Look East Magazine April 2015

LIFESTYLE

HOTELS

DINING

NIGHTLIFE

SHOPPING

EVENTS

PERSONALITIES

ART

CULTURE

SPAS

FASHION

EST. 1971

APRIL ISSN 0857-1139

TRAVEL

APRIL 2015

Gourmet

Tours

Lanna on a Bike Songkran

SPLASH

HIDDEN Bang Krachao Asia’s Best RESTAURANTS

APRIL 2015 VOL.44 NO.4

LAMPANG Elephants

ChiangMai WWW.LOOKEASTMAGAZINE.COM

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WHAT'S INSIDE APRIL

APRIL 2015 8 Reader’s Talk

CALENDAR 10 42 52 66 71

What’s On Hotel Deals Spa Deals Dining Specials Bar Specials

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18 Culture: 5 Major Bangkok Monuments 20 Mini-Guide: Pai and Away 22 Feature: Trunk and Tusk Magic in Lampang 26 Feature: Chiang Mai Revisited 30 Feature: Circling the North on Two-Wheels 34 Neighborhoods: Bangkok’s Hidden Island 44 Travel News 47 My Favorite Place

26 LIFESTYLE

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48 Personality: Delivering Upscale Quality Forward 50 Fashion: Mega Fashion Extraordinary 54 Spa & Wellness: Delicious Bliss

WINE & DINE

62 2

LOOKEAST | WHAT'S INSIDE

56 58 60 62 70

Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 3 New Restaurants in Bangkok Wolff’s Go Gourmet Tours Column: The Fifth Taste

TRAVEL

EDITORIAL EDITOR'S NOTE

A Focus on Lanna

U

sual logic dictates that we focus on tropical islands or southern beach destinations in this issue. But we have decided to take another route. Most travelers will probably be heading toward the nearest beach, and we just thought we should remind them that this is also a great time to explore other parts of the kingdom such as the Lanna region of Thailand – and especially Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Maehongson, and Chiangrai, among other provinces in the North, which until today have their unique and interesting cultural identities intact. Check out our inside pages for these stories and more.

Of course, it really doesn’t matter where you go in Thailand. This month especially, fun is everywhere, thanks to Songkran -- and you must not fail to join in the festivities whether in Bangkok’s Silom or Khao Sarn, Pattaya with its extended celebration, or on the beaches of Phuket and Samui. We are sure you will have a grand time with the water splashing revelry. And if that’s not enough, other places beckon as well to meet your preferences perfectly. (If you’re staying in Bangkok, then our What’s On section details more happenings that you can join in this month.)

April is a season of feasts too. The country is emerging as a leading global brand for dining and wining experiences, as proven by the five Bangkok restaurants that made their mark in the recent Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in Singapore.

But everybody knows that Thailand is a great place for foodies and besides Thai food –there are other delightful flavors to enjoy: whatever your taste, whatever your budget, served in all kinds of atmosphere and ambiance.

And oh, we recommend that you try some new restaurants in Bangkok, as we always do each issue. Just check out our Wine&Dine pages.

Indeed, April is always a great month to travel in and around Thailand because it is also a time for great deals and values as our regular sections such as Hotel Deals, Dining Specials, and Spa Offers will quickly show you. But really, in general, room rates are relatively lower, great shopping sprees are everywhere, fine dining and wining offers are exploding, so to speak at this month of year. Everything you need to enjoy your holiday is here indeed.

So wherever the travel itch takes you

in Thailand – just let go, explore, have fun.

Thailand is for all of you.

Safe travels every one!

Percy Roxas Editor-in-Chief percy@lookeastmagazine.com

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LOOKEAST | EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL OUR TEAM

Chairman Dato Satish Sehgal President Ravi Sehgal Group Publishing Director Asha Narula Sehgal Sid Sehgal, Publisher Leaves work early on Fridays to play polo

Dave Stamboulis, Writer Still likes heavy metal

Thomas Sturrock, Writer Is on a never-ending search for Bangkok’s best Negroni

Executive Director Gaurav Sehgal PR Advisor Earth Saisawang Copyeditors Melanie Blake Katherine Walsh

Ben McRae, Writer Is a chef and loves deejaying and traveling

Jarmmaree Janjaturonrasamee, Art Director Likes to take photos of nature

Laurence Civil, Writer Drinks Earl Grey tea at breakfast and at 4 p.m. every day

Apichart Boontid, Production Director Plays football every Thursday

Ken Barrett, Writer Loves to write books about Thailand

Alisa Hubert Photographer Is a model and a great cook

Advertising & Media Consultants Co., Ltd. 18th floor Richmond Office Building 75/65 Sukhumvit Soi 26, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel: + 66 2 204 2982 Fax: + 66 2 204 2984 info@lookeastmagazine.com www.lookeastmagazine.com

Views and opinions expressed by individual writers and contributors in the articles herein, do not necessarily reflect those of Lookeast magazine or of Advertising Media Consultants Co., Ltd. All prices are correct at the time of going to press, but are subject to change.

Reproduction in whole or part without written consent from Lookeast is strictly forbidden.

ON THE COVER

Ankita Malhotra, Marketing Executive Collects movie tickets

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LOOKEAST | EDITORIAL

Acharin Suthisawad, Chairman Executive Assistant to ion novels Reads detective fict

Panitkan Apiratanapimonchai, Executive Assistant to CEO Loves spicy Thai food

Bule Sky Studio

A green terraced ricefield in Chiang Mai.

EDITORIAL READER’S TALK

WE HAVE A WINNER! Engage in the conversation or send your travel photos to us, and you might some of the fun prizes we give away every month. Send them to percy@lookeastmagazine.com before the 15th of every month.

Clockwise: Hilltribe weavers working on their looms; a Borsang umbrella maker; a cascading waterfall in the hills; and a lotus flower in bloom.

This month’s winner

is Lorna Coral-Horn, an expat who’s been residing in Thailand for a while now with her French hotelier husband. Lorna is a true-blue photography buff, a travel bug, a teacher, and one of the young pillars of the Filipino community in Thailand. Her frequent travels to many parts of the world have yielded a photographic collection that she keeps private until now. For these photographs above, taken in Chiang Mai during her recent travel to the Lanna capital, Lorna wins a two nights' stay at Hilton Hua Hin inclusive of breakfast for two, which she can enjoy until May 31, 2015. Congratulations!

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LOOKEAST | READER’S TALK

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WHAT'S ON APRIL

national events and festivals

art & culture Comparison

What: This exhibition compares the life and activities of Queen Savang Vadhana and her great granddaughter, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the original and current residents of Srapathum Palace. This exhibition clearly shows the similarities between the two in their social welfare projects and their support for the country's traditional arts and crafts, indicating how Her Royal Highness has carried on the vision of her great grandmother.

When: Until April 30 Where: Vadhana Museum, Bangkok How much: Entry fee is THB 150 for adults and THB 50 for students More info: 02 251 3999 ext 201 - 202

Imply Reply

Songkran Splash

What: The traditional Thai New Year, popularly called Songkran, takes place on April 13. Main celebrations are happening nationwide, with some destinations extending the festivities for days. Pattaya, for example, has an extended celebration that runs for 10 days.

The event is traditionally a day for all Thais to pay respect to their elders, visit the temples, and make merit. The festival had since been a big fun party characterized by a riotous water-throwing revelry that is eagerly awaited by both locals and foreign travelers.

Where: Nationwide When: April 13-15

Shoot & Share Trat (Islands of Dream)

What: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Trat Office, Bangkok Airways, and the public and private sectors in Trat are organizing this initiative as part of the ‘Sharing the Travel Experience via Social Media’ project. Tourists are invited to shoot their "selfies" together with Nong Sukjai, the TAT mascot, or send in some generic shots of Trat attractions at 11 designated locations, which will entitle them to win some prizes. Shots with Nong Sukjai must be taken in at least five of the 11 attractions. To be eligible, these must be shared via TAT's Trat Facebook fanpage.

When: Ongoing until Aug. 20 Where: 11 tourist attractions in Trat: TAT Trat Office, Ban Namchieo community village, Trat Airport; Trat Bus Terminal, Trat Museum, Thammachat Ferry, Ratchakarun Beach, Makathanee Resort Ko Mak Pier, Kong Chao Beach Ko Kut, and Ban Salak Khok Ko Chang.

More info: 039 597 259 to 60

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LOOKEAST | WHAT'S ON

What: Avant garde Chinese-French artist Huang Yong Ping presents sculptures, installations and drawings from his past collections, in this joint exhibition with contemporary Bangkok artist Sakarin Krue-On, who presents his multimedia works.

When: Until April 26 Where: Bangkok Art and Culture Center, 939 Rama 1 Rd, Bangkok (BTS: National Stadium) More info: 02 214 6630/8

Forms of Devotion

What: A grand art exhibition that is part of the ongoing "Festival of India," available for viewing this month and the next. The exhibition, which features more than 200 works by 100 artists, deals with continuity and change, as reflected in various faiths and cultures, through a collection of traditional and recent works of art. The artists use totally mixed media: paintings, drawings, collage, video, installations, and sculptures. The art exhibition premiers in Bangkok, after which it will tour Europe, America, the Middle East, and finally find a permanent space in the Museum of Sacred Art in Belgium When: April 27-May 10 Where: Faculty of Fine Arts Hall, Chulalongkorn University, Rachatevi Road More info: www.indianembassy.in.th; www.festivalofindiathailand.com

WHAT'S ON APRIL

art & culture Anamorphoses Photo Exhibition

Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel

What: French photographer Charles Maze will showcase his work during “Anamorphoses,” the inaugural exhibition of Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit’s S Gallery.

