Absolute Thai Magazine 20

Katy Perry GOOD GIRL GONE BAD

Travel SEYCHELLES

FREE FEBRUARY / MARCH 2011 105X14 INSIDE PHUKET(E)201010.pdf

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ABSOLUTE THAI CONTENTS

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Contents 8

W H AT ’ S O N Upcoming Events in Thailand

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H E A LT H & W E L L - B E I N G Dr.Orawan

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C O V E R F E AT U R E Katy Perry

COVER IMAGE: COURTESY SOLARPIX

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IBIS SAMUI Success Story

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T R AV E L – S E Y C H E L L E S Not Just Another Place, But Another World

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100 N O R T H E R N P H U K E T C U L I N A RY A R T S F E S T I VA L A Festive Food Festival

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W ELCO M E TO A BS O LU T E T H A I L I F E S T Y L E M AG A Z I N E F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 011

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opefully you can put your new iPad, iPhone or iPod that you got for Christmas down long enough to read this incredible issue of Absolute Thai that we have created for you (although you can read it online as well with one of your wireless devices at www.absolutethai.com). But we seriously hope everyone had wonderful holidays. I went to Europe to play in the snow and all the seats on the airplane were empty.

Everyone kept asking me why I would leave perfect weather to go to horrible weather. After I got there and got sick of the snow after about 1 day, I began asking myself the same question! Thailand truly is the perfect destination all year round, and I’m not just talking about weather wise either.

When the bill came for one cup of coffee, I almost had a heart attack! When I opened menus in restaurants I would fall out of my chair. I felt like I was being mugged for every little thing I bought. Needless to say, it cost me a lot just to build a snowman. Both I and my wallet sighed with relief upon returning to the Land of Smiles (and reasonable prices!)

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I love the cover photo of Katy Perry; she is a natural beauty, but her life has been one heck of a roller coaster ride over the past few years. From preacher’s daughter to girl gone wild, Katy Perry is a rebel with a cause.

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If you’re interested in business, be sure and check out the interview with Qatar Airways’ CEO Akbar Al Baker, and see how he has managed to outpace all other airlines in this tough economy. And if you’re considering moving around within the country, we cover many beautiful and unique hotels that might interest you.

Stay healthy and strong, and stick to those New Year’s resolutions too. Well, at least start when you get back home.

TIM KNIGHT EDITOR

CREDITS CHAIRMAN: Bryan Lunt Bryan.Lunt@AbsoluteThai.com EDITOR: James Chanodom Editor@Absolutethai.com FEATURE EDITOR: Tim Knight TimKnight@AbsoluteThai.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Jason Hull Advertising@Absolutethai.com

ADVERTISING SALES GENERAL MANAGER: Callum Mckay Callum@AbsoluteThai.com Mobile: +(66) 083 596 7537 Loran Wanigasooriya (Samui & Pattaya) Loran@AbsoluteThai.com Mobile: +(66) 086 267 8235 Vinda Kallayanamitr: Media Consultant Vinda@truemail.com Mobile +66 (0)86 355 6218

PUBLISHER: San, Sea and Sand Co. Ltd. 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 february-march 2011

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.

CHINESE NEW YEAR Celebrating AROUND THAILAND Celebrating 36 Years of Thai-Chinese Relations

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traditions diligently observed by their forefathers. Of these, the celebration of the Chinese New Year remains the most important of annual festivals on the Chinese lunar calendar observed in the various regions of Thailand.

ino-Thai trade and cultural ties span the centuries.

In times past, sea-farers, marine merchants and traders sailed up the kingdom’s rivers with vessels laden with merchandise and precious goods including Chinese tea, silk and fine porcelain. As trade between the two countries flourished, permanent settlements of peoples of various ethnic Chinese origins were soon established.

While the early settlers quickly adapted to their new way of life and adopted Thai ways, they also continued to maintain strong cultural ties and practiced the customs and

While a variety of contemporary elements have been incorporated through the passage of time, Chinese New Year celebrations throughout Thailand are a reminder of the rich cultural and artistic legacy and wealth of history preserved in these ‘living museums’.

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CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN BANGKOK

THAI-CHINESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL AT THE THAILAND CULTURAL CENTER February 1, 2011 – 15.00 and 19.00 hrs

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o mark the 36th anniversary of the establishment of Thai-Chinese relations, cultural performances will be presented at the Thailand Cultural Center.

BANGKOK CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2011

CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL AT CENTRAL WORLD February 3, 2011

February 3, 2011

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hailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports and the Minister of Culture of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will jointly lead festive activities commencing with a formal exchange of New Year wishes.

Spectacular cultural presentations by performers from the PRC are among the many highlights of the Chinese New Year celebrations at Central World.

he presentation of Chinese art and culture and a dazzling range of cultural performances and live entertainment, will highlight Yawarat Chinatown Chinese New Year celebration. It will be staged in front of the throne hall (Phra Tinang) at Odeon Circle on Yawarat Road.

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ABSOLUTE THAI WHAT’S ON

THE 15th ANNIVERSARY OF TRANG Underwater Wedding Ceremony February 13 - 15, 2011 Pak Meng Beach, Trang Province

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‘Kin nieow’ ritual

he inaugural Millennium Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony was held for the first time on Valentine’s Day 2000. The event, which attracted 30 participants from 28 countries, set a new Guinness World Record and put Trang on the world map. Video footage of the underwater wedding extravaganza was seen on international TV networks as well as in print media.

Trang province will also be sharing another aspect of local culture and tradition with the couples. The traditional ‘kin nieow’ rite performed on the eve of the wedding day will also be featured as part of the underwater wedding ceremony. It is an informal gathering of relatives and close friends of the bride and groom to celebrate the joyous occasion. The signature dish served during the evening’s meal is a chicken curry prepared with coconut cream and served with glutinous rice or ‘khao neow’, more popularly referred to as ‘sticky’ rice. The word ‘neow’ which means sticky is derived from the words ‘khao neow’ or glutinous rice and symbolizes a life-long bond that binds the couple together. The ‘kin nieow ritual also hints at a married life that is rich and spicy with varied tastes.

Given its uniqueness and popularity, Trang’s underwater wedding ceremony has become an annual event.

Although it is named the underwater wedding ceremony, the promotion was designed to highlight the various interesting aspects of the traditional Thai wedding ceremony and presents an opportunity for couples from around the world to personally experience the enchanting aspects of the Thai wedding and its time-honoured traditions such as the colourful ‘khan maak’ procession.

Blessing ceremony A blessing ceremony takes place at Pak Meng Beach.

Respected elders and distinguished guests pour scented lustral water over the hands of the bride and groom’s respectively and offer their good wishes.

The ‘khan maak’ procession The ‘khan maak’ procession is a ceremonial visit to the bride’s parents to ask for their daughter’s hand. The groom is accompanied by an entourage of relatives and close friends as he calls on the bride’s parents to make offerings of betel nuts, arecas and dowry placed in a bowl or tray. Spirited processions are accompanied by folk dances and songs and enlivened by the exhilarating beat of a long drum troupe.

All of these elements add to the visual spectacle of the ceremony.

To be eligible, couples, relatives and guests taking part in the event are required to be certified divers. Married couples who wish to renew their vows in an extraordinary but memorable fashion are also eligible.

The Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony was originally launched by Thai Airways International as a novel concept to promote tourism to Trang in Southern Thailand.

As the bridegroom makes his way to pay his respects to the bride’s parents, in traditional ceremonies, the bridegroom’s entourage passes through ‘silver’ and ‘golden gates’ where he is quizzed by friends and relatives of the bride in a friendly banter of questions and answers. Once the offerings have been made to the bride’s parents, respected elders and distinguished guests pour scented lustral water over the hands of the bride and groom’s respectively in a blessing ceremony.

Contact information: Trang Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok Office Tel: +66 (0) 2863 3288 ext. 191, 263 Fax: +66 (0) 2437 8123

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THE 2011 KING’S CUP ELEPHANT POLO TOURNAMENT March - April 2011 Anantara Golden Triangle Resort, Chiang Rai

Spectator entrance is free

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ensures that rescuing one elephant does not put another in danger. To date eight otherwise street dependent elephants have been taken permanently from the streets and their mahouts given a chance at an alternative, more elephant-friendly, lifestyle.

o date the tournament has raised over US$250,000 for the National Elephant Institute, which provides medical care, sustenance, employment, and mahout training to Thailand’s elephant population, this has been distributed as cash in the form of pickup trucks and a custom built elephant ambulance.

In recent years, the funds were used to run the ambulance as well as provide housing at the Centre’s elephant hospital.

In addition, the King’s Cup Elephant Polo tournament gives 20 more street elephants the chance of a two-week ‘holiday’ in a calm, forested environment. It also ensures that they receive possibly their only-sustained veterinary attention of the year as well as an abundance of high-energy food.

It is estimated that Thailand has around 3,600 domesticated elephants and 1,500 wild elephants. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) fully endorses the King’s Cup Elephant Polo tournament, having identified it as one of the country’s prime annual special events. It will take place in the grounds of Anantara Resort Golden Triangle, and spectator entrance is free.

The welfare of the elephants used in the polo tournament is paramount with strict rules in place to ensure that the pachyderms are well cared for at all times. Thanks to Thailand’s advanced micro-chipping programme for all legal domesticated elephants and research into DNA lagging we guarantee, by imposing our “No micro-chip, No game” rule, that all our elephants have been domestically bred and not wild caught or smuggled in from neighbouring countries.

Benefits of elephant polo Since its inception in 2001, the King’s Cup Elephant Tournament has built up a reputation as a not-to-be-missed event that attracts people from around the world to enjoy a unique week of sport in the most breathtaking settings Thailand has to offer.

The chosen elephants must be young, preferably under 20 and still at an age that they will thoroughly enjoy the sport – just watch baby elephants chasing soccer balls in the elephant camp at Anantara – but big enough to carry a player with ease.

But there is a serious purpose too. This event is crucial in raising much-needed funds to help conserve Thailand’s elephants and their heritage. This important work is carried out in association with the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC) and the National Elephant Institute (NET) – two government initiatives that have been endorsed by His Majesty The King of Thailand.

Each elephant is limited to a maximum of two games – that’s less than half an hour – of play per day, with at least 90 minutes out in the forest, the river or eating a well balanced meal between each 14-minute game. Due to the nature of the game those 14 minutes of exercise are generally spread over a whole hour – even in a game with no stoppages there is a 15-minute break between halves.

Minor International, owner of Anantara Resorts, has set up its own elephant charity – the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (www.helpingelephants.org) – that takes a unique holistic approach to rescuing elephants which otherwise face a bleak life scraping a living in the tourist areas of big cities.

For enquiries and reservations, please call Tel : + 66 (0) 5378 4084, (0) 2477 0760 E-mail : infogt@anantara.com Website : www.anantara.com

When a contact is made to rescue an elephant, the “package” is extended to its mahout and his whole family. This approach

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ABSOLUTE THAI dr. orawan

Dr. Orawan

Holistic Medical Center in Phuket

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he ultimate solution for anti-aging, wellness and beauty has arrived in Phuket. It comes in the shape of the new branch of the Dr. Orawan Holistic Spa and Clinic in the Royal Phuket Marina. Dr. Orawan Kithawengkul is a pioneer in holistic spa treatments and this exciting new development has set off a stir of anticipation in the country’s health and beauty circles and, indeed, in Phuket itself. The new clinic is set in one of Asia’s most exclusive international developments. The Royal Phuket Marina is perfectly situated for those who wish to enjoy the beauties of the Andaman Sea and the glories of Phuket itself in a tranquil atmosphere of luxury.

in the field of homeopathy, alternative healing and natural beauty treatments. Starting as a dermatologist with a degree from Mahidol University Ramathibodi Hospital, becoming a Staff Dermatologist at Bhumibol Adulyadej Royal Air Force Hospital, she has gone on to become a leading authority on a range of holistic practices making her a globally respected authority in her field. Over the years she has branched out into a range of high profile consultancies and she also makes appearances in the media where her wide knowledge is much in demand in a world marked by rapid, and often confusing, advances in medical science and the healing arts.

Not only are the Institute clinics cutting edge in medical terms, but they also offer treatments in an artfully designed atmosphere of ease where expert attention is offered with a smile and where the confidence of customers is nurtured by respect. To Dr. Orawan the environment for the new

One of Dr. Orawan’s maxims is that, “Without wellness you can have no beauty.” In providing an innovative range of medial and beauty treatments the new clinic puts that theory into practice. She is a market leader with a proven record

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clinic is perfect. She points out that, “Our cooperation with RPM makes good sense. We are both interested in providing luxury services to clients with world-class quality and facilities. It is a highly beneficial mutual arrangement that enables us to give of our best to our clients where ever in the world they may arrive from.”

The new clinic, to be set against the luxurious marina environment will provide more of the institute’s holistic beauty and wellness treatments for which it is so renowned.

They combine state-of-the-art technology from the west with oriental wisdom from the East. There have been big changes in the medical industry over the last decade.

That progress has involved a more open approach by both consumers and providers.

Mr. Gulu Lalvani with Dr. Orawan

The new clinic, to be set against the luxurious marina environment will provide more of the institute’s holistic beauty and wellness treatments for which it is so renowned. They combine state-of-the-art technology from the west with oriental wisdom from the East.

Dr. Orawan points out that, “Now people are better educated and they see conventional medicine is not the ultimate solution on its own. There is greater welcoming of an integrative approach. In cancer treatments this is particularly important. After diagnosis both alternative and standard medicine can work in tandem to produce results. People are more aware of the alternatives than they once were.”

Dr. Orawan explains the fundamental principal of the holistic approach, “We look at everything as part of a whole – physical, mental, spiritual and social. They are all interrelated and we treat everything together. Dr. Orawan believes in taking the best from medical knowledge worldwide.

“We have our own original wisdom here in Asia including Thai and Chinese. This adds other aspects to medical practice here that are less prevalent in the west. Chinese acupuncture and Thai herbal cures are just two examples of treatments we can incorporate into the holistic approach.

Homeopathy from Europe is also amazing. It is like magic for me. Even cancer clients and those with chronic disease can benefit. We are always looking around the world for

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ABSOLUTE THAI dr.orawan

single treatment, with no pain, no down time and guaranteed results. The Dr. Orawan Institute is a world leader in providing this treatment, and the results are expected to be spectacular.

A wide range of treatments are available at all the clinics including, Perfect Face, Best Body, Healthy Hair and Scalp,

Dr. Orawan has long established clinics in Bangkok – one on Sukhumvit Road in central Bangkok and another, the Orawana Wellness Club and Spa, on Ratchadapisek road in the north of the city. There are also other branches in Koh Samui and abroad as far afield as Japan. Orawana is also the only medical spa selected by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to welcome Thailand Elite Club members.

