Absolute Thai Magazine 18

Absolute Thai

Individuality

Lady Gaga October / november 2010

Travel A n ta r t i c a

FREE October / November 2010

Rolls - Royce Ghost

ABSOLUTE THAI CONTENTS

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Contents 8 W h at ’ s O n

54 De s t i n at i o n s

Upcoming Events in Thailand

Antarctica

12 Hea l t h & W e l l - b e i n g

64 M o v i e D i r e c t o r

Sleep

David Winters

21 C o v e r F eatu r e

74 R o l l s - R o y c e

Lady Gaga

Ghost

30 d u s i t D 2 b a r a q u d a P atta y a

The style of things to come

40 T r a v e l Qatar Airways

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W ELCO M E TO A BSOLU T E T H A I LI F E S T YL E M AG A Z IN E O c t o b e r / N o v em b e r 2 010

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his edition of Absolute Thai focuses on luxury and comfort, with a little wild-side thrown in for good measure. Our article on Qatar Airways, now flying out of Phuket, details their commitment to providing superior customer satisfaction and comfort, which is unfortunately becoming most difficult to find these days in air travel. If I am going to fly from Dubai to Houston, my hometown, I am most definitely choosing Qatar Airways’ direct, non-stop flight. It might be the longest commercial flight currently offered by any airline, but I know I will be well taken care of with plenty of distractions to make the 17 hours “fly” by. If you are in Phuket, you must pamper yourself and stay at The Pavillions in one of their new private spa villas. Read the article, and you will understand why. At the top of our extravagance list for this issue is the article on the beautiful and graceful Rolls-Royce Ghost. This machine puts the already superior brand at a new height.

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To see how a wholesome young lady turns into a Mother Monster, check out the fascinating story of Lady Gaga’s meteoric rise and transformation into one of the most celebrated, controversial and recognizable character in today’s world.

And for people who will be in Thailand to witness one of their most beautiful traditions, Loi Krathong (see page 9), you are in for a most wonderful treat. Enjoy Thailand!

21 TIM KNIGHT E DI T OR CR E DI T S CHAIRMAN: Bryan Lunt Bryan.Lunt@AbsoluteThai.com MANAGING DIRECTOR (THAILAND): Andrew C. Parker ap@AbsoluteThai.com EDITOR: Supachart Ruamsamu Supachart@AbsoluteThai.com FEATURE EDITOR: Tim Knight TimKnight@AbsoluteThai.com GENERAL MANAGER: Callum Mckay Callum@AbsoluteThai.com PUBLISHER: Absolute Group

A d v e r t i s i n g Sa l e s Callum Mckay (Phuket) Callum@AbsoluteThai.com Mobile: +(66) 083 596 7537 Tassaporn Songserm (Thai Sales) Tassaporn@AbsoluteThai.com Mobile: +(66) 083 691 8784 Loran Wanigasooriya (Samui) Loran@AbsoluteThai.com Mobile: +(66) 086 267 8235 Adthakorn ‘Arty’ U-Kaprom arty@Absolutethai.com Mobile: +(66) 086 896 9550

PRINTING: Phongwarin Phongwarin@inet.co.th

Absolute Thai is published by San, Sea and Sand Co. Ltd. Registration Number 8837354810366. Registered address 42/11 Taveewong Road, Kathu, Patong, 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.

ABSOLUTE THAI WHAT’S ON

What’s on

Upcoming Events in Thailand October-November 2010

CHON BURI BUFFALO RACES

ILLUMINATED BOAT PROCESSION

October 7, 2010 At the City Hall, Chon Buri

October 15 - 23, 2010

The Mekong River, Nakhon Phanom

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he water buffalo has always played a significant role in agriculture in Thailand.

In this yearly event, the creatures are seen in more unusual and entertaining ways than ploughing fields. They take part in buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo against man.

Beauty pageants and various other fun-filled activities are part of the attractions presented.

gainst the darkness of the moonlit night, the sight of flickering light from candles and lanterns on magnificent ‘fire boats’ drifting downstream on the Mekong River, is both mesmerising and awe-inspiring. It is this enchanting spectacle that has given the water-borne procession its very name — ‘Lai Reua Fai’, which literally means to set afloat a ‘fire boat’.

The illuminated boat procession is celebrated in I-San, the northeastern region of Thailand on the 15th day of the waxing moon to the first day of the waning moon in the 11th lunar month of the Buddhist calendar, usually a month earlier than the corresponding month in the conventional calendar. This dazzling event marks the end of the Buddhist Lent or ‘Ok pansa’ and is accompanied by a colourful street procession and cultural performances which add to the highlights of the event which is held annually.

Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya Office Tel: +66 (0) 3842 3990, (0) 3842 7667, (0) 3842 8750 Fax: +66 (0) 3842 9113 E-mail: tatchon@tat.or.th

Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Nakhon Phanom Office Tel: +66 (0) 4251 3490-1 Fax: +66 (0) 4251 3492 E-mail: tatphnom@tat.or.th

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Phuket Vegetarian Festival

THAI FIGHT

Muay Thai The World’s Unrivalled Fight International Muay Thai Champs from 16 countries compete for the title in Thailand

October 08 - 16, 2010

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he Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that the vegetarian festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe this rite. During this time, local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual cleansing and merit-making. Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples and aesthetic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coals and ascending ladders with bladed rungs are performed by entranced devotees known as “Ma Song”.

29 August - 23 October 2010 at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, Bangkok 6 December 2010 at Chalermphrakiat Stadium, Nakhon Ratchasima

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reated and organized by its Thai hosts, Thai Fight is an international standard Muay Thai boxing competition hosted in the Kingdom of Thailand — the home and birthplace of the ancient Thai art of boxing or Muay Thai. Thai Fight fully embraces Thai cultural values and reflects uniquely Thai cultural identity.

Thai Fight takes Muay Thai boxing onto the international stage and will feature Muay Thai champions from 16 participating countries. These are Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Turkey, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, Korea, Iran, and host country, Thailand.

The rules of Thai boxing which allow the use of fist, knee and elbow during the fight will be observed. Three rounds of 3-minutes each will be fought with a 2-minute rest break between rounds.

LOI KRATHONG FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS In Bangkok: November 21, 2010 Nationwide: November 17 - 21, 2010

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s the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in mid-November) lights up the night sky, throughout the Thai kingdom, hundreds of thousands of ornatelydecorated krathong or traditional banana leaf floats are set adrift in rivers and waterways in a spell-binding ritual called “Loi Krathong” — the ‘festival of lights”. This is one of the Kingdom’s oldest and best-preserved traditions.

Contact information: Mahagaap and Sport Art Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 (0) 2934 7180-3 Fax: +66 (0) 2934 7184

The Loi Krathong tradition we know of today has evolved from the royal rituals of the early Rattanakosin period in which several types of lanterns were set afloat in the Chao Phraya River and its waterways.

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ABSOLUTE THAI WHAT’S ON

CHUMPHON TRADITIONAL BOAT RACES

THE SAKHON NAKHON WAX CASTLE PROCESSION & ROYAL TROPHY LONG-BOAT RACES

October 2010 Amphoe Lang Suan (district), Chumphon

October 23, 2010

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At Wat Phra That Choeng Chum Temple, Sakon Nakhon

he Chumphon traditional boat race was highlighted as one of the unusual attractions under the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s ‘Unseen Thailand’ theme.

While the winner of other traditional Thai long-boat races held nationwide is decided by the team that crosses the finishing line first, contestants in the Chumphon traditional boat races face an additional challenge. In addition to speed, to be declared the winner of the Chumphon boat race, a member of the crew climbs up the bow and reaches for the marker flag.

The Chumphon traditional boat race is an annual event held at the end of the Buddhist Lent in October. Prior to the boat races being held, Tak Baht Devo Buddhist merit-making rituals are conducted to mark the end of the Buddhist Lent. Activities include the presentation of merit-making offerings such as offerings of food, incense sticks, candles and monk’s robes, followed by land-borne and water-borne processions, contests that draw attention to the various aspects of the hand-crafted traditional longboats such as the design and decoration of the vessels, and cheerleading contests.

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o mark the end of Buddhist Lent or ‘Ok Pansa’, communities in Northeastern Thailand or ‘I-San’ stage an annual celebration consisting of a grand procession of meticulously-carved wax castles, long-boat races and festive celebrations. On the final day of the festival, which falls on the end of the Buddhist Lent, local residents make a trip to the temples to make merit.

This ancient folk tradition has been passed down from generation to generation. Over the centuries, the tradition has evolved. Originally, ornate wax trees carved out of poles of beeswax were presented to temples along with other merit-making ritual offerings.

Contemporary offerings consist of elaborate designs and sophisticated shapes and forms. Beeswax is molded into miniature Buddhist temples and shrines or wax castles.

Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Nakhon Phanom Office Tel: 0 4251 3490-1 Fax: 0 4251 3492 E-mail: tatphnom@tat.or.th

Contact information: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chumphon Office Tel: +66 (0) 7755 6190-1 Fax: +66 (0) 7755 6191 E-mail: tatchumphon@tat.or.th

IMPORTANT Event dates and program details may be subject to change. Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand’s official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

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ABSOLUTE THAI HEALTH & WELL-BEING

How to simply improve your well being S

leep is a vital part of our life which is very important for our health and well being. Yet there are millions of people worldwide who do not get sufficient sleep. According to latest reports, about a quarter of the adult population in America is deprived of adequate sleep. Here in this article, we are going to discuss the consequences of lack of sleep and how natural herbs can help overcome this problem medically known as insomnia.

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ABSOLUTE THAI HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Effects of Lack of Sleep Sleeping for less hours than what your body requires can create serious health problems which include memory loss, low energy levels, decreased mental abilities, bad mood, dark circles under the eyes, and an increased risk of early death due to heart attack.

Modern Medicine Hazards These are only some of the ill effects of insomnia, in order to overcome this problem people resort to prescription drugs, unfortunately most of these prescription drugs result in unwanted and dangerous side effects.

Passion Flower

Herbal Alternative to Moderrn Medicine Certain herbs can have a soothing effect on the mind and the body which results in relaxation and proper sleep. Let us discuss some of these herbs.

Passion Flower Botanically called Passiflora incarnate has been traditionally used as an alternative form of treatment for insomnia. It is believed that this herb increases the levels of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric in the brain resulting in relaxation and sleep.

Valeriana Officinalis Valerian is used worldwide as an herbal sedative. It is a magical herb for insomnia patients as it puts the patient to sleep but does not cause any side effects like morning hangover, headache or any other problems.

Valeriana Officinalis

Withania Somnifera This herb counteracts high blood pressure and tension thereby helping induce a calm state of mind. It helps the body recover from stress while it is in this relaxed state.

So these are some of the most popular herbs used in treating insomnia or sleep deprivation. It is always better to resort to natural herbs in treating insomnia because allopathic drugs used for insomnia mostly result in the patient becoming addicted to them causing even greater health hazards.

Have a good night’s sleep.

Withania Somnifera

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Manita boutique Hotel PATTAYA

Special weekdays privileges Bring this page to check-in

Get 10% discount from walk-in rate (on weekdays)

Where style meet luxury.

More information visit:

www.manitahotel.com Call: +6638-489490-1

Always wanted to try‌.

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(Learn to dive with us in one day) Welcome to Thailand diving, we are IDC 5*****Master Dive Academy member of Thailand Diving Association.

We teach all courses from beginner to instructor, CMAS and PADI. We hve some of the most experienced and professional instructor in South East Asia.