The exhibition is a modern interpretation of “anamorphoses,” a distorted projection or drawing that appears normal only when viewed from a particular point or with a suitable mirror or lens.

When: Until April 5 Where: Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel, 189 Sukhumvit between soi 13 and 15, Bangkok (BTS: Nana/Asoke) More info: 02 126 9999

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LOOKEAST | WHAT'S ON

What is Design?

The Gallery on the 36th floor, Pullman Bangkok Hotel G

What: Sub-titled, "A Travel Photography Exhibition in Film" is a brilliant collaboration by the i use film and BAREFOOT Magazine. The project is a selection of photographs by readers and followers of the page and the magazine who have submitted their photos, taken by film camera, throughout their travel experience in Thailand. The photos are categorized into five segements: Architecture, Nature, People, Culture, and Food.

These photos are highly emotive, at times charming or wistful, unique landscape and inner feelings that rarely encountered, with such a comprehensive collection from so many artists. Special 25 photographs have been chosen exclusively for Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, to display at the Gallery for a two-month period.

Where: The Gallery on the 36th floor, Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, Silom Rd When: Until April 8 More info: 02 238 1991

Gallery 1 at TCDC

‘How Are You Thailand?’

What: The "What is Design" exhibition looks at how 10 countries: England, Italy, France, Germany, USA, Spain, Netherlands, Finland, Japan, and Brazil, have each interpreted their cultural uniqueness into the 20th century industrial design classics, and also explores industrial design in Thailand.

When: April 18 to November 30 Where: Gallery 1 at TCDC 6th Floor, The Emporium Shopping Complex, 22 Sukhumvit 24, Bangkok (BTS Phrom Phong) More info: 02 105 7409; 02 664 7667 ext. 111

WHAT'S ON APRIL

trade fair & shows

Rim Talay Restaurant, Amari Phuket

What: Amari Phuket is holding a special Thai evening on the night of “Songkran,” from 7 p.m. onwards, with a sumptuous dinner featuring many of the most popular dishes representing world-famed Thai cuisine from the four regions of the country.

When: April 13 Where: Rim Talay Restaurant, Amari Phuket, 2 Muen-ngern Rd, Patong Beach, Kathu, Phuket How much: THB 990++ excluding beverages; kids 5-15 get 50% off More info: 076 340 106-14, ext. 8027

Anantara Chiang Mai Culinary Events

What: Three highly exclusive culinary events will unfold in Chiang Mai, hosted by one of the world’s greatest patissiers: Michelin Star Chef Roger van Damme from Belgium. The award-winning chef, TV celebrity, and author, is owner and chef of the Michelin Star Het Gebaar Restaurant in Antwerp. Chef van Damme will be hosting a "Molecular Dessert Cooking Class" on April 9, two Michelin Chef dinner events on April 10, and a six-course "Fine Dining Asian Dinner" on April 11.

When: April 9-11 Where: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort & Spa, Chiang Mai More info: 053 253 333 or email: events.chiangmai@anantara.com

Evening of Opera and Musical Favorites

What: In honor of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 60th birthday, Grand Opera (Thailand) and the Royal Cliff Hotels Group will be hosting the “Music of Love and Devotion: An Evening of Opera and Musical Favorites.” Stephan Sanchez, artistic director of European Chamber Opera and Grand Opera Thailand, will be leading a talented group of young artists who will grace the stage with their incredible serenades. Registration starts at 6 p.m.

When: April 2 Where: Royal Cliff Grand Hotel, Pattaya How much: THB 300 (students), THB 500 (hotel guests), and THB 700 (public) More info: 038-250421, ext. 2782, or email: Kirsten@royalcliff.com

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LOOKEAST | WHAT'S ON

BIG + BIH 2015

What: The Bangkok International Gifts and Bangkok International Houseware Fair (BIG+BIH), jointly organized by The Department of International Trade Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce and the Thai Lifestyle Products Association, offer an opportunity for business operators to present their ultimate quality design and lifestyle products to the whole world.

This important regional exhibition brings together thousands of buyers from all over the world.

When: April 19-23 Where: Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC), Bangna-Trad Road, Bangkok (BTS: Bangna) More info: www.bigandbih.com

Bangkok Comic Con X Anime Festival Asia Thailand

Songkran Festival Dinner in Phuket

Bangkok Comic Con X Anime Festival Asia Thailand 2015

What: The biggest pop culture festival in Asia is back, and now biggere than ever. This year’s event, dubbed as the largest ever to be held in Thailand, offers everything that fans of pop culture could ever want. The event brings together, in one roof, the best in anime. It also provides a platform for Thai fans and industry players to come together for the latest in anime technology.

When: April 30 -May 3 Where: Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC), Bangna-Trad Road, Bangkok (BTS: Bangna) More info: 089 511 2498 (PR); 02 282 3800 (Thaiticketmajor); www. bangkokcomiccon.com/

ASEANbeauty 2015

What: A seminar showcasing the latest beauty trends in Southeast Asia.

When: April 8-10 Where: Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC), Bangna-Trad Road (BTS: Bangna) More info: www.aseanbeautyshow.com

contemporary indian dining

#71 Sukhumvit Soi 26. | Tel. 02-258-4900 | www.indusbangkok.com | indus@indusbangkok.com

TRAVEL CULTURE

A DOUSE OF FUN!

Songkran embodies not only the Thais’ sanuk attitude but also the essential spirits of caring and unity at the core of Thai society -- enduring qualities that make the country truly amazing Above, Left: A traditional Songkran in Chiang Mai. Above, Right: A more modern Songkran celebration in the streets of Bangkok.

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I

t’s April again, usually the hottest month in Thailand, and it’s again time for Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year. From April 13 to 15, a spirit of good-natured fun will permeate the entire kingdom. It's a time for religious ceremonies and meritmaking, for families and friends, for laughter and entertainment, and of course for splashing water – and lots of it!

"Songkran" is a Sanskrit word meaning to "move into" and refers to the orbit of the sun moving into Aries.

It marks the end of a 12-month cycle and the beginning of a new solar year.

This traditional Thai custom of merrymaking is the kingdom's most 'sanuk' (fun-filled) festival, celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm nationwide.

In most parts of the country, the event extends to over a period of three days, and in some, for as long as 10 days.

Songkran today is known the world-over for its characteristic tradition of water-throwing ranging

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

by Atthasith Khupratakul from a courteous sprinkle or a polite splash, to harmless water pistols and showers from garden hoses to the well-aimed bucket or water cannon delivered in a festive spirit. Without doubt, on the practical side, it is a refreshing solution to "beating the heat" in the hottest season of the year.

There is, however, a much deeper significance to Songkran.

Apart from marking a new beginning, Songkran is also a time for thanksgiving. It is an important time for individuals to reflect upon the many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that each has personally experienced, and to remember how such acts bring peace, happiness, and wellbeing. Songkran is also a time for reunions and renewal of family ties, and that is why most locals make a trip back to their hometown during the period.

At the heart of each Thai custom and tradition, there is always a logical reason for its existence and Songkran is no exception. The festive elements

of the celebration, the cultural values, the social code of conduct, and individual belief and practices are intertwined. Songkran embodies the traditional Thai cultural mores and values.

Its underlying significance is the process of cleansing and purification — the purging of all ills and misfortunes, and starting afresh with all that is good and pure. Water signifies purity, and is symbolic of this cleansing process.

Today, the original water sprinkling has become a riotious water throwing, and there’s no other celebration that is most awaited by tourists in Thailand. Indeed, visitors love the celebrations, which, like all festivities include big feasts and a slew of entertainment shows and parties, but more importantly perhaps, the fervent water-throwing that has made it famous the world over!

So go out, get wet, have fun – it’s Songkran!

Revel in the most joyous occasion of the year! Party in Phuket, Chiang Mai or join in the splashing festivities in Bangkok, Pattaya and have a blast this Thai New Year! No matter which destination you choose, Dusit is right in the heart of all the action.

Take advantage of our incredible Songkran Splash offer. Book a room at the best available rate and get 50% off the second room. Receive an auspicious complimentary gift voucher of THB 555 as well as Dusit’s famed Songkran Splash kits!

Splash your way into Songkran with Dusit. *Terms & conditions apply

TRAVEL CULTURE

MAJOR BANGKOK MONUMENTS Monuments and landmarks that first-timers should include in their Bangkok sightseeing trips

by Atthasith Khupratakul

1. The Grand Palace

2. Vimanmek Mansion

Clockwise: Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaeo) Anantasamakhom Palace and the Parliament Vimanmek Mansion

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An elegant teakwood mansion used

by King Rama V between 1902 and 1906, Vimanmek Mansion is one of the best surviving examples of teakwood constructions in Thailand.

The mansion consists of a threestorey European-style teakwood building built without nails. Today, the mansion is a museum where King Rama V's possessions are displayed.

