HOT Magazine, Issue 5, Volume 8

ISSUE 5 VOLUME 8 MAY 2020

H

T MAGAZINE

Luxury Living & Exclusive Lifestyle

“Trust Me,

You Can Dance”

– Tequila

Boating HOT MAGAZINE

in Hua Hin

A Conversation with

Chris Craker – Redux

Let’s

Go Ratchaprapha

COMPLIMENTARY COPY

MISTER National Universe

Where Pageantry and Luxury Meet

www.hotmagazine.website

Golf Experience of the Year

Thailand

IAGTO, the world’s largest Golf Travel Association, comprising 700+ golf tour operators worldwide voted for best golf resort and hotel experience in 25 leading golf destinations worldwide.

Tel: 032 618 666 • Email: proshop@bmghuahin.com • www.blackmountainhuahin.com

Where Space Is The Ultimate Luxury Baan Rom Yen is an exclusive project of 9 bespoke Villas on land plots starting at 3,700 sq.m.

Overlooking the Beautiful Springfield Golf Course, an official Bird Sanctuary.

A project developed by Peter Ton of Baan Ing Phu, widely recognized as the most exclusive estate in Hua Hin, taking luxury to the next level.

Starting at 30,000,000 THB

Baan Rom Yen www.baanromyen.com 208/1, Moo 2, Cha-Am, Petchaburi, 76120, Thailand peter.stonehead@gmail.com +66 (0)89 039 0966

EDITORS

NOTE

A

s mentioned last month, if you are a regular reader of our magazine, you know that we cover big social events and high society parties, as well as featuring an exceptional hotel and restaurant each month. Of course, there are no parties or big social events, and all of the hotels and restaurants are just starting to come back. Instead of presenting you with a magazine filled with blank pages, we have reached back into our archives to bring you some of our most talked-about articles, as well as a lot of original content.

Additionally, with so many of our magazine distribution points closed due to Covid 19, this issue is available digital-only.

We had the honor and pleasure of first interviewing Chris Craker back in 2015. Chris is a performer, recording artist, composer, arranger, producer/ engineer, and record label founder. He has produced over four hundred and fifty classical, jazz, soundtrack, and pop recordings. Since our 2015 interview, Chris has been extremely busy with big-budget Hollywood movie scores, most recently producing the soundtracks for Disney’s Mulan & Netflix’s upcoming George Michael Biopic.

Finish popping your popcorn and turn to page 34 for an update on Chris’s exciting and busy life, plus a replay of our interview with this Thailand based impresario.

Few spirits are as shrouded in myth and mystery as much as Tequila—and for good reason. This spicy and instantly recognizable Mexican spirit has been around for centuries, which is plenty of time for a few good tall tales to surface, starting with the Aztecs. While it’s possible—probable, even—that the

Aztecs knew how to throw a real rager, Tequila didn’t begin as the partier’s shot of choice. It didn’t even start as the Tequila we know today.

For that, we can thank the Cuervo family who began commercially distilling Tequila in 1758, followed later by the Sauza family in 1873 (and, we’re sure, a few other small producers in between). Slice up a few limes, search for some salt and dig out your shot glasses, then turn to page 60 to learn why Tequila, just like duct tape, fixes nearly everything.

Talking to a business associate recently, I asked how his time in lockdown went. His answer instantly brought on pangs of jealousy when finding out he had spent his 6 weeks of lockdown on a yacht off the coast of Koh Phi Phi. Boating is big in Thailand, but not so much in and around Hua Hin, even though there are stunning small islands and beautiful beaches, only accessible by boat. Largely unknown, there is also a top tier, European managed marina just 18 km’s South of Hua Hin in Pak Nam Pran. Put on your deck shoes and turn to page 72 Hua Hin and how we can help you find your perfect watercraft.

Those are just a few of the stories you’ll find inside this month’s issue of HOT. We hope you enjoy the read.

Tanya Siri Vijitsomphong Editor, HOT Magazine

H

T MAGAZINE

Luxury Living & Exclusive Lifestyle

Edited and published by HOT Hua Hin Co. Ltd. Although all materials are published in good faith and based on information solicited to us at the time of publication, the publisher takes no responsibility for any errors, loss or omissions that may occur. No part of this publication may be reproduced in full or in part without the previous written consent of HOT Hua Hin Co. Ltd. All materials copyright. All rights are reserved.

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MANAGING & CREATIVE EDITOR Tanya Siri Vijitsomphong tanya@hothuahin.com GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT DEEPMIX MEDIA www.deepmixmedia.com PHOTOGRAPHER Sunya Yamaka facebook.com/sunya.yamaka

CONTACT INFORMATION Contact us to find out how to get the most for your advertising baht: sales@hothuahin.com +66 (0)84 387 5699 info@hothuahin.com www.hotmagazine.website Follow us on Facebook for more photos & upcoming events: HotMagazineHuahinBangkok

What's inside...

60

44Alloy Sold to Asia

With Chris Craker

Ratchaprapha Dam

For Someone Else

– Tequila

Boating

52

In Hua Hin

44

Second Sanlorenzo

A Conversation

Let’s Go

25 Ways To Be Good

“Trust Me, You Can Dance”

34

72 20

5

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MODEL: Vikash Usham - Mister National Universe 2019 MUA: Kaithong PHOTOGRAPHERS: Sunya Yamake Supphachat Khomkow LOCATION: Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin first opened its doors to welcome guests in the early 1920s, at a time when the new railway line to Malaysia was transforming the sleepy fishing village of Hua Hin into Thailand’s first beach resort. Our hotel, originally named the Railway Hotel, was built along the classic lines of that era, and today is regarded as one of the grand hotels of the East.

Sensitively extended and renovated, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin retains its air of that bygone age of elegance. Set on the beachfront, with a wide expanse of gardens perfect for strolling and enjoying the sea breezes, and with a prime town centre location ideal for exploring and shopping, the resort is a prime destination for couples and families.

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MODEL: Vikash Usham - Mister National Universe 2019 MUA: Kaithong PHOTOGRAPHERS: Sunya Yamake Supphachat Khomkow LOCATION: Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

HOT Magazine

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L et’s Meet

Duangrat “Jeab” Scrivener What is your full name?

Duangrat Scrivener What is your current Job Position?

I am the owner and founder of Cheers Wine Bar, located next to the Hilton in the center of Hua Hin. How long have you lived in Hua Hin or been coming to Hua Hin? I have been living in Hua Hin for approximately six years.

What did you know about Hua Hin before you moved here?

I was told that It had nice beaches, beautiful restaurants, and stunning golf courses.

What do you like most about your profession?

Meeting people from Thailand and other parts of the world. I feel good when my customers are having a good time and hopefully they have enjoyed their wine journey at Cheers.

What do you like least about your profession?

Can’t think of a thing, I love what I do.

What do you like most about Hua Hin? I love the relaxed beachy lifestyle and the people that are drawn to it.

I love the sound of the waves and the feeling of sand between my toes when walking along the beach with family and good friends.

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What is your favorite restaurant and why?

My favourite restaurant is Air Space in Koh Takiab because they offer good food and impeccable service. Air Space built the building for their restaurant and it is very unique. They have a coffee shop next door that’s quite good also.

What do you like to do in your free time and why?

I love golf and the beach, and you will find me at either place, depending on the weather.

What would you recommend to new-comers to do in Hua Hin and why?

I would recommend new-comers to visit the beach, restaurants and if they are a wine lover to visit Cheers Wine Bar for a great wine experience. Also, check out our variety of night markets, they make for a great evening.

Tell us a surprising fact that the public might not know about you?

I am a qualified nurse, I have two amazing daughters, and I have 11 dogs which makes me a dog lover.

What is the most outlandish thing you have ever done and why?

About five years ago, I jumped out of a plane for the first time. It was the thrill of my life.

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PANORAMA DEVELOPMENTS ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THREE NEW PHASES

2 to 3 Bedrooms 3 to 4 Bathrooms Infinity Pool Customizable villa designs Different furniture package Underground electricity Free and Lease hold High Ceiling

STARTING PRICE

5.9M THB

AT THE DOORS OF PRESTIGIOUS GOLF COURSES AT HUA HIN

BLACK MOUNTAIN

PALM HILLS PRESTIGE

PALM HILLS PREMIERE

29 plots Land size: 409 - 615 sq.m Living area: 197 - 267 sq.m Start selling price at 5.9M THB

15 plots Land size: 378 - 634 sq.m Living area: 197 - 267 sq.m Start selling price at 6.9M THB

7 plots Land size: 1,625 - 1,689 sq.m Living area: 362 sq.m Start selling price at 21.65M THB

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS AT PANORAMA KHAO TAO AND ITS 57 POOL VILLAS FULLY SOLD

WWW.PANORAMAVILLASHUAHIN.COM For more information, feel free to contact us at +66 (0) 98 539 9417 or at info@panoramavillashuahin.com

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

Chanut Piyaoui, A Thai Hotel Pioneer On May 5, Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, the founder of Dusit International, passed away at the age of 99.

Khun Chanut served as the managing director and chairperson of Dusit International from 1970 to 2014, and then held the post of honorary chairman.

Prominently regarded for singlehandedly building the Dusit hospitality empire, she became one of the world’s prominent hoteliers having founded and managed the steady expansion of the Dusit hotel brand.

Thanpuying Chanut was born in Bangkok. Her father was a businessman who owned a sawmill there, and her mother ran a rice mill outside the

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city. In 1946, Thanpuying Chanut went to the United States hoping to attend Columbia University. Having been unsuccessful in her attempt to gain entrance due to her level of English, she was sent to an English school in New York City. After completing her studies, she traveled around the country, becoming fascinated with the hotels she visited and their modern facilities and quality of service.

Upon returning home in 1947, she aspired to build a hotel that would be like the ones she had visited in the U.S., but with a distinctively Thai touch. In 1948, Thanpuying Chanut opened her first hotel, the “Princess” on Bangkok’s New Road. It had only 30 rooms but

had the distinction of being the first modern hotel in Bangkok with a swimming pool. The hotel was the accommodation of choice for the flight crews of Pan American Airways (Pan Am) for several years.

At the time, Thanpuying Chanut took an opportunity to join Pan Am’s “80 Days Around the World” program to see the world. The trip helped her to get valuable information and insights into the hotel trade that she could incorporate into her own business as a means of improving it In 1970, Thanpuying Chanut founded the luxury Dusit Thani Hotel near Lumphini Park , which became the

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

Dusit Thani Bangkok

Dusit Thani Guangdong

flagship business for the Dusit Group.

The iconic Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel was, at the time, the city’s largest fivestar property, quickly capitalizing on Thailand’s new era of tourism.

It became the hotel to stay for movie stars to musical superstars to the world’s top political leaders. Just a few of the famous clientele who have rested their heads on the Dusit Thani Bangkok’s pillows include Margret Thatcher, Ronald Regan, Gwyneth Paltrow, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Julio Iglesias, Enrique Iglesias, Coldplay, Tom Jones, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, Jack Klugman, Anna Kournikova, Jackie Chan, Oliver Stone, Jose Carreras, Santana and the BlackEyed Peas.

The hotel, noted for its golden spire, was the tallest building in the country when it opened for business. Last year, the hotel was demolished to make way for development as part of a 36-billionbaht mixed-use project set for completion in 2023 on the site.