Advanced Holistic Care and Pain management.

new approaches.” Dr. Orawan’s thinking and treatments are widely respected in medical circles. “We have excellent relationships with both government and private hospitals.

We have valuable interaction and after 23 years of standout practice, doctors are confident to refer patients to us.

They trust us and they know our treatments are effective.”

A wide range of treatments are available at all the clinics including, Perfect Face, Best Body, Healthy Hair and Scalp, Advanced Holistic Care and Pain management. These treatments use different approaches to therapy including, Thermage, Botox, Infrared Hair Removal, Aroma Therapy and Quantum Energy Treatment to name but a few. There are also a range of Orawan skin care products on offer that also combine modern Western medicine and the best Thai herbs. The Orawan institute is also a pioneer in natural bio-identical hormonal therapy, which nourishes all organs, providing beauty from within.

The clinic is equipped with the most innovative technologies and has the most sophisticated laboratory which will be supervised by expert physicians.

The new clinic was launched with a bang. At the occasion, Dr. Orawan, together with founder of Royal Phuket Marina and president of the ceremony, Mr Gulu Lavani, warmly welcomed their VIP guests and gave away 400,000 Baht worth of door gifts and other promotions. The highlight of the event was the launch of the innovative Gold Fractional RF treatment. This is combined with pure gold therapy for enhancing young cells. The technology combines treatments for skin tightening, scar smoothing, wrinkle reduction, pore minimization and enhancing skin radiance – all in a

The Orawan institute is a world leader in anti-aging techniques. Dr. Orawan elaborates on advances in this field that put her clinics at the cutting edge. “We can produce our own synthetic hormones from plant extract and

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The Prime Minister’s Award for The Best Service Provider 2010 for Wellness and Beauty

The Tourism Authority of Thailand designated the institute as ‘Thailand’s most outstanding center for medical tourism.’

It has also been chosen as both Asia’s and Thailand’s best medical spa. From Berlin comes the ‘Global Award for perfection, quality and ideal performance.’ The International Golden Award for ‘Best Quality and Business Prestige’ was awarded in Geneva – a huge tribute given the high standards exacted by the Swiss medical profession From, Paris, the international city of panache, the award for ‘Best Brand Image’ is testament to Dr. Orawan’s awareness of style as well as substance and similarly the London ‘Superbrand’ award confirmed that the institute is respected for the clear way the treatments have been promoted globally.

these have reduced side effects. One cannot use standard synthetic hormones for more than three years without increased cancer risk. For those derived from plant extracts, they can be used for seven years which is a big step forward.

We are specialists in dealing with hormone depletion and believe that our holistic approach is by far and away the best way to provide solutions in this area.”

Since 1988, the Dr. Orawan Holistic Institute has provided medical services related exclusively to skin conditions, cosmetic laser surgery, anti-aging medicine, and anti-cancer medicine. The institute’s clinics are fully equipped with the most modern equipment and staffed by experienced professionals dedicated to superb congenial service. Clients are welcomed from the very first step into the institute by personnel committed to the highest professional ethics, to excellence in service, and to the utmost satisfaction.

Since their inception Dr. Orawan Clinics have treated more than 100,000 clients carrying out some 500,000 holistic procedures, with Clients

Since their inception Dr. Orawan Clinics have treated more than 100,000 clients carrying out some 500,000 holistic procedures. Clients come from all over the globe with 70% arriving from countries like the USA, UK, and Canada, as well as Asian countries like China, Korea, Japan and the Philippines.

coming from all over the globe.

In many ways Phuket is the spa capital of the world. When one adds into the mix globally recognized medical expertise, and that intangible ingredient of Thai grace and hospitality a circle is completed that signals a raising of the bar even by the high standards that have been achieved already in the wellness and beauty industry in Thailand. The new Dr. Orawan Holistic Spa and clinic at the Royal Phuket Marina is indeed a development that is justifiably setting tongues wagging.

The success of Dr. Orawan’s clinics and her expert progressive approach has garnered an array of industry awards including the Prime Minister’s Awards 2010 for the ‘Best Service Provider in wellness and beauty treatment’.

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*Offer valid on full priced sunglasses only. Valid for one sales transaction and is not redeemable for cash. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid in Thailand only until 31 May 2011.

ABSOLUTE THAI khun samarn

Khun Samarn

Company ambassador, friend, big brother and godfather to the masses.

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he considered “his children.” Those compulsory meetings Khun Samarn used to organize in Samui for all the Thai staff (plus some specially selected farangs) at Albins Restaurant where he sort of laid down the law as he was “holding court.” All the staff there were always mesmerized and honoured, and cherished those evenings as the Master was teaching us how it should be done. The company parties he hosted at the Margarita Bar on Phuket were famous for the fantastic array of dishes he would put on, along with free flowing drink and unique atmosphere. When his wife Khun Jiew would try to call an end to the party at midnight, we would go over to “Uncle Samarn” and say, “One more hour Boss?” to which he always replied “Yes,” even if he got an ear bashing from the wife later!

t is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our highly respected VP of Business Affairs for Absolute interests in Thailand, Khun Samarn Saingthong. He is survived by his wife and fellow Absolute employee Khun Jiew (Thirada Leeyawanich), along with their beautiful children. Let us please be united in our condolences to Khun Samarn’s family at this time of sorrow, and take the time to acknowledge his greatness in the progress of the plans of Chairman Bryan Lunt through the last 5 years of Absolute’s exponential growth. For those of you that did not know Khun Samarn, it is time for you to read a little of the legend of the man that has been literarily a foundation stone within Absolute and, moreover, in the construction of its flagship project Absolute Bangla Suites.

In simple terms, Khun Samarn was our bridge between concept and reality in most areas within the company.

His multi-tasking, multi-talented versatility covered all areas of construction, litigation, government, administration, transport, working conditions, payroll, staff morale, staff safety and on and on. It would literarily take all day to type out his list of achievements; there are simply just too many.

Getting Bangla Suites built being his greatest accolade as without him the obstacles would have made the project simply unachievable. He took the pain away from the trials and tribulations of everyday trade in Thailand with a personal style that could only be described as “Khun Samarn.” He was relentlessly hard working, and seemed to run on nuclear powered batteries.

We have all been touched by his charisma and charm at some point. But without a doubt, it was his extreme generosity and strength of voice that were his most memorable points to us all here at Sea Pearl that we can never forget.

We have met with his personal friends from school and they are high ranking, highly respected individuals from commerce, police, and government, and they all declared with unity and strength of voice: “They made only one mould for a person called Samarn when he was born.”

We have all been touched by his charisma and charm at some point, and then by his stern talk of what is required to achieve success. But without a doubt, it was his extreme generosity and strength of voice that were his most memorable points to us all here at Sea Pearl that we can never forget. So to that end, as the weather improves and the streets become busy, let us all take time to reflect on the amazing life and times of this wonderful man; the godfather of Absolute. His spirit will never leave us, and his strength will stay in our hearts, minds and souls forever.

Khun Samarn’s genorisity will go down in Thai folklore legend, not just Absolute’s! We personally believe he took the title from the 1984 Band Aid song Feed the World and made it his mission. Every working day, be it morning, noon or early evening, he could be seen scurrying around the Sea Pearl carrying bags upon bags of edible delights for the masses. Even if you had just eaten you could not turn down Khun Samarn’s treats, some lucky people even got to dine on lobster for their breakfast if Samarn was in an extra mischievous mood. It was the same story whenever he visited Pattaya and Samui, especially for the Thai staff that

See you at the top Khun Samarn!

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our highly respected VP of Business Affairs for Absolute interests in Thailand, Khun Samarn Saingthong. He is survived by his wife and fellow Absolute employee Khun Jiew (Thirada Leeyawanich), along with their beautiful children.

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ABSOLUTE THAI COVER FEATURE

Katy Perry Good Girl Gone Bad W O R D S : Tim Knight

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ABSOLUTE THAI COVER FEATURE

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very rocker wants to be portrayed as a rebel of some sort; it helps their image (and record sales).

But if you look into the lives of many “rockers” you will see they are usually fairly normal law-abiding citizens or just plain out of control drug and alcohol crazed lunatics; think Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses.

Most musicians come from normal, usually upper-class, upbringings too.

Katy Perry is a rebel, but a different kind of rebel.

She is not rebelling against society or social norms or trying to fake it. She is rebelling against an upbringing of the strictest sort: both her mother and father were pastors, and up until very recently Perry was only interested in Christian music. But all of that changed drastically when she discovered the rock band Queen, and specifically, Freddie Mercury – a true rebel.

Perry was born October 25, 1984 in beautiful, cool and hippiesh Santa Barbara, California. In 2001, she recorded a Christian album, but by 2004 she could not hold herself back anymore and thus shifted her focus to more mainstream music. Little did she know at that time that she would soon be recording music about kissing girls and homosexuality and marrying a man that her parents undoubtedly do not approve of.

Katy Perry is a rebel, but a different kind of rebel. She is not rebelling against society or social norms or trying to fake it. She is rebelling against an upbringing of the strictest sort.

In 2004 Perry began working with the production team The Matrix (perhaps best known for work on Avril Lavigne’s self-titled debut) as an in-house vocalist.

Perry said Avril, like Freddie, had a huge impact on her singing style even though it (and her) have morphed and matured over the past 6 years. She also soon worked with producer Glen Ballard on an intended solo debut album. Despite being featured in Blender magazine as a “Next Big Thing,” both projects fell apart.

The Rebellion Begins So it was not until the fall of 2007 that she signed with Capitol Records and released her debut EP titled Ur So Gay. Obviously she was not listening to Christian music much then. The titled song’s cheeky lyrics immediately drew attention. In a radio interview Madonna referred to Ur So Gay as her “favourite song right now.” However, Perry also received backlash from multiple quarters

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identifying her song as homophobic and gay-baiting, and Lord only knows what her parents were thinking!

Instead of scuttling Perry’s fledgling career, Ur So Gay created a buzz around the singer-songwriter. Her first official single I Kissed a Girl appeared in May 2008 and quickly became a smash hit. It rose to #1 on the pop singles chart amid more controversy. The song was derided in some quarters for promoting promiscuity and encouraging homosexuality.

Perry’s first full-length album One of the Boys was released in June 2008. It was a top 10 hit and certified platinum.

Follow up singles Hot ‘n’ Cold and Waking Up In Vegas also reached the pop top 10. In May 2010 Perry released the single California Gurls with a guest appearance from Snoop Dogg. It was recorded as a West Coast answer to Jay-Z’s #1 smash Empire State of Mind – East Coast and West Coast rappers are always trying to “outdo” the other. California Gurls debuted at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 selling over 290,000 digital downloads in its first week of release. Soon it was #1 and sold over two million copies in its first week of release. The song has gone to #1 in countries around the world.

Russell Brand and Katy Perry tied the knot last year in India IN A very private and spiritual

Sexuality-wise, the jury’s out. Katy Perry kissed a girl.

She liked it. And then she faced a barrage of criticism from both stuffy conservatives and a (slightly more effeminate) backlash from the gay community. Is she rebelling against her childhood, or does she really like kissing girls? It is a shame, but we will probably never know.

ceremony, attended by the couple’s closest family and friends.

Although such debauchery would probably make her devil-dodging parents explode in a rage bigger than when British comedian, actor, ex-heroin addict and self-confessed sex-addict Russell Brand proposed to her!

Wedding Bells Russell Brand and Katy Perry tied the knot last year in India.

Brand, 35, and Perry, 25, “were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Brand on Saturday, October 23,” reps for the couple confirmed. “The very private and spiritual ceremony, attended by the couple’s closest family and friends was performed by a Christian minister and longtime friend of the Hudson family (Katy Hudson is one of Perry’s best friends and very Christian). The backdrop was the inspirational and majestic countryside of Northern India.”

The couple exchanged vows at a luxury resort. Earlier in the day, two elephants named Laxmi and Mala were seen arriving at the resort. As the animals walked into the venue, a red carpet was rolled out for them.

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ABSOLUTE THAI COVER FEATURE

In the days leading up to the nuptials, Brand and Perry pulled out all the stops.

The couple celebrated Friday night with a Bollywood-themed party at the Aman-i-Khas. Brand wore a white “kurta pyjama,” an Indian outfit of loose informal trousers and a long baggy tunic, while Perry donned a plain red sari. Many of the guests were also in similar outfits. Who knew that “PJs” originated in India!

When guests arrived they were greeted with a colourful welcome: acrobats and jugglers in Indian outfits while Indian drum players played their Nagara drums. Brand and Perry also treated guests to song and dance performances, shopping and even safaris.

Katy said of Brand, “I always knew I wanted a great man of God, someone who was going to be an inspiration for people and also be a lovely husband and father.

We’re at different places in our lives, but we can still grow together. He’s thought provoking, articulate, a real advocate. I also definitely wanted to have a laugh. I have all that in him.” she said.

I always knew I wanted a great man of God,

Katy also praised her husband because he was able to win the battle with his drug addictions and said he is great parent material.

someone who was going to be an inspiration for people and also be a lovely husband and father. We’re at different places in our lives,

Pushing the Limits

but we can still grow together.

In its one hundred billionth season, Fox’s long-running animated hit The Simpsons cannot stop pushing the limits of what is socially acceptable. The show’s Christmas anthology was capped off by a pitch-perfect parody of The Muppet Show, but veered into adult humour that would make the Muppet-inspired potty mouths of Avenue Q blush.

Following a musical number with Sesame Street’s exile Perry, the ever so creepy Moe Szyslak (the animated show’s bartender) goes in to kiss Perry’s belly button. “That’s not my belly button,” Perry points out, followed by the jawdropper, “but I didn’t say stop.”

As any longtime Simpsons fan will tell you, the show has long trafficked in edgy, not-for-kids humour, but this has got to be a first on network television. The taboos breached in this episode alone should be enough to last the rest of this season and next. Let us just hope that Perry’s parents were not watching!

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speak the language of love this valentine’s day at hard rock cafe phuket!

Visit us for a RocKin inspired 3 course Valentine’s Day dinner menu from 6pm onwards and gifts for her for just THB 1999 plus prevailing government taxes To book please call 076 340 210 Valid only on Valentine’s Day at Hard Rock Cafe Phuket.

PHUKET

at courtyard by marriott • patong +66-76-340-210 • hardrock.com/phuket ©2011 Hard Rock International (USA), Inc. All rights reserved. SeeTheShow™

ABSOLUTE THAI COVER FEATURE

My album will be more rock [than Christian rock], which is probably why my parents think I’m going to hell!

Said Sesame Street producers in a statement: “In light of the feedback we’ve received on the Katy Perry music video which was released on YouTube only, we have decided we will not air the segment on the television broadcast of Sesame Street, which is aimed at preschoolers.”