The Royal Carriage museum houses the carriages, which are mostly imported from Europe during the king's reign, and the Aphisek Dusit Throne Hall houses several priceless handicrafts. Open for visits from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

Percy Roxas

Copyright of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

While frequent visitors often shy away from this landmark these days, the Grand Palace, which is situated in a compound that also houses the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaeo), is a must for every first-time Bangkok visitor. Wat Phra Kaeo is regarded as the holiest of all Thai temples, and the small green-jade statue of the Lord Buddha sitting high on a golden altar in the Chapel Royal is the most sacred Buddha image in the country. But the Emerald Buddha is just one of the many attractions in the compound. Next to the Emerald Buddha Temple is the Grand Palace, which is now used only for certain royal ceremonies.

Four major buildings, built in a mix of Western and Eastern architecture, are closed to the public but visitors can walk around the buildings and shoot photos between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. There is an admission fee but many foreigners say it’s worth it.

Proper dressing is required.

3. Anantasamakhom Palace and the Parliament

The reign of King Rama V and VI saw an explosion of fine colonial architecture that survived to this day. The Anansamakhom Palace was built in the Italian architectural style, and was primarily used to hold important royal and state ceremonies for parliamentarians. Later, a new parliament building was built at the back of the palace.

4. Democracy Monument Just before reaching Khao Sarn and Sanam Luang, there is another imposing landmark

on Rachadamnoen Road: The Democracy Monument. Built to commemorate Thailand's change from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy on June 24, 1932, it stands as a testament to that turning point in the kingdom’s history.

5. Statue of King Rama V

King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) modernized Thailand. His efforts were wellknown and widespread and he remains as one of the most loved kings of Thailand. This statue on Racchadamnoern Road was inaugurated by the king himself.

Arthit Bunsing (from TAT)

TRAVEL MINI GUIDE

PAI AND AWAY

PAI

Increasing visitor numbers have not dampened the peaceful spirit of this small, laidback northern town

THAILAND

S

Above: This photo of the Pai River captures the atmosphere that makes Pai a perfect retreat.

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by Percy Roxas

et in a laidback valley surrounded by steep mountains between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, Pai used to be the one of the bestkept secrets in northern Thailand.

Part of the lure of this small town was that it is part of the fabled “land of three mists” near the Myanmar border, which is renowned for its natural beauty, ethnically mixed culture, lush green jungles, and their appurtenant wonders. The town was the traditional habitat of the Shan people (ethnic Tai whose culture was influenced by Burma), and while it thrives on tourism these days it is still, in general, a quiet little town with small, gentle pleasures. The town has recently seen a number of major infrastructure upgrades, including the development of a small airport offering several daily flights, the proliferation of several small- to medium-sized luxury resorts and restaurants, and a couple of live music clubs and beer bars. But, it hasn’t lost that “isolated-from-the-world feeling" that you get when you make a visit.

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

WHY GO – Peace and tranquility are overused buzzwords these days but they are still the main reasons to visit Pai. It's perfect as a mountain retreat, and visitors will enjoy the year-round temperate weather, the many natural and cultural wonders, and the range of activities that are conducive to relaxation and recharging.

SEE & DO

-- Attractions include waterfalls, gorges, caves, and hot springs whose temperatures vary from 80 to 200 degrees Celsius depending on the time of visit. Some resorts tap the hot springs and feed their hot water into spas, private bungalows, and public pools. The most popular activity, though, is white water rafting on the longest river in Mae Hong Son (the Pai River), which is famous for its series of rapids dancing along to scenic gorges. In the town itself the quaint magic of Pai appeal to visitors of all kinds: the young and the youngat-heart, the arty type, and more, in addition to those looking for peace

and quiet in their holiday. There’s a vibrant night scene without the sleaze, and a music and art scene that you seldom find in other Thai destinations. Of course, Pai’s location at the foot of the mountains also make it an ideal base for trekking and visiting hill tribes such as the Karen, Hmong, Lisu, and Lahu.

Another notable attraction is the Wednesday Market. There are many new attractions too, such as the Grand Canyon of Pai and the Chinese Village.

SLEEP -- The number of

guesthouses and hotels in Pai continues to increase in recent years and most of them can be booked online. Whether you are looking for a budget guesthouse or a relatively full-service boutique resort, there’s probably something to suit your requirements, although there’s no five-star hotel -- yet.

EAT & DRINK

-- As is anywhere in Thailand, there is an abundance of food and drink options in Pai. Your own accommodation will probably have a restaurant or two, but you can also venture into the center of the town, where there are now a wide variety of restaurants, coffee houses, and even bars and music lounges to quench your thirst or sate your hunger. An authentic local experience not-to-miss is going to the center of town early in the morning for a generous sampling of traditional Pai specialties or maybe to try some Southern Chinese cuisine in the Chinese village.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Chiang Mai, private vehicles can take Route 1095 to Pai (280km), a very scenic drive. Regular bus services connect Mae Hong Son with Chiang Mai, and Pai is on the northern route. You can take either air-conditioned or fan buses to Pai from Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Station. The journey is long, slow and takes between four and five hours, but the route is scenic.

TRAVEL FEATURE

TUSKS AND TRUNK MAGIC The Thai Elephant Conservation Center of Lampang, an accessible daytrip from Chiang Mai, gets travelers close to the pachyderms and even closer to each other

by Marco Ferrarese

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LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

All photos from Marco Ferrarese

Spread: Mahouts give their wards a bath before the proper elephant show.

APRIL 2015 | 23

TRAVEL FEATURE

“I

thought Thailand had a lot of elephants,” my father said as we strolled along one of the streets that jut out of Thapae Gate, losing ourselves in the tourist swarm of post meridian Chiang Mai.

We had arrived in the morning, and this was his first visit to Thailand, a visit of great expectations and—for me—tougher preparations. My dad had been to Asia before, in China and Malaysia, and he hoped to see something diverse, more exotic, in the kingdom. For this reason, I decided to trade the southern islands or Bangkok’s city comforts for a short exploration of the North. To me the region had been a highlight ever since I first visited in 2007, and I wanted to show my old man what I considered to be the best that Thailand has to offer.

Of course, my dad had come with expectations that clashed with the increasingly urban vibe of Chiang

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LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

Mai, an attractive city full of secretive angles and inspiring temples, but far from the lush, shady jungles his imagination was craving. Elephants, a typical symbol of Thailand’s exotic lure, had become the symbol of his travel satisfaction. “You can only see them occasionally in towns,” I answered, “otherwise you must head out to a camp.”

Since I was the one who had been living in Asia for the past seven years, I felt it almost mandatory to avoid the services of a tour operator and surprise my dad by bringing him to see real Thai elephants without all the controversy that comes with pursuing such a touristy activity. It’s well known that some elephant camps do not treat the animals well, and I wanted to avoid showing him some sad zoos that would just reinforce stereotypes. To seek out a more authentic experience, I chose to rent a car and drive an-hour-and-half down Highway 11 to Lampang, home of the

Thai Elephant Conservation Center (Km. 28-29 Lampang-Chiang Mai Highway, Hang Chat, Lampang, +6654829333), the country’s only government-owned elephant camp, which was founded in 1993.

Upon pulling over in a vast parking lot at the side of the highway, we immediately realized that the center was much bigger than what we had imagined. Behind an entrance that looked like that of a junglethemed park, a huge swath of forest extended as far as we could see.

“Please take a seat,” the ticket seller said before directing us to a line of waiting shuttle carts. They take visitors along a ring road connecting the center’s different areas: in fact, we learned that besides tourist attraction, the Elephant Conservation Center also serves as a hospital for the pachyderms. Injured elephants are taken here from all parts of Thailand and cared for as if they were sick humans. And when

they are too far away or too sick, the center sends a Mobile Elephant Clinic to locations all over the country.

What’s more, to help change the widespread perception that mahouts are the first among elephants’ abusers, the center published the first Elephant Care Manual written in the Thai language to help improve the animals’ conditions. It’s been already translated into English, Japanese, and Laotian.

Given these credentials, when the shuttle bus dropped us before a bend that opened into a pond ringed by forest and a clearing, we were less worried that our visit could have turned into a zoo experience. That’s where my dad saw the first elephant stables of his life.

“The African elephants I saw at the zoo back home were bigger,” he said, as skeptical as ever. But he was indeed interested: he kept walking toward the observation platform, intrigued by several elephants that

waited in the shade, their mahouts gently sat over their heads. The men held the infamous hooks that many travelers have seen used inhumanely elsewhere, but they kept them slung at their sides like long and innocent nails, with no intention to ruin the silent empathy they had established with their giant mounts.

As we got closer to pat and inspect the animals, three other bigger elephants came out of their stables guided by their mahouts.

They continued walking in line, rocking their heavy bodies step after step down to the water until the first dipped slowly into it. Its lower body disappeared as it inched forward in the murky waters. All this while, the mahout on top of it had risen to his feet, balancing over the elephant’s back. For a moment, it seemed as if the man were floating over waters like some sort of Asian Jesus. When the elephant re-emerged from its dive, the man balanced on its back and

started washing it with the care of an old friend. Soon enough, one after the other, six other elephants plunged ear-deep in the pond, splashing water from their trunks, playfully enjoying their refreshing bath.