In February 2018, Thanpuying Chanut was presented with the prestigious SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award.

Under Thanpuying Chanut’s stewardship, Dusit Thani launched the Dusit Thani College, which specialises in hospitality management, and she launched the Le Cordon Bleu Dusit which offers French cuisine and pâtisserie curricula that are the same as those of the other Le Cordon Bleu

Dusit Thani Dubai

Dusit Thani Cebu

schools in Europe. The school is also the first Le Cordon Bleu campus to offer a course in the Professional Thai Cuisine to sit alongside the French culinary programmes.

The Dusit Thani group of hotels expanded internationally. It acquired hotels under the management of Dusit Thani Hotels & Resorts in the Philippines, the Middle East, India, China, the United States and the Maldives.

For her extraordinary achievement in the Thai hospitality industry, Chanut received the title “Thanpuying” which is the highest royal decoration of Thailand.

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HOT AROUND HUA HIN

HOT Magazine Inks Media Partnership with China’s Leading Property Specialists With the ethos of “Luxury Living & Exclusive Lifestyle,” HOT Magazine is delighted to announce our media partnership with LPS, China’s leading property specialist. Since 2010, LPS China has developed the top platform to connect Chinese elite property investors with global luxury properties.

LPS hosts invitation-only property shows in Beijing & Shanghai. Over 6,200

H

guests are anticipated to visit this year with a targeted audience of Chinese luxury property buyers, high-end investors, VIPs, and wealthy individuals.

73% of attendees are company CEO’s or owners, with 28% having annual incomes of 500 to 599,000 USD’s and 39% having earnings of over 600,000 USD’s yearly. Interestingly, 48% already own two to five homes.

Russ Downing, Managing Director of HOT Magazine’s parent company, had this to say about the partnership; “HOT Magazine spans every relevant luxury segment, including Real Estate.

As Thailand is one of the top countries for wealthy Chinese to invest in, a partnership with LPS makes excellent strategic sense, we look forward to working with their team.”

T MAGAZINE

Luxury Living & Exclusive Lifestyle

6,000 COPIES EVERY MONTH! Why Advertise wi th HOT Magazine ?

That’s lik e asking “ Why Succeed?”

Contact us today at info@hothuahin.com HOT Magazine is now printing 6,000 copies monthly with 5,000 copies distributed in Hua Hin & 1,000 copies distributed to high income areas of Bangkok.

15th PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards Reschedules Gala Event

PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, the region’s leading real estate awards programme, is moving forward this year with a new timeline for its Thai edition.

The organisers have made the responsible decision of postponing the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards’ black-tie gala event and awards presentation, previously set for September, to ensure the safety and health of guests, venues, and staff members.

The landmark 15th edition of Thailand’s leading annual real estate gala event will now be held on Friday, 20 November. The general public are still encouraged to submit their nominations online until 21 August via www. asiapropertyawards.com/nominations The rescheduled key dates for the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards are as follows: 21 August 2020 – Nominations Close 28 August 2020 – Entries Close

7-15, 21-25 September 2020 – Site Inspections 28-29 September 2020 – Final Judging 20 November 2020 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand 4 December 2020 – Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand Precautionary health protocols will be followed stringently leading up to and on the day of the gala events.

Existing entries will also be judged as normal based on the established criteria whilst entry submission cut-offs will be extended as necessary for each market.

Jules Kay, Managing Director of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, said: “With the safety of our guests remaining a number one priority, we want to ensure that we hold our events at a time when our award nominees and other stakeholders feel comfortable and ready to fully celebrate their achievements.”

PropertyGuru’s Asia Property Awards, established in 2005, are the region’s most exclusive and prestigious real estate awards programme. The Asia Property Awards are recognised as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence in the Asian property sector. Boasting an independent panel of industry experts and trusted supervisors, the Awards have an unparalleled reputation for being credible, fair and transparent.

In 2020, the Awards is open to 16 property markets around the region.

With exclusive gala dinners hosting up to 600 senior industry leaders to recognise excellence within each Asian market, each local awards culminate in the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final, which takes place alongside the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit in Bangkok in December 2020.

For more information, please visit AsiaPropertyAwards.com

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Second Sanlorenzo 44Alloy Sold to Asia

S

anlorenzo Asia, a division of Simpson Marine, recently announced the sale of their second 44Alloy superyacht to Asia.

The first was sold in late 2018 and is expected to launch in Autumn.

The fast displacement 44.5 metre, 470 GT, an entirely aluminum built superyacht, is the new 2020 model expected to premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. Renown yacht designer and long-term partner of Sanlorenzo for the new SX and relaunched SD line, the Zuccon International Project studio has been in charge of exterior styling and interior

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design.

The yacht is characterised by clean, sporty lines with distinctive cut-outs in the bulwarks to provide unlimited sea views from the main deck and a sky lounge on the upper deck. The 44Alloy is a highly capable fast cruiser able to reach a maximum speed of 22 knots.

The aft side of the hull comprises of a spacious beach club that opens on three sides with a lateral tender garage featuring a 7m tender.

An innovative feature is the exceptional master cabin, which spans over three levels and covers a total of 145

sqm, a solution of ultimate comfort never seen before on a yacht of this size. The suite comprises its own private outdoor bow lounge area with a private pool.

The new 44Alloy is a true conceptual update of the prize-winning 40Alloy, Sanlorenzo’s 40 metre aluminium model famous for its fold-out terraces in the owner’s zone, gullwing doors on the bridge and its remarkable performance and commercial success, with as many as ten yachts sold. The 44Alloy is set to repeat her predecessor success with five units sold to date, before her official launch.

“We are extremely proud of this sale given the current climate, and it goes to show the passion of our owners to power forward and enjoy life on the ocean in what are certainly challenging times. The client is an experienced yacht owner who sought a state of the art design and a yacht that made the most of the spaces on board. The 44Alloy certainly does this with its unique use of spaces both internally and externally. The owner suite, for example, has been brilliantly developed by Bernardo Zuccon spanning three floors and enabling the space to be used in so many different ways. We

are also delighted to welcome not one but two of the 44Alloy yachts in Asia in addition to several other Sanlorenzo superyachts already cruising in the region�, says Nick Stratton, Sanlorenzo Asia Sales Manager.

HOT Magazine recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Nick to talk about Sanlorenzo and his role as Asia Sales Manager.

HOT: As the Asia Sales Manager for Sanlorenzo, which countries are you focusing most of your efforts on and which would you say are up and coming?

Nick: My team and I are responsible for the whole of Asia so our efforts go into promoting the brand across the region. Our two head offices are in Hong Kong and Singapore where we have dedicated Sanlorenzo spaces for clients to discuss about their Sanlorenzo yachts and superyachts in a fine and relaxed setting. The most recent Southeast Asia HQ being in Singapore where we recently opened a stunning new office designed by Piero Lissoni located in the prestigious Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove.

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Nick Stratton

Our activations around Asia throughout the years have been enjoying great success. Sanlorenzo dominance in Asia within this short span of years has been a great journey so far and we are all very focused to bring this bespoke yachting lifestyle to our clients in the region.

HOT: With Sanlorenzo’s starting at almost 24 meters, are any of your clientele first-time boat owners?

Nick: Yes, absolutely. Yachts are increasing in size and owners of a certain type have a need for luxury and comfort – this is really only reached with a yacht of this size and more. It is expensive to switch and change so starting at a larger size is a sensible buying decision with longer term use.

Sanlorenzo bespoke craftsmanship takes on an exclusive journey between Sanlorenzo and owners, designing and building their very own unique madeto-measure yacht. This experience is truly unlike any other and that is also one reason why we have first-time boat owners owning a Sanlorenzo yacht.

Back in March, we were delighted to present the Sanlorenzo SL78 in Phuket at a luxury resort and we had the opportunity to showcase this entry-level superyacht’s best features in person.

Guests were all in awe by the streamlined profile, elegant, clean design and welcoming living area of the yacht.

Sanlorenzo SL78

Sanlorenzo SL78

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HOT: For over 60 years, Sanlorenzo has crafted tailor-made motor yachts focusing on their client’s desires. Has a buyer ever requested a feature that sounded crazy at first, but in the end turned out to be a great idea?

Nick: The beauty of Sanlorenzo is that we try our very best not to say no.

Sanlorenzo is well known for being innovative and leading the industry with many award winning yachts. Each Sanlorenzo range marks a different distinction of luxury craftsmanship for individual owner to experience. Being a custom yacht builder, sitting with the owner and working together to make their vison our reality is a very natural process. It is what makes our yachts so distinctive. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

HOT: What do you see as the new trends in yachting? Is it going bigger, or is it new features that are creating the most interest?

Nick: Trends differ between markets. In Hong Kong for example yachts tend to be used more locally exploring the stunning local cruising grounds.

In S.E.A yachts cruise more between

countries often re-locating between seasons. In both cases quality, comfort and design are all consistent trends and then within the brand we have a variety of “types” so suit all needs – whether it be for an owner that wants speed, or a slower yacht to travel further.

HOT: Thanks Nick.

Just before publishing this issue, Sanlorenzo also made news with a possible merger /acquisition of Italian Superyacht builder Pernini Navi. The procurement would give Sanlorenzo one of the world’s strongest sailing superyacht brands. In a statement from the shipyard, Sanlorenzo commented that it will analyse the potential takeover during a “period of exclusivity” during which it will “assess possible costs and synergies and evaluate any interest in concluding the transaction.”

Should the acquisition go ahead as planned, the statement clarifies that Perini Navi would then be “majorityowned” by Sanlorenzo.

Yacht Show valued at $176 million (€160 million), with seven yachts under construction.

Sanlorenzo has been aggressively expanding over the last decade, having delivered 103 superyacht projects during that time. Before Covid-19, it was scheduled to deliver another 24 yachts this year. For last year, it reported its strongest financial year ever, with net sales of $500 million (€455 million), up 39.3 percent from 2018.

Sanlorenzo is represented in Asia by leading regional yacht sales, charter, and management company Simpson Marine. For additional information go to sanlorenzo@simpsonmarine.com or thailand@simpsonmarine.com (office number: +66 76 317 305).

Famous for building the 289-foot Maltese Falcon and the 197-foot sailing superyacht Seven, Perini Navi reported orders from last September’s Monaco

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Go to Chaam

Tunnel

Mercedes-Benz Show Room Post Office Konceptfurniture

Hua Hin Bus Station Hua Hin Airport

Hua Hin Soi 2

From : Suvarnabhumi Airport - Hua Hin

13:00

From : Hua Hin - Suvarnabhumi Airport

11:00

Night Market Hua Hin Soi 72

Hua Hin Soi 76

Hua Hin Train Station Marketplace Hua Hin Soi 96

Petchkasem Road.

Bus service between Suvarnabhumi airport and Hua Hin

Phra Poklao Road.

Hua Hin Soi 1

Klai Kangwon Palace Hua Hin Soi 57

Clock Tower

HUA HIN

Premium Location Superior Quality Stunning Views Close to Banyan Golf Course 5 min to Blu Port shopping mall as well as town centre and beach NEW RELEASE

NEW RELEASE

WINNER

WINNER

BEST RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT (Hua Hin)

BEST HOUSING DEVELOPMENT (Hua Hin)

Fa lc on Hill

By Fa lco n Hill De ve lo p me n t L imite d

Fa lc on Hill

By Fa lco n Hill De ve lo p me n t L imite d

2018

2017

L et’s Eat,

Ian’s Restaurant -

Epicurean European in Hua Hin

I

an’s Restaurant & Black Angus Steak House near Cicada Market is a standout addition to Hua Hin’s, well-served dining repertoire. It is achieving quite a reputation. The first impression on stepping into Chef Ian’s premises is its distinctive ambience.