Perry has proven too hot for (the real) Sesame Street too: The show decided not to air a reworked version of Perry’s smash single Hot N Cold that the singer did with Elmo because, according to the tabloid website TMZ, parents who saw the clip on YouTube before the episode aired found Perry’s outfit to be too revealing. Earlier, Perry had called the duet “the highlight of my entire career.” She added: “I think some of these songs, even though sometimes they have a naughty dimension to them, are so pop infectious it gets into kids, just like whatever parents are saying around the house will get into kids, and I love that Hot N Cold could translate to Sesame Street. I’m going to have kids someday, and I love that some pop star out there is going to change their lyrics to make my kids bounce in their diapers.”

So it is hard to believe that Perry was raised in a strict Christian household with two pastor parents. To say that she has “done a 180” is an understatement. This talented artist is definitely a rebel with a cause, and she is doing everything she can to let everyone know it.

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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.

Award-winning Leaders in Fractional Ownership

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

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

The ultimate luxury of a designer Private Residence Club home on the stunning island of Koh Samui Five-star concierge service, well-being spa, private transfers, courtesy powerboat, the latest golf equipment, private dining... all as standard. The price... incredibly down to earth.

Own your piece of paradise.

* Terms available upon request.

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 WWW.THEBEACH-SAMUI.COM Designed by

Developed by

ABSOLUTE THAI ibis SAMUI

ibis SAMUI

First International 3-Star at Bophut.

A Success Story!

M

The team of top notch professionals started welcoming visitors and locals to ibis in November of 2008. The bright, bold and trendy resort is set on an idyllic and peaceful beachfront location with sea and island views. Ibis Samui Bophut appears to have it all while still being within most visitors’ budgets.

any challenges are facing hotels on Koh Samui and one 3-Star international hotel, ibis Samui Bophut, reports on how they are attracting guests to their hotel and Koh Samui.

The personable and charming Ms Anika Ningelgen, general manager of the ibis Samui Bophut hotel, shared insights into the “ibis world” and specifically the world of ibis on Koh Samui. The manager is originally from Germany and grew up in the hospitality industry. Happily settled in her life on Samui starting a year ago, she reports on how ibis Samui has become a successful fixture on the island.

The property boasts 250 modern rooms, each with Wi-Fi, and there’s a 24 hour reception area with food and drink available. Just ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from Fisherman’s Village and pier, the hotel is packed with things to do. There are three pools to relax by, beachfront bar & restaurant and massage services to chill out, or visitors can explore the authentic fishing village of nearby Bophut.

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ABSOLUTE THAI ibis SAMUI

Koh Samui hotels are now indulgent resorts rather than the backpacker haven and hippy retreats of yesteryear. One of the most popular of Thai islands, suspended and surrounded by the warm and clear waters of the Gulf of Siam, Koh Samui is tailor-made for laid-back beach life holidays under coconut palms. At ibis Samui Bophut, moderately priced accommodations hark back to earlier times while offering the latest in modern conveniences, décor and services.

Jungle scenery and gushing waterfalls inland are minutes away if you want to explore.

Late afternoon and continuing into the night, you can explore the shopping, dining and pub/party venues of nearby Bophut’s renowned and authentic Fisherman’s Village. You can recover and undo the night’s excesses the next day at the beachfront massage area set amongst the swaying coconut palms. Koh Samui holidays at ibis Samui Bophut are an exotic blend of chilled out days and a bustling night-life that hasn’t lost its cool.

The first international three-star hotel at Bophut Beach, the ibis Samui is a refreshing island paradise that has become a valuable member of the community and an international tourism draw. From Auckland Central, New Zealand, a couple wrote, “We stayed at ibis Samui Bophut, and my partner and I had a great time. They have fabulous outdoor areas with better pools and beachfront than other more expensive resorts. At night the trees were lit up with fairy lights on the beach tiki torches and bean bags were set out! Paradise!”

Hotel Ibis Samui Bophut provides an easy going and warm ambience for guests and a refreshing way of welcoming visitors.

Food and dining are a big part of anyone’s vacation, and the hotel’s “All-you-can-eat breakfast buffet” is a great way to start off the day. Start even earlier with the ibis amazing breakfast plan schedule that includes: ‘Continental Breakfast’ (04:00 – 6:30 and 10:00 – 12:00); a hearty balanced Buffet Breakfast (hot dishes of eggs, ham, pancakes...or healthy food - yogurt, fruits, cereals) as well as pastries, coffee, tea and local specialties from (6:30 –10:00).

The dining team motto is, “It’s all About Taste,” and in the late afternoon and evening, the offer is on for a “Thematic cuisine” – whereby you can choose, create and enjoy your own dish; you are the chef! Here’s how it’s done – a delicious selection of typical local dishes in the form of tapas is laid out whereby you simply combine any of the small dishes in any way desired; then sit back and enjoy a perfect dining experience set amidst a tropical paradise. With “It’s all about taste,” enjoying new flavors has never been easier, and there’s a wide selection of international beverages, cocktails, wine and beer.

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Ibis also prides itself on international hot and cold dishes and appetizers available to guests 24/7 either at the bar or to enjoy in your room. Thus, one need never wait – the last thing you want to do on a vacation. And locals are welcomed, many stopping to enjoy the Chef’s “Easy Lunch’ specials offered during high season. With an “Easy Lunch”, such as a beef skewer (and other specialty items) at a very reasonable price, you can enjoy it right on the beach without having to change out of your beach togs.

The ibis on Koh Samui and ibis corporate management worldwide is environmentally proactive and continuously working on how ibis properties and their management can help the environment. The pioneering commitment of ibis to respecting the planet and its future generations has been a fundamental value of the brand, its hotels and its teams for over ten years.

As an Accor Group brand, ibis naturally adheres to the brand’s sustainable development policy. In 2004, ibis became the first brand in its sector to obtain ISO 14001 international environmental certification. This certification recognizes actions in the following areas: Reduction of water consumption; reduction of energy consumption and promotion of renewable energy; implementation of waste sorting; and raising awareness among team members, suppliers and customers in respect for the environment, and of the need to take concrete action in everyday life.

The second edition of the ibis Koh Samui Trophy 2010 brought the spectacular and fast growing sport of adventure racing to the south of

The ibis property is involved in partnering with non-profit island events and projects. Racing for a “greener Koh Samui” at the Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series, some of the sponsor donations go to environment friendly initiatives created by The Green Island Project. The Project is critical to supporting environmental initiatives on the island.

Ibis management became extensively involved by sponsoring the very successful Ibis Adventure Race – originating in 2009 and again in the fall of 2010.

Thailand once again.

The second edition of the ibis Koh Samui Trophy 2010 brought the spectacular and fast growing sport of adventure racing to the south of Thailand once again. The Adventure Race attracts teams from around the world with ibis hosting many of the team registrants. Held October 2, 2010, and a popular highlight of the Amazing Thailand Adventure Race Series, the annual race day started and finished on the magnificent Bophut beach location at ibis Samui.

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ABSOLUTE THAI ibis SAMUI

Rides and Show; Santiburi Golf Course; the famed Fisherman’s Village and many famous and interesting temples. Hotel ibis Samui Bophut offers banquet facilities or hosting of guests’ events for locals, groups and guests.

Ibis offered a special Promotion Package for international sports teams registering for the race. The package made Samui an attractive venue for the race participants whilst awarding fantastic on-site and nearby venues for the varied sports events. “The grand party was held on the beachfront on the property and was a great event. Even some soft tropical rain didn’t deter the 400 guests from having a terrific celebration,” reports the ibis GM.

Hotel Ibis Samui Bophut provides an easy going and warm ambience for guests and a refreshing way of welcoming visitors. The environment is less of the traditional and formal atmosphere to one that is more modern, open and friendly.

The reception staff is available 24 hours a day and they do everything possible to make guests feel at home. Whether business or leisure, Ms Ningelgen states, “You’ll always feel good at an ibis hotel, and enjoy a very welcoming price.”

The ibis Koh Samui Trophy 2010 event consisted of one day of activities - with sports events on the beach and in the ibis hotel gardens. Competitors hiked and ran through unspoiled jungle, paddled and swam in the turquoise waters of the gulf of Thailand and cycled over the hills offering spectacular views of the ocean. Two divisions were set forth; the Adventure (easier course) and the Extreme (longer course), making the race accessible to everyone.

Local teams participated, and hundreds of local spectators cheered race registrants along the courses.

For more information visit www.ibishotel.com/thailand and click on ‘Samui’.

Reservations: +66 (0)2 659 2888

The hotel is a great choice for all travelers, and special programs unique to ibis include the “15 Minute Satisfaction Guarantee. ”Located on Bophut Beach, Hotel ibis Samui is close to Samui attractions such as: Siam Natural History Museum; Big Buddha Statue, Monkey Theatre; Elephant

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ABSOLUTE THAI NOKIA C7

fROm tHE SmIlE Of tHE mONA lISA tO NOKIA C7 Design by ‘less is more’ style

N

okia, the world’s leader in mobility, today announced the availability of Nokia C7, the second Nokia’s Symbian^3 smartphone, in the thai market. together with the device launch, Nokia also introduced new applications from Nation group and Sanook! to meet consumer needs for news and information on the go. tomas Ivaskevicius, 29, lithuanian designer from Nokia Design Studio: Espoo, finland, discloses stories behind Nokia C7’s design.

What attracted you to design?

When I was a little kid I used to draw small drawings. later on at school I drew a lot of cars for my classmates. my mother noticed my talent and put me into a four year art school when I was 12. After that, everything just rolled on very naturally.

What is your background?

I have a bA from the lahti Institute of Design in finland, where I graduated in 2005. I started working for Nokia during a summer internship in 2003, and in 2004 I wrote my thesis for Nokia, and worked then on various future concepts. the following year I moved to the Nokia Design team. During the next year I lived in lithuania and England with my family, and returned to the Nokia Design team in 2008 to work on various vision concepts. today I am the lead designer for the Nokia C7.

How much of your design aesthetic stems from your own culture or experiences? How does your background come through in your design ideas? mY gOAl WAS tO

I have a very artistic background, and I love to draw and paint. All that I have learned about design has taken place in finland; I have adopted the minimalistic approach to design. my teacher in lahti used to say that less is more – which I totally agree with. I think my design aesthetic is a combination of artistic imagination and an industrial design mindset. the Nokia C7 is a device in which art, imagination and technology meet.

CREAtE A DESIgN tHAt EvERYONE WOUlD lOvE, A DEvICE tHAt WOUlD HAvE tHE pERfECt bAlANCE Of JOY AND USAbIlItY.

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What is it like to work in such a dynamic industry and what are the challenges you currently face as a designer?

What do you think people look for in design of mobile devices today?

It is indeed a dynamic industry. things change every day, and new technologies are constantly being created. We work hard to find the best combination, the best solution for people to have the most comfortable tools to communicate. the challenge for me is to remember what we are here for – simply to connect people, selecting the right technologies as ingredients and combining them with the features that make it possible for people to keep what matters to them close.

people want balance; they want a life filled with experiences and good feelings. A mobile phone is a very personal object; we keep it very close to us in many respects. thus, it has to fit perfectly into our lives. I like to think of the mobile phone itself as the body and the software as the soul – if these are well combined and make the use of the device as easy as possible, we have the perfect solution.

How is the internet changing or influencing what and how you design?

gOOD DESIgN IS A lOt Of tHINgS. WHEN I DESIgN SOmEtHINg I lOOK fOR pERfECtION – If tHERE IS JUSt

I think we are still learning how to use the internet to get the most out of it. facebook and twitter are reinventing the internet over again into a more social and active channel.

A tINY DEtAIl tHAt I fEEl IN mY HEARt IS NOt pERfECt ENOUgH – I JUSt HAvE tO REDO It.

Which device do you use today and why?

Where do you look for inspiration?

I use the Nokia C7. I love the big display and the ease of accessing facebook and twitter – I do that a lot. I also love how great the device feels in my hand. As I have the phone in my hand, I can rotate it to see how light and shadows are playing with surfaces, smooth split lines and crafted details, it’s very alive and magical. I love the thinness and integrity – when you put it in your pocket it almost vanishes in there.

Nature is my true inspiration. I look out of the window and see amazing things: a green leaf, its structure, running water, the patterns it forms, animals – it’s just amazing that every proportion, every colour, every substance has its purpose.

Nothing goes to waste.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

Design should empower people to do things. Design is also about bringing positive emotions to people. I often think of a mobile phone as a window to the people close to you, friends and colleagues – a window with no physical distance or boundaries. Design should embrace these possibilities, make things possible but still stay almost invisible.

What is the design story behind the Nokia C7?

We have a great design team consisting of designers who have worked on many Nokia devices. the experience, knowledge and design vision of these people enabled us to create this device with a strong heritage of Nokia. for example, the Nokia C7 has a U shaped round sculptural metal frame, which is very Nokia. We wanted to create a long-lasting device – both design and material wise. Every detail was considered and polished; the size and shapes of the details are working in perfect balance.

How would you define good design? good design is a lot of things. When I design something I look for perfection – if there is just a tiny detail that I feel in my heart is not perfect enough – I just have to redo it. to me, good design is one step closer to perfection – it will never be perfect but it’s one step closer.

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ABSOLUTE THAI NOKIA C7

I tHINK WE ARE StIll lEARNINg HOW tO USE tHE What materials were being used to create the device and why?

INtERNEt tO gEt tHE mOSt OUt Of It. fACEbOOK

the Nokia C7 makes extensive use of stainless steel and glass, and has very smooth surfaces and lines. to create a lasting design, we paid particular attention to the materials.

In addition to the excellent feel of the Nokia C7, we also wanted to give it a premium look, with glass and metal surfaces. Steel is the strongest and most durable material, and it also reflects light beautifully when shaped.

AgAIN INtO A mORE SOCIAl AND ACtIvE CHANNEl.

AND tWIttER ARE REINvENtINg tHE INtERNEt OvER

Each Nokia design is guided by these key principles: • •

the response to the touch is immediate on glass display surface. furthermore, the display window is hardened glass and does not scratch easily. the material was selected in order to offer the best user experience with regards to the response time and accuracy one gets from tapping, as well for its optical performance.

•

beautifully fits your lifestyle – how you work, play and where you live.

It’s something special – attention to detail makes it a joy to use and look at.

It is not one design for everyone – people can choose the one that best suits their lifestyle.

What is the design attitude of the Nokia C7? the Nokia C7 was designed with passion. I generally believe in doing things with passion, and I like to share the passion with my colleagues. my goal was to create a design that everyone would love, a device that would have the perfect balance of joy and usability. I think that what is most important is that the Nokia C7 is a joy to use. In a way I think of it as the smile of the mona lisa – there is something that intrigues you.