At this point, my dad wasn’t questioning anymore but watching attentively and snapping pictures with his compact camera. Although an increasing number of people came up behind us, the openness and natural surroundings of this space had given him the jungle impression he was craving for. I observed him gulp perceptibly as the biggest elephant walked slowly past us, going up the slope and on the road, leading its colleagues as they followed single file.

After the bath, the elephants were going to work.

“Follow the elephants to the show area! See them paint with their trunks!” a woman in a work suit said into a megaphone, attracting swarms of school kids who had come here on visits from the city. They followed the animals in front of a building with an open-air arena nearby, queuing up at the ticket booth.

I waited to follow my dad, but he didn’t move. “Don’t you want to see the elephant show now?” I asked, not understanding what was wrong with him. He watched the last elephant in the line disappear beyond the gate before answering. “It’s OK,” he said, “I don’t think we should.”

“Is there anything wrong?”

He looked at two older elephants standing before the stables, freed from any tourist burden, and said, “Absolutely not. We didn’t come to see a circus, did we?”

We jumped on the next shuttle cart and returned to the headquarters and the parking lot. As we drove out of the park and got on the road back to Chiang Mai, something blazed in my dad’s eyes: it was the sparkle of satisfaction we both had hoped for.

Both Pages: An hour-and-a half;s drive on Highway 11 from Chiang Mai to Lampang is all it takes to see real elephants living in a caring, nurturing surrounding.

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TRAVEL FEATURE

ChiangMai

Chiang Mai’s spectacular natural attractions, amazing culture, rich history, year-round temperate weather, and exciting activities beckon!

by Atthasith Khupratakul 26

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

Dave Stamboulis

Revisited

L

aden with unique cultural wealth and natural beauty, Chiang Mai continues to find fresh, stimulating activities to attract visitors. The city seems to be changing continuously, making it always a pleasure to explore. But many tourists do not mind retracing their steps, revisiting previous attractions they have already seen in Chiang Mai, not only because the attractions of this ancient capital not only seem to retain their exotic mystique, but also, they grow on you with each and every visit. And if you are anything like me, you will agree that a holiday in Chiang Mai will not be the same without visiting them -- again. That's what I did in my most recent visit.

Symbol of Chiang Mai

It was a Saturday, and Chinese tourists are all over. The Chinese have become one the kingdom’s biggest source markets since Chiang Mai became a backdrop for the hit movie, “Lost in Thailand,” and now they are everywhere. Being Buddhists themselves--albeit if the Mahayana strain-- it wasn’t surprising to see the Chinese take easily to places like Wat Doi Suthep.

This centuries-old temple (“Wat Phra That Doi Suthep”) is just 15km away from the city proper. That is why so many people flock to the temple each day.

My favorite spot here is the viewpoint, which offers a panoramic view of the city, although often a thick blanket of smog covers the view.

What the smog cannot cover though, is the temple’s long history and great beauty. If you love selfies, the golden chedi here is a perfect backdrop. But in fact, there are so many corners that offers great photo ops. Lovers of religious culture will love the place for sure.

Until the cable tram was built, visitors have to climb 309 steps to reach the top. A tram ride costs Bt20 for Thais, Bt50 for foreigners.

Glorious Royal Retreat

Located on Doi Buak Ha, just a few kilometers away from Doi Suthep,

Bhubing Palace (officially called “Phra Tamnak Bhubing Rajanives”) is the winter residence of the ruling Thai Royal Family.

Since it was opened to the public a few years ago, the palace has been receiving at least 200 persons a day and as much as 500 persons a day during the high season. The 40-acre complex was built in 1961 beginning with the royal residence building and the royal guesthouse.

While the main palace is not accessible to the public, the grounds are. Tourists can roam around, marvel at the beautiful northern Thai style architecture (Reun Mu), and feast their eyes on beautiful flowers that dot the gardens.

Entrance fee is Bt20 for adults, Bt10 for children. Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Tel: 053 223-065

Temple of the Kings

No visit to Chiang Mai is the same without spending time in the ancient Walled Town, and stopping at two of its popular temples: Wat Pra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang.

Wat Phra Singh, at the intersection of Singharat and Ratchadamnoen roads, has a large chedi built in 1345 by King Pha Yoo to house the remains of his father King Kam Foo. It is a favorite stop of

many Chiang Mai visitors too. Wat Chedi Luang, which also houses the City Pillar, marks the exact center of Chiang Mai.

By the way, Thais believe that nine is a lucky number and they often recommend that you visit nine temples in a one-day temple tour.

There are more than 300 temples inside the old Chiang Mai city and nearby, and you can create your own “Buddhist Circuit” tour, if you’re up to it. Unfortunately, we are too pressed for time.

Opposite page: Wat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai's most important temple.

Above: Fabulous parasols: Borsang umbrellas are another symbol of Chiang Mai.

Lanna Arts & Crafts Galore

The world-famous Changklan Night Bazaar is the most famous night market in town if that's too much for you ("too touristy," some say), you can stop by the Wualai Night Bazaar, which opens only on Saturdays. Wualai is more in the old style night market than the Changklan Night Bazaar both in structure and prices. There’s also a walking street market near Thapae Gate, which opens every Sunday, and this one makes your Lanna shopping spree more exciting because you can haggle for bargains.

Sankamphaeng District or Hang Dong are the main places to go if you are thinking of buying wholesale, they being perfect showcases of Lanna arts and crafts.

APRIL 2015 | 27

Dave Stamboulis

Dave Stamboulis

TRAVEL FEATURE

Above: Versatile hilltribe fabrics are popular buys in the local markets.

Top, Right: With the abundance of local arts and crafts, there's an ample number of night markets and weekend bazaars to meet demand.

Bottom Right: Wat Chedi Luang

But you must also try heading to Nimmanhaeminda Road, the new shopping capital of the city.

This one is for the more modern and contemporary shoppers, and some of the best emerging Thai designers have a shop here. Besides shopping, the road has become a popular hangout place and chic, trendy restaurants and bars have opened in the area in the last few years. Some locals call it the “Thonglor” of Chiang Mai.

Soft Adventure and More

Chiang Mai boasts many eco-tourism and soft adventure activities, and here are some you should not miss, especially you're staying only for not longer than three days: Trekking -- Treks can take you into mountainous areas, which are also home to the hilltribes. With lush hills and virgin forests as scenic backdrops, try to book a package that includes trekking on foot, bamboo rafting, whitewater rafting, oxcart or elephant ride, and overnight stay in a

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hill tribe village.

Paddling Up – If you have time,

go white water rafting in Mae Tang (an emerging eco-tourism area). You might also want to visit Chiang Mai Safari (33 Moo 12, Nhong Kwai, Hang Dong; Tel: 053 999 000), another popular tourist attraction.

Cruising the Mae Ping – To see Chiang Mai from a different perspective, take a leisurely boat trip along the Ping River. (Mae Ping River Cruise; Tel: 053 274-822) /Scorpion Tail boat: Tel: 053 260-299)

Sampling a Spa – There are more than 40 legitimate spas in Chiang Mai to choose from for your kind of pampering. (Contact: Thai Lanna Spa Association at 053 298220; www.thailanaspa.org)

Tip: Again, three days in Chiang Mai are hardly enough to experience the range and breadth of attractions that the “Rose of the North” offers. Our advice: plan to stay longer, maybe at least a week!

IN A CAPSULE

Chiang Mai at 20,000sqkm is the largest city in northern Thailand. Situated at 300m above sea level in a large mountainous area, it was established in 1292 by King Mengrai. Two hundred years later, the city was subdued by the Burmese and became a vassal state in 1558. It was liberated by King Taksin and became part of Siam as the capital of Lanna (a million rice fields), an independent princedom tributary to Bangkok. Today, it is a bustling tourist destination: a center of learning, arts, antiques, and ancient Lanna tradition. The city is also noted for its food, and its native crafts such as silk, silver, saa paper products, handmade cotton, woodcarving, ceramics, and others. Chiang Mai can be reached from Bangkok by air, land, or rail.

TRAVEL FEATURE

CIRCLING THE NORTH ON TWO-WHEELS Tired of waiting for buses and mini-vans and wanted more freedom to explore the area at your own pace? Try riding the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son loop

by Marco Ferrarese

L

All photos by Chan Kit Yeng

ooming overhead, a patchwork of soft white clouds covers the intensely blue sky like a torn mantle.

The road ahead of us rolls along the gentle-sloping hills as it transforms into a tail of shimmering grey snake chasing the horizon. We are standing next to our scooters somewhere along road 108, the well-maintained asphalt strip connecting Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son in a circular loop.

We have already stopped in the MaeLa Noi district to rest wheels after having spent the night at the foothills of Thailand’s highest peak. Fields that burn with yellow-hued wheat

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and extend all around us, beckoning and waiting for our next move. But honestly, moving is the last thing we want to do right now.

We took to this less-visited corner of northern Thailand to find some respite from Chiang Mai’s sprawling modernity. As we were tired of waiting for buses and minivans and wanted more freedom to explore the area at our own pace, we decided to ride the Mae Hong Son loop.