The two-story, neo-colonial bungalow is set back from bustling Khao Takiab

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Road. Entry is via a canopy of mature, Frangipani trees shading the bromeliads and lending their waft to the evening air.

Diners enjoy choices of setting: indoor air-conditioned, courtyard alfresco, or an annex for larger groups.

Cuisine is Euro-centric or Thai-style, or Western-with-Thai-flair (from two

separate kitchens) – while the menu is à la carte or of daily, ‘Chef’s creations’.

But make no mistake. As the name suggests, the major feature of this Hua Hin restaurant marching smartly up the league tables, is the masterful, creative and Savoy-trained, Chef Ian Jones, this is Ian’s show and Ian’s passion.

HOT MAGAZINE RECOMMENDED In addition to being proprietor, Ian personally attends the local markets daily, selecting the finest ingredients (some gleaned from scarce & prized sources). Local knowledge and seasonal availability provide the inspiration for famed daily ‘Specials’, complementing an already diverse menu. Somehow, Chef Ian still generally finds time to

emerge from his kitchen to personally introduce himself to diners.

First up on the night we dined was a selection of Appetizers; a creationof-the-day being a type of ‘gâteau d’aubergine’ with goat’s cheese centre, artfully surrounded by refreshing Beetroot and topped with Thai Basil – sourced from the back garden. This

was followed by the shared Asian Platter; individual tempura prawns, calamari, spring rolls and samosa accompanied by a selection of three dipping sauces – tartare, aioli or lime pickle with mayonnaise.

This was followed by a Soup course - delicious Fennel & Carrot - accompanied by crostini.

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Mains sampled were also a combination of ‘Chef’s creation’ and à la carte. First up was the Special; roasted Codfish on spring onion mash, dressed with an exquisite vierge made from sun dried tomatoes (prepared on the estate), olive oil & capers, and garnished with estate-growth asparagus.

A second main dish melded the cultures; slow-roasted Pork Belly (superbly crackled) served with Asian greens, Shitake mushrooms and served in green pepper sauce on a pilaf of one-year-old, Thai Hom Mali Rice. Also from the menu, a perfect, Black Angus tenderloin steak, served with Portobello mushrooms and asparagus, with a red-wine sauce on the side.

The steak came with a side-dish of what may be Hua Hin’s finest chips – chunky-cut and crispy.

Our event concluded with two Desert dishes. First up was the todie-for trio of three chocolate desserts. Next came Ian’s signature desert – Sticky Toffee Pudding liberally coated with warm toffee sauce and topped with ice-cream (all guaranteed calorie-free unless somebody sees you eating it) Chef Ian Jones trained at the Savoy in London, and worked in Portugal and Jersey, prior to venturing to pursue his profession in Asia. The comprehensive dinner menu is impossible to categorize – more ‘global’ than simply fusion reflecting as it does Chef Ian’s vast and widespread experience. The very best of Thai herbs, spices and local or seasonal delights; British (obviously); hints of French (Duck foie gras, parfaits & confit); Italian (Mushroom ravioli); Australian Beef; NZ Lamb, though nothing identifiable from Antarctica.

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Food critique, Bill Marsano, opined, “The British Empire was created as a by-product of desperate Englishmen roaming the world in search of a decent meal.”

Whatever, that historic global pursuit for good cuisine was wildly successful. Chef Ian Jones has combined the best of that earlier global roaming, in a part of the world offering the very freshest of tropical and temperate ingredients, and spiced with Thailand’s emphasis on cuisine. Ian’s Restaurant & Steak House in Hua Hin, Thailand is the outcome.

Due to Covid, the Restaurant seats only 20 people, and Reservations are recommended – phone 099 497 3040, or Messenger: @ianrestaurant.

Business Hours are 13:00 to 22:30 daily except Mondays.

Ian’s Restaurant is located on Khao Takiab Road just south of Cicada Market on the opposite side - Parking is on the street.

By Norman Stacey

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Golf Experience of the Year

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A Conversation With Chris Craker -Redux

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H

OT Magazine had the marvelous pleasure of interviewing Chris Craker back in 2015.

Chris has won numerous awards and received acclaim for his activities as a performer, recording artist, composer, arranger, producer/ engineer, record label founder and artist manager. Chris is also an author, critic, industry commentator, and strategic advisor. He has produced over four hundred and fifty classical, jazz, soundtrack, and pop recordings.

Chris has been exceptionally busy since our last sit-down with one of his most recent projects producing the Soundtracks for the movie Mulan. Mulan is an American action drama, produced & distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.

The film is based on the Chinese folklore “The Ballad of Mulan” and is a live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1998 animated film of the same name. For the soundtrack, top Chinese virtuoso musicians flew into Thailand to record at Chris’s Karma recording studio in Bang Saray. Originally coming out in March, due to Covid, the movie is now set to release on the 27th of July.

Another movie project he did recently was the composing of the soundtrack to the new George Michael biopic for Netflix, which is also due out in July of this year.

Interestingly, the movie was directed by Thai resident Simon Napier Bell. Simon used to manage Wham, the English pop music duo consisting of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. Wham was one of the most commercially successful pop acts of the 1980s, selling more than 30 million records worldwide from 1982 to 1986.

Chris has operated at the very forefront of the music industry for over 30 years. He produced the soundtrack for the wildly successful movie “Interstellar” starring Mathew McConaughey and Ann Hathaway, with the Oscar-nominated score composed by Hans Zimmer. Chris also produced the score for “The Little Prince,”

a Paramount movie that had its debut at the Cannes Film Festival.

Chris was the youngest member of the London Symphony Orchestra, making his debut at the early age of 22 playing the clarinet. While there, he contributed to albums by Alan Parsons, Sarah Brightman, and Sir Elton John and the Soundtracks for many of the Star Wars movies, E.T., and numerous others.

At the age of 28, he decided he wanted to explore other avenues of music. Always fascinated by the record business, he bought his first digital tape machine and learned everything he could about the music recording business. He received a considerable contract quite quickly with a record company.

He later set up his own record label, Black Box, and went on to release over 100 albums before selling the business. He was headhunted to become the General Manager and Senior Vice President of the International Division of Sony BMG Masterworks, maintaining offices both in London and New York.

Chris has produced ten recordings in Thailand featuring the compositions of His Majesty, King Bhumipol Adulyadej, which was an absolute career highlight for him. Further, in the summer of 2006, Chris produced two albums specifically in honour of His Majesty’s 60th Anniversary on the throne – one featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the other featuring arrangements by Privy Councilor, HE Rear Admiral Mom Luang Usni Pramoj with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.

Chris also produced music used in the media for the Coronation of King Rama X. Chris was selected to produce the music for the 1998 Asian Games. The Asian Games theme song “Reach For The Stars,” was performed by Sony BMG pop artist, Ta Ta Young and sold over 2.3 million copies and went straight to Number 1 in the pop charts.

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In 2008 Chris built his own recording studio, called Karma, in the picturesque fishing village of Bang Saray, 20 minutes from Pattaya. Karma quickly gained a reputation as the finest in South East Asia.

Chris splits his time between London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Thailand, undertaking high profile production, supervision/management, composition, conducting, and recording projects.

From the management side of his business, he recently signed Thai artist PYRA to Warner Music Thailand, and he launched a brand new record label, Karma X, in partnership with Warner Music Asia with their first releases in Q4, 2020.

Coincidentally I started studying with the gentleman who was that soloist, a man named John McCaw, and then ultimately sitting next to him in the Orchestra playing along and then recording him with the London Philharmonic, which I do frequently. So it’s funny how life comes around. Forty five years ago my mum and dad took me to a concert and now I have been working with them consistently over twenty-five years.

HOT: Your foray into music started with the clarinet, when did you start playing?

HOT: At 22 you were picked to join the London Symphony Orchestra where you stayed for six years. What was that like, and why did you decide to move on to the recording side of the music industry?

Chris: For my 11th birthday my parents took me to a Philarmonic concert in London where in the middle of the

Chris: Playing for the London Symphony Orchestra was a dream come to for me. Everyone around me was

We are pleased to bring you once again our 2015 interview with Chris.

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performance there was a clarinet soloist, and something just caught my ear on that day. My parents bought me a clarinet, and after playing two years, I became absolutely compulsive playing 4 to 6 hours a day from the age of 14 and 7 to 8 hours a day when I reached 18.

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in their 50’s and 60’s so I felt very fortunate. At the time they were the “go-to” symphony for doing move scores. During that time we did several Star War movies, E.T., all of those John William’s big orchestral scores and I was fascinated by the whole recording process and we were recording a lot in those days for the big classical labels.

I got friendly with the guys at Abbey Road studios which is where we were normally making those records and decided to take a sabbatical from playing for about six months, bought some equipment and learned how to use it.

I used to hang out at Abbey Road for long periods of time, watching, listening and learning. I got my break due to a chance meeting at a dinner party with a guy who owned a record label, he invited me to make a series of 20 records featuring the London Symphony Orchestra. Again going full circle really from being the novice young boy in the orchestra to 8 to ten years later making a major series of recordings with them.

I was working simultaneously for labels like EMI, Decca, Warner Classics, Sony and over the years I’ve made over 400 records. In that heyday when CD’s

were selling in large quantities we would often make 2 to 3 CD’s a week.

It was a really busy full on time and I was traveling all over the world.

I ultimately invested in 3 mobile recording units. I had one in London, one in Dublin because I was doing a long series of recording for the National Symphony Orchestra and one in New York so I just used to jump on a plane with a flight bag filled with microphones and my headphones.

HOT: You started your own recording label, when did this happen?

Chris: It was actually during this time that it dawned on me that I was making so many records I should be doing it for myself so I set up my label and named it Black Box Music. We quickly grew the label over 2 to 3 years to the point where we were releasing 3 to 4 records a month and the catalog was up around 100 titles. We had dis-

tribution in 27 countries. I was doing a lot of traveling visiting our distributors and it got to be too much so I elected to sell the label to the Sanctuary Group which was a large independent label in London whose roster was very diverse. They had a Rock division which handled groups like Iron Maiden, Gun’s and Roses and doing big touring events with really big Rock Bands.

They also had a middle of the road label and then a classical label which I ended up running. After a couple of years we brokered a deal and now Black Box is owned by Universal Music which is the biggest music empire in the world, so the label still goes on.

Contractually I had to stay on with Sanctuary for two years and then I was head hunted by Sony Music to run their classical division. I originally worked out of their London office but quite quickly realized that I need to be in their New York office. I kept my family

in London and would fly to New York on a Monday and back to London on a Friday with frequent visits to Berlin and Tokyo which was where the other two main offices were. It was quite a crazy but fun time. Eventually the corporate life got too much for me and I decided after 4 years that I wanted to go back to making music. It was then that I built my recording studio in Thailand. I wanted to set up a creative utopia that would be a brilliant place for musicians to record without all of the distractions of the real world.

HOT: What initially brought you to Thailand?