Contact English: 0066 86 086 91 04 Français, English, and Thai: 0066 84 872 80 65 Address: 162/190 Moo 7, Soi 7, Thappraya Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi, 20260 Thailand Web: http://www.thailand-diving.org Email: infos@thailand-diving.org

20% Discount! on all courses, including Live aboard.

ABSOLUTE THAI COVER FEATURE

Individuality:

Lady Gaga W O RD S : Tim Knight

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ABSOLUTE THAI COVER FEATURE

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s of this writing, Lady Gaga has just posted (on the social networking site Twitter) her thanks to all of her ‘Little Monsters’ – what she calls her fans, and she is the ‘Mother Monster’ – for making her the Queen of Twitter; as she now has more fans following her tweets than any other person. This happened while she was giving a live show in Tacoma, Washington, USA. She had just surpassed Britney Spears in the number of followers, 5,735,236.

It’s no wonder that little girl from a good Italian New York family, turned into the exhibitionist, multi-talented singer-songwriter with a flair for theatrics that she is today: Lady Gaga.

Now 24, who made a name for herself on the Lower East Side club scene with the infectious dance-pop party song Beautiful Dirty Rich, and wild, theatrical, and often tongue-in-cheek “shock art” performances where Gaga – who designs and makes many of her stage outfits herself with each one being more bizarre and complex than the previous – would strip down to her hand-crafted hot pants and bikini top, light cans of hairspray on fire, and strike a pose as a disco ball lowered from the ceiling to the orchestral sounds of A Clockwork Orange. She would take her passion for being a ham and turn it into gaining the attention of the entire world.

“I was always an entertainer. I was a ham as a little girl and I’m a ham today,”

Her meteoritic rise within just the past year has been nothing short of amazing. The term overnight success aptly applies to this young lady who was born Stefani Germanotta on March 28, 1986 in Yonkers, New York. But her seemingly easily attained success was obtained due to her genius knowledge of music, art and performance, and a lot of hard work which is now paying huge dividends.

Who nicked her name from Queen’s song Radio Gaga and who cites rock star girlfriends, Peggy Bundy, and Donatella Versace as her fashion icons. “I look at those artists as icons in art. It’s not just about the music. It’s about the performance, the attitude, the look; it’s everything. And, that is where I live as an artist and that is what I want to accomplish.”

When Lady Gaga was a little girl, she would sing along on her mini plastic tape recorder to Michael Jackson and Cyndi Lauper hits and get twirled in the air in daddy’s arms to the sounds of the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. The precocious child would dance around the table at fancy New York’s Upper West Side restaurants using the breadsticks as a baton. And, she would innocently greet a new babysitter in nothing but her birthday suit.

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ABSOLUTE THAI COVER FEATURE

That goal might seem lofty, but consider the artist: Gaga is the girl who, at the age of 4 learned piano by ear. By the age of 13, she had written her first piano ballad. At 14, she played open mike nights at clubs such as New York’s the Bitter End by night and was teased for her quirky, eccentric style by her Convent of the Sacred Heart School (the same Manhattan private school Nicky and Paris Hilton attended) classmates by day. At age 17, she became one of only 20 students in the world to get early admission to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, another astonishing feet. Signed to a record label by her 20th birthday and writing songs for other artists (such as the Pussycat Dolls, and has been asked to write for a series of artists) before her debut album was even released, Lady Gaga has earned the right to reach for the sky. To have so many accomplishments under her belt by such an early age shows that she knows what she is doing. Her sound, look, performances, brand, etc., while they might look chaotic and haphazard, are truly created in advance by Gaga to produce a certain response from the public.

Her performance at the VH1 2009 music awards show is a testament to this. As her stage performance progressed Gaga made it appear as if she was slowly bleeding to death.

She wants attention and she knows how to get it.

“My goal as an artist is to funnel a pop record to a world in a very interesting way,” says Gaga, who wrote all of her lyrics, all of her melodies, and played most of the synthesizer work on her album, The Fame. “I almost want to trick people into hanging with something that is really cool with a pop song. It’s almost like the spoonful of sugar and I’m the medicine.” While most artists do what their managers tell is best, Gaga has a keen sense of that herself. She has pushed boundaries farther and fast than any other performer in recent history.

“I always loved rock and pop and theater.

When I discovered Queen and David Bowie that is when it really came together for me and I realized I could do all three,”

On The Fame, it’s as if Gaga took two parts dance-pop, one part electro-pop, and one part rock with a splash of disco and burlesque and generously poured it into the figurative martini glasses of the world in an effort to get everyone drunk with her Fame. “The Fame is about how anyone can feel famous,” she explains. “Pop culture is art. It doesn’t make you cool to hate pop culture, so I embraced it and you hear it all over The Fame. But, it’s a sharable fame. I want to invite you all to the party. I want people to feel a part of this lifestyle.” It is this attitude, like taking a few seconds to thank her Twitter fans during a live show, that, even though she is eccentric, makes many fans adore her.

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ABSOLUTE THAI COVER FEATURE

By the time this article goes to press, Lady Gaga will have done or said something that will make headlines. Be sure and check tomorrow’s entertainment section of your favorite news source.

– where she crowd surfed, an activity few musician do anymore – and Winter Music Conference performance in March 2010. “This new show is the couture version of my handmade downtown performance of the past few years.

It’s more fine-tuned, but some of my favorite elements to my past shows – the disco balls, hot pants, sequin, and stilettos – will still be there. Just more fierce and more of a conceptual show with a vision for pop performance art.” Her smash-hit Poker Face and her latest album, Fame Monster, have put her on an even higher perch.

The CD’s opener and first single, Just Dance, gets the dance floor rocking with its “fun, Hollywood, celebratory vibe.” As for the equally catchy, Boys Boys Boys, Gaga doesn’t mind wearing her influences on her sleeve. “I wanted to write the female version of Motley Crue’s Girls Girls Girls, but with my own twist. I wanted to write a pop song that rockers would like.”

Beautiful Dirty Rich sums up her time of self-discovery, living in the Lower East Side and dabbling in drugs and the party scene. “That time, and that song, was just me trying to figure things out,” says Gaga. “Once I grabbed the reigns of my artistry, I fell in love with it more than I did with the party life.” On first listen, Paparazzi might come off as a love song to cameras, and in all honestly, Gaga jokes “on one level it is about wooing the paparazzi and wanting fame. But, it’s not to be taken completely seriously. It’s about everyone’s obsession with that idea. But, it’s also about wanting a guy to love you and the struggle of whether you can have success or love or both.”

It’s been a while since a new pop artist has made her way in the music industry the old-fashioned/grass roots way by paying her dues with seedy club gigs and self-promotion.

This is one rising pop star who hasn’t been plucked from a model casting call, born into a famous family, won a reality TV singing contest, or emerged from a teen cable TV sitcom.

“I did this the way you are supposed to. I played every club in New York City and I bombed in every club and then killed it in every club and I found myself as an artist. I learned how to survive as an artist, get real, and how to fail and then figure out who I was as singer and performer. And, I worked hard.”

Gaga shows her passion for love songs on such softer tracks as the Queen-influenced Brown Eyes and the sweet kiss-off break-up song Nothing I can Say (eh eh). “Brown Eyes is the most vulnerable song on the album,” she explains. “Eh Eh is my simple pop song about finding someone new and breaking up with the old boyfriend.”

An entire book could be written about Lady Gaga’s fashion choice – or, better yet, photographs of her would make for an excellent coffee table book – since it evolves faster than cameramen can snap photos. Her trend has influenced all four points on the globe. Do a Google search “Japanese Lady Gaga fans” and prepare for a stunning collision of East meets West, Gaga style.

For the new tour for this album, fans will be treated to a more polished version of what they saw (and loved) at her critically acclaimed Lollapalooza show in August 2009

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ABSOLUTE THAI dusit D2 baraquda Pattaya

dusitD2

baraquda Pattaya

The style of things to come

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he stunning 5 star dusitD2 baraquda is causing quite a stir down Pattaya way. The second of this new and exciting style of hotel, brought to us by the world renowned Dusit chain, is attracting a new generation of young professional business and leisure travelers alike. The cleverly thought out design is a mixture of simplicity and flair with the emphasis on an aqua theme; hence the creative spelling of baraquda

Situated in the heart of Pattaya, you are within easy reach of world class shopping malls, and vibrant, incredible nightlife which is all around you. The magnificent sweeping bay is only a short stroll away.

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Khun Tasara Taksinapan, the dynamic and dedicated public relations whiz explained the concept for this new breed of hospitality. “What we want is for all of our guests to be absorbed in our laid back atmosphere and to experience our unique party style environment.” This certainly seems the case when you walk into the stunning lobby. You are greeted by attractive, young staff who are dedicated to making your stay an unforgettable experience. After you have checked in, you are offered a welcome drink of your choice, be it a refreshing beer, an exotic cocktail or even a glass of champagne. “Why should our guests, who have traveled great distances to get here, receive fruit punch as a welcome drink as in other establishments?” says Khun Tasara. Quite right!

The S.E.A. restaurant is the fashionable place to eat in town. As you sit in the breathtaking dining area you can marvel at the vibrant colours and pictures of the different cultures and countries from all over the South East Asia region. The decor is a mixture of Dusit Thai elegance with Hard Rock extravagance.

Going out of the lobby you will get your first glimpse of the magnificent “fish form” swimming pool which is designed in the shape of a fish, here you can relax and soak up the sun’s rays on the ultra modern sun loungers whilst sipping one of the many cocktails on offer from the poolside bar. Also, here you will be introduced to the “desire button”. This button is designed for speed and efficiency for the guest. As the name suggests, just press the button and you will immediately send a wireless signal to one of the many members of staff who have a receiver on their wrist, gone are the days where you have to wave a flag to attract attention to get a drink around the pool, now you just press the button and the attendant will come to you.

Executive chef Khun Chettha Waiseubkaow explained that they want to give their guests the chance to try dishes from all the different countries of the region in a luxurious setting and all under one roof. Khun Chettha learned his trade at the world renowned Four Seasons hotel in Chaing Mai where he worked for twelve years before taking over at the first d2 hotel, also in Chaing Mai. At S.E.A., only the freshest ingredients are used and are handpicked by Khun Chetta from the local fish and vegetable specialty markets in the early hours of the morning. Here you can sample a vast array of regional favorites or the not so familiar dishes; all of which will leave your taste buds tingling.

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ABSOLUTE THAI dusit D2 baraquda Pattaya

TV, great for that long lie in after a night of dancing in the hotel’s discothèque.

If you want to be pampered there are a myriad of facilities at this hotel to help guests exercise and relax, including a fully equipped fitness centre. But few facilities are as soothing as the luxury d’spa. Guests can enjoy an intimate facial, body treatments or traditional Thai massage in one of the 5 luxuriously appointed treatment rooms. All the treatments are inspired by the relationship with the ocean using only top brand products and natural ingredients.

The 8 studio suites are huge in size are very much the same as the above, with the same attention to comfort and style, but on 1 level.

The 60 deluxe rooms of are designed in a style resembling a ship’s cabin with the same wave shaped beds and the spa like bathroom consisting of the same double showers.

A very generous promotion that is currently being offered is that you can buy treatments at d’spa and then eat free in the restaurant or vice versa.

All the above rooms have balconies looking out over the pool area.

There are 72 guest rooms which come in 3 categories; all of which are the pinnacle of style and elegance. All are designed with the ocean in mind, with sweeping headboards on the king size bed in the shape of rolling waves.

