to switch off.”

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A break from distraction does come when she teaches though.

“Itss when I feel at peace that I can focus purely on teaching.”

Still she manages three days of yoga practice a week, but only teaches one or two classes a month.

popularize yoga by introducing it to as many people as possible. “The first thing is to try it, then get comfortable with yoga. Then these people may go down deeper into the practice over time.”

The Yoga centre at Absolute Sanctuary is the crown jewel of the Absolute Group’s well reputed chain of yoga studios, known as Absolute Yoga Studios. Located on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, Absolute Sanctuary is a Moroccan-inspired boutique resort that blends luxurious accommodation with detox and yoga programs to those seeking a journey back to balance, rejuvenation and wellness.

Our mission is to help our guests refuel with good energy, exquisite nutritious cuisine and healing body therapies. Our hope is that guests will continue to lead a healthy and happy life long after their journey at Absolute Sanctuary.

As a boutique health and wellness resort, Absolute Sanctuary specializes in signature detox programs and world-class yoga retreats and workshops to refresh, revitalize and rejuvenate.

Absolute Sanctuary’s 3 signature detox programs combine colon hydrotherapy sessions, detox drinks, herbal supplements, nutritious meals (if not fasting), yoga and massage sessions.

The Yoga Centre at Absolute Sanctuary is posistioned to be at the forefront of yoga practice in Asia, linking students with world renowned gurus and teachers to learn from and interact with each other. The centre does not only conduct daily classes of various styles such as hot yoga, hatha yoga, yin yoga and vinyasa yoga, it also arranges regular workshops, retreats and teacher training sessions that are conducted by some of the best known names in the yoga world.

The Detox Centre at the resort features 9 private rooms each with modern colon hydrotherapy equipment. Each visit at the sanctuary begins with a personal consultation, and is followed through under professional guidance to ensure the needs of all guests are met. Benjaporn says, “People today don’t go on holiday just to lie on the beach they tend to have other reasons too, like health.

That’s why I decided to open a detox resort on Cheong Mon Beach on Samui. I think the detox trend is on the rise, just like yoga was five years ago. Eventually, it’ll be a part of people’s lifestyles.”

But what about the imposing feats of superhuman asceticism sometimes associated with yoga? Can’t it be, well, a little daunting?

This is not what yoga is really all about says Benjaporn; anyone can make it part of their daily life without going to extremes.

She understands that many yoga teachers arrive with a critical attitude, looking for “the real thing”, but believes that her role is first to

For further information, please contact: Absolute Sanctuary (Koh Samui) 88 Moo 5, Tambon Bophut, Amphur Koh Samui, Surrattani 84320, Thailand Tel:+66 (0) 83 199 5596 www.absolutesanctuary.com

CEO Climbs Everest Dan White

A man climbs a mountain, and a school is built…

It may not seem the most natural cause and effect, but in the case of Vladimir Sucevan, a property developer from Moldavia, he succeeded by climbing up to the Everest base camp. In the process, he raised nearly $10,000 towards the building of schools for impoverished children in poor countries – so it can happen!

For Vladimir, more often called Val, this was a lifeaffirming mission. “I wanted to make a difference and also do something really important in my life. We all work hard, but it’s great to achieve something more emotional and deeper outside of work. Something that makes a positive difference in somebody’s life is something to treasure forever. To use the opportunity to climb for a charity where you can test yourself personally whilst knowing you are doing something positive for others was a truly motivating challenge for me. It represents a perfect circle of achievement; both

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Everest

personal and universal.”

In selecting which charity to support, Val put a lot of thought into deciding exactly how he wanted the money he raised to be spent. “My research on which charity to support was pretty extensive and took some time. I was very keen to pick one where the money is most effectively directed to the receivers and not on unnecessary red tape.

T h a t ’s why I chose a charity called Crystal House. The big difference with Crystal House is that the founder, Crystal Dehaan,actually covers

all the administration expenses herself. So 100% of the funds raised are directly spent on the primary purpose of building schools in poor countries and making a difference in the lives of under-privileged children in places like India, South Africa, Mexico and Serbia. I chose a Christian Orthodox school in Serbia. That’s the closest to my heart culturally. The schools were destroyed by bombardment during the wars of the nineties. Making sure that the money would go to building the school, to allow those children who have so few opportunities to get an education and to make a positive and dramatic change in their lives is the priority.”

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Although Val had some experience of expedition mountaineering before, this was still an incredibly ambitious undertaking. “I didn’t have a lot of experience at such high altitudes. During Soviet times, I did a little bit of training and gained awards as an alpinist of the USSR. I did some training in the Caucasus, and the highest mountain I climbed was called Ak at 3,071 meters.

For Val there is a certain magic to the mountains. A magic you don’t find elsewhere. “Climbing is something very special because you get to see so much of nature and also interact with other people. It’s intense. You test yourself in a very special way which you don’t really see anywhere else. People who meet on the mountain and experience such extreme

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Everest

conditions together often remain very close friends.”

The trip did not have an auspicious start. “We arrived at Katmandu via Bangkok on Thai Airways, which is a great airline. The hotel I stayed in is one of the most reputable hotels in Katmandu with over a hundred years of experience.