Chris: I was recording in the Abbey Road studios and received a fax from Privy Councilor, HE Rear Admiral Mom Luang Usni Pramoj inviting me to come and record his Majesty’s music for his golden jubilee celebration, so I was honored to get that invitation and that was the start of a very long working relationship with Mom Luang Usni Pramoj and we’ve made 10 or 12 records together. It’s been a seamless endless string of projects ever since which is why 8 years ago I decided to set some roots here. Originally I was spending 12 to 14 weeks a year in Thailand but now it’s much more. I like the climate and the vibe. Our studio has software that allows us to connect to studios all over the world, this allows me to record my friends in L.A. or London out of my control room in Bang Saray.

HOT: Would you say your forte’ is classical, or are you all over the place?

Chris: It started out as classical and then moved to Jazz. I like jazz and used to hang out at Ronnie Scott’s in London and the Blue Note in New York. I got familiar and friendly with Jazz artists from all over the world so Black Box had a jazz division. Over time I started making pop records as well, in fact the second big job I did in Thailand was with Tata Young recording the theme song for the Asian Games which went on to sell 2.3 million copies and became one of her biggest selling hits. It was a big Celine Dion type of sound with a full orchestra which was unheard of in Thailand at that time. Stylistically I’m into everything but I probably do more pop records than anything and movie soundtracks.

HOT: What does your job as a music producer entail? I would imagine you must have excellent hearing.

Chris: I’m pretty good but as we get older we naturally loose the higher

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range, it’s why I surround myself with really talented music engineers as well so we all join in on these projects and have second opinions. But in addition to hearing I think I listen to things differently than other people, it’s something that all music producers and sound engineers have to do. We have to listen critically and understand the emotional response of the musician your recording while at the same time have the foresight to cut, paste and edit things together from what you are doing live time in the studio with the artist.

HOT: In addition to playing and recording, you’re also a writer.

Chris: Yes, I write both words and music. A friend of mine who works at an advertising agency in London said to me that I should write a book that gives insider tips on what a person should listen to if they like this particular song or that particular opera.

I thought it was a good idea. He said to write an introduction and he would send it to a friend of his who runs Trans World Publishers. In a few days I knocked out the introduction of what the book would be and did the chapter headings of what I thought a book like that should have. Trans World signed the book on the spot at and that was the start of my writing career in 1991. My first book was called “Get into Classical Music” and it was a fun easy to read paperback that came out with a CD so you could listen to things I was referencing and then go and expand your collection thereafter. That was quite a big success and kept me in Jaguar cars ever after. I followed that with “Get into Opera” which was demystifying opera and introducing people to it in a user friendly way, same story, paperback book with CD and then the next year I wrote “Get into Jazz”. The books were translated into 7 different languages including Mandarin and Spanish so we covered all the main languages around the world.

HOT: How long would it take you to write a book?

Chris: That’s an interesting question really because all during that time I was really busy producing records, it was my absolute busy busy years. I limited myself to a month and I would just take that month out. The first one I went down to my Uncle’s house out by the coast in South England and was writing two to three thousand words a day. It was the same story for the other two books, I just really focused for a month.

HOT: Last night with friends we were discussing how so few people

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buy music any more now that you can download most everything for free or you can join a a streaming service like Spotify and pay a monthly subscription fee. From your standpoint, being so entrenched in the music business, what are your thoughts on this?

Chris: Well, the whole music industry is in total free-fall at the moment and I’m very fascinated by that and am actively involved in trying to find ways to re-group and re-monetize the industry so that musicians, composers and songwriters can still get paid. The situation now is yes you can download music for free but it is stealing. Fifteen years ago you would have never thought of going into Tower Records and taking an arm full of CD’s and walking out but that’s exactly what’s happening now on the internet.

The record industry was unbelievably slow in spotting that that was going to happen and I remember those discussion very well. The first downloading site that popped up was Napster. Eventually a major company bought them thinking that if they owned the company it would stop the problem but of course there’s a smart kid in the Philippine’s who can knock out a site the next day so the Genie was out of the bottle and the industry hasn’t recovered.

People’s ability to earn money in the music industry now has been severely hampered. Musicians who were selling millions or tens of millions of records in the 80’s and 90’s are ok but I fear for younger musicians and younger bands who are just coming up today and are finding it much much harder to make

it. So I am figuring out ways with other people around the world to create unique content, linking recordings to merchandise so when you buy a t-shirt then you get access to content that we don’t ever put up on the net, obviously then other people can then load it in lower qualities but we are trying to make more bespoke products that one does pay for with a regular item like a live concert ticket or a t-shirt. We’re trying to change the habit of people who are just getting music for free. People aged 8 to 20 have grown up in a culture on not paying for music so they won’t.

Apple has the absolute lion’s share of that market. The biggest streaming site is Spotify which has a free service with adverts which generates some money for the rights holders and then a paid site where you pay around ten dollars a month for complete access with no adverts. Hopefully people will move over and pay for that as they do cable or satellite T.V. We do get T.V. channels for free with advertising but if you want premium content like HBO then you have to pay a monthly subscription fee. Hopefully this will be the way the music industry goes.

Jay Z has launched a site called Tidal which is a music streaming site a little like Spotify and with this model he’s trying to make more fair and transparent deals with the artists who sign up to stream via his site. At the moment you can still legally buy music from iTunes which is great and there are more than 200 digital platforms around the world where you can buy music from but

However, the contracts the artists signed were never built to accommodate this type of system so currently the money that is earned goes to the record label and not the artist or the songwriter. There is a lot of angst among artists and song writers right now as to how that whole program will be worked out but contextually the industry is in free-fall, it needs a big

shake up and I’m very happy to be part of that team of people who are trying to make those changes.

Right now the main way musicians make money is by playing live and selling merchandise. Just this morning at breakfast I was wearing a Rolling Stone’s tour t-shirt and it was commented on by a few people because it’s an interesting item of clothing and not one you would buy at a shop but can buy at the gigs. This particular one was two to three thousand baht but it was really high quality and had all the famous lip logos that had been used throughout the whole history of the Rolling Stones.

HOT: Getting back to your Recording Studio Karma, what’s currently happening there?

Chris: Right now one of Thailand’s top bands called Slot Machine is recording, they are on the BEC Tero music label. During discussions 6 months

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ago with Brian Marcar and Neil Thompson from BEC they wanted to take Slot Machine internationally so we knew that one, we had to do the album in English as well as in Thai and two we had to have some story behind it. I brought in Steve Lillywhite who’s famously produced U2, the Rolling Stones, Dave Mathew’s Band and many many others and he spent five weeks at Karma recently making that record and now the band is back doing the Thai versions of those songs. It’s great that companies like BEC Tero are seeing the big picture and want to export the best of Thai artists outside of the country.

HOT: Are the bands recording at Karma primarily Thai bands?

Chris: No, they’re predominately international bands, about a 65 /35 split. We’ve had bands like Jamiroquai, Placebo, Bullet For My Valentine, Young Guns, and people like Jimmy Paige float in from time to time. We just recently made the new Libertines record which is really going to turn heads and be a ground breaking project as it’s their first return after eleven years.

HOT: I had read that Jimmy Paige had been to Pattaya recently.

Chris: Yeah, he comes to Thailand quite frequently; he loves it here and pops in to see us. One of the first albums I ever bought was Led Zeppelin 2, and I never dreamt as a fourteen-year-old boy that I would meet the guy, let alone hang out with him.

HOT: The movie Interstellar was a 2014 smash hit grossing over six hundred and seventy million U.S. dollars. You produced the soundtrack for that film. How did that come about?

Chris: That was the first big soundtrack that I was invited to produce the score for and it was a massive honor to work with Director Christopher Nolan who’s famous for the Batman trilogy and Inception and Hans Zimmer the composer who’s probably one of the most brilliant and talented film composer’s ever. The music score for Interstellar was so integrally essential to the whole concept of the movie and Chris Nolan was hands on with it as well. He attended every recording session that we did, which is very unusual for a Director to do that but he was really re-

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ally keen that the music would be distinctly different from any other music that has been done for a film. We had the force of a full 90 piece symphony orchestra, a 30 piece choir, four grand piano’s playing at the same time and most importantly Roger Sayer playing the church organ which is a unique sound in this score.

We approached the whole thing in a very innovative way. Hans didn’t want anything to sound completely normal.

He always wanted to shock and create new textures so it was a hell of a lot of fun making that soundtrack. We recorded for weeks at Air Studios in London and then mixed it in Los Angeles and I did some post production work here at Karma in Thailand as well.

HOT: When producing a soundtrack, what does that actually entail?

Chris: Well it entails getting every single cue down and getting the best performance out of the orchestra and giving the conductor and orchestra guidance on how we texturally want it to sound, how we need it emotionally to be played so you’re giving a lot of artistic direction from the control room.

Then it’s fitting the music to the picture at the end of it all and then dissecting it and choosing seventy minutes to go on an album. Then it’s working on the Blue Ray’s, CD’s, Deluxe CD’s, remixes and directors cut versions of some of the tracks which we launched exclusively on iTunes, so it’s quite a long and involved process, it took a good 3 or 4 months of my life on that one project.

HOT: When you’re doing something new like this, creating new textures and such, how do you know this is what you want?

Chris: You have to be completely creative and listen to what the director’s wishes and concepts are. Hans responded by writing the most incredibly emotional music for what was essentially a space movie with a very strong humanistic family thread in it.

The whole thing was spiced up a little bit by the involvement of the scientists Kip Thorne and Steven Hawking who had a very active role in working out the time dimensional complexities when traveling through galaxies and the length of time that goes by when you enter black holes. At the premiers I had the pleasure of having quite indepth conversations with those guys.

The story behind the movie Interstellar has become so “culty” so quickly that we decided to do a live show calling it Interstellar Live at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It sold out in a day and a half. The concert was basically showing the film live in the

hall with the full symphony orchestra playing the soundtrack. We took the soundtrack off of the movie and just plugged in the dialogue and the sound effects so that was quite a complex mix situation in a live concert setting. We preceded that with a one hour talk by Chris Nolan, Hans Zimmer, Steven Hawking and Kip Thorne which was really fascinating, there was a standing ovation for a quarter hour at the end of it all. It was so popular that we had offers in from all over the world to tour that and without giving too much away I’m sure people around the world will be experiencing that in 2016.

A couple of months earlier we had done two shows at Hammersmith Apollo in London called “Hans Zimmer Revealed” which was the greatest hits of Hans Zimmer in one show. With a band, an orchestra and a group of

singers they performed everything from Rain Man, Driving Miss Daisy, Inception, Lion King, the Dark Knight movies, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean and more. It was also ridiculously received so we are touring that as well in 2016.

After Interstellar Hans asked me to also produce the sound for the Little Prince which we recently debuted at Cannes and then screens in France in July and globally after that.

I’m the luckiest guy in the world really to be working with some of the finest artists in classical music, Jazz and now films and along the way working with crazy pop and rock and roll bands, I feel very blessed.

HOT: Thank you Chris

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L et’s Go,

Ratchaprapha

W

hen thinking of Thailand, one generally thinks of ocean beaches and sipping on the iconic young coconuts with the small straw hats while overlooking the vastness of the sea. We often tend to overlook however, the fact that Thailand is a region that possesses one of the most ecologically diverse and rich environments in the world, open to the greatest gamma of fauna and flora. A Thai destination that needs to be visited at least once is

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the naturally beautiful Ratchaprapha, located in the province of Surat Thani.