Did you use any consumer insights or trends when creating the Nokia C7? What were they? people and their behaviour are our prime concerns. Clearly, design is a very personal experience, and understanding how mobiles fit into and enhance people’s lifestyles is vital. We all have different views on how a phone should look and what it should do.

Which consumers does the Nokia C7 appeal to?

for this reason, we don’t focus our attention on just one design or a specific part of the market. Instead, designers keep track of different needs and lifestyles by conducting detailed research and street anthropology all around the world. We spend time with people at home and when they are on the move, observing how people use their mobiles in their day-to-day lives. based on this understanding we then use technology to create shapes, textures, features and new interactions that people love and want to use.

I see the design of the Nokia C7 as a mission to create the perfect device to as many people as possible – I wanted the device to have a wide appeal. the device had to be simple and approachable enough, but most of all very practical: perfect size, good feel in your hand, thin and round shapes.

I wanted to design a phone that is as human as possible.

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ABSOLUTE THAI ZICO’S REStAURANt

fEEl tHE DIffERENCE And share the brazilian passion!

l

ocated in front of Centara grand beach Resort on Samui’s most popular beach, Chaweng, Zico’s represents the brazilian spirit of cosmopolitan diversity where a real mix of taste, flavours, colours and rhythms can be found in one place.

R-o-d-i-z-i-o, is what the brazilians call the dining system found at Zico’s and the “passadors” (waiters) serve different premium meat, poultry, fish or seafood on long skewers right at your table. the ’all-you can-eat’ treat begins with an impressive salad bar offering a fine choice of crisp, fresh vegetables, delicious homemade dressings and healthy prepared salads, but save room for the main event, a fabulous meat feast you will not find anywhere else on this tropical thai island.

the stylish upstairs lounge bar at Zico’s is the perfect spot for pre- and post- dinner drinks, but it is also a popular, vibrant venue in itself. You can sit at the large, oval bar and chat to the easy going bartenders or relax with friends on the comfortable sofas while enjoying a fabulous array of quality drinks.

Zico’s offers friendly and efficient service, fine food and world class entertainment in sophisticated, comfortable surroundings.

Experience the unique taste and spirit of latin America on Koh Samui.

Each diner is also given a double-sided disc: red on one side, green on the other. If you leave the green side showing, the food just keeps coming. When you’re full or need a break, just flip to the red side… you can always switch back later.

Open daily 17.00 – 01.00

And you think that’s all? No way. this is just the beginning! the best part is coming: Samba show! genuine brazilian heritage music will be performed by two 100% gorgeous brazilian dancers dressed as authentic sambodromo; just like in Rio de Janeiro!

Viva Brazil! Viva Zico’s!

38/2 moo 3, borpud, Chaweng beach Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320 Tel: 077-231-560 E-mail: zicos@chr.co.th

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ABSOLUTE THAI Signature resort

Best Western Premier Signature hotel That Signature Look

I

t was with great expectations that I travelled to Pattaya to write this review, after I had heard many terrific reports about the brand new Best Western Premier Signature hotel and Bhuvana My Spa.

Situated in a prime location in the heart of the city you have the best of all worlds at your fingertips.

Location you to any of the outlying coral islands. For thrill seekers there is an excellent go-kart track that is virtually next door.

All of these and many more excursions can be arranged with the hotel tour desk situated just inside the lobby.

Situated in a prime location in the heart of the city you have the best of all worlds at your fingertips. On one side is the dazzling word famous entertainment which cannot be bettered anywhere else, and on the other side is the long sweeping beach known as Jomtien, which can also be reached by the hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus where you can indulge in any of the vast array of water sports that are available. Take a short stroll down to the Bali Hai pier area and you can jump on one of the many boats that can take

Lobby On entering the lobby you will be greeted with such sincere warmth by the young attractive staff, that any anxiety you may have had are instantly calmed. Talking

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ABSOLUTE THAI Signature resort

to Khun Chertchai, the General Manager who has many years of experience at this level working at some of the best known hotels in Bangkok, he explained that the hotel is a new concept for the Best Western chain, a more chic, intimate style of hotel, where he and his loyal staff want to exceed all rivals in the details of customer service and attentiveness.

They’re certainly going the right way about it; first you will be offered a complimentary free drink before being whisked through the express check-in and escorted to your chosen style of room.

Accommodation There are 132 majestic guest rooms, which come in 4 categories: Premier Room, Serene Room, Elite Room, Signature Suite. All of which are furnished to an incredible standard of luxury. With each room or suite (of which there are 6), you can gaze out from your floor to ceiling window at stunning views of either the majestic Gulf Of Thailand or tropical foliaged mountains. As you would expect from a hotel of this prestige you will be amazed at the interior of the rooms; from the ultra comfortable beds, complimented by high quality linen to the state of the art LCD flatscreen television and beautiful hardwood furniture. The stunning bathrooms are also equipped to the same high standard, with every conceivable extra; a beautiful, intimate touch is a glass ceiling to floor wall that is complimented by attractive Venetian blinds for your privacy.

There are 132 majestic guest rooms, All of which are furnished to an incredible standard of luxury.

With each room or suite (of which there are 6), you can gaze out from your floor to ceiling window at stunning views of either the majestic Gulf Of Thailand or tropical foliaged mountains.

Choosing the enormous 74 sqm Signature Suite, you will be entering unsurpassed luxury. These enormous suites are all self contained and have 2 separate bedrooms.

Whatever choice of accommodation you decide on you can be assured that your stay here will be of the utmost comfort.

Other features include • Free wireless internet • Individual electronic safe (which are designed to fit lap tops) • Satellite TV channels • Bathrobes & Slippers • Coffee and Tea making facilities • Mini bar • Separate walk-in waterfall shower (Serene, Elite, Signature) • 24 Hour Room Service

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The master chef Khun Hera, who has 27 years experience in the catering trade at some of the most famous hotels in India, brings his expertise here, his selection of dishes is quite amazing, from his speciality Indian dishes to a fully international array of succulent dishes from every corner of the globe.

Bali Hai Restaurant

or any of the unbelievable choices of drinks on offer, be it local or international brands. You can listen to live easy listening music or watch your favourite sports on the large LCD flat screen TV.

The contemporary, Bali Hai Restaurant is the main dining option of the hotel; here you can relax in the laid back atmosphere. Also, it is a great place to meet your guests or business acquaintances. Open from 6am to 11pm you will not be disappointed with the choice or the quality of the food. Whether you are looking for a light snack or an intimate dinner for two, or even a business luncheon, you will find it here.

If you prefer, leading out of the Chic Lounge is the attractive pool area, where you can sit and soak up the sun’s rays whilst having that cool drink. There are 2 pools, of which one is shallow for children, surrounded by hardwood decking and tropical foliage, this is the perfect place just to relax and unwind on one of the many luxurious sun loungers available.

The master chef Khun Hera, who has 27 years experience in the catering trade at some of the most famous hotels in India, brings his expertise here, his selection of dishes is quite amazing, from his speciality Indian dishes to a fully international array of succulent dishes from every corner of the globe. The ingredients for these dishes are all selected every day by Khun Hera himself from the local fresh markets, so you can be assured that you will have only the freshest ingredients available.

Multi Function Room Also in the pool area is a multi-function room which can quickly and easily be transformed into what ever guest’s desire, be it a buffet, barbecue or even a sophisticated cocktail party. There will be no problem arranging this for a truly unforgettable experience by the pool.

Fitness and Health

What better way to start the day than at the sumptuous buffet breakfast that has been chosen by Khun Hera himself (different every day). Here, you are treated to a wide variety of international fare along with all the local exotic fresh fruits.

Just off the pool area you will find the perfect place to burn of all those extra calories caused by over indulgence of the hotel’s top rated dining selections.

Chic Lounge

In the glass fronted, well appointed fitness centre, you will find every conceivable apparatus for resistance, weight, and cardio-vascular training ready for your complimentary use.

Leaving the lobby you will enter the ultra modern Chic Lounge, here you can relax with a long exotic cocktail,

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ABSOLUTE THAI Signature resort

Bhuvana My Spa The word Bhuvana is derived from the Balinese and Sanskrit words for “Earth” and “Universe”. Therefore, the signature inspiration is the essence of the universe with an automatic association with the concepts of good health and harmony with nature. This is the unique concept that will be exclusively available as a brand name in Best Western hotels across the Asia region.

The “Bhuvana” my spa, Pattaya, is the second of this new concept the other being in Indonesia. Here you can sample all kinds of exotic treatments for every purpose that will completely rejuvenate you.

Upon entering, you will be faced by an ambience so tranquil it will take your breath away. There are 6 separate spa rooms all totally independent of each other, for utmost privacy, each one with its own dressing area and shower room. The highly skilled therapists have been trained by the masters at the world famous Wat Po temple school in Bangkok in the ancient arts of massage and relaxation techniques.

Khun Jinny is the spa’s Assistant Manager who has many years’ of experience at all levels working in spas across the Middle East and here in Thailand, including a First Class airport lounge at Suvarnabhumi airport. Jinny explained, “As soon as you enter our world we want to take you on a journey to euphoria that you will never forget.” She is not wrong either, I sampled the Bhuvana signature massage, this was totally different to any massage that I had had before, it left me completely relaxed and tingling all over for a long time afterwards, “well done” to the spa team.

Overview After experiencing this hotel first hand my impressions were that it is a hotel for any kind of traveller, be it business or pleasure, you can rest assured that you will be in good hands with Khun Chertchai and his staff.

For any corporate weekends or bonding breaks this is the place to be, as you have all the exciting amenities around the hotel, plus all the first class facilities of the hotel at hand too.

Business and Conference Facilities The facilities on offer for business and conference or even private functions at the Best Western Signature Pattaya are second to none. The Tamnak Hill conference room is an immense room 6.5 meters high with an area of 170 sqm. It is fully equipped with a first class sound system, complete wireless and LAN internet facilities and all audiovisual capabilities.

561 Pratamnak Hill, South Pattaya Road Pattaya City, Chonburi, Thailand 20150

The room can be used as a theatre accommodating 150 participants, a classroom accommodating 100 participants or even as a cocktail party accommodating 200 people. Also the room can be set up to your own requirements of any format you wish.

Tel : +66(0)38 418333 Fax : +66(0)38 418334 Email : stay@signaturepattaya.com www.signaturepattaya.com

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ABSOLUTE SOUTH BEACH RESORT E AS R PH FO I O N T T 1S E E DU PL 13 M 20 CO

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ABSOLUTE THAI THE SEYCHELLES

THE SEYCHELLES NOT JUST ANOTHER PLACE, BUT ANOTHER WORLD W O R D S : Peter Holthusen

I

found it difficult to escape the feeling that my return visit to the Seychelles was, in many senses, a journey into the past. Despite the fact that that my mode of travel, onboard a gleaming Air Seychelles Boeing 767-300 widebody aircraft had, if anything a taste of the future, thoughts of my destination evoked memories of my honeymoon in 2001 which was spent at the old Northolme Hotel on Mahé, the oldest hotel in the Islands.

The story begins 150 million years ago, when the dinosaurs held sway over a fledgling earth and the place that was to eventually become the Seychelles lay landlocked at the heart of the super-continent of Gondwanaland. Over the ensuing millennia shifting tectonic plates slowly began to fragment this vast landscape but it was a seismic event of hotly debated origin that led to the sudden end of the dinosaurs’ long rule and the birth of the Seychelles as we know it today.

THE HISTORY OF THE SEYCHELLES COULD HAVE

Lying just south of the equator, the Seychelles comprise an archipelago of some 115 islands, spread over an area of 400,000 square kilometres of the vast Indian Ocean.

The land area, however, is only 444 square kilometres.

COME STRAIGHT OUT OF A STORY BOOK: A TALE OF INTREPID EXPLORERS, FEARSOME PIRATES AND BRUTAL BATTLES FOR THE ISLAND’S BOUNTIFUL TREASURES.

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ABSOLUTE THAI THE SEYCHELLES

In 1742 the Frenchman, Captain Lazare Picault, landed on Mahé at Anse Boileau. He named the islands after Mahé de Labourdonnais, the governor of Mauritius, who had sent him. Fourteen years later, Mahé and the inner islands were formally claimed in the name of the King of France. Mahé was named ‘Isle Sechelles’, which later became the name of the group.

In 1903 the Seychelles became a Crown Colony administered from London. It promptly went into the political and economic doldrums until 1964, when two political parties were formed. France Albert René, a young lawyer, founded the Seychelles People’s United Party (SPUP). A fellow lawyer, the flamboyant James Mancham, led the new Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP). On 29 June 1976 a coalition of the two political parties led the islands to their independence and the Republic of Seychelles was formed with Mancham becoming the first President and René, the Prime Minister.

The Seychelles has a population of about 80,000. Its people are descended from the original French settlers, their African slaves, the liberated slaves rescued from slaver traders in the 19th century, and some British settlers.

Despite developing the tourism industry in the Seychelles, a legacy that still remains to this day, Sir Jim (as James Mancham was known), had a reputation as a playboy.

The rich and famous poured in for holidays and to party in paradise. Adnan Khashoggi and other Arab millionaires bought large tracts of land, while film stars and celebrities came to enhance their romantic, glamorous images. This pushed the patience of the opposition beyond breaking point and on 5 June 1977, barely a year after independence, René and a team of Tanzanian-trained rebels carried out an almost bloodless coup while Mancham was in London attending a Commonwealth conference.

The Seychelles has a population of about 80,000. Its people are descended from the original French settlers, their African slaves, the liberated slaves rescued from slaver traders in the 19th century, and some British settlers. This melting pot has been enriched by traders from India, China and the Arabian peninsula.

This rich racial blend is reflected in the Seychelles’ varied culture and food. Music brought to the islands by the European settlers and played on violins or accordions has blended with the beat of the tom-tom, the ‘ makalapo’ (a stringed instrument with a tin for a sound box), the ‘bom’ (a bowed instrument), the ‘sez’ (a monochord sitar), and African skin drums. A typical Seychelles dance is the ‘moutia’ which blends African and Malagasy rhythms in a popular communal dance usually staged at night around a fire.

This mesmerising dance can be observed at a number of leading hotels such as the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa on Mahé, and the Constance Lémuria Resort on Praslin.

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Food lovers, come prepared: the cuisine of the Seychelles is heavily influenced by the surrounding ocean, with fish appearing as the main ingredient in many dishes and is guaranteed to be served ultra fresh. You’ll devour ‘bourgeois’ (my particular favourite), ‘capitaine’, shark, ‘jobfish’, ‘parrotfish’, ‘caranx’, grouper and tuna, among others. To bring variety, they are cooked in innumerable guises: grilled, steamed, smoked, stewed, baked and wrapped in a banana leaf. While seafood lovers will find their spiritual home in the Seychelles; lobster the size of a cat, crab and shellfish (especially ‘trouloulou’ and ‘tec tec’, two local varieties. The more adventurous diner might consider trying ‘civet de chauve souris’ (fruit bat curry), which is considered a delicacy, if not a little bony.