The deep bar is a masterpiece of design. Built on 3 levels with a wave theme throughout, the neon lighting gives the impression you are actually immersed in the waves. Here you can drink one of the many exotic cocktails that are on offer.

With a discothèque that is rapidly drawing in the young, chic partygoers this is turning into one of the ‘must be seen at’ places to go in Pattaya.

The D’suite, of which there are 4, is built on 2 levels giving an amazing amount of space. On the first level you have a fully equipped living area with a large flat screen TV with full cable access, DVD player, safety deposit box and broadband internet connection.

If your preference is just to relax then you must make a visit to the D’lounge; an opulent escape where you can peruse one of the many chic books that are available for you. Or you might want to take advantage of one of the computers to check what has been happening while you have been away, either choice, this is the place to wind down.

With a highly polished hardwood floor the décor and furnishings are of a standard usually only reserved for visiting royalty. As you ascend to the second level up the ultra chic staircase you will marvel at the opulent bedroom. Behind the majestic bed there is a freestanding Jacuzzi waiting for you to soak away any aches and pains you may have. If you prefer to shower, you have a walk in double shower with all the luxury trimmings you would expect from a spa style bathroom like this. Above the bed is another large flat screen

The D2 also offers exceptional conference facilities having 2 conference rooms both benefiting from natural daylight. Here they have all of the state of the art equipment including LCD projector and all the necessary audio/visual equipment.

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There are many places for you to visit during your stay with dusitD2 baraquda, and all of the staff are committed to making it a trip to remember. They are able to arrange excursions to all the local places of interest including scuba diving and visiting the exotic coral islands just a short boat trip of the coast

To watch the amazing sunsets you must visit the sunset lounge. Here you can sink into one of the luxurious sofas on the large terrace and watch the sun gradually drop from the sky right above

The dusitD2 baraquda has already made a big impact in its short history, winning many prestigious awards including:

the majestic Pattaya bay, or just laze and watch the hectic, bustling nightlife which will be going on all around you with a long

Asia’s only finalist at the FX awards in London 2009.

Listed as one of the top 6 hotels in Thailand by Destin Asia magazine, the renowned travel magazine.

cool drink in your hand.

For Further Information Contact: Pattaya 2 Road Tel: +66 (0) 38 769 999 E: d2pa@dusit.com www.dusitd2pattaya.dusit.com

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ABSOLUTE THAI Aava Resort and Spa

Aava Resort & Spa in Khanom opens with Gala dinner

wife Kati who fell in love with the gorgeous and deserted beach at Khanom. The owners wanted to create a resort and spa that combined elements of their own Finnish roots with essential touches of Thai style. The result is a fresh, modern resort consisting of 28 separate bungalows designed with the crisp clean lines that Scandinavian design is famous for and a traditionally styled Thai Spa pavilion.

Samui has undergone phenomenal growth in the hotel and resort sector over the past ten years leaving some to wonder if, in the process, the island has not lost some of the charm that drew visitors there in the first place. Adventurous investors are now looking to the mainland opposite Samui to places like Khanom where pristine and deserted beaches offer everything Samui once was; a tranquil, unspoiled destination with an authentic backdrop of Thai provincial life.

The resort’s Aalto fine dining restaurant located on a beachfront terrace offers a selection of exquisite fusion dishes and an extensive wine cellar that is already considered to be the best international cuisine on offer in Khanom. Near to the entrance of the resort, Aava Pizzeria and Bakery boasts delicious thin crust pizzas cooked to perfection in a wood fired oven.

L

eading the wave of investment in Khanom is Aava Resort and Spa that celebrated its grand opening in sumptuous style on September 3rd of this year. A champagne reception was followed by a gala dinner attended by local and foreign dignitaries including the Vice Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, kamnam of Khanom and the Finnish Ambassador to Thailand. The party continued until dawn with a display of fire juggling, vibrant live music by Job 2 Do and a spectacular finale of fireworks that lit up the night sky with sound and color.

Atte Savisalo says he has great respect for the local community leaders who have shown that they are interested in learning from Samui’s mistakes in making sure that Khanom’s inevitable development will respect the environment and create an upscale and well planned resort destination that will stand comparison with the best that Thailand has to offer.

The first Finnish owned and operated resort in Thailand, Aava Resort and Spa was the brainchild of Atte Savisalo and his

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YOUR FIRST VIEW OF THE DAY, EVERY DAY...

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WWW *Terms available upon request.

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Complimentary Flights We would like to welcome you to Koh Samui for an exclusive viewing trip. We are offering the first 5 clients, quoting Absolute Thai Magazine, one round trip Business Class ticket with Thai Airways from their country of residence.* Absolute Real Estate 157/9 Moo 2 Chaweng Beach Road Bophut, Koh Samui Suratthani 84320 Tel: +66 (0) 77 413 905 Fax: +66 (0) 77 413 907 Mob: +66 (0)8 2279 6557 Email: visit@thebeach-samui.com Designed by

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ABSOLUTE THAI Qatar Airways

Opening the Middle East’s Door:

Qatar Airways W O RD S : Ted Bell

“By early next year, Qatar Airways will be operating to 98 destinations, a figure we expect to easily top 100 during 2011, which indeed is a remarkable feat for an airline which is only 13 years old,” said Al Baker. And now, all of the destinations will be available from Phuket.

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Chief Executive Officer: Akbar Al Baker

O

n October twelfth of this year, the people of Phuket will have a new door opened to them; Qatar Airways will begin offering international flights to Doha, Qatar from Phuket International Airport. These new flights will be offered every day of the week, except Mondays, with a quick stop in Kuala Lumpur, for a speedy flight time of less than 10 hours, including the Kuala Lumpur stop. This is fantastic news for travelers wanting to fly west since, from Doha, almost any destination in the world can be reached. In fact, the longest flight currently available to any traveler on the airline’s network is on Qatar Airways’ Doha to Houston, Texas, USA flight; a 17 hour journey that will carry you literally half way around the world. Of course, flights into Europe from Doha are just a jump and a skip away.

Qatar Airways will be launching flights from Vietnam’s capital Hanoi in November as well. In addition, the airline is stepping up its frequency between Doha and Bangkok from double daily flights to three services a day from the end of October.

With Tokyo, Qatar Airways’ Far East and South East Asian route network currently stands at 15 destinations, representing almost 20 per cent of the carrier’s global coverage.

Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said, “Qatar Airways is seeing strong demand for air travel from the entire Asian region and is planning to open up a number of new routes in this vibrant region.”

Qatar Airways has boosted its route network this year with the addition of seven new routes – Bengaluru (Bangalore), Copenhagen, Ankara, Tokyo, Barcelona, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. And another six new routes will be launched starting with Phuket in October this year. In addition to Phuket and Hanoi, Al Baker announced Qatar Airways’ plans to launch four new European routes – Budapest, Bucharest, Nice and Brussels – over a nine week period starting in November as part of the airline’s ongoing expansion drive.

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ABSOLUTE THAI Qatar Airways

Award Winning Five Star Service The customer is king on any Qatar Airways’ flight. The airline has a long and distinguished career of providing high quality flights for their passengers on modern high-tech airliners. In May of this year in Hamburg, Germany, Skytrax, the leading surveyor of airline passengers, awarded Qatar Airways a Skytrax Five Star ranking for service and excellence after interviewing over 18 million passengers from around the world. This award has only be granted to a very few select airlines.

As well, Skytrax awarded Qatar Airways with the honor of the “Best Airline in the Middle East” title for a fifth consecutive year; emphasizing Qatar Airways’ competitiveness and dominance in a region boasting several world class airlines.

The airline also received the distinction of “Best Onboard Catering Business Class” award in one of the most hotly contested categories.

Skytrax also awarded Qatar Airways the “Staff Service Excellence Award for the Middle East” decoration. This award replaces the “Best Cabin Staff in the Middle East” award – which Qatar Airways has won for the past seven consecutive years. The new award not only evaluates the cabin staff, but has been expanded to include all passenger ‘touch points’: onboard, at reservations, check-in and with airport personnel.

The most significant honor is Skytrax awarding Qatar Airways as the third best airline in the world; up from the fourth spot last year. This recognition is proof of Qatar Airways’ dedication to offering their passengers a flying experience that is beyond reproach.

Last year, Qatar Airways’ Economy Class was voted “The Best in the World” by Skytrax.

Al Baker said the awards were a fantastic recognition for the continued dedication for the airline’s staff to consistently deliver the best service levels in the industry.

“It is extremely gratifying to be honored with these achievements, which recognize the outstanding efforts of our employees both in the air and on the ground, as we look to offer the highest levels of service and consistency across all levels of our operation,” said Al Baker.

When it comes to safety, Qatar Airways has no rival. Qatar Airways was the first airline in the world to pass the

The audit was set up to standardize and rationalize a number of safety and security procedures carried out by individual airlines for the purpose of codesharing. Qatar Airways was assessed on flight and ground operations, aircraft engineering, maintenance, operational security, cabin operations and management systems.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit with a maximum 100 per cent compliance in 2003 and passed the test again during the renewal periods in 2005, 2007 and 2009.

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The old notion of airline food not being fit for a dog certainly does not apply to this airline. Delicious and nutritious food is served by the award winning cabin crew across all cabins, no matter if you fly premium or in economy.

Just Some of the Other Outstanding Awards and Milestones for Qatar Airways July 2010: Qatar Airways receives its 20th Boeing 777 aircraft.

October 2009: Qatar Airways wins “Best Middle Eastern Airline” at TTG Asia Travel Awards for fourth consecutive year.

June 2010: Qatar Airways launches its first routes to South America, launching daily flights to Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. The airline now serves six continents.

September 2009: Qatar Airways wins prestigious “Airline of the Year” accolade at the annual TTG (Travel Trade Gazette UK) awards in London.

January 2010: Qatar Airways announces a world first – a joint study with Qatar-based and industry partners into the development of sustainable bio jet fuel.

September 2009: Qatar Airways named “Best Business Class Airline in China” at the China Travel & Meeting Industry Awards organized by Travel Weekly China.

December 2009: Qatar Airways launches first flights to Australia, into the Victorian State capital of Melbourne.

May 2009: Readers of Dubai-based Business Traveler Middle East magazine named Qatar Airways’ Economy Class as “Best in the Region.”

November 2009: Qatar Airways wins “World’s Leading Airline – Business Class” award at the 16th World Travel Awards in London.

May 2009: Qatar Airways wins “Best Business Class in the Middle East” and “Best Cabin Crew” in the region at the World Travel Awards held in Dubai.

October 2009: Qatar Airways completes world’s first commercial passenger flight powered by gas-to-liquids (GTL) aviation jet fuel, using an Airbus A340-600 from London Gatwick to Doha.

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ABSOLUTE THAI Qatar Airways

Comfortable and High-Tech Travel Travelers of Qatar Airways see why the airline has won so many awards and accolades as soon as they take their seat; actually from the moment they make contact with Qatar Airways they notice a difference. It is immediately apparent that a lot of thought and care about the passengers’ comfort and needs went into their seat and cabin designs.

The carrier has aircraft orders pending delivery for more than 200 jets worth over US$40 billion and is one of the customers of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ with five on order and scheduled for delivery from 2012, by which time the New Doha International Airport would have opened.

In line with the company’s philosophy to be innovative, the airline operates the world’s only dedicated commercial passenger terminal for its First and Business Class passengers at Doha International Airport.