This epic 600km roadtrip touches Mae Sariang, the Burmese border-town of Mae Hong Son, and backpacker-heaven Pai before

closing the circle again in Chiang Mai. Renting a bike is flawless: companies and shops at every corner offer everything from automatic scooters and 100cc two-strokes city bikes to bigger sport-end motorbikes. Tony’s Big Bikes (www. chiangmai-motorcycle-rental.com) is recommended for his wide selection and a decade worth of experience.

Consider that for those with less time on their hands, a motorbike with bigger engine will better negotiate the steep inclines and hairpin curves this loop is famous for.

One can take the loop in either direction. However, going clockwise will help cover the longest, flattest and most urbanized stretch (190km) inbetween Chiang Mai and Mae Sariang at the beginning of your itinerary.

We rode out of Chiang Mai after lunch, but adrenaline started to kick in only when we hit the turnoff to the Doi Inthanon national park about an hour-and-a half later. Travelers

usually bypass this park and opt to spend the night in Mae Sariang but we kept stopping at several of the park’s waterfalls until we reached the incline to the summit of Doi Inthanon (2565m).

We tried the ascent, but our simple scooters couldn’t make it: we gave up mid-way. Beaten but still giddy, with dusk upon us we found shelter at the park’s wooden chalets.

We spent our first night savoring the fresh embrace of the pine-scented mountain air, looking at a metropolis of stars from our veranda.

When we reached Mae Sariang mid-morning the next day, we were immediately glad to have spent the night closer to nature. Inspired by serendipity, we decided that we would have stopped only where we liked, not following any prescribed itinerary.

Continuing along an increasingly small and beaten-up road, we entered an underworld of lesser-known villages where gas stations are an

infrequent commodity.

Mae Hong Son appeared as a spell of golden stupas and pointyroofed temples, which were set along the Myanmar border. The road, however, had hypnotized us: after filling up the tank, we pushed on until dusk beckoned us to a roadside restaurant and an unknown guesthouse in a village we found along the way. The good thing about this loop is that no matter where you are, it’s always quite easy to find food and accommodation.

The next 100km to Pai along road 1095 is made up of a serpentine mountain road that keeps arms twisting until the mountains retrace to Chiang Mai’s lowlands. Pai itself sits in a gem of a valley, but the town center has sadly transformed into a Western-steak house and barlined walking street for foreigners.

Having wheels helped: we got out of the commercial melee and visited the surrounding countryside, which

We took to this lessvisited corner of northern Thailand to find some respite from Chiang Mai’s sprawling modernity.

APRIL 2015 | 31

TRAVEL FEATURE

PAI Above: Having a bike helps in getting out of the commercial melee.

Right: A view of the countryside.

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also offered the best accommodation options.

A visit to Pai’s canyon, with its deep sandy gorges and rocky cliffs, is another natural highlight of an area that otherwise would possibly disappoint those who arrived by public transport. We spent a couple of nights cruising around Pai’s idyllic surroundings and resting before taking on the last stretch of mountain road and its famed one-thousand bends. It is tough biking but the hills are beautiful: between a pit-stop and a picture opportunity, we took our time to roll down the slopes and we reached Chiang Mai only in the early evening.

Dropping the bike and getting back to modernity was a bit of a shock compared to what we had experienced for the past four days. The first impulse is to get back to the rental shop, get another motorbike, and turn around to do it counter-clockwise. Or even better, to set off somewhere new using one of the excellent northern Thailand motorbiking maps provided

by GT Riders (www.gt-rider.com/ maps-of-thailand-laos-maps).

Having wheels, as I said before, the possibilities are endless.

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

MAE HONG SON

DOI INTHANON

CHIANG MAI

MAE SARIANG

Aonang Villa Resort A TRANQUIL HAVEN OF STYLE AND COMFORT

in the midst of a natural wonderland

113 Moo 2, Aonang Beach, Muang, Krabi 81000 T: + 66 (0) 7563 7270-4 F: + 66 (0) 7569 5072 E: info@aonangvilla.com www.aonangvilla.com

TRAVEL NEIGHBORHOODS

BANGKOK’S HIDDEN ISLAND Unknown to many, Bang Krachao snoozes on in its timeless fashion with very minimal intrusions of modernity

by Ken Barrett

Below, left and right: A lone artist paints a fresco at Bang Krasap.

A stupa made from clay bricks at Wat Chak Daeng.

H

iding in plain sight in the middle of Bangkok, known only to few residents, is an island clad in jungle, plantations, and ricefields. Quiet villages can be found snoozing down country lanes, ancient temples are buried away among the greenery, and were it not for the occasional startling view of a tower block on the far bank of the river, the visitors could easily imagine that they are upcountry.

Opposite Page, Top and Bottom: Not forgotten: the Buddha image at the abandoned chapel at Wat bang Nam Pheung Nok. Bicycles for hire at Ban Nam Phenung Floating Market.

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Bang Krachao is confined within an enormous loop that is formed where the river doubles back and almost touches again at the district named Phra Pradaeng. A small canal, Klong Lat Pho, was cut in the early 17th century to allow light craft to bypass the loop, and the effect has been to create what is effectively an island in the middle of the city.

For reasons that remain unclear, given the unplanned sprawl of Bangkok, the island has remained

almost totally undeveloped.

This is Mon territory, settled after the fall of Ayutthaya, when it became prominent in helping to guard the entrance to the Chao Phraya. Because the Mon were such fierce enemies of the Burmese, having seen the Burmese destroy their own kingdom not long before the sacking of Ayutthaya, several hundred Mon men and their families were settled along the river banks to man the forts built by Rama I and

All photos by Ken Barrett

Above: A coastal freighter is moored at Rama III Road jetty, with the greenery of Bang Krachao on the far bank and the buildings of Sukhumvit and Bangna on the skyline.

Rama II. The Phra Pradaeng and Bang Krachao communities have grown from that original migration, and most of the temples here are Mon.

There are several ways to travel across from the “mainland." Ferry crossings from Wat Klong Toei Nok and Wat Bang Na Nok are for foot passengers and motorcycles, and there is a tiny boat that holds about half a dozen people and which sails from Rama III Road.

A more picturesque option is take a car ferry, which has a captain who sits in a cabin atop a square tower at the stern, plies between Samut Prakan and Phra Pradaeng, from where vehicles can cross the bridge over the Lat Pho canal and onto the island.

Since the building of the Bhumibol I and Bhumibol II bridges, which cross the river at Phra Pradaeng, access to the island has become easier. Consequently a very modest tourist industry has grown up

on Bang Krachao.

Timber and concrete pathways have been laid for walking and cycling, and there are a number of places where visitors can hire bikes for guided tours or to buzz around by themselves. Information boards are displayed at several of the historic temples. There is a place displaying Siamese fighting fish, and a handful of families who have been making incense-sticks for several generations have to their bemusement become a tourist attraction.

For visitors with little time, or (alas, like your correspondent) have no inclination to cycle, a taxi meter can be hired for an hour or so to explore the temples.

Crossing the Lat Pho canal leads onto Phetchahung Road, a two-lane highway that runs for the entire length of the island. Several of the temples date back to the earliest days of the settlement. At Wat Chak Daeng is a stupa, a turret-like construction made from ochre clay bricks, reminding us that the Mon were outstanding makers of unglazed clay pottery.

An abandoned chapel at Bang Krasop is recognizably Mon in design, with beautiful moldings over the doors and window frames. Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nai has a tiered stupa with golden images placed around the exterior and a Buddha image on the summit, which again is in classic Mon style.

Following Phetchahung Road to the end of the island brings us to Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok. Behind the century-old temple buildings on the riverfront are the original chapel and ordination hall, crumbling away behind overgrown trees, their exterior décor gone, their interiors bare, but the remains of ancient murals can still be seen on the walls. The Buddha images are still here, however, and offerings are regularly left for them.

Bang Krachao’s star attraction is the Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market. A canal threads its way across the island, and where it passes through the village of Bang Nam Phueng the residents have set up the market purely as a tourist attraction.

A number of vendor boats line the canal side, which is covered by netting to reduce the sun’s rays, and visitors walk along concrete walkways to the stalls and the food outlets, so this is not really a floating market at all: although, admittedly, “concrete walkway market” doesn’t quite have the same allure.

The market is open only at weekends and public holidays, and is designed primarily for Thais, although foreign visitors are increasingly to be seen here too. There are some quality handicrafts and food products available, reasonably priced clothing, and of course, good food.

The popularity of the market has grown so much over the past couple of years that small traffic jams can be experienced in the locality.

Any other intrusions of modern life are rare. A large part of the island is parkland, maintained by the Royal Forest Department. There is a single hotel, the recently opened eco-friendly Bangkok Tree House. The occasional ATM machine can be found, and much to local astonishment, a 7-Eleven has recently opened. Other than this, Bang Krachao remains a sleepy place snoozing in its unique timeless fashion.

THAILAND BANG KRACHAO

Editor’s Note: Ken Barrett is author of "22 Walks in Bangkok: Exploring the City’s Back Lanes and Byways" published by Tuttle Publishing, and available at all major international booksellers.

APRIL 2015 | 35

HOTELS CHECKING IN

A ‘ROYAL’ STAY A great base in the city center, a springboard for all your activities, a place to kick back and relax – where else but at Dusit Princess Chiang Mai?