The Yak and Yeti (www.yakandyeti.com) is a famous hotel among mountaineers. In flying to Lukla, at an altitude 2,800 meters, we were very disturbed by the fact that there was a plane crash ahead of us. Our plane was then diverted back to Katmandu, and we had to fly again the next day. Not a good start.”

one of the highest monasteries in the Himalayas. Here we got a blessing from the Tengboche Lama. He is a very famous lama who has been at the monastery for more than fifty years, and he actually met with the Dalai Lama himself for more than three hours on one occasion. This is the man who blessed Sir Edmund Hillary and many others up to the very latest expeditions.”

The climb was made easier by an excellent support team. “We had a perfect guide with us all the time named Kuman. In addition, we had four porters led by Pastin Ba who got us through rough conditions.”

Val’s team was a varied bunch, all sharing an abiding passion for the climb. “There were eight people on the team. There were also quite a number of people who lived in Spain, like me. It was a great mix: one Indian, four English, one American and myself, the only Moldavian funnily enough. We had a great mix of different cultures, mentalities and personalities.”

As the team ascended, life became increasingly difficult. “We were washing with ice-cold water and sleeping at five below zero. As we got higher each day, the Sherpas would meet us an hour before we reached our destination to take our rucksacks and daypacks. The women in the group took advantage of their services quite a lot.”

As the climb got under way, the team started to feel the pressure of such an ambitious physical challenge. “One of the big challenges was altitude sickness, and after landing in Lukla, each day of our program was planned according to a very detailed schedule to acclimatize ourselves. The first ascent lasted nine days to get to the Everest base camp. In the first few days, we trekked about five to seven hours a day. As we were getting higher, our daily routine became tougher, and breathing became more difficult. Unfortunately, one member of our team had to drop out of the trek after three days as the effects of altitude sickness took hold. It was unfortunate because she was probably the fittest of us all since she is a personal fitness instructor for work and she also participated in an Iron Man competition!”

Drinking so much fluid created, of course, a chain reaction.

“In extremely cold weather, every movement, especially if it

The ascent may have been tough, but the rewards in experience were huge. “We made it to Tengboche monastery,

Everest involves getting out of the sleeping bag, takes a significant amount of time and answering the call of nature becomes quite an expedition in itself. About fifteen minutes to get out of the bag, fifteen minutes to go to the bathroom and another fifteen minutes to get back in. After that, you need about five minutes to regain your breath. Considering that sometimes you had to do this three times a night, it was a considerable feat in itself.”

The food was basic but good if occasionally mysterious. “It was very good vegetarian food. We didn’t eat the meat because it’s not locally produced, and it’s very easy to get an infection. We decided to eat only local food. We had rice, and if you didn’t like rice you had more rice. Breakfast was two eggs on toast. I don’t know where the eggs came from because on the higher slopes we never saw any chickens.”

As the climb advanced the going got really tough. “As we went higher, I suffered further side effects. I couldn’t sleep for four nights and four days, and I had terrible headaches. Even though we were getting higher, it wasn’t intrinsically more difficult than the training we did; it was the effect of altitude that made it more difficult. I started training about three and a half months before the expedition while the rest of the team had been training for almost a year.

“There weren’t any major upsets. Personally I put my leg through the ice when crossing a river. Others took the odd tumble. Falling on the ice on a glacier when you are absolutely exhausted with walking makes it quite a challenge to get up again. Sometimes the wind was so strong that it was hard to draw a breath.” Writer’s notes: And I imagine as you read this, dear readers, you too are breathless at this point!

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The pinnacle of Val’s climb was reaching 18,000 feet. “This was my aim, and I achieved it. It was a great feeling made even greater by knowing that I had achieved my target and had raised the money for the children helped by Crystal House.”

The descent was not without incident. “On the lower slopes I was handing out energy bars to the local kids.They reciprocated by giving me an honest assessment of my physical appearance.”

When one smiling kid dubbed Val the “fat man,” Val saw no malice. “Such friendly people were just being honest. Anyway, I thought they were skinnier than the non-existent chickens of the high slopes.”

Having completed this expedition, Val has now set his sights on Kilimanjaro in East Africa for his next challenge. “For me the most important thing is picking the right charity and making as much money as I can for a good cause. It gives me motivation for every step I make up the mountain no matter how hard or how steep. So, I’m looking forward to my next challenge and hopefully making a difference by helping more children in need.”

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Travel Costa Rica

Travel Costa Rica

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THE COSTA RICA’S TOP NATIONAL PARK Story and photos by Claudio Cerquetti

Manuel Antonio N.P., Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a nation of impossible natural beauty. Misty purple mountains, radiant sunsets, steaming rain forests and beaches crawling with sea turtles are common sights. Add together these unforgettable vistas with the country’s matchless ecotourism, low prices and warm-hearted locals and it comes as no surprise that Costa Rica is one of the most popular travel destinations in all of the Americas.

Costa Rica boasts approximately five percent of the biodiversity in the entire world. Fortunately, the county has its act together regarding preservation of this treasure.

Twenty-five percent of its total territory is protected in a series of wildlife refuges, parks and biological reserves. The national parks are frequently visited by tourists and provide a great deal of activities and amenities. Costa Rica offers pure scenery at its best.It’s a patchwork nature-nation of cloud forests swirling with fog, rain forests, mangrove swamps, pastureland and dry tropical forests, all ringed with innumerable beaches.