Ratchaprapha is nothing short of stunning, although not all of it came from the hand of Mother Nature herself. But first, a little history of the area.

It’s said that the region of Ratchaprapha was inhabited for the first time over thirty-seven thousand years before Christ. At this juncture, humanity was at the mercy of the Ice Age, and settlers reportedly moved to this land from the island of Borneo, modern-day

Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Much more current, at the dawn of the sixties, this area began to receive more attention from the outside, as a larger and broader road was built to provide easier access. Ratchaprapha’s most famous destination is without a shadow of a doubt Khao Sok National Park. Inaugurated in 1980, it received its name from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Ratchaprapha means “The light of the Kingdom” in Thai, and its beauty is immediately

evident upon arrival.

The curious anecdote of this small enclosed paradise is in the fact that the calmness and stillness of its crystalline waters were aided by a manmade construct. Today it is known as the Ratchaprapha Dam and it falls merely four metres short of a hundred imposing metres in length. The dam strategically blocks the Klong Saeng River, which weaves its way across the area. It was done so in foresight by the Electricity Generating Authority of

Thailand of Khao Sok holding the largest watershed in Thailand. Completed in 1982, the area has transformed into what is known today as the Cheow Lan Lake.

Visitors to the area have since then grown in number. Still, it is not the type of tourism one usually associates Thailand with. Far are the beach seekers and those who prefer the close quarters of the sea life. Ratchaprapha attracts many geologists, conservationists, biologists, geographers, and

botanists because of its incredibly rich diversity of animals, plants, and rock structures.

Because Khao Sok National Park contains Thailand’s largest expansion of virgin forest, the wildlife is something crucial to have a lookout for when you go visit. It is said to be not only older but more diverse than the fauna in the Amazon Rain Forest, an attractive prospect for any person devoted to nature.

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An amazing five percent of the world’s species can be found in the area, including the white handed, gibbon, the pig tailed macaque, the Malayan tapir, the muntjak, the Asian elephant, tigers a variety of deer and reptiles, such as the notorious King Cobra and the Reticulated Python as well as the more curious flying lizard. An incredibly large variety of fish can also be found across its stunning coral reef, which is an impressive five times larger than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

If you rent a kayak or small boat to go through it, you can be assured that beauty will take a new meaning for you.

This takes us to talk about the flora. In incredibly rich soil, grow plenty of vines and plants, as well as exotic fruits such as the mangosteen, the jackfruit, the jujube, rambutan and the infamous durian. However, if we talk about something that stimulates the senses, Ratchaprapha’s most famous plant is the Rafflesia Kerrii. Known as Bua Phut in Thai, it has two unique qualities: First of all, it is the largest flower in the world, at times measuring almost a metre in diameter. Secondly and more notoriously, the Rafflesia is probably the plant with the most terrible and horrid smell in the world, as it exudes a stench of rotten flesh to attract flies that pollinate it. Worth a visit, go near it only if you dare!

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The stunning landscapes that Ratchaprapha displays are nothing short of a gift and a privilege to take in. Multitudes of limestone rocks eroded throughout the years, even centuries, bear testimony to what is a marvel to the spectator and a gold mine to the geologist. The vast quantity of Karst Topography is something that has brought many to study the vicinities of the reservoir.

The temperature in Ratchaprapha is tropical, much like in most of Thailand. The hot season is between January and April where temperatures go from between twenty-five up to thirty-six degrees. This peaks in the months of March and April, during which we see temperatures reaching thirty-seven or at times even thirtyeight degrees. During the wet season, beginning in May and ending in November, we witness more suitable temperatures, which range between twenty to thirty degrees. Days become cooler, and the breeze becomes stronger, especially aided by the torrential rains when the heavens open.

Thus the period to encounter more pleasant temperatures is around this time of the year. The good news is that that water temperatures are always fairly standard, varying only in a degree or two across the year.

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Getting to Ratchaprapha is easy with an array of different transportation methods: the most common and cheapest way to get there is by car or by bus on the 401 route. Surat Thani is around six hundred and fifty kilometres from Bangkok. An easier way to get there, especially for the impatient ones, is by air. Thai Smile offers reasonable rates that fly from Bangkok to Surat Thani airport twice on a daily basis. This commute takes only an hour and fifteen minutes and allows for you to travel with much more comfort. If you’re not fussy over the comfort, however, you can take the train, which leaves Bangkok’s Hua Lumpong station at eight in the morning. This adventurous means of transport will get you all the way to the province in a fair number of hours. You will reach your final station at around five in the evening. Due to Covid, all Air, Bus & Train schedules need to be checked for current availability.

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Once you arrived, you’ll find many beautiful places to stay. Be they of more prestige like the Marriot hotel, or be they of cozier more family-like type homes; there’s plenty to choose from, most of them at a great value. Small cabins along the shores of the lake, will make your residential experience all the more endearing.

All in all, Ratchaprapha is a beautiful place to spend a magical holiday. Whether you go for the stunning landscape or you prefer the vast array of flora and fauna, this rich and diverse vacation spot is sure to bring your Thailand experience to a whole new previously undiscovered level.

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25 Ways To Be Good For Someone Else

By Lori Deschene

(Editor’s Note: In these crazy & unique times it is too easy to feel blue over how Covid 19 is personally affecting us. But, a simple shift in perspective can help us get through this challenging period while also making those around us feel better.

Anne Frank once wrote: “No-one has ever become poor by giving.”

Science has proved that doing good for others makes us feel better by stimulating a part of our brain called the Striatum.)

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W

hen I was a teenager, right around the time I knew everything, my mother used to tell me I only remembered the bad things.

When I told stories about my family, they didn’t revolve around family beach trips, barbecues, and vacations; they focused on painful memories and all the ways I felt my mother had “ruined my life.”

The same applied to friends and milestones in my life. I chronically

remembered and rehashed the worst experiences.

In fact, straight through college I followed up every introductory handshake with a dramatic retelling of my life story, focusing on a laundry list of grievances about people who had done me wrong.

It was as if I was competing for most royally screwed over in life like there was some kind of prize for being the most tragic and victimized. (Full disclosure: I hoped that prize was com-

passion and unconditional love. It was more like discomfort and avoidance).

Not everyone is as negative or needy as woe-is-me-younger Lori was, but I’ve noticed that many of us have something in common with my misguided past self: We focus on how we’ve been hurt far more than how we’ve been helped.

Psychologists suggest that to some degree we complain because we’re looking to connect with people who can relate to the universal struggles we

all face (though in some cases, complaining is a constructive way to find solutions to problems as opposed to a chronic need to vent negativity). I think there’s more to it, though.

to succeed. This may not be true for everyone, but I know when I get caught up complaining, nine out of ten times what I need to do is stop obsessing about the circumstances of my life.

When we complain about everything that’s gone wrong or everyone who has done us wrong, we’re drowning in our self-involvement.

It’s taken me a long time, but I’ve learned we don’t need to live life in a constant state of reaction to things that seem difficult or unfair. We don’t have to be the victims of bad coming at us.

Our lives don’t have to be the sum of our problems—not if we take responsibility for putting good into the world.

It’s an epidemic in an individualistic culture where self-reliance, autonomy, and the pursuit of personal gain can leave us feeling isolated and pressured

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That starts by fostering a greater appreciation for our interdependence. We are not alone. The world is not against us, and we don’t have to be against each other. We don’t have to let our fears, insecurities, and wants boil over inside us until we’re all a bunch of incompatible toxic chemicals waiting to explode the second we collide.

You can always find a negative story to tell—some situation when another person was insensitive, selfish, uncaring, unfair, or just plain wrong. You can also find an underlying struggle that doesn’t justify but might explain their behavior.

If you absolutely can’t channel that compassion and patience, you can always find at least one good thing someone did in your day.

When that stranger held the elevator open, when your coworker let you take the lead in your meeting, when your mother called just to say she loves you; they’re all reminders people are looking out for you—maybe not all of them, and maybe not all the time, but probably more than you notice.

Lori Deschene

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An even better way to honor our interconnection: be someone else’s positive story. Be the kindness that reminds someone else the world is not against them. Give them an anchor of positivity to find later if their circumstances seem overwhelming.

If you’ve ever ended a stressful day with a long hug—the type that’s so needed and loving it’s near impossible not to relax and receive—you know the power of a simple gesture.

Need some ideas for simple kindnesses? I recommend checking out the Tiny Buddha Facebook page, where I recently asked friends, “What’s the kindest thing you can do for someone else?”

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Some of my favorite suggestions (out of 158) include: 1. Try to accept people with an open mind and refrain from making judgments, which are often wrong anyway. (Brandon Hartford) 2. Let them know how much you appreciate them. (Florence Leedy) 3. Any deed done for someone else is a kind one when you don’t expect something in return.(Courtney Olsen) 4. Do little things like hold doors open or let folk go in or out first. Little things can make a big difference for someone who’s not having a great day. (Elke Wallace) 5. Accept them for who they are and who they strive to be. (Dylan Clau-

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son) 6. Let them know they’ve made you smile. (Monika Sylvestre) 7. Be with them when they need you.

For the rest of the time, let them be free. (Rohin Khanna) 8. Tell them the truth. (Krista Hale) 9. Tell them why they make a difference in your life that no one else could possibly make—why their particular brand of “special” makes the world a better place for everyone they meet in it. (Jennifer Hudson Green) 10. Help them help themselves and be independent. (Frantz Art Glass) 11. Believe in them and give them hope. (Melessia Todd)

12. Give a simple, well-meaning smile.

(Jennie McCluskey) 13. The kindest thing you can do for someone else is to take good care of your own mind, body and soul.

This enables kindness in all things.

(Shyloh Robinson) 14. Spend time listening with the intent of learning. I joined an art guild that is mostly made up of elderly artists who have the most amazing life stories and the best tips and tricks for creating artwork. I feel like I get so much more in return for doing nothing more than enjoying their company! (Suzi Ra) 15. The best thing my parents ever taught me—the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you! (Tracy Bruce

Laughlin) 16. Be there for them when they fall and not say I told you so. (Ana Stuckart) 17. Give them the space to be. (Natassia Callista Alicia) 18. Lend your shoulder to cry on.

(Bryan Tankersley) 19. Thank them for being themselves.

(Jen Ghrist) 20. Take a moment to send someone a note thanking them for something they have done for you in the past.

For example, a good teacher or a good manager or someone who was a mentor or role model. (Dave Hughes) 21. Treat each person with respect for his or her individuality. (Shirley

Wright) 22. Offer encouragement after a failure.

Acceptance of even the weirdest things they possess. A tap for a job well done. A “thank you” to every life-changing yet straightforward encounter. (Ako Ang Uso) 23. Forgive. (Ivan Kl) 24. Pay attention to them. From the clerk at the store to your kids at home, most people just want to be heard and acknowledged. Understanding comes later, but everyone can pay attention now. (Angela Birt)

est thing you can do for someone else?

About Lori Deschene Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She is the author of the Tiny Wisdom eBook series (which includes one free eBook) and Tiny Buddha’s Guide to Loving Yourself. She’s also the co-founder of the eCourse Recreate Your Life Story: Change the Script and Be the Hero.