There are numerous places to eat and drink in the Sechelles, from trendy seafood shacks such as The Boat House on Mahé, which serves an outstanding Creole buffet, to the more ritzy restaurants in the larger hotels. However, for a true taste of Seychellois hospitality and traditional Creole cuisine, we ate at Marie Antionette – previously a convent, now the most famous Creole restaurant in the Seychelles.

Marie (yes, that was her real name) has passed away, but her family continues to serve the same menu they have done for the last 33 years – you can’t order anything else.

The place heaved with lunch-goers: nurses from the local

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ABSOLUTE THAI THE SEYCHELLES

hospital celebrating a birthday; a table of diplomats; and two old men who cleared their plates without saying a word to each other the whole time. We demolished the tapas-style servings of rich tuna steaks with lime, papaya chutney, red snapper, chicken curry, deep-fried parrotfish, aubergine fritters, octopus salad, chilli salsa and fish stew.

And all this, made with local ingredients, while people packed into the all-inclusive resorts were eating pizza for the second day on rotation because it was “Italian Night”.

Victoria, the island’s capital, has managed to retain much of its original charm and character with outstanding examples of traditional architecture such as Kenwyn House and Camion Hall. Here to, you will find the famous Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke market, the Botanical Gardens and a plethora of souvenir shops along the Esplanade. The focal point of downtown is a replica of the ‘clock tower’ on London’s Vauxhall Bridge Road, which was brought to the capital in 1903 when the Seychelles became a crown colony.

The fertile, granite island of Mahé, with its verdant forests, soaring peaks and over 65 beaches enjoys a rich diversity of flora and fauna to be discovered by organised excursions as well as on numerous walks and trails throughout the lush interior of the Morne Seychellois National Park. North Mahé, home to the famous Beau Vallon beach, tends to be more populous than other regions of the island, and discreetly features many of the island’s top hotels, guesthouses and villas. Southern Mahé presents in contrast, a wonderfully pastoral aspect and is home to the Craft Village, Mission Lodge and Tea Plantation, all made accessible by an efficient network of roads.

Lying about 45 kilometres north-east of Mahé, the neighbouring island of Praslin bears eloquent testament to its reputation as home to the Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can see the rare Coco de Mer palms growing in their natural state. General Gordon, who met his end at the hands of the Mahdi’s army in Khartoum, first opined that the island of Praslin and the Vallée de Mai, a primeval rain forest, was the true location of the Garden of Eden. The island also possesses some of the Seychelles’ most striking beaches such as Anse Volbert and Anse Lazio, widely acclaimed to be the most beautiful beach on earth. Praslin is only 15 minutes by air from Mahé, or about an hour on the high-speed Cat Cocos ferry service.

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A holiday in the Seychelles would not be complete without a visit to Bird, the most northerly island in the archipelago.

Surrounded by sparkling white beaches and gin-clear waters, it can be reached in 30 minutes by air from MahĂŠ and is home to over a million sooty terns and other seabirds such as the brown noddy and fairy tern. Bird Island is also home to the giant male tortoise, Esmeralda, estimated by some to be over 200 years old.

Unique is an overused word. It has appeared in the pages of so many holiday brochures that it has lost any real meaning.

That is unless you are describing the Seychelles... they are not just another place, but another world!

FURTHER INFORMATION Seychelles Tourism Board www.seychelles.travel

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Patong Beach

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

Reservation Only. Please Call Freephone 001-800-888-0090 to book your table.

PRESENT THIS ADVERT TO RECEIVE A 15% DISCOUNT * T: 076 343 612

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*Not to be used in conjunction with any other promotion

ABSOLUTE THAI AAvA RESORt

AAvA RESORt & SpA Where Dolphins Come to play W O R D S : Dimitri Waring

t

ake an exquisitely beautiful coastline, build a highly contemporary resort with some of the finest architecture in the region, then populate it with staff who are both friendly and efficient and what do you get? quite simply, one of the best places to holiday in the country; and that’s before you even add on a restaurant and a spa.

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ABSOLUTE THAI aava resort

Aava Resort & Spa is located in Khanom, roughly half-way down the peninsula between Bangkok and the Malaysian border. If you’re heading down from the capital then you’ll find this area is the first that really has a southern Thai feel to it. It’s a hop from here to popular Koh Samui and Koh Pha-ngan, but nobody will blame you if you’ve never heard of Khanom itself. Until just a few years ago, it was a barely-known spot, but slowly it’s becoming a destination for those seeking quietness and romance as well as a wonderful beach.

You’ll find Aava Resort & Spa situated on an immensely long stretch of pure sand with clear blue water. You can tell it’s unspoiled since some of the visitors who come here are known to be choosy – pink dolphins. They’re a rarity elsewhere. The local people are justly proud of them and seek to give them every protection they can, one of the best ways to do that is to keep the surrounding areas clean and intact.

Aava came into existence more or less by chance, when Finnish couple Atte Savisalo and Kati Häkkinen stumbled across the beautiful beach and decided to establish a resort here. They decided they’d like to build along the lines of modernist architect Alvar Aalto and combine chic with minimalism. They engaged well-known Thai architect Kriangkrai Buajan to turn their dream into reality.

Once that was done, they engaged a team of Finnish interior designers to complete the rooms and make them comfortable as well as aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Aava also dovetails with nature and provides the best possible amenities in a harmonious setting. You can step out of rooms that are so contemporary you might think you’re in a sophisticated city and yet find yourself instead on a near-deserted tropical beach.

The resort beguiles with its mix of elegance and simplicity yet there’s much more to it than architectural philosophy.

This is a place where people come to enjoy themselves and have seriously good times.

If you enjoy stylishness then you’ll be thrilled by the accommodation here. The décor is impeccable with a freshness about the rooms that is a pleasant surprise after the jaded nature of many hotels today. A lot of creativity has gone into the making of Aava Resort & Spa, and it’s resulted in tasteful rooms which are thoroughly enjoyable to stay in.

If you enjoy stylishness then you’ll be thrilled by the accommodation AT AAVA. The décor is impeccable with a freshness about the rooms that is a pleasant surprise after the jaded

Take the idyllic 25m² Deluxe Bungalows, for example.

Each is effortlessly hip and luxurious but has plenty of space.

Step into the bathroom and you’ll find it’s extremely modern with every comfort already thought of. Meanwhile the 34m²

nature of many hotels today.

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Superior Bungalows offer a very private garden view terrace, and when you’re indoors you’ll find the large bathtub ideal for relaxation.

If you’d like to be really close to the swimming pool, then you’ll love the 38m² Poolside Villas; they have direct access to the pool, as well as fronting the beach. You can literally leap out of bed in the morning and jump into the water. There’s also a bathtub with a sea-view. Families are particularly welcome at Aava. In fact, they turn out to be a major part of the resort’s clientele. It’s no surprise that children love long sandy beaches and the chance to frolic in such a beautiful place. The resort is also small enough to be personal and has been very thoughtful when it comes to children. In addition, all accommodations come with extra daybeds, and these can be easily converted into extra beds; ideal for families.

Aava has a delightfully intimate feel to it and is the very opposite of one of those rather impersonal holiday resorts; Aava is used to catering for individual tastes and is very hospitality-minded. Everyone gets a warm welcome, and standards of service are set high.

If you’re holidaying with your family or as a group of friends a real treat is to opt for a rather splendid 70m² Family Villa.

It has two bedrooms and ranges over two floors, making it extremely spacious. If you go up to the second floor you can enjoy wonderful sea views. Each Family Villa also has a large sundeck with a private open-air Jacuzzi, an ideal spot for relaxing while you enjoy the surroundings. The villa is completed by a second bathroom.

Whatever your choice of accommodation, it goes without saying that all the rooms come very well-equipped. You’ll find, for example, a generous sized TV, a safety deposit box, mini-bar, phone, bathrobe & slippers and a hair dryer.

Aava has a delightfully intimate feel to it and is the very opposite of one of those rather impersonal holiday resorts; Aava is used to catering for individual tastes and is very hospitality-minded. Everyone gets a warm welcome, and standards of service are set high.

Just because the resort is in a secluded destination doesn’t mean to say that the restaurant has been skimped on.

The owners have snapped up Chef Nokveedz, who has become quite well-known in Thailand. Having trained under a Michelin chef, she’s able to produce some amazing treats and is thoroughly versed in both Western and Thai dishes. Her fusion food is simply delicious; her abilities to

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ABSOLUTE THAI aava resort

can be whisked away by boat to a deserted tropical island where you can watch the sun set before enjoying a beach barbecue before heading back to Aava.

Aava can fulfill your dreams OF a wedding ceremony on the beach. It would be hard to think of a more romantic way THAN to

It’s becoming more and more popular to get married in Thailand, thanks to the exotic backdrops and the year-round warm weather. Aava can fulfill your dreams by offering you a wedding ceremony on the beach. It would be hard to think of a more romantic way to celebrate a marriage than by exchanging vows in such a beautiful setting.

celebrate a marriage in such a beautiful setting.

adapt fresh local products with exactly the right herbs and spices mark her out as being extremely gifted.

The presentation of the dishes is also excellent – this is food that looks as good as it tastes. Guests will also enjoy the hint of traditional French cuisine in some of the fare.

Whether you come as a couple, a group of friends or a family you’ll find that Aava Resort & Spa is an ideal place to spend a tropical holiday. It certainly packs a punch when it comes to a high-end resort in a beautiful setting.

Thailand is renowned for its spas, most of which are based on traditional Thai massage practices. A hugely satisfying way to spend and hour or two is to treat yourself to one of these.

You’ll be experiencing part of the centuries-old culture which makes this country so interesting. No stay at Aava is complete without a visit to the spa here. You’ll find a select range of treatments with skilled staff pampering their guests.

The masseuses are able to help you choose the best treatment for you if you’re a spa newcomer. There’s something else quite unusual about treatments at Aava; the spa has its very own Finnish sauna allowing you to feel wonderfully relaxed even before you start any of the treatments.

Aava Resort and Spa Nadan Beach Road 28/3 Moo 6 T. Khanom, A. Khanom, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Thailand 80210

Aava prides itself on its recreation activities, and for those who can be tempted away from the beach and the pool, there’s plenty to do. You can learn Thai cooking in small classes and take back recipes that you’ll be able to recreate at home. Fishing and diving are also firmly on the agenda, and trips can be arranged to local spots where you’re sure to have a great time. If you’d like to be more adventurous you

office: aava@aavaresort.com booking@aavaresort.com www.aavaresort.com 075 300 310 (1)

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PRIVATE CHARTER

life on the ocean waves

YOUR OWN BOAT AND EXPLORE

THE BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS OF PHUKET

PRICES FROM 9,999 Bht Koh Panyee

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NO TRIP TO PHUKET WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A TOUR OF THE IDYLLIC ISLANDS THAT THIS TROPICAL PARADISE HAS TO OFFER.

Koh Yao Yai

take this opportunity to charter your own private speed boat complete with captain and mate, for an experience that will stay with you a life time.

Koh Naka Yai

5

4 Koh Koh Kai Yao Yai

1. KOH PHI PHI phi phi Island, once considered one of the most beautiful island groups in the world, is located half-way between phuket and Krabi and is part of the Koh phi phi – Had Nopparat National park, that covers 390 sqkm in Krabi province. In former times the local people called this island “pulau piapi”. this derives from the language of the sea gypsies, with the first word meaning an island and “piapi” being the name of a plant growing in the mangrove forests. During the centuries the name changed to phi phi.

3

2. KOH PANYEE

1

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Racha

Koh panyee is a small island. most of it is huge, almost vertical, limestone cliffs. the hundreds of huts, shacks, restaurants and houses where the villagers live are built on stilts over the surrounding shallow sea. No one seems quite sure how many wooden and concrete piles hold up this extraordinary community, but it is certainly a fascinating and unique feat of informal engineering.

3. KOH RACHA the Racha (or Raya) islands, some 12 km south of phuket, are best known as excellent diving and snorkelling daytrip destinations. Racha Yai reveals itself in splendid fashion, with most arrivals landing onto a strip of fine white sand tucked deep into the long, U-shaped main bay, called Ao tawan tok or Ao bungalow. the water here is clear and perfect for snorkelling, though the bay gets quite busy with visiting boats in the afternoons.

4. KOH KAI the island is blessed with some relatively untouched coral life. but be warned the best stuff is 100 meters out. If you are not feeling the most energetic, ask the captain to give you a lift to the Northwest reef, drift southwards taking in the best of the massive barrel sponges and black-tip reef sharks, It’s part of a pair of islands found one third of the way from loh Jak, Koh Yao Yai and phuket. It’s brother island Koh Kai Nog is also spectacular, but as it is larger, tends to be frequented more by speedboats.

LUXURY HAMPERS traveling phukets glorious islands can create a ravenous appetite.

Why not take advantage of Absolute’s gourmet picnic hampers. Each one freshly prepared and ready before you set sail. there are 3 different packages to choose from, price on enquiry.

5. KOH NAKA Naka Yai features only one small village on its west side, but having recently caught the attention of some major resort operations no less than 3 projects are in the works here.

In a very short space of time, the island is rapidly changing from a fishing village into a fairly exclusive resort location. most of Naka Yai’s beaches are broad and sandy, and along its eastern shores the views out across phang Nga bay are simply breathtaking. the longest beach on the east side has chairs and umbrellas for rent, plus a small snack counter.

please note the hamper and it’s contents may differ from illustrated.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL

FREEPHONE 001 800 888 0090

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: pOlICE gENERAl WICHEAN pOtEpHOSREE, RECEIvINg DONAtIONS fROm AbSOlUtE, WItH CHRIS ClIffORD DIRECtOR Of SECURItY AbSOlUtE, KHUN tANA CHAmNANpRI AND KHUN SUpAKORON pRUNgplUEm, lIAISON OffICERS WItH AbSOlUtE.

mONgKOlSARAWISUDHIANUSORN foundation W O R D S : Ted Bell bann mueng pea, which is located in the Khon Kaen province, is located in thailand’s central-northwestern area of Isaan and lies in the middle of an economically depressed region.

However, as seen all around this beautiful country, thais love to help their neighbours, and the seed of an idea to help children in this area become enrolled in school, stay focused and graduate took root over 42 years ago and is still going strong today; it is a charity with a long history and an excellent story the mongkolsarawisudhianusorn foundation gives poor children, who might not have the means to get into a

tHE mONgKOlSARAWISUDHIANUSORN fOUNDAtION gIvES pOOR CHIlDREN, WHO mIgHt NOt HAvE tHE mEANS tO gEt INtO A SCHOOl, tHE RESOURCES tHEY NEED.

school, the resources they need. from pre-school until university graduation, the mongkolsarawisudhianusorn foundation is with the student every step of the way.