The Park Manuel Antonio National Park is located on the Pacific coast, in the Costa Rican province of Puntarenas. Though small, it’s the most visited park in Costa Rica, and one of the most beautiful.

Here, every color is cranked up to full saturation, from the stingingly aqua-blue water to the lime-green forest, with perfect strips of pale sand stretching between. Manuel Antonio boasts four beaches in total: Playita, Espadilla, Manuel Antonio and Escondido. Take a hike along the narrow sandy bridge to Punta Cathedral for unforgettable Pacific Ocean views.

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Travel Costa Rica

Stroll down one of the park’s several walking trails, and you might spy coatimundis, ocelots, sloths, monkeys (possibly even the endangered squirrel monkey), caiman and anteaters, along with birds of every shape and color imaginable. The offshore coral reefs bustle with marine life, including dolphins and whales. Book a day trip out to Caño Island for some prime scuba diving.

Manuel Antonio is so pristine one would think it was entirely removed from society. But the hotels and cabins crowded along the park’s periphery offer fine dining, ample nightlife and accommodations to satisfy any budget.

Manuel Antonio National Park, lying on the Pacific coast

7 kilometers south of the town of Quepos, between Damas and Matapalos, was created in 1972 at a time when the area was poised for massive tourism development which was funded primarily by foreign interests. The land constituting the park had by then gone through several different foreign owners. Today, the park protects a beautiful remnant piece of the tropical forest that once covered a wide variety of tropical life. Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s best known and most often visited parks, despite the fact that it’s also the smallest. It is an island of verdant wildness in a rapidly developing area with a relatively intact wet tropical forest and abundant wildlife.

The park is 682 hectares wide, however, it epitomizes

everything that tourists flock to Costa Rica to see: stunning beaches, a magnificent setting with islands offshore, lush rainforest laced with a network of easy to walk trails and wildlife galore.

Despite Manuel Antonio’s size, it is one of the country’s most popular parks, with as many as 150,000 visitors annually in recent years. A few years ago the deluge of visitors threatened to spoil the very things that they had come to see. Park Director Jose Antonio Salazar believes the park can withstand no more than 300 visitors a day. In 1994, the Park Service began limiting the number of visitors to 600 per day (800 on Saturdays and Sundays), and the park is now closed on Mondays. If you wish to do your bit to help preserve Manuel

Travel Costa Rica Antonio, consider visiting in the “green” or wet season. Litter and pollution are additional problems, pack out what you pack in.

Nonetheless, the park is too small to sustain a healthy and viable population of certain animals. If the monkeys do not have access to areas outside the park, the population will decline because they cannot breed. Corridors that used to allow the animals’ access to areas outside the park have been taken up by hotels, so the park has, in recent years, become akin to an island. As a result, the squirrel monkey population is declining. Fortunately in 2000, a decree was issued to triple the park’s size to just under 1800 hectares.

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Manuel Antonio started as a tiny village, and as the park started to become ever more popular more and more hotels began springing up. Because of the park’s small size, hotels were built on the road leading to it, and many started taking advantage of the magnificent panoramic views in the surrounding hills. Exclusive hotels can be found as can budget hotels, which are generally found near the beach.

More expensive hotels have loftier, breezy perches, and most offer off seasonal rates. Many hilltop hotels may have steep steps; so be sure to enquire. It can be a tough, hot walk back up the hill from the beach if you don’t want to wait for the bus that runs every half hour.

Costa Rica is a country that can accommodate travelers seeking every level of comfort. Budget hostels and guesthouses

Accommodation

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Travel Costa Rica

are everywhere, and local bus travel is dirt cheap, but luxury travelers will also find resorts and amenities of top American quality. If you like, you’ll never have to walk through a local village at all, but where’s the fun in that?

When to Go While the weather is best from November to May, traveling to Manuel Antonio National Park during the rainy season – or “green” season if you prefer the euphemism – you’ll enjoy fewer crowds and better prices. Plus, you’ll be doing the environment a favor; even though daily visitors to the park are limited, so many visitors still cause stress to the flora and wildlife.

Getting There and Around To reach Manuel Antonio from the Costa Rican capital of San Jose, catch a bus to Quepos where the park is about four miles south. You can also fly to Quepos from San Antonio through Travel Air or Sansa.

The public bus system in Costa Rica is the cheapest, and often the most convenient, way to travel anywhere you want to go. Buses range from flashy old American school buses (a.k.a.,“chicken buses”) to higher-quality express buses with air conditioning. The main hub of bus transit in Costa Rica is the bus terminal called “Coca Cola” in San Jose. If you’re traveling with a good deal of luggage and not visiting any remote areas, it may be worth it to rent a car. Taxis are also widespread, and will take passengers long distances for a price.

Tips and Practicalities World Headquarters offers a clear map of Manuel Antonio.