25. Listen to someone without trying to fix their problem. (Jane Lynahan Karklin) What do you think? What’s the kind-

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Contemporary Pool Villa Minutes From The Banyan Golf Course This 3 bedroom, 5 bathroom Pool Villa is located in a fully completed development just minutes from the Banyan Golf Course and 10 minutes from Hua Hin’s 5-billion baht BluPort Shopping Mall.

Built by Hua Hin’s best-selling developer, this home includes many extras.

Sitting on a generous land plot of 540 square meters, the home features 220 square meters of living space en-

compassing 3 en-suite bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and dressing tables, an open plan kitchen, dining room & living room, a laundry room and a guest toilet.

Additionally, the home features a Balinese outdoor bathroom and comes with a high-end water filtration system that delivers drinkable water to every household tap. Further enhancements include an 8 X 4-meter swimming pool and a cov-

This home is being offered fully furnished at THB 7,900,000.

To view the complete picture catalog of this property, visit www.hothuahinproperty.com, reference number AG-B171. To arrange a personal tour, call 084 387 5699 or email info@hothuahinproperty.com.

7.9M Thai Baht

ered pool house with toilet & pool shower.

The estate benefits from shuttle bus service four times per day into town and back, perfect if you would like to rent out your home. There is also 24-hour security, common area maintenance, refuse collection, underground electric and public water.

Maintenance fees include a gardener for 1.5 hours 6 days per week and pool cleaning twice weekly.

Land Area: 540 m2 Living Area: 730m2 3 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms Property ID #AG-B171

7%

GUARANTEED RENTAL RETURN AT SANSARA

Plus 2 FREE Rounds Of Golf Weekly At Black Mountain

Invest in a condominium at Hua Hin’s exciting new active retirement community Sansara and receive a guaranteed rental return of 7% PLUS receive two rounds of golf every week at the beautiful Black Mountain Golf Course during the life of your ownership.

Prices start at 4,000,200 THB

Contact HOT Hua Hin Property to arrange your viewing today +66 (0) 84 387 5699 info@hothuahinproperty.com Luxury Living & Exclusive Lifestyle

“Trust Me, You Can Dance” – Tequila

F

ew spirits are as shrouded in myth and mystery as much as Tequila—and for good reason.

This spicy and instantly recognizable Mexican spirit has been around for centuries, which is plenty of time for a few good tall tales to surface.

“Technically, all tequila is a type of Mezcal, but not all Mezcal is Tequila,” explains Natalia Garcia Bourke, brand director for Silencio Mezcal.” Think of it like whiskey and bourbon—all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon (since it could be Scotch, Irish whiskey, Japanese whiskey, rye,

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or something else altogether). Tequila must be made in the Tequila region of Mexico. In contrast, Mezcal can be produced anywhere in Mexico, although it’s typically produced in the Oaxaca region.

Both distilled spirits are made from agave, but Tequila must be made from a certain type—blue Weber agave—and it can only be produced in the state of Jalisco and some parts of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.

It’s made by steaming the heart (or piña) of the agave plant in aboveground ovens and then distilling the

liquid in copper pots.

Mezcal, on the other hand, can be made from more than 30 types of agave.

Its signature smoky flavor comes from cooking the agave in underground pits, lined with hot rocks that burn for about 24 hours before the cooking process begins.

“This roasting caramelizes the magueys (or agave plants), which gives Mezcal a rich, flavorful, savory, and smoky taste,” says Steven Olson, global Mezcal advocate for Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal. “It is the same

way that roasted potatoes become full and flavorful as compared to boiled potatoes, which by contrast are much more neutral.”

Despite its common association with rabble-rousers like salt and lime or in ‘70s one-hit wonders like the Tequila Sunrise, this agave spirit has stood the test of time and is as respected among top bartenders as bourbon and Scotch.

Even George Clooney put his hardearned money toward starting a brand of the stuff.

Mr. Clooney founded Casamigos

Tequila along with his friends Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman in 2013. In 2017 they sold the brand to the spirits giant Diageo. The deal valued the company at up to $1 billion, with Diageo paying $700 million in cash upfront and up to $300 million more if it hits sales targets over the next decade.

“What started from a friendship and an idea to create the best tasting, smoothest Tequila as our own house Tequila to drink and share with friends quickly turned into the fastest-growing super-premium Tequila,” Mr. Gerber said in a statement at the time of the

sale.

The company’s success eventually drew the attention of Diageo, whose alcoholic wares include Guinness beer and Johnnie Walker Scotch. Among the attractions of Casamigos is the high demand for Tequila, which has grown in popularity as the agave-born spirit has transcended its frat-house base.

Diageo already owns the Don Julio brand. But the company’s executives argued that they could take Casamigos to even greater heights by selling it beyond American shores.

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Forget tacos, can we celebrate Tequila Tuesday?

Like bourbon, more officially known as America’s Native Spirit, Tequila distillers have a stringent set of rules they must abide. Those include ensuring that each bottle is made in the proper location—from the correct ingredients—and that reposado and añejo versions are aged for just the right amount of time. But, as they say, Rome (or in this case Tequila, Jalisco) wasn’t built in a day—or even a millennium.

While it’s possible—probable, even—that the Aztecs knew how to throw a real rager, Tequila didn’t start as the partier’s shot of choice. It didn’t even start as the Tequila we know today.

The Aztecs prized a fermented drink known as pulque, which used the sap of the agave plant (this technique was also likely used by the Olmecs, an even older civilization dating back to 1000 B.C. that was based in the lowlands of Mexico). The milky liquid was so crucial to the Aztec culture that they worshipped two gods known for their relationship to booze. The first was Mayahuel, the goddess of the maguey, and the second was her husband Patecatl, the god of pulque.

Though the original documentation of pulque—on stone walls, of course—appeared around 200 A.D., the drink really caught on centuries later when the Aztecs received a surprise visit from the Spanish.

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Exercise makes you look and feel good naked…so does Tequila, your choice!

While there are multiple theories on the beginning of agave distillation, a common telling involves the Spanish invasion and primitive mud stills.

The parched Spaniards couldn’t be without their brandy for too long, so when supplies began to run low, they improvised with mud and agave, essentially creating what we know today as Mezcal.

In the mid-1500s, the Spanish government opened a trade route between Manila and Mexico, and in the early 1600s, the Marquis of Altamira built the first large-scale distillery in what is now Tequila, Jalisco.

The Cuervo family, who everyone now knows and loves, began commercially distilling Tequila in 1758, followed later by the Sauza family in 1873 (and, we’re sure, a few other small producers in between).

As was the case with Rye Whiskey from Canada during Prohibition, Tequila also found a home among American scofflaws. Unable to get their hands on much beyond secondrate whiskey and bathtub gin, drinkers in the U.S. began taking advantage of Mexico’s sweet agave nectar—not to mention the more than one hundred bars in Tijuana that were plentiful with drink and easy to access.

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Tequila is like duct tape, it fixes nearly everything By the time 1936 rolled around, it was once again legal to drink in the States, and going to Mexico for a good time was no longer requisite. But a newspaperman named James Graham and his wife took a trip to Tijuana, where they wound up in one of the surviving bars run by an Irishman called Madden, who was known around the area for his Tequila Daisy. Though Madden admitted that the creation of the drink was a lucky mistake, it’s become one of the most celebrated in the U.S. (margarita in Spanish means daisy). When was the last time you celebrated Cinco de Mayo without one?

In a move to take ownership of the term “Tequila,” the Mexican government declared the term as its intellectual property in 1974. This made it

necessary for Tequila to be made and aged in certain areas of Mexico, and it also made it illegal for other countries to produce or sell their own “Tequila.”

The Tequila Regulatory Council was additionally created to ensure quality and promote the culture surrounding the spirit.

cal that’s been “rested” in oak for a minimum of two months but less than a year in oak barrels. Añejo Tequila and Mezcal has aged for between one and three years in oak barrels & Extra Añejo Tequila or Mezcal enjoys aging in oak barrels for a minimum of three years.

I didn’t text you. Tequila did.

Over the course of the last few decades, Tequila—long the unofficial beverage of bad decisions and even worse hangovers—has successfully rebranded itself as a luxury item, crawling out of liquor-soaked dive bars and into high-end cocktail lounges across the world. Still, despite its new, more polished image, there’s something about the legend of Tequila that remains cloaked in mythology and mysticism.

From the humble pulque to today’s craft Tequilas, bartenders around the world are taming the humble agave nectar into more than simple Margaritas and Tequila Sunrises.

Just as an aged Scotch is more desirable, aging Tequila results in better qualities of the elixir. Blanco or Silver Tequila is bottled immediately after distillation or aged for fewer than two months in stainless steel or neutral oak barrels. Reposado is Tequila or Mez-

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L et’s Stay, The Mercure

HOT MAGAZINE RECOMMEND

Mandalay Hill Resort

T

here are hotels that can make a trip all that more memorable.

Be it due to their immaculate attention for detail, for their magnificent infrastructure, the layout or the setting. Some of them merge all of these aspects into one to create for guests an unforgettable experience and bringing them the most reputable and well-established taste of luxury within the most exotic setting imaginable.

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This month we take you to the Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort, a hotel like no other which boasts of its advantages to provide guests their ultimate experience in the ancient capital of Burma.

The Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort is a luxurious hotel at the foothills of the famous Mandalay Hill, from which the city gets its name. Located about a forty-minute drive from the main city,

the resort provides visitors with a five star experience, from the minute they arrive until the moment in which they depart. Laden with more than two hundred rooms, all of an impeccable setting, they are the first thing to remark.

The standard room at the resort is the Superior Room. Containing all the most basic amenities, it is a fantastic

way to enjoy just enough luxury on your own, your friend or with a partner, especially if you will spend most of your time outside of the hotel. This 32 metre square room comes equipped with a television with cable channels, a minibar, free WiFi, a safe, air conditioning and 24 hour room service.

Then comes the Deluxe Room, at 38 square metres. This is ideal for a small

family, such as a couple and a child. It comes with all of the above amenities and a large space for a three people to be at ample comfort at all times.

it ideal for those who holiday in greater numbers. With all the standard amenities, this is a must for those who wish to enjoy their holiday with their children.

Next in line is the Junior Suite, which is ideal for a slightly larger family or a couple who want some separation between their bedroom and their living room. This room sleeps three grown adults and up to two children, making

The Executive Suite is next in line. A 55 square meter space allows you and your family to truly enjoy the luxury of a spacious room, allowing for plenty of separation between the sleeping, living and leisure areas.

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Finally, there is the Suite Spa Villa, the uppermost tier of the room chain at the Mandalay Hill Resort. Equipped with all the usual amenities, this 60 square metre space provides a fantastic chance for a large family to gather in this immaculate bungalow holiday setting, with access to all amenities and a bathtub of the utmost luxury, it features classic architectonic styles to truly summarise the essence of Myanmar in one simple setting.

The spa at the hotel is one of the highlights. Sporting an array of different treatments, from reflexology to traditional massages to yoga, it couples to perfection with the serene setting of the resort, which loses the guest in its lush and enormous stretch of greenery, making of it a perfect place to unwind.

The swimming pool is majestic, facing a large shrine and surrounded by flora, it truly allows guests to relax and relieve themselves from any stress.