All photos from Dusit Princess Chiang Mai

by John Mick

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S

ome of the Thailand’s most charming hotels are located in Chiang Mai, the country’s second biggest city, so called the “Rose of the North” because of its long history and rich culture, its great natural beauty, and year-round temperate weather. The area’s Lanna-Thai heritage, a legacy that has been kept alive in many of these hotels, make them distinct from the rest of the kingdom.

One particular hotel, which can rightly be called a true epitome of the distinctive Lanna-Thai hospitality, beckons to all Chiang Mai visitors, promising hospitality that is as warm as the Thai sun and a service that draws from the priceless values of a people known for their beauty and graciousness – Dusit Princess Chiang Mai Hotel.

Set in the heart of the city, Dusit Princess Chiang Mai (112 Changklan Road, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai, Tel: 053 253 900; email: dpcm@dusit.com) makes for

a great springboard to the famous Night Bazaar, to the region’s stunning scenery, and to the hub of traditional Thai arts and crafts production.

With 198 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, this hotel-one of the many properties under the Dusit International umbrella--has long made a name for itself as a haven of warm personal service and Thai hospitality, enhanced by a distinctive Thai-inspired design theme and thoroughly contemporary amenities and facilities.

These facilities include a restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, and a tropical garden terrace with a poolside bar. While visitors to Chiang Mai are encouraged to explore the many attractions of this queen city of the North, Dusit Princess Chiang Mai makes sure that those who prefer to stay within its premises enjoy their time to the full.

Indeed, one can just stay at the hotel and just kick back and relax.

Guests do not even have to go out of

the hotel to enjoy a fulfilling dining experience. A variety of cuisines are available in the main restaurant Jasmine, while those in need of a refreshing drink or snack can make themselves at home in the Lobby Bar.

For those who would rather stay in their rooms, Dusit Princess Chiang Mai promises a haven of rest and relaxation. The rooms and suites, designed for all kinds of travelers, are all well-appointed and reasonably priced, ensuring a comfortable stay at all times. While newer, sleeker hotels have sprung up like mushrooms in the Chiang Mai, the hotel remains popular to both local and foreign travelers.

And why when the hotel is a perfect refuge in the city, especially after a long day of shopping, sightseeing, or some adventure in the surrounding hills and forests of Chiang Mai. As one recent guest puts it, Dusit Princess Chiang Mai is easily one's “royal road” to a truly satisfying hotel stay.

Both Pages: Dusit Princess Chiang Mai is a haven of warm personal service and Thai hospitality, with facilities and amenities that will surely satisfy all guests.

APRIL 2015 | 37

HOTELS CHECKING IN

SPIRIT OF ‘W’

The best parties, W Happenings, fast-forward design, the most fashionable talents – is it any wonder W Taipei is high on the list of the new hip, cool travelers in Taiwan?

by Percy Roxas

W All photos from W Taipei

ork hard. Play hard.

Be healthy. Be inspired and inspire others. These, in essence, are what W Taipei is all about. Etched deeply in this Starwood International fun luxury brand in Taipei is an ethos that embodies the best of the brand’s DNA: vibrant, energetic, colorful, creative, and definitely young. It's a perfect hotel in for those looking for a cool place in Taipei that provides not only a good sleep but also offers lots of excitement as well.

Set in a location that offers fantastic views, the design-led W Taipei (www.whotels.com) is close to Taipei 101, the mall, and Elephant Mountain. This makes it perfect for tourists who enjoy easy

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accessibility to the best spots in Taipei and want to be able to explore the modern spirit and lifestyle of the destination as easily as they can. Of course, one does not really need to leave the hotel to experience that.

The innovative, contemporary spirit of Taipei is after all reflected in W Taipei – from its beautiful design to its facilities, service, and activities.

Since its opening in February 2011, W Taipei has been changing the Taiwanese hotel landscape by injecting, in many ways, a unique energy and coolness in the city scene.

Living up to the essence of a W Hotel as envisioned by the brand’s founders in its birthplace in New York City in 1998, W Taipei offers guests an environment full of surprises, and one that flirts with the senses.

In response to the founders’ “whatever/whenever dream” – whether it’s a hard to come by ticket to a concert, or one-on-one famous chef cooking class, or even a hot air balloon ride to enjoy the view of Taipei 101, leave it to the W insiders to provide its guests escape from the daily grind by embracing exceptionally incredible experience.

As long as it's legal, of course.

It wasn’t just accident that the founding team named their brand “W.” The very elements they want to inject into this brand begin with W: warm, witty, welcoming, whimsical, wonderful, and wow – are all conspicuously present in W Taipei’s 405 rooms. You can choose any of these rooms, which range from the standard 43sqm Wonderful Room to

the 365sqm Extremely Wow Suite, all featuring W Hotels' signature bed with feather-top mattress, 350 threadcount cotton sheets and goose down comforter, and experience an ultimate urban escape.

The same spirit of experience flows into the other areas of the hotel. Facilities are cutting-edge and exciting; a far cry from traditional hotels that accommodate grounds passively. This can easily be said after a visit to the state-of-the-art fitness center Sweat and Away Spa, and the two restaurants –The Kitchen Table and Yen, which are on the 10th floor, and the 31st floor, respectively – not to mention the three chic bars.

And of course, the service: It’s attentive and meticulous indeed, to say the least, and very flexible too.

Again, thanks to the now-signature “Whatever/Whenever” concept of service, the W staff are always willing to lend you their insider’s access to enjoy Taipei, from the ultimate guide to street markets to midnight delivery of freshly steamed dumplings (xiao long bao).

As a W concierge puts it: “We pride ourselves in providing personal touch at W hotels. It simply means we love providing excellent service beyond comparison!”

And with the W Happenings taking the initiative to provide you with various exciting events on a regular basis, with the “passion points” of music, gourmet, the arts, fashion, and parties–where else would you stay in Taipei if you’re the cool, hip type?

Opposite Page: Top: The hotel's attractive pool.

Bottom: The chic Yen Bar This Page: Top: The Yen Restaurant.

Bottom left: W Taipei's suite bathroom is fantastic.

Bottom, right: The Kitchen Table

APRIL 2015 | 39

HOTELS ASK THE CONCIERGE What is the craziest thing you did as a concierge?

Performed some dance moves along with our favorite and coolest guest!

We did this in front of our fabulous DJ booth at WOOBAR, and all the while we were having a conversation regarding his particular inquiry.

Now, apart from W Hotel, where else do you think you’d see that happen?

W Bangkok

What do you always carry with you to work?

My thumb drive, my red lipstick, and my mobile phone!

‘WOWING’ THE GUESTS They provide guests with invaluable information, give recommendations, and provide personal assistance such as restaurant reservations, flight tickets, concert tickets, etc. Look East shines the spotlight on some of Bangkok’s top concierges beginning this issue

Above: W Bangkok's Watcharee Tangjissoopakarn: "We are not just information provider, we are the guests' personal assistant."

40

M

by Percy Roxas

eet Watcharee Tangjissoopakarn (Kengju), a concierge at W Bangkok.

A graduate of Suan Sunandha International College (where she majored in hospitality and tourism management), Kengju has been in the hotel industry for more than five years now. Her eyes are set firmly on becoming a chief concierge because, as she says, “It would be ‘one up’ for the girls in the industry.” Excerpts from our interview:

non-stop desire to seek the coolest, newest, hippest place in town for the guests to visit is of paramount importance. Besides that, you have to remind yourself that you are not just an information provider but are the guest’s personal assistant.

Providing a personal touch is something we, the concierge team at W Bangkok, pride ourselves in.

And I’d have to say that the most important thing is that you sincerely need to love providing excellence beyond comparison!

What makes a great concierge?

We have standard tasks but every day is different and we never really know what the guest may come up with and ask for each day. So, having extensive knowledge coupled with a

Describe a typical day at work Challenging, but lots of fun. I look at it as if I’m coming to meet, have fun and take care of my most beloved friends: the guests.

LOOKEAST | HOTELS

Please share some tips you give to your guests Best Thai restaurant: Sala Rim Nam as they provide a traditional Thai feel besides the delicious food.

And Baan Khanitha, again for its delicious fare -- and it’s not far from the hotel.

Where to bring their friends: Thonglor, where there are so many cool places to hangout.

Where to go for shopping: Chatuchak Market or JJ, and for a bit of high-end shopping, there’s Siam Paragon or Central Embassy.

How to avoid pimps, hecklers, and scammers: Don’t listen to anyone who tries to take you away from where you are. Tuk-tuk drivers are known for trying to get tourists to visit gold shops or tailor shops. Avoid this type of activity at all costs! Also, if anyone tells you that a particular tourist attraction you are at is closed, don’t believe him or her. Go inside, and check it for yourself. This is another well-known trick designed to waylay the foreigner to some other unsavory shopping experience! Make sure taxis always switch their meters on before starting your journey, and take a picture of the taxi plate number or taxi ID if you can.

Best way to enjoy their holiday: Don’t worry too much about time.

Things are more relaxed in Thailand.

Thais like to do things at their own pace, be like them and just relax and go with the flow, don’t be too serious!

Secondly, avoid the traffic and take the sky train. And lastly, smile; and smile a lot. You’ll make a lot more connections with Thais if you smile!