Depending on the season, the park entrance fee ranges

Golfing In Thailand

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Golfing In Thailand

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Golfing In Thailand

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Andrew Joyce Golf Pro

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Golfing In Thailand

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hailand has some of the best golf in the world to offer. From Bangkok and Chonburi, where there are well over sixty courses alone, to Hua Hin, the setting of Thailand’s first golf course or up to the beautiful northern hills of Chiang Mai,Thailand offers an amazing variety of greens and fairways.

Being based in Phuket - a world-renowned golf hotspot where an idyllic beach lifestyle meets some of the finest facilities in the world - Absolute Thai is ideally situated to keep its readers firmly in the know of the world of golf.

We will be publishing a column every issue from leading Phuket based golf professional Andrew Joyce. Andrew will be offering tips, news and wisdom derived from his 16-year career as golf pro on four of the world’s five continents.

Andrew was born in Blackpool in the north of England. He served his apprenticeship at Blackpool Park Golf Club. As an assistant pro for three years he was trained under Brian Purdie, a celebrated Scottish PGA professional. Andrew turned pro in 1998; teaching and playing golf professionally in Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Africa. Most recently, he spent seven years doing mini-tours and teaching in the USA. He is now certified with the United States Golf Teaching Federation as a level-four master.

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I

n this column, Andrew will be giving advice on every aspect of the game. Whether you are a complete beginner, a practiced weekend warrior or a highly experienced golfer, Andrew will be concentrating on a different aspect of the game for every level of expertise in each issue.

Through Andrew’s contacts, Absolute Thai will be staying in touch with the golf scene in Europe, the USA and Autralasia.

We will also be bringing you new product lines from the Callaway Golf Company, who is also kind enough to sponsor us.

In the upcoming issues, Andrew will cover the initial basics of grip, alignment and posture, starting with grip.. These are the important skills to learn when starting out. Through upcoming issues, he will develop different tuition modules designed to help players of all abilities.

There will be interviews with prominent Thai golfers such as Thongchai Jaidee as well as celebrated golfers visiting Thailand while on tour.We will also follow the progress of all the world tours and competitions looking at how the top players perform and what we can learn from them.

There will also be reviews of golf courses all over Thailand to help our readers decide from such a large choice which ones they want to experience.

If you have a question for Andrew, or a comment on the golf scene in Thailand, don’t hesitate to drop him a line at AndyGolfPro@AbsoluteThai.com

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Golfing In Thailand

The modern fundamentals of golf “Good golf begins with a good grip�

How true this statement is, the best swing mechanics and greatest tempo in the world will be rendered useless with a defective grip.

The following pictures and simple pointers should get you on track to a sound and effective grip.

Pic1

Securing the end of the club with your right hand (presuming you are a right handed golfer) place the fleshly pad of your left hand against the butt of the grip with the back of your left hand facing the target. Allow the club to lie in the crease formed between your palm and fingers.

Pic2

Pic3

Pic4

The right hand grip is a finger grip, the 2 fingers that should apply most of the pressure are the two middle fingers. You should feel that the palm of your right hand is facing the palm of your left hand.

From this position simply close your left hand around the club, notice that the V formed between my finger and thumb is pointing somewhere between my chin and right shoulder, this is what we call a neutral position.

NOTE: There should be no pressure in the thumb and forefinger, all the pressure in the left hand grip should be in your last 3 fingers.

Now simply close your right hand around the grip, again careful not to apply any pressure in your thumb and forefinger.

Notice again that the V formed between my finger and thumb is pointing between my chin and right shoulder. (The same as the left hand grip).

Summary: A good grip is one where both hands work together in unison as one unit. There is no glamour when it comes to learning the correct grip but believe me if you take the time it will pay huge dividends. Now we have covered the grip we can move onto alignment, posture and set up in our next lesson. Until then‌.good luck and happy practicing!

Absolute Slack Golfing In Thailand

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2009’s must have fashion accessory The ‘60s was a decade that gave the world a rebirth in terms of art, music, fashion, film and culture. An era when the Beatles, Dylan, Timothy Leary, The Stones, Hendrix and the spirit of ‘68 branded a generation. Interior and furniture design was not immune from this cultural revolution.

Four years ago, Felix Chan, a Hong Kong native born in ’68 and brought up in Australia revived the quintessential sixties seating concept of the beanbag and updated it for a new century.

At the time, he was working in textiles based in Hong Kong and traveling to China quite often. One morning, he found himself surrounded by an array of amazing colourful fabrics. Felix describes it as, “visual overload!”

It was here that he had a “miss home” moment, thinking back to all the good times growing up in Australia, when the memory of old vinyl comfy bean bags he used to have as a kid suddenly crept up on him. At the time, he was literally sitting on top of a pile of psychedelic fabrics. The seed of SLACK was sewn in that instant from the memories of the past and the visual feast of the present.

The first design was created while sitting with friends on a hot and humid Hong Kong evening. As a result of drinking one too many red wines while literally slacking off after a long hard day of work, Felix discussed his new SLACK universe while armed with pen and napkins. The next morning, all sorts of weird and wonderful sketches were found on scraps of napkins in his back pocket. Luckily, the next morning he found them before the washing machine consumed them.

Now with a huge range to choose from, SLACK bean bags are the ultimate furnishing accessory; combining chic and varied styling with languid comfort. Ranging from the ‘luscious plush’ through the ‘funk chair’ to the ‘vicious jaw’ (for those who love to relax in front of horror flicks), SLACK offers a range to suit every living room. The styles may vary, but the emphasis on comfort remains the prime directive.