Fancy a bite to eat? Treat your taste buds to the magical a la carte dining from Yadanabon Café’s a la carte fine dining to Ming’s Asian Kitchen’s Myanmar, Thai and Chinese culinary delicacies. Fancy a drink instead? Kipling’s Lounge offers the opportunity to sip on some fancy cocktails or classic spirits and beverages. A light snack or tapas can accompany the sound of the live band on any given night.

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The Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort is in definitive the most hospitable and welcoming hotel in the city. Boasting an array of marvellous facilities along with a great variety of reflexology and relaxing treatments, coupled with marvellous restaurants and bars, it really presents the ultimate setting for any visitor to enjoy during their stay in the ancient capital. If you have yet to visit Mandalay and are doubting where to stay, the Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort is definitely a great option.

Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort No.(9), Kwin (416.B), 10th Street At the foot of Mandalay Hill, Tel: 95 2 35638, 35672, 35674, 35675 Fax: 95 2 35639 E-mail: mandalayhillresort1996@gmail.com Website: all.accor.com/hotel/A3M8/ index.en.shtml

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BOATING

IN HUA HIN

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alking to a business associate recently, I asked how his time in lockdown went. His answer instantly brought on pangs of jealousy when finding out he had spent his 6 weeks of lockdown on a yacht off the coast of Koh Phi Phi. Boating is big in Thailand, especially after the Government removed the luxury tax. And, there is just something ethereal about being on the water that soothes the mind and compresses

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all of life’s other troubles. Whether it be the isolated feeling of bonding with Mother Nature, listening to the delicate sounds of water, or presenting you with a change of scenery from your regular daily routine—the popularity of boating heavily corresponds to the happiness it produces.

Hua Hin isn’t really well known for its boating. Still, in the area around Hua Hin there are small islands and beautiful beaches only accessible by

boat, especially in the area of Dolphin Bay and further South. According to Scott Finsten, Harbor Master at Ocean Marina Pattaya, “People don’t realize what the Gulf of Thailand has to offer.

Everyone goes to Singapore, Malaysia or Phuket, on the Andaman side, but few people come up here, and you go to some of these islands, especially off of Prachuabkirikan with the national park Sam Roi Yot, it’s just beautiful there.”

Hua Hin itself doesn’t have a marina. However, just 18Km’s south in Pak Nam Pran you’ll find a full service professionally run marina called Racer Marina. Racer was developed by a group of four businessmen (Thai, Swiss, American, and French) who are all passionate about yachting. Taking from their boating experiences in Ibiza, Miami, Phuket, and St Tropez, they have built a European managed marina with excellent facilities and

support staff.

Encompassing 51,200 square meters, Racer has over 120 wet berths and 200 dry berths and can accommodate yachts up to 75 feet. The marina is full service, meaning, they can paint your boat, perform engine service and repair, install equipment such as airconditioning, repair or replace woodwork, install or repair marine electronics, and they can provide long-distance towing.

The marina also has a 35-ton travel lift

to take your boat in and out of the water for repair or dry storage.

They even have an on-site café called Café Racer that offers indoor and outdoor seating, excellent coffee, and a wide range of beers. This place is dedicated to motorsports and is serviced

by Thai, French, and English-speaking staff.

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If boating is starting to sound interesting, but you are new to the sport, check out Island Spirit Sailing School.

Island Spirit offers courses in Sailing and Powerboating and has locations in Pattaya and Phuket. Their courses run the gamut from a 2 day beginner course to their 11 day “Yacht Master Offshore” course which qualifies you to operate a boat up to 150 nautiucal miles from the coast. For more information on all of their classes you can visit their website, www.sailingschoolthailand.com.

Just like the constant improvements in mobile phones, the advancements that boat builders have made in recent years would have been unimaginable to your father’s and grandfather’s generations of boaters.

Today’s boats have helm systems that make it easier than ever to dock, safety, and communications features that make it easier than ever to get help and creature comforts that make being on the water feel like being at home sweet home. Some boats are even built with magnets in the tables and special drinkware, to keep frosty beverages from spilling.

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And, did I mention that kids love boating? Back in the day, moms and dads would tie inner tubes to ski ropes and tell kids to hang on. Nowadays, there are all kinds of fun toys that go with boating, from inflatable water slides and rock climbing walls to threeand four-person inflatables that can be pulled behind the boat. Concerned about critters? Netted “playpens” can be hung off the back of a boat to give you peace of mind. Some boats even have “never-ending wakes” for surfers who want to ride the endless summer forever.

HOT Hua Hin Co. Ltd has partnered with Asia’s leading yacht sales, brokerage and service company, Simpson Marine, to offer new and used boats to the greater Hua Hin community.

Check out the following pages. If you don’t see what you are looking for, get in touch with us and let us know your requirements. We have an extensive inventory of both new and used power and sailboats available.

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In Partnership With

3,399,000 USD

8,900,000 EUR

Lurssen 40 meter Length 40.36 m

Beam 8m

#6972253 Draft 1.8 m

Year 1991

Location Phuket, Thailand

A full beam master cabin on the main deck, with a further 3 cabins on the lower deck. Comprising VIP, and two twin cabins, plus 8 crew. Last refitted in 2017.

Azimut 80 Length 80 ft

# 6561046 Beam 20 ft

Draft 6 ft

Year 2015

Unrivaled quality, equally suited to family cruising for weeks on end, or can be used for water sports, a high power day boat. Maintained to the highest possible standards.

2,650,000 EUR

Azimut 88 Length 87 ft 1 in

#7076863 Beam 21 ft

Draft 6 ft

Year 2014

Location Phuket, Thailand

The Azimut 88 is a true superyacht with four spacious en-suite cabins including separate access to the owner’s cabin providing unique separation from the guest suites.

1,990,000 EUR

Monte Carlo Yachts MCY 70 Length 69 ft 11 in

Beam 5 ft 5 in

Draft 1 ft 8 in

#5673446 Year 2015

Length 67 ft

Beam 23 ft

#7354630 Draft 6 ft

Year 2008

Location Phuket, Thailand

Bursting with liveaboard space, this catamaran is incredibly stable and ideal for long liveaboard passages. Extensive refits in 2010 and 2018.

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Location Phuket, Thailand

Pristine state, better than new and still under warranty. The cabins have rarely been used by the meticulous owner and she has never been chartered.

990,000 USD

Trawler Catamaran

Location Phuket, Thailand

580,000 EUR

Ferretti Yachts 450 Length 46 ft 1 in

Beam 14 ft 2 in

#7448709 Draft 4 ft 1 in

Year 2017

Location Phuket, Thailand

With twin helm stations, one on the fly, and one on the main deck, this yacht is perfect for cruising in SE Asia no matter what the weather.

+66 (0) 84 387 5699

info@hothuahin.com

In Partnership With

897,376.77 GBP

Fairline Squadron 50 Length 51 ft 5 in

#7222816 Beam 14 ft 2 in

Year 2020

Location Phuket, Thailand

New Fairline Squadron 50 built in 2019 with a top speed of 31 knots. This galley down two-cabin version of the Fairline Squadron 50 is finished in high gloss walnut joinery. After powering out to your favourite anchorage, drop the anchor, turn on the stabilisers, relax and enjoy the amenities including a BBQ, ice maker and entertainment system. Financing available.

415,000 EUR

Beneteau Gran Turismo 46 Length 48 ft 7 in

Beam 13 ft 9 in

#6952772 Draft 3 ft 9 in

Year 2018

Location Phuket, Thailand

This Beneteau Gran Turismo 46 is the epitome of Power, Elegance and Style. Boasting twin Volvo Penta IPS 600 2X435HP engines, she perfectly blends performance with economy and guarantees immense pleasure at the helm. This is a popular 2 cabin version, full beam owners cabin with a VIP forward, both impressively appointed. The electric grill on the hydraulic swim platform is a convenient feature.

+66 (0) 84 387 5699

info@hothuahin.com

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In Partnership With

139,000 USD

Sealine SC38 Length 38 ft

#6939861 Beam 12 ft 4 in

Draft 3 ft 1 in

Year 2008

Location Phuket, Thailand

Tropical air conditioning, cockpit wet-bar with sink, BBQ and sink, teak cockpit floor, basing platform and much more.

55,000 USD

Bayliner 320 Cruiser Length 32 ft

Beam 11 ft

#7216598 Draft 3 ft

Year 2009

Full galley with a microwave., refrigerator, twin hob and sink.The head is a large size with shower. There is a double bed forward in the bow and another cabin aft.

1,400,000 USD

Sunreef 58 Length 58 ft

#7394819 Beam 30 ft 6 in

Draft 5 ft 2 in

Year 2015

Location Phuket, Thailand

This 4 cabin catamaran is the perfect yacht to cruise in SE Asian waters.

With her shallow draft, she really is an ‘access all areas’ floating home.

500,000 EUR

Hanse 630e Length 62 ft 4 in

#7076863 Beam 17 ft 1 in

Draft 9 ft 7 in

Year 2008

Length 56 ft 1 in

Beam 16 ft 4 in

#7209328 Draft 7 ft 10 in

Year 2013

Location Langkawi, Malaysia

Day and night living spaces are distinctly separate and the cabins resemble bedrooms. Spacious is an understatement and outdoor luxury has been revamped.

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Location Phuket, Thailand

The Hanse 630 has been named boat of the year in many countries. This boat has been maintained to a very high standard, and comes fitted with high quality full blue water cruising equipment.

475,000 USD

Beneteau Sense 55

Location Phuket, Thailand

320,000 USD

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 479 Length 46 ft 1 in

Beam 14 ft 8 in

Draft 7 ft 4 in

#6853001 Year 2015

Location Langkawi, Malaysia

Many extras including Onan generator, air-conditioning, Raymarine electronics, bowthruster, electric winches, Doyle sails and a tender with outboard.

+66 (0) 84 387 5699

info@hothuahin.com

In Partnership With

119,000 EUR

Capelli Tempest 1000 Length 9.6 m

#6952772 Beam 3.3 m

Draft 0.8 m

Year 2018

Location Phuket, Thailand

With only one years use and 120 hours on the engines this boat is as good as new, Capable of 45 Knots this is a very quick yet stable RIB reliable in all sea states. Fitted with Twin Suzuki 300 Outboard engines. Large bow sunbed area. Cuddy cabin with bed and electric flush head (never used). Fusion Sound System. Garmin GPS. Cockpit sink and fridge with 100 Litre water tank. Cockpit table and seating for 6 people.

179,000 USD

Seawind 1000 XL2 Length 35 ft 6 in

#6622309 Beam 19 ft 5 in

Draft 3 ft 3 in

Year 2016

Location Phuket, Thailand

Well equipped, and very well maintained, this cruising catamaran is ready to take you on your next adventure. Ideal for exploring the coastal waters of Southeast Asia or beyond, this sailing yacht is equipped with a 4-cabin layout, upgraded B&G electronics, solar panels, tender (and motor), just to name a few features.

+66 (0) 84 387 5699

info@hothuahin.com

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YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME...

Studios, One Bedroom and Two Bedroom Apartments Great breakfast!!

Restaurant & Bar, Swimming Pool, 24 hour Reception A comfortable place for Short or Long Stay guests and Families.