As for the seats themselves, how do seats that recline to completely flat – 180 degrees – sound? On the airline’s flagship aircraft – the Boeing 777, this wonderful feature comes standard in business class and in other aircraft types this luxury is offered in first class.

With the world’s first dedicated passenger terminal for First and Business Class passengers, built at a cost of almost US$100 million at Doha International Airport, Qatar Airways’ Premium Terminal has become an industry leader. The Premium Terminal offers dedicated First and Business Class check-in desks to the respective lounges, concierge meet and greet services for passengers prior to check-in, a spa, Jacuzzi and sauna for passengers to relax and unwind before their flight, massage treatment rooms, shower and wash rooms, conference and meeting venues, a 24-hour medical centre, duty free shopping area stocking leading international brands, to name but a few services on offer.

Even the economy class seats of Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 pitch back a very generous 34 inches without landing in the lap of the passenger behind thanks to the airline’s spacious cabin designs.

And also traveling in the spacious Airbus A330 and A340 fleet operating long-haul flights, the seats offer tremendous comfort and space with independent lumbar and shoulder support as well as foot massage bar.

The in-seat entertainment and communication systems in Qatar Airways’ planes are unsurpassed. Regardless of class of travel, passengers can enjoy the next generation interactive inflight entertainment onboard with a choice of more than 900 audio and video on demand options. From music, documentaries, movies, sport, comedy, children’s programmes and interactive games, passengers are rest assured of a great choice of entertainment.

When going west from Phuket fly Qatar Airways and see why they are redefining luxury air travel.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 87 aircraft to 92 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America. The airline will operate a fleet of 120 aircraft by 2013, by which time its global network will rise to 120 destinations.

Special offers are currently available for this new route.

Reservations: Tel: 02 259 2701-5 ; Fax: 02 204 1243 Email: resbkk@th.qatarairways.com Website: www.qatarairways.com/th

It has ordered 80 Airbus A350s, 24 Airbus A320 Family of aircraft, 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of the latter having started in November 2007.

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KC Resort And Over Water Villas, Koh Samui’s Most Stylish Resort Luxurious, self indulgent and sensual - a place where dreams can come true and where fantasies can become reality. At the KC Resort and Over Water Villas it’s all about you.

Just 95 rooms, suites and unique Over Water Villas, in as secluded estate enjoying stunning views over the cobalt blue sea and outlying islands.

The View Restaurant & Wine Lounge

Special :

KC Resort & Overwater Villas boasts a true 360° view spanning from Chaweng to Big Buddha and offers a signature dining experience with The View Restaurant & Wine Lounge. Facing the Eastern coast of Koh Samui, The View takes food to another level with Home-Crafted Cuisine. Expect to find cured meats, preserves and sauces - all crafted in-house. The menu includes all original dishes that are both simple and sophisticated.

“Present your boarding pass from any airline and receive : (valid 4 weeks from arrival date)

The View Restaurant & Wine Lounge, a 3 course fine-dining meal for 1,300THB p.p. including one glass of Champagne.

Mayang Sari Spa, for each Spa massage booked, one complimentary.

Mayang Sari Spa If you are looking for a personalized experience, our team of international naturopaths can work with you to create a health program from an extensive range of holistic activities, including Yoga, Myotherapy, Aquaerobic, ULT-Ultimate Lifestyle Transformation, Hypnotherapy, and Iridology. We are the only spa in Thailand to feature Watsu – conducted in a floating pool by our certified doctor. Also, consult with our Chef for spa menus tailored to your dietary requirements.

Home Of The Resident Rooftop Lounge Events

For reservations and specialcontract rates please contact : T. +66 77 428 076 E. sales@kchotelsresorts.com www.kchotelsresorts.com 24 Hour Culinary Hotline : T. 0856 900013 E. dining@kchotelsresorts.com

ABSOLUTE THAI Aocap 2010

ALTERNATIVE OWNERSHIP SHOWS RAPID GROWTH IN ASIA PACIFIC Alternative Ownership Conference Asia Pacific will be held in Phuket, Thailand 10th - 12th October

A

ll eyes in the Alternative Ownership industry are on Asia Pacific as more hotel owners and real estate developers look to new revenue streams. Supporting industry growth is the announcement by Absolute World Group of the second Alternative Ownership Conference for Resorts and Hotels - Asia Pacific (AOCAP) from 10-12 October at Millennium Resort Patong, Phuket, Thailand.

“Following the success of the inaugural AOCAP conference in 2009, we are excited to announce AOCAP 2010 will take place 10-12 October in Phuket. Our goal is to introduce more delegates to the benefits of Alternative Ownership,” said Bryan Lunt, Chairman and CEO Absolute World Group, founding sponsor of AOCAP. The inaugural Alternative Ownership Conference Asia Pacific was held in 2009 on Phuket Island. Leading fractional and vacation ownership operator Absolute World Group of companies, pioneers of fractional real estate in Phuket, are the founding sponsor of AOCAP. The event is also sponsored

by Group Impact & Generator Systems Ltd, Brand Tango, Dial An Exchange, ICE Asia Pacific, The Escape, and Media Partners; Perspective International, Property Report South East Asia, Global Edge, FractionalLife.com and Phuket Gazette.

The interest in Alternative Ownership (Vacation Ownership, Fractional Ownership and Private Residence Clubs) has been increasing throughout Asia Pacific, especially in Thailand which has a high growth tourism industry. In a recent report on Shared Ownership by leading hospitality consultant in Thailand C9 Hotelworks, it noted that the first half of 2009 saw Vacation Ownership sales volume of THB722 million and fractional property revenue of THB112 million on Phuket.

Alternative Ownership worldwide continues to show growth, bucking the trends of “staycation” and declining real estate sales of recent years. According to a recent report on the Australian and New Zealand fractional industry by RCI, the global industry saw rapid growth 2001-2007 even outstripping whole ownership growth, with peak sales in excess of USD 2.3 billion.

“Alternative Ownership is still relatively new to the Asia Pacific region which has been slow to adopt new revenue models. However, the last couple of years has seen exponential interest and Alternative Ownership models offer new revenue streams for hotel owners, operators and developers.”

Bryan Lunt, Chairman and CEO Absolute World

The concept of Alternative Ownership is believed to have started in Europe 50 years ago and today is a major part of the tourism industry throughout the continent. A report commissioned by FractionalLife.com and Northcourse Leisure Real Estate Solutions, ‘Trends In Fractional Real Estate Report Europe 2009’, found that the number of fractional resorts in Europe increased from 60 to 90 over 2008 and that additional locations for fractional residences in Europe remain in demand and it is anticipated there will be substantial market growth over the next five years.

Group, founding sponsor of AOCAP. The report also found that 2007-2009 saw 22,410 Vacation Ownership units and 70 fractional real estate units sold on Phuket. The market in Thailand has grown since with a number of new Vacation Ownership and fractional offerings in Samui, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Phuket, while growth in the region continues apace specifically in Singapore, Malaysia and Bali. More regional developers are exploring Alternative Ownership business models.

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te

W a O eg N el K rD O pe BO THB

0 00 8,

In the US, the concept was introduced over 20 years ago and is today a significant revenue generator for the tourism and real estate industries.

Independent and major branded hospitality groups have entered the Vacation Ownership and fractional sales arena without hesitation, attracted by the additional revenue streams and enhanced profitability that Alternative Ownership offers.

Global industry experts will converge on Patong’s Millennium Resort to share their analysis of industry trends, insight and knowledge of some of the hottest topics in the Alternative Ownership arena. Speakers from all areas of the resorts industry include Generator Systems, Jones Lang LaSalle, The Registry Collection, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses, Club Leisure Group South Africa, Hapimag, Perspective International, Interval International and the Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council.

Global Marketing, PR and Sponsorship Charlotte Rose Melsom Tel. +44 (0) 7917 167 902 Email: charlotte@aocap.org

Building on last year’s highly successful event, AOCAP Conference 2010 provides a practical forum using case studies and operators’ knowledge to bridge the gap between conceptualisation and implementation. Workshops are planned in both English and Thai language, allowing more detailed discussion in smaller groups and encouraging more in-depth evaluation of the benefits and implementation of Alternative Ownership revenue models, as well as providing a forum to answer any questions delegates may have.

Networking opportunities are scheduled in the evenings giving delegates the chance to share experiences with other like-minded individuals in a more informal atmosphere.

Leena Dayal Email: leena@aocap.org Event details & media contact Chanut Nawnarong Tel: +66 (0) 89 512 7030 Email: chanut@aocap.org Nungruthai Julakul Tel: +66 (0) 83 650 6848 Email: info@aocap.org

Delegates for AOCAP Conference 2010 can book online now, at www.aocap.org – 8,000THB per delegate.

For more information, visit www.aocap.org.

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ABSOLUTE THAI Property Talk

Lloydshare

The Premier Provider of Deferred Annuities linked to Vacation Memberships.

Complement your vacation ownership investment. hen traveling to popular beach destinations in Thailand, such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Pattaya, return visitors often switch their commonplace style hotel stay to a more permanent investment, such as that offered by long term vacation ownership plans; needless to say, resorts that offer these types of programs face the ongoing challenge of providing vacation ownership investors with the type of amenities that will keep them coming back year after year. In these uncertain economic times, vacationers can use all the assurance they can get when it comes to making sure that their investments are sound. To that effect, a deferred annuity plan serves as an insurance policy, guaranteeing the return of your investment.

W

Renowned as the global leader of deferred annuities, Lloydshare provides an investment plan upon purchasing a vacation ownership membership to secure a lump sum payment in 25 years at least equal to the original vacation ownership price.

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ABSOLUTE THAI Property Talk

Some might say these were hard times. People are seriously looking at their assets, including their Vacation Memberships; they see mounting annual costs, and wonder if the investment is truly worth it.

Psychologists and Life-coaches say “Yes!” arguing that hard times are just when we need vacations. Salespeople strive to convince people that vacations are necessities not luxuries that the benefits are purely what people have earned and deserve. Vacation Membership is a healthy, lifestyle choice, and well worth the money.

For just 5.75% of the purchase price, they offer an index linked investment Annuity designed to at least equal the initial purchase price, with upgrades enabling associated expenses, such as maintenance fees and flights, to be covered as well.

Lloydshare Limited Incorporated offers a package which effectively repays the entire costs.

Too good to be true? The Lloydshare team does not think so.

How is this possible? It is the fixed, long-term nature of the investment, as Martyn Ravenhill, Lloydshare’s International Sales and Marketing Director, explained at the most recent ARDA Convention adding “Lloydshare has successfully harnessed the combined powers of offshore financial experts and Lloyds TSB Offshore”.

“We could be looking at the future for Vacation Ownership.

In Europe property purchases are frequently linked to stock market investment, and covered by payouts at the end of a fixed term. As to the stock market crash, lessons have been learned and 90% of our investor’s funds are protected by the British Isles Government’s unlimited guaranteed protection and underwritten by Credit Suisse.”

This highly successful Panama-based company has enjoyed record growth in recent years, and is now moving beyond new purchases, to conversion arrangements in respect of existing Club Membership in the wider market.

To learn more about this program and how to become a client, please contact a Lloydshare representative at:

It is certainly convincing. Lloydshare is already the dominant player in Vacation Ownership Deferred Annuities, and the largest company of its kind in the world. With the resale market in temporary decline, their option may well prove a Godsend.

Holding on to Vacation Membership allows us to enjoy those fabulous benefits, year after year, and now Lloydshare has provided a way to get all those vacations for nothing!