SLACK bean bags are not confined only to the lounge or the bedroom. They also float. Felix describes the genesis of the award-winning ‘floating amphibious lounger’.

“Growing up in Australia and living in Hong Kong I’ve always been close to water and beach cultures. On one weekend boating trip, it occurred to me that the only thing missing from the beautiful scenery and friendly atmosphere was... comfortable seating.

After ten months of sketches, numerous prototypes and endless water tests, the world’s first shapeable, floating Amphibious Lounger was born. Its special porous fabric allows water to enter and bond with the beans filling to enable stability as it floats. It shapes up equally well on deck, and is hugely relaxing. This is amphibious seating ecstasy.

Whether on dry land or floating in the pool the SLACK beanbag range provides the ultimate in chic design and relaxing comfort.

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Absolute Golfing Slack In Thailand

amazing Amphibious Loungers are designed for yachts, pleasure crafts, junk boats, pools and decks are the most innovative floating chair. Its “Hull” is designed with a wide base for extreme stability and is made with a special double layer nylon sandwich construction. This delicate fabric is chosen for its light weight, and the ability to pass water through easily. This does not make the Amphibious Lounger water-proof, however, it allows it to sit slightly below the water line, similar to a boat, while the user is able to sit and shape it according to his or her body curves. You’ll also find two safety rings located at the back for tethering ropes while using the Amphibious Lounger in open water. You can leave the unit in the pool, or when not in use, gently lift the unit out of the water, spray fresh water to clean, and then leave to drain dry.

Amphibious Lounger

SLACKS

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Absolute Slack Golfing In Thailand

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SLACK FOR KIDS

SLACK FOR HOME

SLACK FOR PET

SLACK FOR FUN

Email: Slack@AbsoluteThai.com, Tel: +66 (0) 76 330 471 (Eng & Thai) (24 Hour Answering Service) Free Delivery (Feb-Mar)

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Zonda

Zonda

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Zonda

he ultimate four-wheel expression of wealth and taste no longer wears a Ferrari or a Porsche badge. The f430 and 911 are too common for most multi-millionaires to consider as a favorite car these days.

While one of each is often parked in the garage, the first key fob these people would reach for on a Sunday morning is likely to operate the locks of something much more exclusive, like a Bugatti or Blenheim‌..or a Pagani.

suggests, the new Cinque is limited to a run of just 5 cars, all with a price tag of $1.23 million (42.6 million baht). The car features advanced carbon underpinnings, and promises a level of driver involvement few buyers will ever experience.

Pagani is a relativity small-scale Italian manufacturer that made a very big noise when it unleashed the Zonda in 1999.

This car was described as automotive art, and it heralded from the same Modena stomping grounds as Maserati. Only around 70 models have been produced since then, each blending jaw-dropping looks and breathtaking performance with the kind of quality and exclusivity money cannot buy.

Of course, the newcomer has an advantage of a brilliant starting point. The standard Zonda F is more than just a modern design masterpiece. It’s car porn! With its delicious front end, perfectly formed profile and pert rear-end. To this, the Cinque adds a longer front spoiler and central intake, plus an even wider rear wing and extra air intakes for the rear brakes.

The modifications enhance down force at high speeds; you get an extra 750kg at 190mph and above. This also provides the car with an even more special appearance. The Cinque would turn heads in a school for the blind.

So it is fitting that Pagani is bringing the curtain down on Zonda production with a very special model. As its name

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Zonda

Zonda

Also setting the newcomer apart are the forged titanium wheels: 19-inchers at the front and 20-inchers at the rear. Even the bolts and nuts are created from the high tech material which hints at what’s under the skin - while the rims wear the very latest Pirelli Pzero tires.

The Zonda has always been based on a carbon composite chassis. The Pagani firm prided itself on drawing from the world of motorsport. But now, Pagani is striking out on its own with a new carbon titanium compound which will eventually form the replacement for the Zonda, although engineers have been allowed to use it on the last-of-the-line model.

What difference does the trimming of a few sacks of potatoes make to a super car like this? A large portion; because Pagani has upgraded the AMG-sourced V12 to provide the kind of roasting that will leave its rivals mashed.

The firm has worked closely with a Mercedes tuning arm over the years, but the V12 in the latest model is the result of the most successful collaboration yet. It delivers 678bhp and 780Nm of torque to the rear wheels.

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What’s more, for the first time, Pagani has mated the engine to a sequential transmission complete with steering mounted paddle shifters. That means gear changes are even faster and more involving, and enables the most talented drivers to propel the car from 0-62 mph in less than three and a half seconds. Keep your right foot pressed hard into the beautiful quality carpet, and the car will keep pulling all the way to 225 mph.

If it were a purely Italian car, the Cinque would be a complete nightmare for a novice to drive. But the Germans being Germans, AGM engineers insisted on fitting traction control and anti-lock brakes to help people tame the beast.

This means the car stops as well as it goes: the carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes bring the automobile to a halt from 62 mph in 2.1 seconds and from 124 mph in 4.3 seconds. This is truly amazing stuff.