Chic Gourmandise Offer

What: Get more for less with the special “Chic Gourmandise� offer at the luxurious Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort. Book a three- or four-night's stay at the resort and get 25% discount; or book for five, six, or seven nights and save 30% (Best Flexible Rate), not to mention additional benefits to enjoy.

Where: Sofitel Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, Krabi When: Until May 15 More info: 075 627 800 or email: H6184-RE@SOFITEL.COM

Sofitel SO Special

What: Celebrate Sofitel So Bangkok's 3rd anniversary with special promotions on room and dining from now until end of April. Get a daily US$30 credit per room per night when you stay for three nights at the So Club Room plus a chance to win a three-nights' stay at its sister hotels: Sofitel So Bangkok, Sofitel So Mauritius, or Sofitel So Singapore! Also enjoy 33% discount on F&B every Wednesday at Red Oven, Park Society, and Chocolab. Terms and conditions apply.

Where: Sofitel So Bangkok, Rama IV Rd, Bangkok (MRT: Lumpini) When: Until April 30 More info: 02 624 0000 or email h6835@ sofitel.com; www.sofitel-so-bangkok.com/ special-offers

Indigo Introductory

Kantary Meetings

What: Special meeting package deals are now available for conferences and seminars at all Cape and Kantary resorts around the kingdom. The package deals include one-night accommodation, breakfast, lunch and a coffee break and access to a host of facilities and professional services, as well some great perks and privileges, for functions booked throughout the year.

Where: Cape and Kantary hotels in Phuket, Khao Lak, Chiang Mai, Rayong, and Ayutthaya When: Until December 31 How much: THB 1,300 per person More info: 1627 (Call Center) or visit www.capekantaryhotels.com

What: Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road celebrates its opening by offering a special rate for stays until June 30 this year. The introductory rate includes a complimentary daily buffet breakfast and wireless Internet access.

Where: Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road, Wireless Road, Bangkok (BTS: Ploenchit) When: Ongoing until June 30 How much: Starting from THB 3,700++ per room per night.

More info: 02 207 4999; email: reservation.hotelindigobangkok.com

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Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas

Hua Hin Summer Delight

What: Enjoy an exclusive offer at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas with "Summer Delight" package and start packing to an extraordinary escape now. Unrivalled special rates are on offer so you can experience the natural breeze on the East coast. The package includes nightly accommodation in your selected room category, daily breakfast for two persons at The Dalah Restaurant, THB 1,000 net food & beverage credit per room per night (except in-room dining), THB 1,000 net spa credit per stay, and a spa gift voucher valued at THB 400 net per stay upon check-in.

Where: Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas When: Until April How much: Starts at THB. 7,900 net More info: 032 909 900; www.sheraton. com/huahinpranburi

asita eco resort

Sofitel Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort,

TRAVEL HOTEL DEALS

Green Weddings

What: Dreaming of a wedding amid relaxing, natural green surroundings?

Book your special day in an exclusive, eco-friendly resort just a few minutes from Bangkok: asita eco-resort. They specialize in organizing intimate weddings--Thai and Western style--for small and large groups.

Where: asita eco resort, 33/3 T. Taihard, A.Muang, Samut Songkhram When: Ongoing How much: Special package available More info: 092 629 9944; www. asitaresort.com

Pullman Bangkok Hotel G on Silom

Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok

Up to 50% off on your Songkran holiday

What: Save up to 50% off the regular room rate with this special “Let’s Celebrate Sonkgkran” package at Westin Grande Sukhumvit. Enjoy a luxurious, fun stay in one of the best hotels in the heart of the city.

Where: Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok When: Until October 31 How much: Deluxe room starts at THB 4,000++ (room only) or THB 4,500++ with international buffet breakfast More info: 02 207 8000 or email: rsvnbangkok@westin.com

Water Festival Package

Family Celebration

What: In celebration of the Thai New Year, Amari Phuket is launching a special package for families this month. The package includes three-night's stay in a Superior ocean- facing room, along with perks such as roundtrip airport transfers, a Songkran set dinner, a traditional Thai massage for 60 minutes, and more.

When: April 1-30 Where: Amari Phuket, 2 Muen-ngern Road, Patong Beach How much: THB17,977++ More info: 076 340 106-14 extension 8033 or 8034; email reservations.phuket@ amari.com or visit www.amari.com/phuket

Chatrium Hotels & Residences

Amari Phuket

What: This Songkran, soak up the festive fun and cool off in a comfortable, stylish room offered at a promotional rate, inclusive of a superb breakfast for two and complimentary Wi-Fi during your stay.

Where: Pullman Bangkok Hotel G on Silom When: April 1-30 How much: G Deluxe Room starts at THB 3,845++ More info: 02 238 1991; email rsvn@pullmanbangkokhotelg.com or book through www.accorhotels.com/3616

Chatrium Point Plus+ for every stay and event

What: Chatrium Hotels & Residences offers double point rewards for Chatrium Point Plus+ members on every stay and catering event in Bangkok. Earn Chatrium Point Plus+ Double Points when book a stay at any of the four participating properties. Book by website only.

When: from April 1 to May 31 Where: Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, Emporium Suites by Chatrium, Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok and Maitria Sukhumvit 18 – A Chatrium Collection or catering events taking place at Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok and Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok More info: www.chatriumpointplus.com. www.chatrium.com

Centara Songkran Deal

What: Enjoy a luxurious and fun “Songkran Package” that offers great value and lots of perks for couples, families, singles, and business travelers alike. Special for guests booking a minimum 2-night’s stay between April 10 and 15, a Thai set dinner is added as bonus.

When: April 1-30 Where: Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok (MRT: Phahonyothin) How much: Starts at THB 3,500++ per night More info: 02 541-1234 ext. 4116/19 APRIL 2015 | 43

Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit

Cape Nidhra Hua Hin

TRAVEL NEWS

Cape Nidhra Hua Hin: “Best Overseas Design Hotel"

Sofitel Sukhumvit opens art-inspired lobby

The Ascott Limited

Arnoma Grand Bangkok

Bangkok -- Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit GM William Haandrikman (center) and Chanelle Garvey, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing (1st from right), recently hosted a memorable “Soirée Art de Vivre” at Le Grand Ballroom to celebrate the luxury hotel’s third anniversary and also to officially unveil its new art-inspired lobby. Several distinguished guests attended the glitttering evening, including (from left): Varavuth Laohapongchana, PR & Communications director for Christian Dior Thailand; Nuchanart Raveesangsoon; Supee Pongpanich, senior vice president, advertising and promotions director for Siam Commercial Bank PCL; Lee Puengboonpra, and Vee Marr.

10 Ascott properties join forces to save planet

Bangkok -- CapitaLand’s whollyowned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited, continues its environmental protection efforts with the support of the Earth Hour in its properties for the ninth consecutive year. All Ascott properties switched off their lights for the whole night during last month’s World Earth Hour, starting from 8:30 pm (local time).

In addition, Ascott has also been implementing and promoting its own ‘Green Concept, Go Green @ Ascott’ to staff and residents throughout the year via various campaigns and activities.

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Arnoma Grand venues

Bangkok -- Arnoma Grand Bangkok’s MICE venues has been officially recognized as "meeting the criteria for professional international events," and was recently inducted into the elite group of Bangkok properties that meet the Thailand MICE Venue Standard Award 2015 standards.

The award was presented at ceremonies held at Millennium Hilton Bangkok.

Arnoma Grand has just completed the first phase of a recent multi-million baht refurbishment. As part of an improvement program, all 369 rooms and restaurants will be fully renovated and operational by the end of 2015, ensuring that Arnoma Grand continues to be one of Bangkok’s iconic hotels in a prime location.

Hua Hin - Cape and Kantary Hotels Project Development Manager and representative of Cape Nidhra Hotel Hua Hin, Tirawan Pangsrivongse (2nd right), received the “Best Overseas Design Hotel Award” from Victor Wong (2nd left), Small Luxury Hotels of the World area & development director-Asia Pacific. Also present during the acceptance of the award are Cape House Langsuan GM Teeraya Samittinon (left), and Cape and Kantary Hotels PR manager, Kulaseth Hovongratana (right).

The award was presented by The Bund Magazine, one of China’s top lifestyle magazines, which has been organizing the “Best Design Hotel Forum & Awards” in the past six years. The new category for overseas hotels was introduced two years ago. Cape Nidhra Hotel Hua Hin is the only hotel from Thailand to receive this coveted award.

New Centara property in Sriracha being built

Sri Racha -- Centara Hotels & Resort’s latest venture is a brand-new property now being built in Sriracha, Chonburi: The Centara Sonrisa Residence and Suites Sriracha. Currently being developed

by Smile Condo (2011) Co. Ltd, it will operate as a family-friendly four-star residence. The hotel is now in the design phase and the Centara Group expects that it will open on schedule in the first quarter of 2017. The new hotel will contain 150 comfortable, modern rooms, each approximately 32sqm in size. On the premises will also be a full-service restaurant, a fitness center, a generous swimming pool and outdoor leisure area, children’s facilities, and an ‘E-Room’ business center along with two meeting rooms suitable for 30 to 50 people.

Bangkok AshleyMadison. com, one of the world’s leading match-up sites, has been launched in Thailand.