Contact details Lloydshare LTD, Inc. Landmark Office: Tower 42 International Financial Centre 25 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1HN United Kingdom Tel. ++ 44 207 872 5718 Lloydshare LTD, Inc. Worldwide Corporate office: 1 Piso - Area Commercial Calle 53, Marbella WTC, Republic of Panama Tel. ++ 507 205 1993

For an additional outlay which is comparatively small, the Lloydshare option certainly seems an excellent investment for those purchasing vacation memberships.

E-mail: info@lloydshare.com Web-site: www.lloydshare.com

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location, location,

VACATION

The final, stunningly attractive and sensibly priced penthouse fractional unit has now been released for sale at the Absolute Nakalay Beach Resort, Phuket.

By appointment only.

USE O H T N E P 1 ONLY K C O L B L A N O FRACTI AVAILABLE. now. iewing, call

rv To book you

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Phuket Office: +66 (0) 76 346 282 Email: Info@AbsoluteFractionals.com

ABSOLUTE THAI AntarcticA

ANTARCTICA The Last Frontier W O RD S : Peter Holthusen

“I have often been asked what one can see in the cold, inhospitable regions of the Antarctic. And confronted by a bold question such as that, it is hard to find an answer,” said Sir Ernest Shackleton who went south with the Nimrod in 1907.

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M

y own passion for Antarctica was spawned in a blizzard in the Highlands of Scotland in the winter of 1985. Or rather, a group of like minded people who had happened to come together then, as the wind howled and the tent shuddered under the blast of the driving snow, and talk about the need for further research expeditions to the uttermost south occupied our time.

I remember us squatting round the hissing primus stove and later cradling steaming mugs of tea gratefully in our mittened hands, and how the conversation came to centre on Antarctica – not surprisingly, perhaps in these hostile surroundings.

Several years later it was my good fortune to have sailed on “HMS Endurance” for a short time during one of her ice patrols in the Antarctic. She was helping to maintain the British Antarctic Survey team’s bases on South Georgia, a scattering of other islands, and on the Antarctic continent itself. The Argentinians had long been repelled from the Falkland Islands and it seemed a splendid and civilised thing that a vessel, which was essentially a warship, should be devoting her energies to assisting scientists in their study of one of the few parts of the world where man’s influence is minimal and conditions so harsh that human beings need all the help and support they can muster.

The Antarctic is the last great wilderness, a hostile continent of snow and ice and treacherous weather. Yet it is also a place of great beauty, a land of breathtaking panoramas, wide sweeping glaciers, turbulent ice-falls and vast, majestic snow-covered landscapes. In summer these are seen under a permanent sun; in winter continuous darkness obscures everything. Encircling this remote continent is the Southern Ocean – wild, tempestuous and isolating and a major barrier even now to those who want to visit this hostile land.

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ABSOLUTE THAI AntarcticA

Despite the persistent cold, some primitive forms of life still manage to eke out a precarious existence on the continent. A few microscopic animals survive in areas where the conditions are slightly more favourable than they are elsewhere – the continent’s largest permanent inhabitant is a wingless fly. Primitive mosses and lichens are the most frequently found plants – one lichen even managing to grow on rocks just 400 kilometres (250 miles) from the South Pole. Some algae in the strange, ice-free dry desert landscape of Garwood Valley, close to Scott base, have taken to living inside rocks so they can escape the harsh conditions. There are, of course, numerous species of birds and seals to be found on and around the continent in summer, but only one, the emperor penguin, stays throughout the months of winter darkness.

Climatic conditions can be extreme. A record low temperature of -89.2˚ C was recorded at the Soviet Vostok base on 21 July 1983; a wind speed of 200 mph was measured at the French Dumont d’Urville base in 1972. With its icecap, Antarctica is roughly circular with a diameter of about 4500 kilometres (2800 miles) and covers an area of 14 million sq kilometres (5.4 million sq miles). This makes it the fifth largest continent on earth.

It was Captain James Cook who, after crossing the Antarctic Circle in 1773 and spending a fruitless three years searching the southern seas for the lost continent, finally dispelled the enduring myth of ‘Terra Australis’. Although Cook was certain that there existed no massive southern landmass, he declared that he was firmly of the belief that “there is a tract of land near the Pole, which is the source of all the ice spread over this vast Southern Ocean”.

The first person to see Antarctica was probably the Russian explorer Thaddeus von Bellingshausen on 27 January 1820, although it seems that he did not recognise his discovery for what it was. The first landing on the continent may have been made only a year later, in February 1821, by an American sealer, John Davis. There is, however, doubt about the exact spot where Davis landed and it may not have been on the mainland at all.

If Davis did not land on the continent, then the first landing was not made for another 74 years, until January 1895. In that year a party under the command of whaler Henryk Bull stepped ashore beneath Cape Adare.

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ABSOLUTE THAI AntarcticA

Now some 5,000 people live on Antarctica during the brief, busy summer months. They inhabit some 40 bases on the continent and its surrounding islands. In winter the human population of Antarctica drops to a mere 1,200 or so.

the size of France, and Paradise Harbour, Antarctica’s most beautiful bay. Retrace the routes of Sir Ernest Shackleton and Captain Scott on first class expedition ships. A hugely experienced captain, expedition leader and an expert team of naturalist guides will help you discover the region and all its wonders. Cross the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits.

Explore the krill rich seas and spectacular landscapes around Marguerite Bay. Sail through the sheer cliffs of the Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island where you will see gentoo and adelie penguins and spectacular ice formations.

For many people Antarctica is a great mystery – it often comes as a surprise to learn that the continent is so large, and that there are neither polar bears nor Eskimos at the southern extremity of the globe.

When the early explorers arrived, in the 1900s, little more than the fringes of the continent had been seen; expeditions went south in sailing ships and dogs were the main means of overland transport. A century later huskies have been replaced by tracked vehicles and skidoos, ships are purpose-built, reliable and powerful and expeditions can make use of a variety of scientific and navigational aids.

But it is the wildlife that attracts most visitors: you’ll be taken ashore in rubber Zodiacs to see some of the world’s rarest birdlife, including the endangered wandering albatross and snow petrel, plus minke whales, weddel, elephant and leopard seals. Then there are the penguins – thousands of them. Visit in November, the beginning of the Antarctic summer, to see them courting; through December and January to spot the chicks being born; and during the last days of the Austral summer, in February and March, to watch the impossibly cute youngsters head out to sea.

When I first went to Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey team in 1987, I had the privilege of sitting at the table in Captain Scott’s over-wintering hut at Cape Evans, where he was photographed in 1911, before setting off on his epic 800-mile (1,300 kilometre) journey to the South Pole. Scott and his four companions, Dr Edward Wilson, Edgar ‘Taff’ Evans, Henry ‘Birdie’ Bowers and Lawrence ‘Titus’ Oates, died on the return journey from the Pole long before I was born, but I have always been inspired by their courage and determination. Today, Antarctica is far more accessible and the continent has become an increasingly popular eco-tourism destination.

Antarctic wildlife is uniquely adapted to survive in the harshest climate in the world and so far has proved resilient in the face of man’s excesses. If the growing knowledge about these creatures is applied with wisdom there is at least a hope that they and their habitat will be preserved for future generations. This is Antarctica ...The Last Frontier.

Cruises run during the Antarctic summer, from November to mid-March – the only way to reach unique landscapes such as the Ross Ice Shelf, a glistening mass of floating ice

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ABSOLUTE THAI AntarcticA

The coastline is teeming with rare wildlife; gigantic icebergs and vast mountain ranges reflect in the freezing blue water; and the continent shivers under a blanket of snow and ice. It is like nowhere else on earth.

FURTHER INFORMATION Antarctica is the last great wilderness, with so much to see and explore. The geographic isolation of the continent has been a major attraction for tourists seeking a taste of adventure since the 1950s. There are a number of specialist tour operators offering expeditionary cruises to Antarctica. Foremost among them are Cox & Kings and Abercrombie & Kent. They are experts and have been showing discerning travellers around Antarctica for many years.

HOW TO GET THERE A number of first class expedition ships now serve Antarctica. The itinerary usually begins with a flight to Ushuaia in Chile, the most southerly city in the world.

With evening departures through the scenic Beagle Channel, the voyage encompasses the highlights of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, returning to Ushuaia via the Drake Passage and Cape Horn. Cabins are spacious and on the lower decks have large portholes; the upper deck cabins feature picture windows.

Hurtigruten Antarctic Voyages www.hurtigruten.co.uk

70 South (Antarctica) www.70south.com

Antarctic Dream Cruises www.antarctic.cl

British Antarctic Survey www.antarctica.ac.uk

SPECIALIST TOUR OPERATORS Cox & Kings www.coxandkings.co.uk

Scott Polar Research Institute www.spri.cam.ac.uk

Abercrombie & Kent www.abercrombiekent.co.uk

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ABSOLUTE THAI Profile: David Winters

David Winters D

avid Winters is a star from the classic era of Hollywood. As a dancer, actor, choreographer, singer, songwriter and screenwriter he has taken part in well over four hundred movies and TV shows. Born in England, his family moved to America when he was young.

He has known huge success in both countries. More recently he has moved to Thailand where he sees big potential for international movie making.

David was inspired by the greats of the 50 s and 60 s .

“Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire were hugely inspirational. I met them both and I worked with Gene on a TV show. Fred Astaire was wonderful in all his movements, but he was also wonderful in the timing of his pauses. I could relate to Gene Kelly more though. He was an acrobatic, muscular guy wearing a T-shirt. He did lots of leaps and so did I.”

“I have lived in Bangkok for eight years. In November 2003 I did this picture called “Welcome to Ibiza” with Gary Busey and brought it here to the Bangkok Film Festival where I won first prize. This success opened my eyes to the untapped potential of Thailand in terms of the movie industry.”

For David, then based in London, business was already good, but a change was welcome.

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“I was living in London, and, as you know, London gets cold. I had a company in London called Handmade Films. I had a series of projects lined up in Thailand and I thought initially I would give it a year and see how things worked out. Eight years on, I am still really happy being here and things are going well.”

In many ways David seemed born for show business and particularly dancing.

David and Elvis on the set of GIRL HAPPY

“Both my parents were dancers. My mother told me that by the age of two I was already dancing. When I was about twelve years old I wanted to take dance classes, but my mother wouldn’t hear of it. They wanted me to be a lawyer or a doctor - an occupation with real standing in the community. There was no stopping me though. I had watched the little black shoe shine boys on the subway in Brooklyn and I imitated them. I got an old orange crate and made a shoe shine box. I had seen them ‘snap the rag’. It’s a great sound effect. So I copied them, but I would also dance around, sing and crack jokes. I got a lot of customers and I started making really good money. I did get caught eventually and my mother put a stop to it. She said it was not a great reflection on our family for me to be doing that. She said she would do a deal with me. If I got bar mitzvahed, which is what Jewish boys have to do at 13 when they become men, then she would take me to dance class in New York City where the real professionals are.

That’s really how I got into it.”

Elvis Presley was amongst the many stars David has worked with. He choreographed Viva Las Vegas amongst other classic movies.

“Elvis was the nicest, gentlest, and most down to earth kind of person. I ended up doing four pictures with him. We had a real rapport. He seemed a little isolated.

He hung out with the ‘Memphis Mafia’ guys because there were few people he trusted, but I didn’t see them as contributing much.

I miss him a lot. He was also easy to work with too; a very professional guy.”

When real success came, it was the product of talent and hard work.