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the three main objectives set forth in the foundations charter are: 1) to support the study of monks and students in all levels; 2) to provide both financial support to the monks and child monks who have illness or cannot help themselves; and 3) to give charity in various aspects. the idea for the foundation started a long time ago when Khun pichai Chamnanpri, who was living in bann mueng pea at the time, had to walk seven kilometres to and from his school that would turn him into a police inspector. On his daily, long and hot walk, he witnessed many children that were not in school when they should have been. He soon found out that the parents did not have the means to enroll their children nor a way to get them to and from the school every day. So after Khun pichai Chamnanpri graduated (he later went on to become a police major general), he started the mongkolsarawisudhianusorn foundation, and 42 years later it is still going strong. the foundation has helped thousands of students earn their degrees and create a better life for themselves and their families. the word of serious people with a serious job has made this foundation a success. the thai’s excellent business sense has caused the foundation to have low overhead and administration costs which means more of the donations go toward the goal: the students.

SCHOOl CHIlDREN RECEIvINg tHEIR EDUCAtION fEES.

pOlICE gENERAl WICHEAN pOtEpHOSREE.

Even when pichai Chamnanpri fell ill after 18 years as the foundation’s president, he was able to call upon his brother to take it over and continue the foundations good work.

Even though he holds to the position of Supreme Commander of thailand’s police force, police general Wichean potephosree still manages to find time to cover the foundation and to ensure that 100% of the funds go toward helping needy students. last year, over 300 school students and 20 university students were able to graduate or go to school. pOlICE gENERAl WICHEAN pOtEpHOSREE pRESENtINg A gRADUAtED StUDENt ADDItIONAl fEES tO CONtINUE HER StUDYINg.

Khun pichais son, tana Chamnanpri, first mentioned the foundation to Chris Clifford (Security Director with Absolute), Chris was taken aback by the passion that the Chairman of the foundation (police general Wichean potephosree) and his dream to help the children, not just of Khon Kaen province but the children within Kingdom of thailand, and to build a museum to preserve the heritage of the area. this passion was passed on and it took several months of hard work from these two people to present a finished proposal to Absolutes Chairman, bryan lunt how Absolute could help the foundations goals.

So with all the hard work from Khun tana and Chris a friendship between the mongkolsarawisudhianusorn foundation and Absolute was born.

tHE fOUNDAtION HAS HElpED tHOUSANDS Of StUDENtS EARN tHEIR DEgREES AND CREAtE A bEttER lIfE fOR tHEmSElvES AND tHEIR fAmIlIES. tHE WORD Of SERIOUS pEOplE WItH A SERIOUS JOb HAS mADE tHIS fOUNDAtION A SUCCESS.

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pea and Khon Kaen, mr. lunt says, “to preserve the city’s cultural aspects via a new purpose built central community centre which offers a focal point for the local people, as well as potentially a tourist attraction to the city, is an excellent idea. Also, the area has low and limited access to the private sector industry, and I’m sure Absolute can help make the connection which in turn will greatly help the foundation.” the centre will be named ban mueng pea Hall.

In Isaan, a little bit of money goes a long way so when Absolute donated a fairly sizeable amount of baht to the foundation, this ensured continued education for hundreds of students. Uniforms could be bought, school supplies could be passed out and transportation could continue bringing the smiling children’s faces to and from school. but that is not all Absolute wanted to help with.

“We would like to be a small museum in bann mueng pea where we can display some of our province’s history, and create a study room where students can go after school and have a nice place to do their homework, study and socialize,” said Khun tana Chamnanpri. Again, Absolute, recognizing the amazing good this foundation does for children, volunteered to a joint venture and agreed to fund and build the museum and culture community centre. Of bann mueng

Absolute is the first foreign entity to contribute to the mongkolsarawisudhianusorn foundation. With theirs and the thai people’s help, along with graduates whom the foundation helped, it is planned that the mongkolsarawisudhianusorn foundation can begin to extend beyond the Khon Kaen province borders and begin to start changing lives nationwide.

pOlICE gENERAl WICHEAN pOtEpHOSREE WItH HIS WIfE (lEft) AND HIS mOtHER.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: KHUN SUpAKORON pRUNgplUEm, pOlICE COlONEl vISIt CHAmNANpRI, CHRIS ClIffORD, tHE lAtE KHUN pICHAI CHAmNANpRI AND KHUN tANA CHAmNANpRI.

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pOlICE gENERAl WICHEAN pOtEpHOSREE pRESENtINg AbSOlUtE CHAIRmAN mR. bRYAN lUNt WItH A NEW YEAR gIft.

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Card holders will receive a 20% Discount on Golf at The Estepona Golf Course Spain Stay 7 Nights in The Nirvana Place Resort in colourful Pattaya, Thailand FREE!

ABSOLUTE THAI Mandalay

Mandalay Samui Developments & Consultancy (MSDC) The Mandalay Samui Developments is a Koh Samui-based boutique development company formed in 2007 and focuses on full-service, luxury real estate developments creating luxury residential projects throughout Koh Samui.

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nowledge, creativity, insight, integrity and strategy are key attributes that have lead to The Mandalay Samui Development’s success. These founding principles make The Mandalay Samui Developments an award-winning developer company, and creates a strong reputation in the local luxury real estate market. Our mission is to identify the most exclusive and suitable property locations in Koh Samui and utilizing our creativity, experience and technical expertise integrate in an environmentally friendly manner the most extensive variety of high quality properties aimed to becoming our clients’ dream homes.

We have recently extended our business to include a property consultancy service that include rental management, building consultancy, marketing consultancy, and development consultancy – which could involve bringing joint venture partners together. We are experienced in site identification, planning issues, valuations and appraisals leading to sale, acquisition and development. The background of this service is our strong network, local experiences, and reputation that we have built up over the last few years. We provide a road map for potential investors in Koh Samui; whether it’s a simple villa purchase or a huge hotel development.

Our first completed and sold out project, the Mandalay Villas, won the ‘Best Villa Development (Samui)’ prize at the Thailand Property Awards 2009, was shortlisted at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2010 in association with Bloomberg Television, and was also awarded ‘Highly Commended’ at the prestigious Thailand Property Awards 2010 in tight competition with Koh Samui’s most highly-branded and well-known properties.

We can take care of all your needs: developing and managing the implementation of your marketing strategy, managing the planning process and developing your marketing activity plan, developing and implementing your internet and online marketing strategy, delivering direct marketing campaigns, managing your advertising and PR, and developing your corporate identity and branding. You can outsource all your marketing activity to us, or we can simply help out in the areas where you need most assistance.

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At mSDC, we take pride in our creativity and our management expertise. Our “can-do” attitude extends to all aspects of the development management process ensuring all projects are designed to serve the financial objectives of the property owner while paying close attention to market conditions. Responsive service and maintenance are assured by dedicated, experienced managers assigned to each property. the key members of the management both representthe chic, young, dynamic, and bridging generations.

Our target is to enhance our property development line and continue to use it as a platform on which a powerful group is built – a group which constantly extends its broad spectrum of activities both in Koh Samui and thailand, and is able to compete and survive in any operating environment.

Our management philosophy focuses on the following goals: • • •

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Enhance our strong position amongst the elite property developers in Koh Samui.

Strengthen our profile as a company of high quality and reliability in all areas.

Increase our productivity and serve better our clients through continuous improvement and development of our staff.

Constantly re-assess the market to eliminate risks and exploit opportunities; passing on the benefits to our clients and shareholders.

firmly walking on successful ground, we are constantly planning our future steps. We will be moving to new locations and offer yet a greater variety of properties. being firm believers in the idea of ‘creating lifestyles’ rather than simply constructing houses, we will continue our efforts to enrich lifestyles on Koh Samui by contributing to all its important aspects, ranging from leisure and amusement facilities to sports facilities.

We are always looking for new and exciting ways to increase quality and innovation while focusing on maximum levels of financial return and service for the customer. We believe that whatever one can imagine, one can achieve, and with fusion of living, leisure, nature and security we are creating the ultimate lifestyle feeling.

M: +66 85 797 0477 T: +36 21 252 3889 F: +44(0)704 305 3242 E: mandalaysamui@mac.com W: mandalaysamui.com

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ABSOLUTE THAI Mercedes F800

Mercedes F800 A harmonious blend of innovative form and function

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ercedes have proven they are taking concept cars serious with the unveiling of the F800 Style Concept, the preview version of the 2011 CLS-Class, which was previously unveiled in 2007.

The F800 Style combines the functionality of a groundbreaking upper-class sedan with the highly emotional formal idiom of the new Mercedes-Benz design.

A synthesis of green technology and stylish-sporty design, the F800 Style impressively demonstrates Mercedes-Benz’s ability to harmonize automobile fascination and emotion with the continually increasing demands of environmental compatibility.

the new Mercedes-Benz design. The long wheelbase and the model’s intelligent interior design ensure a generous amount of space and great freedom of movement for five occupants.

The result is a distinctive harmony of form and function, whereby the Mercedes brand value of ‘cultivated sportiness’ can be seen and felt in every detail.

The F800 Style combines the functionality of a groundbreaking upper-class sedan with the highly emotional formal idiom of

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ABSOLUTE THAI Mercedes F800

Another important design feature in the F800 Style is its organically stretched body surface elements. These flow into convex transition zones and are delineated by precisely curved lines. This creates characteristic lines which visually subdivide the vehicle body and generate emotional tension. The powerful front contoured line on the sidewall extends across the flank and then fades off as it moves downward. This line lends the F800 Style – with its grey metallic ALU-BEAM color tone – a highly dynamic appearance, without making it seem aggressive. The sensually curved roof line underscores the exceptional aerodynamic quality of the coupe.

“The F800 blends seamlessly into our design scheme,” says Wagener. “It’s immediately recognizable as a Mercedes, even though it embodies our reinterpretation and further development of the brand’s typical design idiom.”

All of the components of the vehicle’s extremely efficient and environmentally compatible alternative drive system (either Plug-in Hybrid or fuel cell drive) are installed in a space-saving manner in the engine compartment and in the gaps within the chassis. As a result, the entire interior space is preserved and offers plenty of room for up to five occupants.

The F800 Style’s front end features a variation of the radiator grille with the centrally placed brand star that can be found in the new E-Class coupe as well as in other models. This grille extends prominently toward the front in the F800 Style, while the bionically curving lamellae softly flows around the tube holding the Mercedes-Benz brand star.

Other noticeable design features include the drop-shaped and thus aerodynamically designed exterior mirrors, whose housings, like those in the Concept BlueZERO model, are partially transparent and backlit.

The exterior appearance of the F800 Style is marked by its long wheelbase, short body overhangs, and a sensually flowing, coupe-like roof line. The dynamic side view and the vehicle’s balanced proportions lend it a sporty yet sensual look that conveys a feeling of style and superior performance. “The F800 blends seamlessly into our design scheme,” says Wagener. “It’s immediately recognizable as a Mercedes, even though it embodies our reinterpretation and further development of the brand’s typical design idiom.”

A “shining” example of technological and design innovation at Mercedes-Benz is offered in the truest sense of the word by the powerful LED headlights in the F800 Style.

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The combination of fiber optics and state-of-the-art LED technology lends the vehicle a striking appearance. Along with the wide radiator grille and the generously curved air intake openings, the LED headlights emphasize the dynamic nature of the research vehicle. The headlights are divided into individual segments for daytime running lights, turn signal indicators, and primary headlights.

The F800 taillights are also equipped with state-of-theart LED units that enable an exciting interplay of indirect illumination and direct beams, which further enhance the stylish appearance of the vehicle’s rear section at night. The result is an attractive, unmistakable, and memorable visual effect.

Natural wood surfaces and a harmonious color gradient from light to dark make for an elegant and cozy interior in the F800 Style. Functional elements such as the driver area and the door armrests seem to float in space like sculptures, while light-colored wood surfaces underscore the model’s elegant ambience. Side panels covered with alcantara form a visual contrast to the wood. The panels are light beige in the area of the A-pillar and grow darker in a smooth color gradient as they extend to the back, ending in a dark grey tone in the rear of the vehicle. Additional design details are provided by attractive engraved patterns in the rear door panels.

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ABSOLUTE THAI Mercedes F800

The innovative lightweight-construction seats in the F800 Style consist of a magnesium shell and a carbon fiber laminate seatback across which fine yet resistant netting is stretched. The seat shell is veneered with real wood.

For the wood inlaying process, Mercedes-Benz engineers employed an innovative technology designed especially for the veneering of three-dimensional surfaces. The new 3D surface coating procedure developed by Mercedes-Benz was also used to install the wood finishing in the center console, on the doors, and in the driver area. These wood finishing pieces are molded as 3D laminated components and are augmented by an aluminum layer, a feature that significantly improves crash safety.

The rear doors of the F800 embody the harmony of form and function that

The single-section organically curved cockpit offers plenty of legroom for front-seat passengers. In a setup similar to the one used in the F700 research vehicle from 2007, all important information for the driver is presented on the large and clearly arranged display unit in the instrument cluster. A key new feature of this improved display is that it focuses for the first time on data associated with electric vehicle operation. The unit thus puts important relevant information such as the battery charge state and remaining vehicle range at the center of attention.

typifies the vehicle. Whereas the front doors are attached in a conventional manner, the rear doors slide backward.

The integrated display unit, which elegantly protrudes from the curved console, provides for a feeling of exceptional interior spaciousness. Outstanding ergonomic quality is guaranteed by the new HMI with cam touchpad integrated into the center console. The unit also boasts several technical innovations, including its ability to visually depict the current functions within the cam touchpad’s menu structure on the display above the center console.

The rear doors of the F800 Style ideally embody the harmony of form and function that typifies the vehicle. Whereas the front doors are attached to the A-pillar in a conventional manner and open toward the front, the rear doors slide backward when opened. The innovative swivel arm construction of the rear doors allowed designers to forgo the use of visible door rails, giving the F800 Style the appearance of being cast in one piece when its doors are closed. “We integrated the door technology into the vehicle in such a manner that it blends seamlessly into the overall design flow, thus perfectly harmonizing ergonomics and design”.

The F800 Style is both a technology package and a show car; let’s see what the boys at Mercedes unveil next.

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PICTURE YOURSELF… …LIVING THE DREAM

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ABSOLUTE BANGLA SUITES It’s all cool, chic and very, very sophisticated.

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ABSOLUTE THAI Qatar Airways

Questions & Answers With Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker 1. Could you please give us a quick review of your education and business history?

carries. To face these challenges, we’ve opened three new public terminals in the past four years to accommodate the increasing number of passengers carried by the airline.