But drivers will soon realize that there’s no need to scrub that much speed off when entering a corner, as the Cinque handles immensely well. The suspension and springs are constructed from ergal and titanium, and use the latest technology from Ohlins.

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Zonda

The set–up offers a huge range of adjustments, although no matter which you choose, it’s very stiff. As the underpinnings combine low weight with incredible rigidity, the body is impressively rigid and controlled through bends, while the steering is as delicate and precise as you would expect from a car in this class of the market.

‘Responsive’ doesn’t even begin to describe the Cinque. It’s as if it knows how hard you’re going to press the throttle or move the steering wheel before you actually do it.

This incredible driver-focus is carried over into the cabin, which is as beautifully conceived as the rest of the package. The Zonda F cockpit is a work of art. The Cinque has unique Toora leather sports seats and four point belts. The exposed steel roll bars have a carbon fiber coating to complete the cars special feel.

Everything is finished to the highest standard by Pagani’s skilled hand-craftsmen, and when on the move, the cabin serves up the perfect marriage of sportiness and refinement. It happily switches from comfortable grand tourer to a track day beast when you want it to.

Of course, all this is relative. Even if you had the money, you would struggle to get close enough to look at the Cinque’s cabin, let alone call one your own. A Zonda F is difficult to find, and it is set to be squirreled away to private race tracks by reclusive millionaire owners. And while a closed circuit is the best place to exploit its incredible combination of performance and handling, if you’ve got it you should flaunt it, and let the rest of the world see more of this drop dead gorgeous machine.

Pagani Zonda Cinque Engine: 7.3 liter AMG V12 Power/Torque: 678bhp/780Nm 0-62: 3.4 Seconds Top Speed: 225 mph+ www.paganiautomobili.it

Zonda

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Win The Art of Sound.

Zeppelin, from Bowers & Wilkins

Do you ever feel like your not getting the most out of your ipod?

Do you also feel like life is passing you by?

Well while we can not do anything with the latter problem, the former can be solved instantly thanks to the new sexy Zeppelin, from Bowers & Wilkins This slick looking home entertainment system features a universal docking system for all your ipods. Once docked not only will your ipod play and charge simultaneously ,you’ll be able to operate both pod and player from across the room using the supplied remote control, leaving you free to do nothing but sit back and wallow in your own sonorous nivana, flicking through your digital tunes at a whim.

Available in Polished stainless steel with black trim, make your ipod all it can be.

www.bowers-wilkins.com

Win Thanks to our friends at Bowers & Wilkins, and the Absolute Thai magazine we have two Zepplin systems to give away to you, for the best photograph. Runners up will receive one of the following prizes. Absolute Slacks (2) or a three day mini breaks to the beautiful island of Phuket.(3) All you have to do is send us a photograph (1Mb) of the most unusual place or activity you were doing whilst reading your copy of Absolute Thai.

Please post all photos or Email to: TheEditor@AbsoluteThai.com 42/11 Taweewong Road, Patong Beach, Kathu , Phuket 83150, Thailand.

Please Enclose full Contact Details: Winners will be notified by Email, deadline May 6th 2009.

3 day Mini Breaks

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Tropical Vegetable Garden

Building a No Dig Vegetable Garden The No Dig Garden is built on top of the ground, so you can start building a vegetable garden anywhere. This is organic gardening at its simplest and best, and is a lot easier than you think.

Have you wondered what the secret is to easy vegetable gardening? Or perhaps, like many, you follow traditional methods of growing vegetables but find it too tiring or time consuming or are beset with weeds. Perhaps you find it hard to bend or do physical activity for long, or perhaps you feel frustrated by a lack of time. The Thai heat can sap a person’s energy quickly when working out in a garden too. The no dig vegetable garden is the answer to all of these problems.

Building a vegetable garden of this sort is extremely attractive for those sites that have poor soil or invasive weeds. It is also a great way to build a garden for those that cannot, or do not want to, dig a good size vegetable garden. The no dig garden is exactly what it describes: a fertile garden bed with no digging at all. It involves layering clean, organic materials that will literally compost around your plants as they grow.

First thing of course, is to choose the site for building the garden. Make sure the site is level and that it gets at least 5 hours of sun a day.

If the site is not reasonably level, smooth out the humps and bumps as best as possible, then fill the gaps and any lower edges with soil, sand or whatever organic material is at hand, such as bark, leaves, twigs, washed seaweed, paper, jute, wool carpet or similar. As this rots down, you will need to add more compost to these low areas and gradually build them up.

If the ground is on too much of a slope, build a terraced vegetable garden. You can make a grand affair with formal retaining walls, or just shore levels up with branches, bricks, planks, corrugated iron or other obtainable materials.

If you are planting a vegetable garden directly over lawn or

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20-25cm high (8-10 inches) or more. A raised border retains the organic material within, discourages invasion of the surrounding lawn or weeds, deters various people and critters and means less back bending.