“When I was twenty years old I was only one of two people in the world who could do eleven pirouettes. I was a fantastic dancer. It took me places. I was a guest star on a Nancy Sinatra special with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Junior and Dean Martin. Through all that though, the proudest thing in my life was an Emmy nomination.”

Although David is also proven himself as an actor and director, his passion for dance is undiminished.

A STAR IS BORN Barbra Streisand and David Rehearse

“I will always just be a dancer. It’s the motivating factor in my life. When I became a director I used the movement of the camera kind of like a dance. Just three nights ago I was out dancing until 6am at the discos here in Phuket. I think people are surprised when they see me dance because I am not a young man any more and I really do know what I am doing.”

David’s passion for dance encompasses the old as well as the new.

“I love the ballet as well. When I am through Moscow I see the Bolshoi ballet every night.”

Directing Kirk Douglas in Jekyl and Hyde

As David points out, dance is rarely a path to riches.

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ABSOLUTE THAI Profile: David Winters

ONCE UPON A WHEEL Paul Newman and David on set

“It’s never just for money. Dancers are always underpaid.

They have to dance for the love of it and the feeling that performance gives them. I was fortunate because I got into West Side Story, both the show and the movie. I then went on and had a career as a director and a choreographer. Most people just carry on dancing until it is time to stop.”

There are exceptions of course, but in general standards are far lower. There is too much concentration on special effects and gimmicks and not enough on real human dramas and emotions.”

David has also been a big influence on others.

“There will be a studio of course, but there will be far more.

It will have a theme park, a back lot and a residential area.

I am going to give away homes to some of the top movie stars in the world. They can buy them for one dollar. I am going to create a community. It will be built around a lake.

There will be a central avenue lined with thirty-foot high statues of film figures like Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Buster Keaton, and John Wayne. At the end will be a fountain. There will be both indoor and outdoor restaurants and stores selling souvenirs. We have some substantial backers around the world and we are raising more. It will be called ‘Winters Wonderland’.”

David has big plans to set up a movie theme park in Thailand.

“Henry Winkler, who played ‘The Fonz’ in the 1970s hit series Happy Days, told me that when he saw me in West Side Story he wanted to be a dancer. He said it was seeing me that inspired him to go into show business. It’s nice when people recognise and enjoy your work. When you are working you just get on with it without thinking about the audience out there. It’s like being in a vacuum.”

Along the way David also got into the music business and teamed up with the Paul Simon who later went on to great success with Art Garfunkel.

David sees this as part of the growth of movie making in Thailand.

“Me and Paul were partners when young. We had an act called David Winters and the Westsiders. Our records are on sale to this day. It’s a small part of my career that still gives me pleasure to think about.”

“The infrastructure is growing. Thailand is very competitive in production costs and the facilities get better and better.”

Leaving aside the work, David loves the country for itself.

Looking at all the many projects on which David has worked, he says it is hard for him to pick a favourite.

“Thailand has something special. I love it here and I want to bring something to the place that gives me so much.

“West Side Story is still something I am proud to have been part of. It won 10 academy awards and was nominated for 14. I never actually like my own work when I am doing it. I am never happy with it. So the answer to what is my best film, is that it is always the next one.”

For me it is all about being positive, living life to the fullest and creating those beautiful moments. I love to have people like that around me. People who make a contribution to life in a positive way.”

Looking at the movie business today David sees the old days as being far better.

“The great movies are the old ones. Everything was better.

The lighting, the scripts, the acting… The creativity is gone.

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Patong Beach

PATONG’S ULTIMATE POOLSIDE DINING EXPERIENCE Where sophistication, romance and poolside fine dining combine

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ABSOLUTE THAI News-Events

Visa Cardholders Spend US$624 Million During Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2010

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categories were lodging, retail and remaining merchants, which includes lifestyle and services businesses.

hai businesses given a boost with spending topping 2009 figures; British, Americans topping list of spenders

Somboon Krobteeranon, Country Manager, Thailand, Visa said: “As the preferred partner for the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2010, we are delighted to see strong results from the Grand Sale which has helped the tourism industry in Thailand. This year is more important than ever as the country’s tourism industry aims to restore international confidence. Visa is committed to putting Thailand back at the top of the list of premier shopping destinations in Asia and the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale was a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate that.”

Bangkok, THAILAND, 1 September 2010 - The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2010 concluded on a positive note with a total spend of US$624 million by foreign Visa cardholders during the two-month Grand Sale, a four percent increase on the same period in 2009 .

The US$624 million total spend came from more than 2.6 million transactions on foreign Visa-branded cards. The spending figures show shoppers have increased the amount spent per transaction compared to last year, signaling strong signs of recovery in the tourism and retail industries following the political upheaval earlier this year.

In support of Thailand’s tourism and retail industries, Visa worked with merchants throughout Thailand to enhance the shopping experience at this year’s Sale, and Visa cardholders enjoyed attractive promotions, special prizes and a host of other special benefits.

Visa cardholders from the United Kingdom, US and Australia were the top three spenders and the top three spend

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eam members of the Amari Orchid Pattaya celebrate their recent success at the Pattaya Food and Hoteliers Expo’10 at which both the Kitchen and Housekeeping competed in a range of classes and competitions. Mr. David Cumming, General Manager (5th from right) and Mr. Jens Heier, Executive Chef (6th from right) are seen congratulating the team members on their achievements.

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ntimate in-Villa

Spa Treatment

O I

& Dinner

ABSOLUTE THAI News-Events

The Ferrari FX Club visit the Royal Cliff Beach Resort

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xecutives from the Royal Cliff Beach Resort welcomed esteemed members of the Ferrari FX Club during their Coast to Coast sprint from Bangkok to Pattaya on 28 – 29 August.

Led by the Royal Thai Police department, the 20 strong Ferrari convoy visited Silver Lake before arriving at the Royal Wing Suites & Spa, one of the four 5 star hotels within the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.

The Ferrari’s were admirably parked outside the five star plus hotel, wherein hotel guests and visitors were able to photograph the beauty of the prancing horse at its best.

Special guests including Khun Patpong Thanavisuth, owner of HiSo Party Magazine and Pol. Maj Apinace Phornphiboon of the Royal Thai Police were escorted to the Caprice Bar and Restaurant to find a magnificent Ferrari shaped ice carving and an elegant selection of cocktails, before enjoying a multi-course meal.

The Ferrari owners retired for the night in the luxury of the Royal Wing Suites & Spa before making their way back to Bangkok the next day.

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ABSOLUTE THAI news-Promotions

Come to the land of relaxation at AKA Resorts Hua Hin

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KA Resort and AKA Resort Guti Hua Hin introduce good package for relaxation in cozy and romantic atmosphere of 5–star pool villa resort with “AKA Season Retreat”. This package includes 3 days 2 nights in a one – bedroom deluxe pool villa with daily American breakfast for 2 persons, one candle – light Thai set dinner, 60 minutes massage, 12-flavour AKA homemade ice cream tasting, complimentary afternoon coffee/tea set at AKA Deli, late checkout till 4 pm and transportation to downtown Hua Hin etc.

Relax with “AKA Season Retreat” 3 days 2 nights only at Baht 18,900.

Special offer for children from 4 – 12 years supplementary charge just Baht 3,000 net / child / package. Valid until October 31, 2010.

For more information or reservation, please call 02 260 3670,032 618 900 or visit www.akaresorts.com

JW’s Health Club offers Buy 1 Get 1 FREE! Spa Treatment JW Marriott Bangkok

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e pampered yourself, bring alone a partner and enjoy ‘Buy 1 Get 1 Free!’ spa treatment at JW’s Health Club.

Located on the sixth floor of JW Marriott Bangkok, JW’s Health Club offers of a wide range of body therapies, treatments, facial and foot reflexology to restore and balance the mind and body, with the use of natural products and well-trained therapist.

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ABSOLUTE THAI news-Roundup

The luxurious InterContinental Hua Hin Resort The InterContinental Hua Hin Resort has quickly established new benchmarks for luxury in the historical town on the shores of the Gulf of Siam and General Manager, Pattama Yoshimura, said the eight-seat Cessna Grand Caravan would raise the bar in Thailand towards opulent, yet convenient, services.

The plane flies in InterContinental livery and has a full-time crew on permanent standby to make the 35-minute flight between Bangkok and Hua Hin at a moment’s notice.

“When we launched this exclusive service, we were not quite sure how it would be received, but it has been in demand from discerning guests who prefer the privacy of a quick transfer to Hua Hin from Bangkok,” Ms Yoshimura added.

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UA HIN, THAILAND – The luxurious InterContinental Hua Hin Resort has become the first hotel in Hua Hin to launch its own private air service to shuttle guests from Bangkok to the beachside city.

“We have had a range of customers from Bangkok residents to long-haul visitors who step straight of their flight from Europe, Australia or America, proceed through immigration and then get straight on a flight to Hua Hin.

InterContinental Hua Hin now offering exclusive private plane service to Hua Hin. Download hi-res image here.

“Its something we believe distinguishes us from other resorts and is another step to putting Hua Hin on the destination wish list of travellers throughout the world.”

The exclusive service departs from either Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Muaeng Airport direct to Hua Hin before a resort limousine whisks guests away for the ten-minute drive for check in.

Flights can be either one-way or return on the Cessna and packages combining the shuttle service and accommodation are available from the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort.

Swimming With...Sea Cows

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wimming with dolphins looks like fun however a little passé perhaps? How about getting up close and personal with sea cows - a totally new experience! A great opportunity is now on hand at the Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa, a new hotel that forms part of the Had Chao Mai National Park in the Sikao district of southern Thailand - that’s right, sea cows in the area around Si Kao! The upscale Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa looks onto the turquoise Amandan Sea, which is populated with all manner of coral, fish, and the friendly, lumbering and vegetarian creatures known as sea cows, or manatees.

For those looking to catch a glimpse of the region’s famed ‘Dugongs’ (sea cows), the resort has created an Eco Wild Life Trail, giving guests a chance to see Dugongs a boat and snorkel in their popular hangout spots where they feed on sea grass.

Anantara’s Eco Wild Life Trail is a full day’s programme of eight hours including a picnic breakfast, Dugong watching, snorkeling in the Dugong area, kayaking, bird watching and a nature walk through Libong Island.

For further information about Anantara Si Kao visit www.anantara.com

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The Village Coconut Island

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hanks to a loan from the state-owned Islamic Bank of Thailand, Chris Gordon, who is the developer behind The Village Coconut Island, is ploughing ahead with Phase 2, consisting of 78 two-bedroom pool villas and 116 Jacuzzi suites sited amongst waterways with a beach facing magnificent Phang Nga Bay a couple of minutes’ walk away.

On the beach front, the well established Tamarind Restaurant [continuing to specialise in traditional Thai food and beach barbeques] will be joined by a new water front bar.

A new international cuisine restaurant will be established with stunning views all the way north down Pang Nga Bay. For those looking for a more relaxed dinning experience, the bustling New York deli will be the place to be.

The addition of 2 flood lit tennis courts will, no doubt, excite many guests.

The new Village Spa, incorporates a state of the art fitness centre, holistic Hamman day spa, a Scandinavian sauna, an ‘ice plunge’ and a herbal steam room.

There will be private treatment rooms and, of course, a Thai massage zone, not forgetting a beauty salon and a ‘health bar’ for refreshments.

Situated in The Village centre, you will find a number of shopping outlets selling those items that required to make the stay complete, including souvenirs and local crafts.