I am a graduate in Economics and Commerce and have spent my career in Qatar’s Civil Aviation. I was appointed Qatar Airways CEO in late 1996 and re-launched the airline in early 1997. At that time, the airline operated four aircraft to a small number of regional destinations. Today, just 14 years later, Qatar Airways operates aircraft to 97 destinations across six continents, a truly global airline.

Our rapid expansion has also given rise to innovations and creative solutions. Qatar Airways was the first airline in the world to open a dedicated terminal for First and Business Class passengers when the airline inaugurated the Premium Terminal in November 2006. We’ve also been lucky enough to be operating a young and fuel efficient fleet of aircraft, with the most modern interiors, seating and in-flight entertainment available. It is the consistent high quality delivery of this full package that has seen Qatar Airways receive so many accolades.

2. Since becoming CEO of Qatar Airways in 1997, you turned a small regional airline into the world’s third best airline; constantly winning awards and accolades. What were your biggest challenges in accomplishing this and how did you overcome these challenges?

3. How much input did you have in the design and construction of the new Doha International Airport?

As the national carrier of the State of Qatar, our development and growth has happened alongside the dynamic growth and expansion of the country. I was mandated by Qatar’s Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to develop Qatar Airways into one of the world’s leading airlines that would match the ambitions of the country. It has been very challenging, but the airline has built its business and its reputation around offering the highest levels of service, hospitality and value for customers. Our network has built up over time, though obviously at a much faster rate than most other airlines in the world.

In my capacity as Vice-Chairman of the NDIA Steering Committee, I have been heavily involved in the decision-making process covering all aspects of the design and construction of the New Doha International Airport. It is a massive project for Qatar and one that will cement the country’s place as one of the leading transportation hubs in the region. It will also be the new home for Qatar Airways and having such high visibility and influence in this airport project as the airline’s CEO has been very beneficial because we’ve been able to address the future needs of the airline right from the beginning.

One of the key challenges during this time of rapid development has been to maintain our high service levels, especially given that Doha International Airport (DIA) was not designed to handle the number of passengers that Qatar Airways now

2010 has been another stellar year of expansion for Qatar Airways where we’ve launched 10 new destinations and inducted 19 new aircraft into our fleet.

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4. Qatar Airways has received many awards based on their excellence in service. How do you motivate your staff to constantly and consistently offer such great service?

The airline has an established reputation of being a 5-Star carrier which permeates through all staff levels at Qatar Airways. One of the company mottos is “Excellence in everything we do”, and this is the base from which all our interactions, whether internal or external, are conducted.

If your expectations are high, then people will rise to meet them, and strive to exceed them. That is the reward and the motivation – to be the best at what we do, and to be recognised by our peers and our customers for it.

Chief Executive Officer: Akbar Al Baker

grow our outbound traffic from Phuket, as well as increase the number of visitors to Phuket from the Middle East and North African regions. It’s early days for this new route and we will continue to have the route linked with Kuala Lumpur for the interim to allow our market for Phuket to mature.

5. How has (and will) the economic downturn that started in 2008 affect Qatar Airways, and what plans do you have in place to overcome any challenges?

Qatar Airways is one of the most efficient airline operators in the industry, and we are also based in one of the most economically robust regions in the world, so we were largely unaffected and even managed to expand during this period.

While other airlines cancelled aircraft orders, shed capacity and laid off staff, we did the exact opposite. We continued to grow. It was an opportunity for Qatar Airways to push its advantage in some key markets and we were also pushing for early delivery of new aircraft.

7. Airlines have notoriously low profit margins and therefore must differentiate their services, how does Qatar Airways set themselves apart from other airlines?

Qatar Airways has always looked to be innovative and offer products and services that set the airline apart, such as the Premium Terminal mentioned earlier. Another good example is the configuration of the Economy Class cabins on our Boeing 777 fleet, which is one of the most spacious in the world. The seating arrangement is 3-3-3 which is one less seat per row than most of our competitors. That’s around 30 fewer seats in Economy than other airlines, in order for Qatar Airways to provide a more comfortable travel experience for our passengers. The seat pitch itself is up to 34 inches, giving our passengers a lot more legroom than competitor airlines. Qatar Airways also offers over 900 interactive entertainment options on our in-flight entertainment system, which is accessed through seat back touch screens. Passengers can watch the latest blockbuster movies, TV and music videos, listen to the latest music from around the world.

Of course, we needed to tighten our belt through this period during which the industry faced a number of challenges, including the H1N1 outbreak, a drop in international passenger traffic and a dramatic increase in the price of fuel.

Similar unforeseen circumstances have occurred in 2010 with the Ash Cloud crisis and the poor weather closing airports and affecting flights across Europe and the United States in December.

Qatar Airways is fortunate in that it has relatively low operating costs compared with most legacy carriers. The airline’s employee to aircraft ratio is well managed, and we are not confined by unions, which benefits the bottom line.

Also, one of the hallmarks of Qatar Airways’ success has been our ability to shift capacity according to demand, meaning we are not flying empty seats when a route is under performing, and we add capacity where possible when a route is exceeding expectations.

8. Your international expansion over the past few years has been amazing. Do you plan on continuing this trend, and what new routes will you establish in 2011?

2010 has been another stellar year of expansion for Qatar Airways where we’ve launched 10 new destinations and inducted 19 new aircraft into our fleet. Already for 2011, we have announced five new routes – four in Europe alone: Bucharest, Budapest, Brussels, Stuttgart – and Aleppo, which will be our second destination in Syria.

6. You began flying into Phuket, Thailand in October.

It has only been a few months, but is this new route being seen as successful?

Qatar Airways also has plans to launch an additional number of new destinations during 2011, which will be revealed in the coming weeks. Added to this, the airline will increase frequencies and capacities on a number of existing routes, as well as receive the first of our Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, of which Qatar Airways has 30 firm and 30 optional orders.

For the first three weeks of flying into Phuket, we operated six flights a week via Kuala Lumpur. From November 1, we began daily services timed for the beginning of the tourist high season. The route has performed very well, with European holidaymakers looking to escape the northern winter, making up the bulk of the traffic. The longer-term goal for us is to

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ABSOLUTE THAI Promotions and events

7-night winter package

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entara Hotels & Resorts is offering a seven-night package with special benefits for guests staying at select beach resort hotels at Samui, Pattaya, Trat, Phuket and Krabi during the winter season.

at Centara

There are 10 resort properties within the package: Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, Bhundhari Spa Resort & Villas Samui, Centara Villas Samui, Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, Centara Villas Phuket, Centara Karon Resort Phuket, Centara Sawaddi Patong Resort Phuket, and Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi.

The Exotic Winter Sun Holidays package is available from now until March 31, 2011.

Benefits included a discounted room rate, daily buffet breakfast, roundtrip airport transfer, complimentary dinner for two persons per room per stay, a bottle of sparkling wine, and 45-minute spa treatment massage at SPA Cenvaree for one person.

The room rates vary according to the destination, season and type of room but begin at 19,250 baht for seven nights for a Garden Villa at Centara Villas Samui; 47,180 baht for a Deluxe Ocean View Room at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya; and 53,340 baht for a Deluxe Ocean Facing Room at Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket.

The rates include service charge and government tax and are on the basis of two persons per room. Complimentary room stay is available for up to two children under 12 years of age sharing their parents’ room and bedding. An extra bed per package is available on a paid-for basis, the rates include breakfast and airport transfer.

For more information and reservations, please contact +66 02 101 1234 ext 1 or reservations@chr.co.th.

Also, please visit our website at www.centarahotelsresorts.com/package /ExoticWinterSun.asp.

The package is not applicable to group reservations and reservations for meetings, incentives, conventions, or exhibitions.

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ABSOLUTE THAI NEWS

pARESA’S “HOt ClIfftOp lUxURY vIllA pOOl pARtY” phuket’s ultimate group getaway indulgence

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or the perfect group getaway for a family or friends who want to be indulged, pampered and spoiled in an exclusive and secluded 5-star resort setting, paresa’s luxury villa pool party is the answer.

groups who book this exclusive luxury pool villa party package will also enjoy a one night “bbq party” for 8 people, set up in their own villa balcony pool side and served by the personal butler. Celebrations also include 2 bottles of champagne to start the evening with a sparkle plus one hour of free flowing paresa party cocktail and soft drinks. this offer is valid between 1 October and 20 December 2010 and 11 January to 31 October 2011 based on a 4 bedroom villa with a maximum of 8 guests sharing.

priced at tHb222,888 (approximately USD7,400), paresa’s new luxury pool villa party package offers 2 nights in a fabulous 4-bedroom paresa grand villa with welcome drinks, daily breakfast and evening canapés as well as a dedicated butler to ensure that guests’ every whim is catered to.

Situated atop the stunningly sculptured cliff tops of Kamala overlooking the azure blue waters of the Andaman Sea and surrounded by lush tropical forests and gardens, paresa Resort embraces the exclusivity of its natural surroundings to create an oasis of tranquillity and unrivalled luxury.

SItUAtED AtOp tHE StUNNINglY SCUlptURED ClIff tOpS Of KAmAlA OvERlOOKINg tHE AZURE blUE WAtERS Of tHE ANDAmAN SEA AND SURROUNDED

A short 30 minutes from phuket International Airport and situated at phuket’s most sought after address, “millionaires mile” at Kamala bay, paresa is a secluded retreat offering unrivalled indulgence and luxury for the truly discerning guest. the ultimate phuket retreat, cocooned from the daily throng of life, paresa is also within easy access of sleepy, yet picturesque, Kamala village and lively patong beach.

bY lUSH tROpICAl fOREStS AND gARDENS, pARESA RESORt EmbRACES tHE ExClUSIvItY Of ItS NAtURAl SURROUNDINgS tO CREAtE AN OASIS Of tRANqUIllItY AND UNRIvAllED lUxURY.

Drawing on Southern thai cultural traditions, paresa is a modern day reinterpretation of Southern thai architecture and design. built around several magnificently preserved banyan trees, several elements of paresa’s structural design are distinctly reminiscent of the frank lloyd Wright-inspired organic architecture. guaranteed to arouse all the senses, your paresa experience is made complete with high quality service provided by discreet and understated, yet friendly, warm and welcoming thai staff, each named an Angel, and each trained to provide the highest standards of service quality.

49 moo 6, layi-Nakalay Road Kamala, phuket 83150 thailand T: +66 76 302000, F: +66 76 302001 E: rsvn@paresaresorts.com or info@paresaresorts.com

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ABSOLUTE THAI news

Appointed as a Cessna Authorized Service Facility

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JETS Limited, Thailand’s leading private aviation company and official sales representative for Cessna Citation Jet in Thailand, was recently certified as an authorized Cessna Service Facility in an official ceremony held at the company’s flight operations centre located in Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport Private Jet Terminal.

With a team of 10 seasoned maintenance professionals, MJETS operates the leading Asian corporate aircraft maintenance service centre around the clock covering the whole region. The company’s Maintenance Service Centre provides heavy/scheduled inspections and repair services and can be reached via its 24 hour hotline at (+66) 85 484 8772 or via email at AOG@mjets.com Please visit www.mjets.com for more information.

MJETS recently completed the construction of two 1,500 square meter maintenance hangars that currently service a growing clientele and a wide range of aircraft.

“This appointment is a further affirmation of the strength of our partnership with Cessna Citation Jet and recognizes the quality and depth of our capabilities,” said Mark Thibault, CEO of MJETS. “Our certification as an authorized Citation Service Facility will further strengthen MJETS’ position, and we will continue to expand our capabilities and facilities to remain the leading maintenance and service provider to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry and to service the growing number of business aircraft in Thailand, Southeast Asia and the region.”

(Photo shows L-R): Mr. Robert Lee (Citation Field Service Engineer Asia Pacific of Cessna), Mr. Mark Thibault (CEO of MJETS), Mr. Jaiyavat Navaraj (Chairman of MJETS), Mr. Harry Marbun (Director of Maintenance of MJETS), and Mr. Aroon Sanguanthammarong (Thai DCA).

MJETS operates 24/7 maintenance and an AOG hotline to support corporate aircraft around the clock throughout Asia.

Their highly trained, qualified and experienced engineers have Cessna, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Hawker Beechcraft, and Falcon aircraft certifications as well as Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, Williams, GE and Turbomeca aircraft engines and APU type ratings. MJETS’ maintenance department is a fully certified Repair Station with approval from Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation and is also fully authorized to carry out maintenance on aircraft registered in various countries with more approvals to be added.

Contact Person : Ms. Gift Maneechote Tel : +66 2 504 2950 ext 103 +66 81 170 5463 Fax : +66 2 504 2951 Email : Kulthida_ma@mjets.com Contact Person Tel Fax Email

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: Mr. Mark Thomson : +66 2 725 6105 : +66 2 725 6198 : mthomson@anantara.com

ABSOLUTE THAI absolute news round up

Want to Drive A Three Tonne Beauty?

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here are no lights or windshield wipers, and you won’t get much in the trunk except water, but at northern Thailand’s luxurious Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, guests pass their driving test in just three days – on the back of an elephant.

Afternoon’s activities start at 1:30pm, when, during the dry season, guests ‘drive’ their elephant to the Ruak River for their favorite activity, river bathing. Trainees are expected to get in the water with their elephant; though staying on their back and not getting wet is almost impossible. Then it’s back to the forest, where the mahouts choose a good place for their elephant to spend the night, one where bamboo and leafy snacks are plentiful!

The mahout (elephant ‘driver’) training takes place at the resort’s Elephant Camp where 160 acres of bamboo forest, trails and river banks provide an ideal habitat.

On passing their test, trainees receive an elephant dung paper certificate of competence and a monogrammed mohom mahout shirt as a souvenir of their time at the Anantara Elephant Camp.

Course content includes learning basic commands in order to drive an elephant, river bathing and learning about the daily care of an elephant, their feeding requirements and a mahout’s lifestyle. At the end of three days a short ‘driving test’ is administered, after which guests receive their certificate of mahout competence.

Elephants and their mahouts get up with the sun and sessions start at 7am. The trainee’s first task is to collect their elephant from the forest and together with the mahout drive her back to the camp. The guide will explain what the mahout is doing and the commands he uses for his elephant. Once back at the camp, it’s time for morning ablutions (for the elephants that is). Then it’s off to work; starting with how to mount your elephant. Once seated behind the elephant’s ears, the mahout teaches each trainee the basic movement commands and the trainees get used to walking around the camp, acclimatizing themselves to the movements of their mount.

Anantara is located 60km north of Chiang Rai’s International Airport.

For enquiries and reservations, please call +66(0)5378-4084 or +66(0)2477-0760 email goldentriangle@anantara.com www.anantara.com.