Great Location in Khao Takiab and the beach is just 50 meters away BBQ Brunch every Sunday

Surf & Sand Resort 121/20 Takiab Road. Nongkae Hua Hin Pachuabkirikan 77110

Tel: +66(0) 81 857 4328 Email: info@surfandsandhuahin.com

www.surfandsandhuahin.com

HOME& REAL ESTATE Brought to you by

hothuahinproperty.com

HOME OF

THE MONTH Mere Minutes From Golf and Beach

Reduced from 29 Million, this exclusive Bali style pool villa has lovely sea views. It is located on a hillside, approx 15 km’s from Hua Hin Centre. Within a completed development that is beautifully maintained, this property screams “Location, Location, Location.”

In addition to ocean views, which is rare due to the topography of Hua Hin, this home is also mere minutes from an extremely long beach, a golf course and plenty of nearby restaurants.

The villa is designed with an open floor plan living, dining and kitchen arrangement. The modern kitchen is fully kitted out. The master bedroom enjoys a walk-in closet. Design features include high ceilings.

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LIVING AREA: 350 M 2 LAND AREA: 998 M 2 BEDROOMS: 4 BATHROOMS: 4

18,900,000 THB

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Outside is a lovely sala with an infinity-edge 8 meter by 5 meter swimming pool and a covered terrace that affords great mountain and sea views from its elevated plot, which is the highest tiered of all the properties in the development.

Development amenities include an indulgently large communal swimming pool, a covered entertainment facility, and 24-hour security.

To view the complete picture catalog of this property, visit www. hothuahinproperty.com, reference number AG-VELHS0218079. To arrange a personal tour, call 084 387 5699 or email info@hothuahinproperty.com.

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+66 (0) 84 387 5699 info@hothuahinproperty.com

HOME & REAL ESTATE

Hua Hin West

#AG-B213957

12 Minutes North of Hua Hin Center, 10 Minutes to Hua Hin, Fully Furnished, Covered Terrace, Large Pool, Euro Kitchen Beds: 3 Baths: 2

Living area: 500 m2 Land area: 155 m2

5,900,000 THB

Hua Hin South – Khao Takiab

#AG-CELCS0218053

This luxury beachfront Condominium Resort in Khao Takiab, 2km from Hua Hin Centre. A taxi service, shops, restaurants, bars and Tesco store.

Beds: 2

Baths: 2

Living area: 130 m2

Hua Hin South

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13,000,000 THB

#AG-B0510462

Hua Hin South

#AG-B171

Built by an award-winning developer, this well-built home is mere minutes from the Banyan Golf Course and ten minutes from Bluport.

Beds: 3 Living area: 220 m2 7,900,000 THB Baths: 5 Land area: 550 m2

Hua Hin Center

#AG-B168

Located minutes from Hua Hin Center is this brand new home with 1 bedroom guest house in Award Winning Development.

Beds: 4 Land area: 667 m2 14,500,000 THB Baths: 4 Living area: 274 m2

Hua Hin West

#AG-B0218078

The main residence features 2 bedrooms with a separate 2 bedroom guest house that includes its own lounge, kitchen and covered terrace.

Reduced from 19,000,000 – Features an open plan imported Italian kitchen, dining and lounge area with sliding glass doors oversized covered terrace.

Beds: 4 Baths: 3

Beds: 4 Baths: 5

Living area: 470 m2 Land area: 1,550 m2

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13,000,000 THB

Living area : 500 m2 Land area : 1,790 m2

View our full property catalog at

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16,000,000 THB

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HOME & REAL ESTATE

Koh Takiab

#AG-A48

Hua Hin North

#AG-B157

Spacious 2 Bedroom Ocean View Condo In Beachfront Building with swimming pool in trendy Koh Takiab

15 Minutes from Hua Hin Center, Less than 1km from golf course, Large covered terrace, Latest energy saving technology

Beds: 2 Baths: 2

Beds: 3 Baths: 4

Living area: 153 m2

10,900,000 THB

Land area: 900 m2 Living area: 280 m2

Hua Hin North – Palm Hills This large golf course home is located in the desirable Palm Hills Golf Course Community, approximately 15 minutes north of Hua Hin Center.

The first floor consists of an open floor plan with large sliding wooden doors between rooms.

Prominent features include a two-story entry area with a wide staircase to the 2nd floor, a livBeds: 4

Baths: 4

Living area: 559 m2

11,790,000 THB

#AG-V178 ing room with a view out to the pool and golf course, and a family room for TV watching with a view out to the pool. There is an extra room that can be used as a 4th bedroom but is now used as an office. The spacious dining room can easily accommodate a table for 12.

of the stairs with the master suite taking up the right side of the house and 2 additional bedrooms and an additional bathroom on the left side.

The oversized saltwater swimming pool is 6 X 20 meters and was retiled in 2015 with new granite on the overflow & 2 new chlorinators & pump.

The second floor consists of a loft area at the top

Land area: 2,000 m2

View our full property catalog at

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19,900,000 THB

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HOME & REAL ESTATE

Pranburi

#AG-B169

#AG-B162

Reduced from 15,000,000 - Superb executive pool villa located on the prestigious Falcon Hill development, 5 minute drive to centre of Hua Hin.

Hua Hin South

Pak Nam Pran

#AG-B3135430

15 Minutes South of Hua Hin Center, Sea Views, Near Beach & Golf Large covered Terrace, Pool, Euro Kitchen Beds: 3 Living area: 210 m2 Baths: 2 Land area: 600 m2

14,500,000 THB

Koh Takiab Beachfront Condo in desirable building in trendy area

#AG-A63

3 decks, ocean view, oceanfront swimming pool, tennis courts Beds: 2 Baths: 2

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Hua Hin Center

Brand new home, using quality building materials, in a quiet area located approx. 20 minutes Southwest of Hua Hin center Beds: 3 Living area: 310 m2 15,900,000 THB Baths: 3 Land area: 2400 m2

Living area : 124 m2 Land area : 100 m2

HOT Magazine

16,900,000 THB

Beds: 4 Baths: 4

Living area: 280 m2 Land area: 700 m2

10,900,000 THB

#AG-V0510481

Sea, River & Mountain Views, 3 Bedrooms in Main House, 1 Bedroom Guest Villa, Large covered Terrace, Large Pool, Euro Kitchen Beds: 4 Baths: 4

Living area: 270 m2 Land area: 1,000 m2

Hua Hin North

16,000,000 THB

#AG-B170

Located in the Exclusive Palm Hills Golf Course Dev. Is this large home with 2 guest houses. Golf and Fitness Memberships Included.

Beds: 7 Living area: 750 m2 21,500,000 THB Baths: 8 Land area: 2400 m2

View our full property catalog at

www.hothuahinproperty.com

+66 (0) 84 387 5699 info@hothuahinproperty.com

HOME & REAL ESTATE

Hua Hin North

#AG-B164

This brand new well built home is located in a secured development less than 5 minutes from the Palm Hills golf course and 15 minutes from the center of Hua Hin. This home is constructed using high-end appliances, fixtures and fittings with energy savings in mind. The glass is double pane with argon gas & the air-con’s Beds: 6

Baths: 7

are inverter, making the AC units quieter with lower operating costs and fewer break downs.

The large master suite has sliding glass doors out onto the covered terrace and pool beyond as well as a walk-in closet. Separate from the main house is a two-bedroom guest house, each with their own en-suite. The European kitchen

is spacious with a cooking island, and there is an outdoor kitchen with an industrial quality grill.

The swimming pool is massive and comes with a spa and sun lounger area. Large self-contained maids quarters are off of the main house.

31,000,000 THB

Living area: 2,610 m2 Land area: 2,000 m2

Large Absolute Beachfront Penthouse With Mesmerizing Ocean Views Absolute beachfront condominiums rarely come on the market in Hua Hin, especially the enviable penthouse’s, due their rarity. Located next to the beautiful Five-Star Anantara Hua Hin Resort is this incredibly expansive 367 square meter, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home. All bedrooms are en-suite, all with ocean views and deck access. The master suite is exceptionally spacious and benefits from a walk in closet and oversized master bathroom. Additionally, there is a very large lounge and dining area, a smaller lounge, a large kitchen with plenty of counterspace, a guest powder room and an office.

Hua Hin North

Beds: 3 Baths: 3

#AG-A60

Living area: 750 m2 Land area: 367 m2

58,000,000 THB

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HOME & REAL ESTATE

Hua Hin North

#AG-VHS02222283

Hua Hin Center

#AG-V179

Great Value! Reduced from 5,500,000. Features a European kitchen, dining room and lounge and has a pool plus covered parking for two cars.

Located off of Soi 94 near many restaurants, bars and shops. The main floor consists of a European kitchen & lounge plus 2 bedrooms.

Beds: 4 Baths: 4

Beds: 3 Baths: 3

Living area: 154 m2 Land area: 700 m2

4,500,000 THB

Hua Hin West – Black Mountain

#AG-A65

Living area: 165 m2 Land area: 316 m2

Hua Hin South

5,900,000 THB

#AG-BEHS02135153001

This first floor condominium unit comes with one lifetime membership at Black Mountain.

This home has a spacious open plan living and dining area, adjoining large u shape kitchen. Outside pool and covered terrace.

Beds: 2 Baths: 2

Beds: 4 Baths: 3

Living area: 143 m2

Hua Hin North – Palm Hills

6,900,000 THB

#AG-L19

Living area: 240 m2 Land area: 680 m2

Hua Hin South – Khao Takiab

6,950,000 THB

#AG-CCS0216740

Pristine Land, ready to develop your dream home, or build two deluxe pool villas with magnificent, mountains, lake and views.

This Luxury Condominium Resort is located in Khao Takiab, 4km from Hua Hin Centre, near a taxi service, shops, restaurants, bars.

Land area: 1896 m2

Beds: 2

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8,500,000 THB

Living area: 117 m2

View our full property catalog at

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13,300,000 THB

+66 (0) 84 387 5699 info@hothuahinproperty.com

HOME & REAL ESTATE

Hua Hin Center

#AG-CELCS18022001

Hua Hin Center

#AG-CELCS0218052

This luxury ground floor apartment is in an exclusive low-rise condo resort. The communal swimming pool runs the distance to the beachfront.

This beachfront condo is located in the middle of Hua Hin and features a living, dining and kitchen area with direct access to the large balcony.

Beds: 2 Baths: 2

Beds: 2 Baths: 2

Living area: 134 m2 Land area: 680 m2

Hua Hin Center

13,500,000 THB

#AG-VCS02222220

Living area: 134 m2

13,500,000 THB

Hua Hin South

#AG-B173

This sea view condo incorporates a modern aesthetic, tastefully integrated with contemporary Asian flair featuring hardwood golden teak floors.

Located in a quiet and rural area, less than 15 minutes from BluPort.

Brand new pool villa, on a big land plot, designed for energy efficiency.

Beds: 2 Baths: 2

Beds: 3 Baths: 3

Living area: 192 m2

Hua Hin South

14,400,000 THB

#AG-VELHS0218079

Living area: 310 m2 Land area: 2,525 m2

Hua Hin West – Black Mountain

15,900,000 THB

#AG-V180

Reduced from 29 Million. Minutes from a long beach and a golf course.

Designed with an open floor plan living, dining and kitchen arrangement.

On the Black Mountain Golf Course, this large home offers stunning views and includes a full golf membership with outstanding amenities.

Beds: 4 Baths: 4

Beds: 3 Baths: 4

Living area: 350 m2 Land area: 998 m2

18,900,000 THB

Living area: 358 m2 Land area: 630 m2

View our full property catalog at

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26,000,000 THB

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