For those who want to keep in touch with the outside world the lobby will feature an internet based Business Centre and conference room.

What’s more, we haven’t forgotten the youngsters and the children! We will be providing a Kids Club and crèche facilities so parents can enjoy a little peace and quiet. www.thevillage-coconutisland.com

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ABSOLUTE THAI Rolls - Royce

The Power of

Simplicity Both its character and its price put the Ghost in a position to satisfy buyers and succeed in what’s becoming a crowded subset of the luxury market.

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implicity is the hardest design principle to follow. It’s at the heart of our approach to Ghost.

Seductively simple, it offers the presence you’d expect from Rolls-Royce underpinned by the latest technology and ideas in a luxury car design.

Rolls-Royce has positioned its “cheap” model, the Ghost sedan, brilliantly, in terms of both its price and its unapologetic pursuit of comfort in a class of wannabe sport sedans.

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ABSOLUTE THAI Rolls - Royce

In the past few years, ultra luxury brands have been adding models to their lineups that are priced lower than their typical ultrarich cars, but that are still more expensive than the most feature- and power-packed models from massmarket luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. In 2004, Bentley introduced its sporty Continental GT coupe at the unprecedented low price of $149,990 and promptly quintupled its sales without damaging the brand, as some had predicted the car might. A four-door Continental Flying Spur followed, currently priced at $177,600 or $202,500 for a more powerful Speed version.

At a base price of $245,000, the Ghost comes in above the Spur and the new Aston Martin Rapide ($200,000), and well above the priciest versions of Maserati’s Quattroporte ($133,700) and Porsche’s new Panamera ($132,600), all of which have four doors.

Yet the Ghost doesn’t cost as much as Rolls-Royce’s flagship sedan, the Phantom ($380,000), or the 57 ($366,000) from Maybach, a Daimler brand. Though its retired 2009 Arnage was in the same range as the Ghost, Bentley’s all-new 2011 Mulsanne flagship starts at $285,000.

Exterior & Styling Everyone knows the Rolls-Royce name, but most people probably think of the cars as curvaceous, classic designs.

The modern Rolls is something altogether different — more angular and blocky, as led by the flagship Phantom, a tall hulk of a sedan that has appeared in both “Iron Man” movies, including a turn on a racetrack in Monaco. With styling inspired by the Phantom, the Ghost has rectangular headlight clusters flanking a traditional Rolls grille that’s large but not as enormous as the Phantom’s. The edges are chamfered and the Ghost isn’t as tall, but it’s still more blocky than fluid. Only a nearby Phantom could make the Ghost’s presence less commanding.

Where most of the four-door ultra luxury cars emphasize sport — Flying Spur, Rapide, Quattroporte — with varying levels of success, the Ghost is unapologetically soft and luxurious. That doesn’t mean slow, however: It does zero to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, which is remarkable for a car that weighs just less than 5,500 pounds. I felt the same way about the heavy Flying Spur, but it’s even more surprising in a big sedan whose styling gives no indication of its underlying might.

The Ghost’s best tricks include a traditional Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament that retracts when you lock

The might comes compliments of a 6.6-liter V-12 that’s based on parent company BMW’s 6.0-liter. Take two six-packs’ worth of cylinders, add direct injection and twin turbochargers, and you get 563 horsepower and 575 pounds-feet of torque. That’s a lot of engine output — more than you get in the Phantom, whose 6.8-liter V-12 has “only” 453 hp. The Ghost also weighs 132 pounds less and has an eight-speed automatic instead of the Phantom’s six-speed. In the end, the Phantom is slower and gets lower gas mileage: an EPA-estimated 11/18 mpg, the Ghost is rated 13/20 mpg.

the car, to prevent theft or vandalism, and “RR” center caps on the wheels that remain upright even when the car’s in motion.

What really sets the Ghost apart, though, is the optional Silver Satin Bonnet Finish — an aluminum-colored hood

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ABSOLUTE THAI Rolls - Royce

The main attraction, however, is a discreet button labeled “DOOR” on the inside of either C-pillar.

When the passenger holds that button, the rear door closes on its own. I’m not talking about a feature that snugs the doors all the way shut if you just lightly press them closed — though it has those, too. This feature takes the coach door from fully open to fully closed.

and microwave. Pay more to stay at, say, a Ritz-Carlton, and you’re likely to find that coffee comes only from room service, at a hefty price.

Though the rear-wheel-drive Ghost isn’t exactly a driver’s car — eschewing such folderol as sport modes and shift paddles — it’s certainly capable of high-speed handling, not just straight-line rocketing. There’s just enough feedback to remind you that you’re driving and not playing a video game. The steering wheel is just that, not a tiller. The engine is as quiet as, well, a ghost when it’s under all but full throttle, at which point it’s more a hum than a roar, or even a growl. Lexus would do well to find this compromise and distinguish itself, rather than chase the sportiness for which its competitors are already known.

Likewise, cars such as the Ghost want extra for extras — enough to raise our car’s as-equipped price to $305,750, including the destination charge and guzzler tax. You know those ventilated seats that come standard in some luxury cars? They’re $2,100 if you want them in front and $3,500 if you want them for both rows of seats. A massaging feature, which everyone seems to find annoying, adds $1,100 for the front and another $1,100 for the rear. The $6,000 Individual Lounge Seat Configuration adds power adjustments to the outboard rear seats, including fore/aft, recline and even lumbar support. The center armrest that bears the controls can be raised, preserving the three-person capacity in back.

Lap of Luxury As you would expect — and buyers demand — the interior is beautifully appointed. We weren’t wild about our leather’s red color, though the quality is sumptuous, and Rolls ensures that the hides are pristine and all come from the same tanning batch, just as the wood in each car comes from the same tree, so all surfaces discolor — er, mature — in unison over time.

Tray tables for the outboard seats cost $2,800, and the large screens above them come in a $6,200 Rear Theater Configuration option that duplicates many of the navigation, entertainment and communication displays and controls found on the front in-dash screen.

The Ghost’s exterior is smaller than the Phantom, but the specs show 111 cubic feet of passenger volume, which is 8 cubic feet more than the short-wheelbase Phantom’s cabin offers. The front and rear seats offer plenty of room for tall adults. The sacrifice is in the trunk, which measures 14 cubic feet in the Ghost and 16.2 cubic feet in the Phantom — midsize-car trunks in jumbo-sized cars.

Fluffy lamb’s wool floor mats cost $1,000. That seemed excessive at first, but if you think about it, floor mats are always shockingly expensive — and shorn lambs get cold; someone needs to pay for those blankets.

Thankfully, most of these options — and many I haven’t mentioned — are available a la carte, so it’s easy to pick and choose.

The Ghost is distinguished by rear coach doors, which open to the rear. Unlike some rear-hinged doors, these open even if the front doors are closed, and they swing 83 degrees, which helps mitigate one of the shortcomings of coach doors: collisions between front and rear occupants if they get in or out simultaneously.

There are option packages, too: The $10,000 Driver’s Assistance Systems Three package adds active cruise control, a head-up display, automatic high beams, night vision and a lane departure warning system that vibrates the steering wheel gently if you stray — which I prefer to the beeping type. Optional Systems One and Two pare down the feature list and the price.

Pay Extra for Extras Ultra luxury cars are like luxury hotels. Bed down at the average Courtyard or even a motel and you get a coffee maker in your room, an iron and sometimes a refrigerator

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ABSOLUTE THAI Rolls - Royce

Hints of BMW Features like the night vision and head-up display are among the only clues that the Ghost shares a basic platform and technology with the BMW 7 Series, which is nothing to be ashamed of.

The column-mounted gear selector recalls that of the previousgeneration 7 Series, and the turn-signal stalk springs back to center rather than staying in the up or down position until the turn is complete — something I dislike in any car.

mundane luxury cars you certainly expect them on a model like this, and the Ghost delivers. Ultimately, the head-up display’s liability isn’t about lineage; it’s the fact that the display vanishes completely if you don polarized sunglasses, as all discerning drivers do. Another anomaly is that the large side mirrors stick up so high they can block your forward view; even at 6 feet tall and with the driver’s seat fully raised, it happened to me a couple of times.

The navigation, multimedia and other car settings are controlled through an iDrive equivalent whose menus are more ergonomic than ever, and though there are similarities between these graphics and BMW’s, they’re elegant enough that they don’t look out of place in the Ghost. Not so for some of the Bentley Continental family’s displays, which clearly come from older-generation Audis.

Safety Typical of ultra luxury cars, the Ghost hasn’t been crash-tested.

In addition to the optional active-safety features mentioned above, the Ghost has standard front and front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags, as well as side curtain airbags for the front and rear seats. Also standard are antilock brakes and an electronic stability system with traction control.

The $3,200 Camera System option includes a backup camera with the latest in tracer lines that show where the car’s fenders will be based on the steering angle. There’s also a sky-view feature that shows the ground at the sides and rear of a car graphic — a BMW feature similar to Infiniti’s once-exclusive Around View Monitor. Finally, cameras in the front side-marker lights look left and right, allowing you to peek at cross traffic as you creep into an intersection.

Ghost in the Market Automakers take a chance when they go “down market” in price. Entering a vehicle segment dominated by rivals is another risk, and sharing components — not just a parent company — with a “lesser” brand is risky as well. Though Rolls-Royce faced all three risks with the Ghost, the company has nailed the transition. It’s beautifully executed and very much a Rolls, and the company has no excuses to make. The comfort orientation sets it apart from competing four-doors, and even the price seems well selected to compete without watering down the brand.

Many of these high-tech features aren’t exclusive to Rolls, and they aren’t cheap, but when they appear on more

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ABSOLUTE THAI The Pavilions, Phuket

Reaching New Heights: The Pavilions, Phuket Introduces

Private Spa Villas Privacy is of the upmost importance at The PAVILIONS, Phuket, and is respected by all the staff.

How does skinny-dipping with your loved one in your own pool at midnight sound?

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includes a separate steam shower room that can be used as a pre-relaxation before a spa treatment or as an after treatment indulgence to round off spa experience. Or both!

The steam shower can be used at anytime, and it can melt anyway and soothe any stubborn tense muscles.

s Phuket ascends into the stratosphere of luxury world destinations, The Pavilions, Phuket has helped to nudge it even higher by offering what luxury travelers want the most: opulence, comfort, and most of all, privacy. By November of this year, The Pavilions, Phuket will be ready to show the world a new level and meaning of lavishness and with each of the 24 pool villas having its own individual and private spa a new level of peace and tranquility has been reached as well.

Since the spa villas are already set within a beautiful and lush hideaway nestled within a terraced hillside, the views overlooking the oriental themed courtyard are simply breathtaking. Through the densely packed bamboo and tropical plants and flowers swaying in the breeze, a gorgeous crystal clear stream can be seen snaking through the premises. And looking out a little further, the beautiful azure sea will set the most troublesome mind at peace.

The all new and elegant private spa villas will set the resort far apart from the others as now, instead of guests having to leave their villa and travel to the resort’s central spa location, they can simply stay in bed, relaxed on the sofa, lounging on the deck or swimming in their private infinity pool and let the spa come to them. Guests can stay in the sanctuary of their ultra private villa, and their beautifully decorated and dedicated spa awaits only a therapist. Within the personal spa facility, couples can experience the rejuvenating benefits of a treatment from a professional therapist. The therapist will enter the spa facility via a separate side entrance, ensuring guests’ privacy is never compromised and their time in the villa is uninterrupted.