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ABSOLUTE THAI dining service

Easy Eating Out

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aunched in Patong, Phuket on 27 Nov 2010, just in time for the high season, a new and unique service has been created for people who are hungry and ready to eat, but have no idea where to go, what is available or how to get there. The new Dining Information Service has been established to help tourists and locals alike answer these questions.

Phuket’s Dining Information Service

“The reaction from restaurant owners has been very positive.

They recognize there is a real need for this service and that people are more open to accepting dining recommendations from people who are not promoting just one restaurant,” said Robert Leticq, who came up with the idea for this unique service. Mr Leticq is one of the owners of a new 5-star hotel that will open in Kalim later this year, and he believes the new service will be of immense benefit to the valued guests of all the hotels on Phuket.

Many of Phuket’s most popular restaurants and the Patong Municipality strongly support this new value added service.

“I think this new service is a great initiative, and it has my support and that of the municipality,” said Khun Chairat Sukban, Deputy Mayor of Patong. “This service will assist in promoting Phuket as a warm and welcoming place full of friendly people who are happy to offer good advice,” Khun Chairat added.

Apart from advice on where to enjoy great food and service, the Dining Information Service staff also offer generous discounts and rewards at many of the businesses they promote in conjunction with a ‘dine around program’ that is actively supported by these businesses.

“I think this new service is a great initiative,

The management of the service also offers businesses fee-forservice brochure distribution, which is proving very popular with enterprises that either can’t or won’t invest the time to put a good promotional team together, or that can’t obtain the necessary approvals to conduct this activity in the core areas.

and it has my support and that of the municipality,” said Khun Chairat Sukban, Deputy Mayor of Patong.

For more information about the Dining Information Service, please call Michael at 08 1607 7233

The Dining Information team will spend most of their time moving between Jungcelon, and the Beach Road, searching for people who may need their unique brand of advice. The team will be dressed in distinctive black and white uniforms.

www.dininginformationservice.com

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Two beaches, one perfect resort Absolute Twin Sands is a spectacular collection of 46 contemporary apartments and penthouses on the tropical island of Phuket.

Breathtaking ocean views, stunning interiors and five-star service in an outstanding peninsula setting.

Multi-level infinity pools, relaxing cabanas, lush tropical landscaping Exclusive fitness centre, sauna, steam room and well-being spa Seamless five-star concierge service and fine dining restaurant Set between two stunning beaches and host of amazing amenities Fully furnished apartments include kitchens, double showers and state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment

Apartments are available to purchase off-plan, both whole and fractional ownership, and due to be ready for occupation in 2012.

Register now at: AbsoluteTwinSands.com Sales Enquiries: Tel: +66 (0) 76 346 282 Email: visit@absolutetwinsands.com

TWIN SANDS RESORT AND SPA

ABSOLUTE THAI Trinity yoga

Trinity Yoga

An Independent Studio on Samui system of studying, teaching and practicing yoga; a technological algorithm of the new generation developed

by Master Andrei Sidersky. Kosta states, “You cannot do yoga. Yoga is your natural state. What you can do are yoga exercises which may reveal to you where you are resisting your natural state.”

The small independent but well equipped Trinity Yoga Studio & Juice Bar was opened in 2010 by professional yoga instructors, Konstantine ‘Kosta’ Miachin and Ladda Tangmahamek. The Yoga Studio is unique in that it is not affiliated with any particular brand, school or corporation.

Kosta believes being an “independent studio” makes a difference for those practicing yoga.

The dedicated Kosta is superbly suited to teaching yoga.

He has been practicing yoga intensely for more than five years while learning from experts. His passion led him to search out his own personal development throughout the world and brought him into contact with many different schools and masters in places such as: Rishi-kesh; Uttar Kashi; Gangotri; Kerala; Goa; Canada and Thailand. He says his greatest influence was in his home country of Ukraine under the guidance of the founder of Y23, Master Andrei Sidersky.

The personable instructor explains the difference in not having an affiliation: “In being an independent studio there is a definable difference when viewed alongside other yoga places on the island. As an independent studio we can afford to be more creative in the classes we offer. As students progress and develop, the class and students’ practice can be adjusted to a more challenging and creative effort.”

This allows each student to grow and develop further with the team, while having fun at the same time. Various styles of yoga is taught, mainly focusing on Hatha Vinyasa and Yoga23 (ZEN-Vinyasa), with some Pranayama, meditation and relaxation techniques. Yoga23 (or Y23) is a methodical

Kosta studied directly from Master Andrei and enjoys sharing this knowledge. He reports there is a process in teaching, “To ensure maximal safety of entering yoga practice, the yoga techniques are divided into ‘stages’. There are five

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stage sets, each consisting of four subsets. The stages are the steps of ‘putting yoga techniques into operation’.

Students thus have course stages to advance through as they become more proficient.”

Kosta shares his interpretation of Yoga, and says, “Yoga is the union of the mind, body and spirit and is most commonly focused on the practice of different physical poses or postures. Each posture has its own specific physical benefits. When a flow of different postures is practiced it helps a person achieve balance in the body and improve overall strength and flexibility. In addition, the internal organs are toned and massaged, and the process aids in the detoxification of the digestive, epidermal, lymphatic, and pulmonary systems.”

Yoga is the union of the mind, body and spirit and is most commonly focused on the practice of different physical poses or postures.

Prior to yoga, Kosta’s passion was centered on martial arts with a particular focus on Muay Thai. Practicing Muay Thai contributed in part to his love of Thailand and Koh Samui, making the island an obvious choice to lay down the foundations for the first Trinity Yoga Studio after meeting his business partner, Ms. Ladda Tangmahamek.

Ms. Ladda Tanghamamek, a Thai National fluent in English and Italian, brought a wealth of yoga experience to the Studio. She has been trained by Victor Chng, Justin Herold, David Swenson and Desiree Rumbaugh and successfully obtained a ‘Teaching Yoga’ certification; an award based on bringing together ancient teachings and the modern understanding of yoga.

The main yoga hall at Trinity Yoga can fit up to 16 people and is equipped with the Black Mat Pro yoga mats from Manduka.

Shiny cement floors are perfect for practice, reflecting the energy back to the class while keeping the room cool. Towels are provided with showers and changing rooms also available.

Care is taken to ensure mats are clean; each one is washed after every practice. A small studio for individual yoga practice and personal lessons is on the second floor.

For more information, visit www.trinityyoga.asia Telephone +66 (0) 870 818 875.

Kosta and Ladda invite you to stop by Trinity Yoga Studio, Chaweng (behind World Gym on Ring Road) to explore your interest in yoga and to learn more about Y23 class and individual lessons.

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ABSOLUTE thai Living - Twin Sands Resort and Spa

Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa Stunning ocean views, contemporary apartments and five-star service in an outstanding peninsula setting.

Twin Sands is a stunning collection of 45 contemporary apartments and penthouses – all in a spectacular peninsula setting on the tropical island of Phuket.

surrounded by relaxing poolside loungers. Enjoy the use of a fully-equipped fitness centre, sauna and steam room any time you desire.

Nestled between two dreamy white sand beaches, every suite enjoys panoramic views of the sparkling Andaman Sea. The studio, one and two bedroom apartments combine the best of contemporary design, architecture and furniture to create a comfortably chic holiday retreat.

Discover the best that Phuket has to offer – from world-class golf courses to shopping to island hopping, not to mention Patong and Paradises beaches – and all on your doorstep.

All this and more awaits you at Twin Sands.

The apartments are available to purchase off-plan and due to be ready for occupation in 2012.

The stylish resort offers all the five-star services and facilities you would expect from a world-class Absolute development.

Dine in private on a terrace cabana or indoors at the Twin Sands’ restaurant, or in the comfort of your apartment.

Recharge and relax at the wellbeing spa or ozone pool

Stunning sea views, private balconies, luxurious contemporary interiors are all standard at Absolute Twin Sands. That is just the beginning.

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Here is a taste of the features you will enjoy when you buy at this outstanding peninsula resort: • A range of contemporary apartments to suit every owner • Seamless five-star concierge service to help you manage all aspects of your holiday home • Set between two stunning beaches and a host of amazing leisure and shopping amenities • Swim in multi-level infinity pools whilst taking in the stunning views across the Andaman Sea • Relax on poolside cabanas and take in the lush tropical landscaping • Exclusive fitness centre, squash courts, sauna, steam room and well-being spa • Each apartment comes fully furnished, from towels to teaspoons, ready for you to move in and enjoy • Private transfer to Phuket airport and a complimentary shuttle service to Patong • Dine in the restaurant, on the terrace, in a private cabana or in comfort of your apartment • Every apartment has a fully-equipped kitchen, double shower and the state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment Buying at Absolute Twin Sands Incredible value Leasehold or Freehold Foreign Ownership is available for all apartments and penthouses at Twin Sands.

A limited number of apartments are available through Absolute’s highly successful fractional ownership initiative.

By investing in a fraction of the purchase cost, fractional ownership members own 100% of their holidays for a small percentage of the cost.

All owners are offered the full management services of Absolute Resorts & Hotels, whose sophisticated reservations systems ensures the highest possible occupancy level and rental returns.

For sales enquiries please contact: Absolute Real Estate Team 42/11 Taveewong Road Patong, Phuket Thailand 83150 Tel: +66 (0) 76 346 282 Sales@AbsoluteTwinSands.com www.AbsoluteTwinSands.com

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ABSOLUTE THAI Social

Christmas Eve Gala Dinner Wonderful Christmas Celebration at Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

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heraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa organized a wonderful Christmas Eve Dinner for resort guests at The Deck Restaurant on 24 December 2010. All scrumptious international buffet dishes were served unlimitedly under a sparkling setting of beautiful Christmas trees. Guests enjoyed toasting along with Christmas carol songs, while children were happy with ginger bread house and Christmas presents from Santa Claus.

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1573 Petchkasem Road Cha-Am, Petchaburi 76120,Thailand t : +66 32 708 104 f : +66 32 708 088 sheraton.com/huahin

n New Years Eve 2011, KC Resort & Over Water Villas hosted a gala dinner at The View Restaurant & Wine Lounge with live acoustic music by the Jim Stuart band. The countdown on the Resident roof top was o amazing. Guests were stunned by the 360 view of fireworks all over Samui.

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ABSOLUTE THAI Social

Hard Partying At the Hard Rock Cafe, Phuket

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Phuket’s Coolest Bar and Restaurant Room Rates from Baht 3,000+++

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ABSOLUTE THAI North Phuket Culinary Arts Festival

A Festive Food Festival!

W O R D S : Steve Bosell

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sk any tourist, expat or even a Thai, “What is the best feature of Thailand?” Sure, you will get answers ranging from “excellent service,” “beautiful beaches,” “friendly hospitality,” etc., but it is guaranteed that on everyone’s list will be the answer “The food!” Everyone loves the food here, and the beauty of eating in Thailand is that it is literally a schmorgesborg of offerings due to the fact of all the international hotels and foreigners who come here to open a restaurant. Take a look at any tourist area around Thailand, and you will see a Thai noodle shop next to an Italian joint, next to a Japanese restaurant which is next to a Texas BBQ eatery across the street from a sidewalk grilled chicken and papaya salad stand, and on and on. Thailand has a microcosm of culinary delights at every turn. It’s a beautiful thing!

But sometimes the stars and moon align and all of these culinary delights are brought together under one roof (or sky).

of some of the world’s finest foods being laid out in front of you for your enjoyment. Not only that, but all of this was done with a different atmosphere and theme for each day.

If you were on a diet, you really wanted to stay away from Phuket’s northern area!

On the evening of Friday, December 3rd, SALA Phuket Resort & Spa joined forces with the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa and invited everyone to be their guest and create history by dining at Phuket’s longest dining table.

Spanning over 300 meters between both luxury resorts, the spectacular culinary setting marked the starting point for the beginning of the year’s event. Guests dined on Phuket regional cuisine and indulged themselves with complimentary beer, wine and refreshments whilst enjoying great entertainment and modern art by local artists at this once in a life time opportunity.

Live percussion instruments played in beat with casual music as diners enjoyed wonderful food and drink on a white sandy beach that had a cool breeze flowing in as well. As the sun set, the opening night smiles and laughter, along with an almost completely wiped out buffet table, singled a wonderful beginning to the festival.

As the sun set, the opening night smiles and laughter, along with an almost completely wiped out buffet table, singled a wonderful beginning to the festival.

Many guests, after eating, decided to take a long walk on the beach to work off their dinner as they knew the next day’s food offerings would be there before they knew it.

To say that everyone had a good night’s sleep would be an understatement.

At the North Phuket Culinary Arts Festival that was held in early December, chefs from around the world joined forces to provide a 3 day long gastronomic heaven. Imagine 3 days

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On the next day, the festivities moved to the Anatara Phuket; which is ideally situated for patrons to watch the sun slowly dip below the horizon. Guests sampled cocktails created by international mixologists while also enjoying a barefoot BBQ next to the resort’s beautiful infinity pool.

As well, delicious Thai food from market stalls located on the lawn drew a lot of attention as delicious, fresh and tasty Thai dishes were cooked up right before the guests’ eyes.

Frenchman DJ Charles Schillings provided groovy tunes until late. As well, Thailand’s famous Jim Thompson showcased their new beach and coastal wear collection in a never before seen fashion show. The new collection turns the traditionally functional fabrics into the latest in fashion beyond the realm of existing habitual motifs and colours.

The festival’s finale came in the form of a four hour brunch held on Sunday at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort. ‘The Brunch of Your Life’ was a bounty of sophisticated tastes from the JW Marriott’s fourteen kitchens served up on pristine Mai Khao beach. This party was for the entire family as Father’s Day and the King of Thailand’s birthday were celebrated as well.

The elegant brunch offered the very best dishes: from Cucina Italian, Andaman Steak and Seafood Grill, Kabuki Japanese Cuisine, Ginja Thai and much more. The magnificent brunch experience was held in the Lotus Pavilion, surrounding restaurants and along the beach front. Four unique beverage stations featured a bubbles champagne bar, a classic to cool cocktails bar, an iced beer boat and a hand blended juice bar.

Kids were also entertained by a host of free activities in and around the pool. Roving magicians, jugglers and balloon artist kept the little ones busy so the parents could dive into the plethora of dishes on hand.

Thailand’s famous Jim Thompson showcased their new beach and coastal wear collection in a never before seen fashion show.

Again, ambiance and atmosphere were just as important as the food. The Kanon Band from Bali, world renowned DJ Aaron Duncan and the Andaman Elegance Jazz trio kept things mellow, peaceful and copacetic the entire time.

‘The Brunch of Your Life’ was the perfect end to a wonderful weekend of world class indulgences and a true taste of Thailand and Northern Phuket. Start your diet now, so you can dive in without guilt for 2011’s North Phuket Culinary Arts Festival!

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