Lay down a layer of pads of lucerne hay (sometimes called alfalfa) leaving no gaps, to a height of 10cm (4 inches). Talk with your local water buffalo owner to find out where to get the hay. Afterwards, layer on some good organic fertilizer on top to a height of roughly 20mm (1 inch). This can be just about any sort of good quality material like well rotted chicken, cow or water buffalo manure (do not use pig manure). If you do not have this sort of material available, sprinkle in a layer of good natural commercial fertilizer. There is no need to go the full 1 inch depth with the commercial material because of its potency.

weeds, you can mow the area to ground level and build the garden on top, or you can leave the vegetation to decay underneath in time – as long as you cut out the light.

Add a thick layer of loose straw to the garden 20cm (8 inches) and then another layer of fertilizer. Top your new no dig garden off with 10cm (4 inches) of compost.

If you are planting your vegetable garden on a hard surface, such as hard clay, an old stoney yard or driveway, put down some cushioning organic material first (as above, bark, leaves, etc.).

Water the garden until it is wet but not soaking. You can now start planting your seedlings immediately for an instant garden!

Starting to build a no dig garden Begin with a newspaper layer of at least 5 pages – or 20 or so pages if you like (you can also use cardboard, sacking, natural carpet, etc., but do not use any plastic) to at least 5mm (Ÿ inch) thick.

Worms are an essential part of the no dig garden, and will invade the area naturally and are necessary to aerate the layers.

The bed will break down into a nutrient-rich soil, so it will need to be kept topped up with fresh layers of organic matter. Why dig a garden the conventional way when there are millions of worms willing to do the work for you.

It helps to surround the garden with some sort of border material. This can be bricks, logs, planks or rocks and can be

Building a vegetable garden like this can be achieved in a couple of hours if you have the materials on hand. Build several

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garden beds in different shapes to add interest and variety to your gardening.

No dig gardens are just the same as other gardens, but they are just a lot easier to build and maintain.

Planting a vegetable garden No dig gardens are more successful if you plant HYPERLINK “http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/vegetableseedlings.html” seedlings rather than seeds. The seeds can get lost in the mix and you are less certain about where everything will come up. With seedlings, you have a better idea of where things are. Also, with the rich organic materials in this sort of garden you can plant more intensively than you would with a normal garden.

What will do well? Beans, peas, capsicum, eggplant, tomato, lettuce, sweet corn, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and vine crops like melons and pumpkins grow well in Thailand’s tropical climate. A selection of herbs can be planted as well. Root crops should not be tried until the bed is more mature. There will of course be a slight variation of what will grow well and what will not based on your exact location in the country. At the higher elevations in the north, the melons and pumpkins will have a harder time growing, while the lettuce and broccoli might struggle a little in the rest of the country due to the intense heat and humidity. A good idea would be to plant whatever you think you want and see what happens. Consider your first crop to be an experiment!

Once your seedlings are in place, cover exposed areas with another layer of mulch. This can be straw, grass clippings or leaves. Try to keep the stems of your young plants clear of the mulch to discourage stem rot.

Some additional hints: Only make your gardens twice as wide as your arm length. By that, make sure you can reach into the garden to the halfway mark for harvesting and weeding.

You should avoid walking on your no dig garden. It will

compact the layers of organic material and may cause problems later. It may also track undesirable things (weed seeds especially) into the bed.

A good idea, if you want to plant out your garden the same day you build it, is to water the layers of materials as you lay them down. The straw layer in particular takes some time as straw does not readily absorb water. Pre-soaking the bales in standing water can also help if it is an option for you.

With the no dig garden you are, quite literally, unrestricted to its size or shape. So try some different things. Plant your climbing beans with your corn so one supports the other.

Put some herbs around your cabbage or tomato plants.

Researching the principles of HYPERLINK “http://www.no-digvegetablegarden.com/companion-planting.html”companion planting will provide inspiration. Organic gardening is all about a garden in tune with itself.

Plant in clumps rather than rows if it suits the sun situation.Rotate your crops so you take full advantage of your growing season.The secret to having a really successful no dig garden is HYPERLINK “http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/plan-a-vegetablegarden.html planning.

Keep topping up your gardens as they bed down and rotate your crops. Each time you re-plant a patch, add some compost and always mulch around the new plants. The mulch will keep down weeds, retain moisture and promote fast, healthy growth.

Talk with locals or others who have gardening experience in your area and see what knowledge they have to pass on to you.

If, after three to five years, you find that the intensive cropping has reduced the soil nutrients to the extent that plants are not doing as well, you can simple empty the bed, and refill with a new recipe of newspaper through to compost!

Tropical Vegetable Garden

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Horoscope Tropical Vegetable Garden

Aries

Mar 21/Apr 20

Worrying about the future is a waste of time. You’ve got to put your best foot forward and go back to work.

Fortunately,there is plenty to be done.By submerging yourself at work, your fears will abate. An old friend could contact you.

A reunion will be great fun. Seize the reins of leadership with regard to a career opportunity. People may say you’re crazy for taking on such a project but in due course they’ll see you had method in your madness

Taurus

Apr 21/May 21

Gemini

Mar 22/Jun 21

Cancer

Jun 22/Jul 23

You may feel a little sensitive about your educational background. While it’s true some of your rivals have better schooling, they lack your common sense approach. Keep this in mind the next time you have to promote your agenda.

A respected teacher could offer their support. You may have to revise some career plans. It will take longer to achieve your goals than you anticipated.

In the meantime, seize this opportunity to get advanced management training.