The Pavilions’ spa menu includes both traditional Thai techniques and Western spa rituals. Guests can indulge in a rejuvenating massage, a cleansing facial or a nourishing body scrub. Afterward, the therapist slips away and guests are free to relax and enjoy the benefits of their just finished treatment.

The Pavilions is the only Phuket property to use products from Aromatherapy Associates. Found in the world’s best spas, the London-based Aromatherapy Associates is recognized for the quality, concentration and therapeutic power of their essential oils. Aromatherapy Associates consultants helped create The Pavilions’ signature spa treatments and train its therapists.

As an extension of the villa, which is a very large and spacious 275 square meters for Plantation Pool Pavilion the Plantation Pool Penthouses offers, two-storey concept of total privacy covering 400 square meters. The private spa

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Epic in scale and elegant in design, access to these 24 top-tier residences will be via a cable-driven gondola lift, providing unparalleled views of the lush surrounds.

Aromatherapy Associates is also the chosen brand for The Pavilions’ in-villa bathroom amenities.

Phuket, the exotic pearl of the Andaman Sea, was voted

by The New York Times as the “Number One World Luxury Destination of the Year” in January 2009. This tropical paradise’s glory is in its marvelous coastline, which is fringed with white powdery beaches and tranquil broad bays, bathed by pristine blue waters and set against a backdrop of green hills, coconut groves and rubber plantations.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, please visit www.thepavilionsresorts.com to see the actual beauty and romance of The Pavillions, Phuket.

The Pavilions, Phuket is a proud member of the Relais & Châteaux group, recognized around the world for their independent boutique hotels. Located on the west side of the island just 20 minutes from Phuket International airport, The Pavilions sits majestically on a hilltop with panoramic views of the surrounding Bang Tao area. Since opening in 2006, The Pavilions, Phuket, has earned a reputation as the ideal retreat for couples. Indulgent, intimate and romantic, the private villas provide the perfect sanctuary. With this latest expansion of 24 individual spa villas, The Pavilions, Phuket continues the tradition.

The Pavilions, Phuket 31/1 Moo 6, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Thailand

Designed to offer total privacy and extraordinary space, The Pavilions allow couples to spend precious uninterrupted time together. With this in mind, every aspect of The Pavilions – from the impeccable service and exceptional standards – evokes a sense of intimacy and timeless romance.

Tel: +66 7631 7600 reservations.phuket@thepavilionsresorts.com

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ABSOLUTE THAI Climax

Climax Restaurant T

he success began only a few months ago with the arrival of the new concept of excellent fine dining restaurant combined with the most fun theme parties, live music, bands and soloists. In addition, of course the most popular local and international DJs. The concept of fine dine has been completely revolutionized by the arrival of a new Climax member team. The Incredible Chef Yi-Fan Chu, the new Executive Chef at Climax Restaurant. Yi-Fan prepares the most delicious dishes ever seen in Climax, creative, delicious and with a personal touch. These include the fresh Chef’s Salad, the succulent Fillet Minon with Truffle Demi Glaze, the original lobster roll and the chef’s incredible burger with blue cheese and white truffle. To complete the culinary experience the tempting homemade non-baked cheesecake. His extensive experience in kitchen English, French, German, American and Asian makes Yi-Fan one of the most comprehensive chefs throughout the island. The new Sunday Brunch promises to be spectacular. Every Sunday from 11am to 3pm Climax offer a huge variety of fresh and delicious items to enjoy of an unforgettable Sunday. The weekends will continue to be fully “Climax.” Live music by the hand of our singer Patrick John Tischart. Country, Jazz, Flamenco, Rock & Roll... all styles of live music Friday and Saturday. Moreover, alternate Fridays and Saturdays the most prestigious DJs climax continue visiting and doing those unforgettable nights in the vibrant area of Patong.

Thanapong Siri (Rut) Food and Beverage Manager, Jose Luis Duran Sanles Group Director of Food and Beverage, Yi-Fan Chu Executive Chef

Climax has become one of the most prestigious restaurants & clubs in Phuket.

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As has been unforgettable “DJ Nakadia Surprise Party“, “La Danza Latina”, “Spanish Night“ and “Splash Pool Party“.

Climax hosts a night of Spanish celebration.

Saturday 24 th July 2010 7pm

“Surprise Party Dj Nakadia“ had an excellent reception; excellent performance by the great Nakadia denied that such encounters delight lovers of her music.

Enjoy the three course set menu prepared by our very own Spanish chef, Bosco Allende. The menu will include Spain's signature dish, Paella, and a selection of the finest authentic tapas.

990 Baht includes 1 glass of Sangria After Party From 10pm – 2am, enjoy the Old School Party Hip Hop, Funk Soul and Disco sounds as DJ Tank takes us through until the early hours.

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“La Danza Latina” in an unusual Sunday attracted masses of people with Latin music, salsa and merengue mixed with the most elegant house music. The night was encouraged a lot and everyone danced until late into the night. “Spanish Night” was one of those unforgettable nights, with the essence of authentic Spanish food and Spanish authentic participation of Mr. Jose L. Duran as a Maitre D ‘Hotel (Absolute F&B Director) and Mr. Bosco Allende as guest Chef (Tapas Restaurant Own) made it a magical night.

Delicious tortilla española, croquetas de chorizo, calamares fritos, chipirones en su tinta and of course delicious Spanish Paella. The party continued late into the night with two guest DJs, certainly they should repeat this event. Lastly the cool “Splash Pool Party.” A fun party with amazing music, DJ Carlos Timon (Code DK) & DJ Tank set up a loud party, hilarious and crazy in which all non-stops dancing to the rhythm of disco music and very intense.

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DJ TANK Surprise party

Exclusive Party - Limited entrance. Reservations at E: fb@absolutebanglasuites.com http://www.theclimax.net and

T: 076 343 612 www.eventsthailand.net

T: 076 343 612 E: fb@absolutebanglasuites.com www.theclimax.net Untitled-1 1

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7/13/2010 6:56:35 PM

The best of central Thai cuisine in the tranquil south island

Welcome to Nuch’s Green Ta’lay Restaurant, located in the tranquil south of the island.

Find us at Trip Advisor.com South Island is a quiet and ideal place to unwind and enjoy the best of central Thai cuisine. Nuch's Green Ta'lay restaurant is set in a distinctive Thai setting with a Thai dragon winding it’s way across the walls.

Chef’s Nuch and Nin have been creating tantalizing dishes for years in Bangkok before moving to Samui in 2004

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Nuch and Nin are at the fresh markets daily selecting foods for your evening dinner. We have vegetarian dishes and our signature dish, green curry, was voted by our customers as being the best on the island.

We do not use any added MSG and we use low cholesterol soy bean oil.

Affordable, old and new world wines are available.

Nuch’s Green Ta’lay Restaurant 31/4 Moo5, Thong Krut, Taling Ngam, Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand.

HAIR CUT HAIR COLOUR HAIR EXTENSION

Email: nuch@nuchsgreentalayrestaurant.com Phone (Eng) : 087 887 9956 Phone (Thai) : 086 005 3938

PERMING WASH & DRY TREATMENT MANICURE - PEDICURE

129/9 Salon 62, Nanai Road, Patong Beach Kathu, Phuket 83150 Thailand Tel 080 144 1423

www.nuchsgreentalayrestaurant.com

KC Beach Resort & Pool Villas - Koh Samui’s Most Stylish Resort Luxurious, self-indlugent and sensual - a place where dreams come true and where fantasies become reality. At the KC Beach Resort & Pool Villas it’s all about you.

Just 46 rooms and pool villas situated right on the serene edge of Chaweng Beach.

Resort The second Resort of KC Hotels & Resorts will open this October on Koh Samui’s popular Chaweng Beach - KC Beach Resort & Pool Villas. This five star boutique Resort features eight Pool Villas and thirty eight Pool Access or Panoramic Sea View Rooms.

Restaurant Cow Meets Caviar, the signature Restaurant is ready to thrill - boasting a walk-in-wine-cellar and a ham and cheese room on the beach. Personalized dishes prepared by South East Asia’s renowned talent, out Culinary Instigator, Mr. Ryan Dadufalza, directly at our open air kitchen on the beach.

Enjoy a private dinner at the kitchen counter and have face-to-face interaction with our Chef.

“We can’t give it all away – come and visit us.”

With a 48 meter wide beach front, this location at the bustling heart of Samui is ready to create a new hype around beach dining and the real cocktail scene - Belvedere’s, our beach cocktail lounge, is designed to make you fade into the sunset and forget about your day; lounge, sit, lie down - just as you please. Located at the beach and providing it’s own pool and location-fitted music you will not go anywhere else.

KC Beach Resort & Pool Villas.

11/9, Moo 2 , T. Bophut, Koh Samui, 84320 Surattani Tel : +66 77 428 088 Fax : +66 77 428 099 For reservations and special contract rates, please contact

sales@kchotelsresorts.com www.kchotelsresorts.com

cow meets caviar

ABSOLUTE THAI Living

Sri Panwa

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ri Panwa offers a 2 bedroom villa (350sq.m) facing a glimpse of Lone Island, Coral Island, Yon Bay and Chalong Bay. The villa features its own infinity swimming pool with a jet stream jacuzzi, an indoor-outdoor living area, dining, pantry, large master bedrooms with an outdoor bath area and a separate rain shower, a customized layout and interior to fit the land contours and characteristics of the plot and a sunset pavilion of its own.

For more information please contact CB Richard Ellis Phuket E-mail: phuket@cbre.co.th

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ABSOLUTE THAI Social

The Red Splash Pool Party

Nok Air and All Stars at Prego, Amari Palm Reef Koh Samui

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hun Dome and Friends, Celebrate her Birthday @ East 88 - Serenity Resort & Residences/Rawai

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ok Air teamed up with a number of celebrities and members of the media recently at Koh Samui’s best Italian restaurant, Prego, at Amari Palm Reef Resort on Chaweng Beach. The group was warmly treated to the finest food and wine that was prepared by renowned executive Italian chef Marco Boscaini.

As seen in photo from left: Jessada Vichienprakarn, Napong Panthong, Jarospan Svasti Na Ayudhaya, Pinyot Piboonsonggram - Nok Airline’s VP Sales and Marketing, Suriyapa Bunnag – Nok Airline’s VP Corporate Communications, Marco Boscaini Amari Palm Reef’s Executive Italian Chef, Napamanee Krairiksh, Techin Chayuti, Wantanee Issaranuwat, Wasit Duangsong

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ikki Beach Koh Samui and KC Resort & Over Water Villas, alongside Chief Koh Samui restaurant’s The Cliff, The View Restaurant and Wine Lounge, Red Snapper, and Rocky’s Boutique Resort, reveal contemporary dining experience program, “The Secret Chef Society.”

Comprised of the top chefs and their respective restaurants, The Secret Chef Society provides an ideal avenue for enjoying the best food and service Koh Samui has to offer in the form of memberships with accompanying benefits.

Azizkandar Awang, Lionel Helena, Andy Tsavos, Andreas Kraemer, Brian Molloy, Adrian Torres, Sergio Martelli, Sebastian Meunier, Ryan Dadufalza

Contact: secretchefssamui@gmail.com

Climax welcomes new executive chef Yi-Fan Chu

Pictured are: Thanapong Siri (Rut) - Food and Beverage Manager Jose Luis Duran Sanles - Group Director of Food and Beverage Yi-Fan Chu Executive Chef

Yi-Fan Chu - Executive Chef

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Erotic Sensual Shows

OFTEN IMITATED NEVER BETTERED