Payment for a job done some weeks ago could finally reach you. Resist the temptation to spend it all on one big shopping spree. By putting a significant portion toward a home purchase, you’ll get good value for your labour. This is an especially good time to purchase durable appliances that are designed to last for years. Revisiting certain beliefs you held as a youngster could be illuminating. Think back to your first exposure to religion or politics.

The results of a self improvement programme are evident to everyone. Go ahead and treat yourself to a flattering outfit or top to toe makeover. If you’re not sure how to proceed, ask a friend whose classic style you’ve always admired.

It may be necessary to revise a retirement or college fund. Taking a more aggressive approach will help you keep pace with inflation. It’s not in your nature to take gambles, but a few calculated risks will pay off.

Leo

Jun 24/Aug 23

You’re finally moving past a difficult period of seclusion when you learned a lot about your strengths and weaknesses. Use this knowledge to overcome a destructive habit. Gaining this new level of control will put you in line for a very lucrative job. A new level of focus and energy will help you tackle projects that once would have intimidated you. Don’t waste any emotional energy on an old amour trying to worm their way back into your life.

Virgo

Aug 24/Sep 23

A group project finally comes to a close. Fortunately, your stellar efforts will be singled out for favourable attention.

Don’t be surprised if you’re offered a plum position as a result of this job. Fortunately, you have plenty of experience in this realm. Granted, you may have to learn how to use the latest equipment and software programs, but that shouldn’t be a problem. You have a keen mind and a creative spirit. Both gifts will help you realise a new level of personal and professional success.

Libra

Sep 24/Oct 23

Submitting your creative efforts for review will pay off. Yes, some of your work may not be understood, but the majority of your efforts will be lauded. Let this inspire you to return to a favourite hobby from childhood. Painting, writing, or playing music will make you feel years younger. A respected family member has valuable spiritual advice. It may seem a little old fashioned, but it has great relevance for your life. Don’t be so quick to dismiss their words of wisdom.

Scorpio

Oct 24/Nov 22

SAn academic degree, publishing contract, or legal decision could be awarded to you. You’ve worked long and hard to get to this point. Revising some domestic arrangements will improve family relationships. Allocate jobs according to people’s ability. Yes, it may take some time for these novices to master cooking, cleaning, or grocery shopping, but practice makes perfect.

Encourage an old friend to add to their job skills. You may not know it, but your opinion means the world to them.

Sagittarius

Nov 23/Dec 21

At long last, you’re able to move past intense public scrutiny.

Take this opportunity to pursue stalled plans concerning your career. This is a rare opportunity to leave an unhealthy situation behind, for once and for all. Don’t listen to well intentioned people who issue all sorts of dire warnings. They have got their facts wrong. If you’re in contention for a job, ethical behaviour will put you in prime position so be scrupulous in all of your dealings.

Capricorn

Dec 22/Jan 20

A close relationship gives you the strength you need to venture into the unknown. Lean on a romantic partner or close colleague if your courage starts to flag. They’ll give you all the encouragement you need to go back to school, fight a legal dispute, or publish a book. Money that was promised to you could be held up in court. Be patient and keep meticulous records of your dealings with your debtor. An experienced legal professional could provide invaluable advice.

Aquarius

Jan 21/Feb 19

A fitness regimen comes to a satisfying conclusion. You could finally reach your desired weight or gotten your cholesterol under control. Give yourself a reward, like a sexy outfit or some expensive toiletries. Of course, you can’t afford to slack off now. You need to keep working to maintain these results.

Still, you’ve established some good habits. Keep them up. If you have to go back on a promise, offer a sincere apology, and look for a way to make amends.

Pisces

Feb 20/Mar 20

An artistic project comes to fruition, and you couldn’t be happier with the results. A respected expert could single you out for favourable attention. Take their words to heart, as they are utterly sincere. Pay no attention to self doubt that comes bubbling to the surface. Now is not the time to second guess yourself.

Taking the helm of a charitable organisation will be a rewarding challenge.

Your empathetic attitude will be a welcome change from past leaders.

Tropical Vegetable Garden

85

Historically, the “Absolute Group of Companies” has been supporting local schools as part of the company’s community support program for many years. With it’s offices in Samui, Pattaya, Bangkok and Phuket, and the hundreds of people that work within Absolute, it is fairly big topic to discuss on who and where and how we should support the community and the development of Thailand’s young future leaders, skilled workers and businessmen etc.

Well, at Absolute we are extremely proud to say that we have two such individuals who direct our combined energy in the most positive direction that we can within the community to the benefit of all. In the case of Absolute all credit for the creation of the community support program goes to the honorable Khun Samarn Saingthong (Most Senior Business Directorial Advisor to the Chairman of the Absolute Group of Companies) and Khun Malinee Srisaikaew (Head of Financial Controls - Thailand) for their own personal commitment to providing the ideas that create these opportunities for students to be successful in their future educational endeavors, careers, and within the community itself.

In the attached photographs, Khun Malinee Srisaikaew,Financial Controller of Absolute, presented the new year gifts including computers, games and toys, to the support learning skills program and development for the students at the Wat Boondarikaram School, Samui, Thailand, who are just one of the many schools that we look after.