This development comes after recent statistics from match. com announced that Thailand is the most adulterous nation in the world. In the survey, 56 percent of Thai married adults admitted to straying from their marital vows; auspicious timing for AshleyMadison.com (www.AshleyMadison.com), who saw 17,000 people sign up to their Thailand site in the first week after it’s launch in early 2015.

“Thailand is a thriving market for a website providing the exclusive services that we offer, and this has been confirmed by the latest statistics. Our site is globally known as a safe and discreet platform and that is what makes us different,” says AshleyMadison.com CEO and founder Noel Biderman. The exponential success of the website, with 32 million members and counting, relies on the security innovations that protect their users with guaranteed full anonymity and account safety.

This includes the chance to completely erase your account with no trace, or the ‘panic button’ that redirects users to a neutral website if they are interrupted while online.

“Our website is an outlet for something that people may be interested in. We have a winning formula that has been successful around the world and so far Thai’s are seeing the value in our services,” says Christoph Kraemer, spokesperson for AshleyMadison.com.

Hilton Pattaya holds 1st ’Teddy Bear Charity Ride’ to mark 5th anniversary

Pattaya – A biker team from Hilton Pattaya, led by general manager Rudolf Troestler, recently rode over some 200km from Pattaya to Chanthaburi to donate soft toys to the children at Baan NumKhun School and Child Development Center of Ban Tung Chan Dum.

“This is our second corporate responsibility (CR). We aim to make a difference through community service by sending a team of volunteers to inspire the children as part of the hotel’s fifth year anniversary celebrations,” said Troestler.“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of our team members and guests -- who contributed soft toys for the children. We presented more than 400 soft toys to young children in the rural areas of Chanthaburi.”

In line with the hotel’s commitment to remain a core pillar of Hilton Worldwide’s corporate responsibility strategy -- ’Travel with Purpose’ -- the Hilton Pattaya Blue Energy team promised to continue working closely with local organizations and taking the lead in implementing sustainable activities and enhancing corporate social responsibility.

AshleyMadison

Novel matchup site debuts in Thailand

Thailand Splash & Spice

AHS' first Samui resort

Bangkok– The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and VISA are again collaborating to promote Thailand as a destination of world-class dining experiences with the “Thailand Splash and Spice 2015.”

Now in its 4th year, the festival runs until May 31, and offers international and Thai Visa cardholders great deals at some of the country’s leading hotels and restaurants.

Up to 80 participating hotels--in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui, and Hua Hin--will offer special discounts, with hotel fine-dining experiences starting at THB 749+ for lunch. Some participating hotels will also offer special packages and discounts for accommodation.

lebua at State Tower Bangkok

Absolute Hotel Services

The Tourism Authority of Thailand

TRAVEL NEWS

lebua is No. 1: Condé Nast

Bangkok -- lebua at State Tower Bangkok was named “Best International Hotel for Business Travel in Thailand” at the recent Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2014.

The award acknowledges lebua for its spacious suites, which are famous for stunning views from their balconies, as well as for combining high-end comforts and high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity.

According to the citation: "Beyond the luxurious suites, lebua was picked out for its Sky Bar, one of the world’s most stunning rooftop bars, and Sirocco, the world’s highest al fresco restaurant, both of which make lebua an ideal and incredibly good value destination for the discerning business traveler."

This is the latest in the string of awards for lebua at State Tower Bangkok.

Novotel Suvarnabhumi

Samui -- Absolute Hotel Services Group CEO Jonathan Wigley recently announced the opening of another U resort in Samui: The Treasure Samui, which is currently going through a renovation and rebranding process. The resort will be ready for relaunch as U Koh Madsum Samui in July.

U Koh Madsum Samui is located on one of Thailand’s last untouched islands and offers travelers a unique tropical setting with uninterrupted views of the Gulf of Thailand and neighboring islands.

"Koh Madsum is an unspoiled island where there are still no cars, fast food chains, private residences or bustling tourist centers. The only sights and sounds guests will be confronted with are those created by Mother Nature," says Wigley.

Bangkok -- Suwit Jaipom, Wattana Poolcharoen, and Chingchai Udomcharoenkij, three of the nine famous artists of Thailand who participated in the art exhibition ‘Our Beloved King’ at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel recently, represented the organizers and the artists in donating the revenue from the charity event.

Samarnmit Pattana, head of Lukphradabos Foundation Samutprakarn, received the THB 55,000 donation on behalf of the Phradabos Foundation.

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Banyan The Resort, Hua Hin

Novotel Suvarnabhumi art show donation

Banyan The Resort, Hua Hin goes ‘Fin Free’

Hua Hin -- Sirirat Murphy, Banyan The Resort Hua Hin GM, says the hotel is now a ‘fin free’ establishment, meaning it does not serve shark fin in its restaurants and room service. Fin Free Thailand encourages businesses to ban shark fin and advises consumers to refrain from eating it by drawing attention to the environmental impacts and health risks. Seen receiving the ‘Fin Free’ posters: GM Sirirat (second row, 2nd from right) is seen with Cindy Burbridge, brand ambassador of Fin Free Thailand; Pramote Sampao-ngern (front row on the right), vice governor of Prachuab Khirikhan; and Pornchai Thomkrachang (front row, left), chief district of Hua Hin.

TRAVEL MY FAVORITE PLACE

THE LOCAL

THE EXPAT

My favorite place: South Island, New Zealand Bring: Sunglasses, warm jacket, multisurface walking shoes, highway map, and compact camera Must-do: Take a helicopter flight over the glaciers. The ride itself is a great experience but the snow landing is even more unforgettable because it’s like a heaven up there. Also, boost up your adrenalin with Shotover Jet, the high-speed jet boat ride along the Shotover River.

Must-see: Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glaciers. Lake Matheson nearby is also a must.

Must-buy: Patagonia Chocolates and Sheep plush toys and sheep-related products from the region.

Eat at: Fergburger in Queenstown and Patagonia ice cream Drink at: Matheson Café in Fox Glacier for a cup of hot chocolate with a fantastic view Sleep at: For an easy and cozy night, don’t miss the Aspiring Lodge Motel in Wanaka located just next to the supermarket and only a few steps away from Lake Wanaka.

For a more luxurious stay, The Hermitage Hotel in Aoraki Mount Cook -- a hotel with great design, decoration, and an interesting story behind it.

My favorite place: Huay Tang Tao Lake, northwest of downtown Chiang Mai. At the base of the western hills (Doi Suthep) there is a path that surrounds the reservoir; a perfect place to get in a little outdoor activity.

Bring there: A pair of walking/running shoes to take advantage of the trails and short hikes from the lake to the hillside waterfalls.

Must-do: Day trips, nature excursions and cultural hotspots in and around Chiang Mai. Consider an overnight trip up to Chiang Rai (just a two-and-a half hour drive).

Must-see: Baan Tawai Village. This little town is made up of streets lined with shops full of antiques, woodcarvings, unique handmade furniture, art, and modern and Thai décor; a little haven for those with a passion for interior design and art.

Must-buy: Gift items from Mesimu, an original shop by a Chiang Mai-based designer of fair, ethical and handmade accessories and dresses.

Eat at: The Larder Café, for the best Western brunch choices in the city.

Drink at: One of the restaurant patios in the new Think Park courtyard on Nimmanahaeminda Road.

Sleep at: Le Meridien Chiang Rai. It's pool and garden are among the most peaceful places to relax.

Name: Chompunuch Chulanuka Age: 40 Country: Thailand Profession: Director of Food & Beverage Marketing, Dusit Thani Bangkok

Name: Rosie Moore Age: 32 Country: Canada & Thailand Job/Profession: Partner at East Fitness Foundations, Health & Wellness Coach

THE TOURIST

Name: Sanjoy Roy Age: Under 50 Country: India Job/Profession: Managing Director, Teamwork Arts India (who do 26 festivals in 15 countries, including the famous ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival and the ongoing Festival of India in Thailand) My favorite place: Bangkok. In particular, the gorgeous grounds, halls, and galleries of Chulalongkorn University where most of our Festival of India in Thailand events are being held. Also, the Chao Phraya River, the farmer’s markets, and more….

Bring there: My whole team from India.

Must-do: Sip an icy-cold martini, looking out at the gleaming river, during sun set Must-see: The street-markets of Bangkok Must-buy: A Jim Thompson shirt, to look cool in it for any of our festivals around the world.

Eat at: As many Thai restaurants as possible -- I simply love Thai food!!

Drink at: A tall glass of lemongrass iced tea, at the riverside The Siam hotel, with its amazing artworks and atmospherics Sleep at: The ‘Authors Suite’ of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and discuss literature and philosophy with a slew of Thai-based authors, who we can then invite to our Jaipur Literature Festival.

APRIL 2015 | 47

LIFESTYLE PERSONALITIES

DELIVERING UPSCALE QUALITY FORWARD Hilton Pattaya GM Rudolf Tröstler is keen to take forward the achievements of the 302-room five-star property, and says he would continue to work --with his team-to maintain the hotel’s popularity among travelers

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Opposite page: Hilton Pattaya GM Rudolf Tröstler

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e is the hotel’s “rock star.” During a recent staff party Rudolf Tröstler, general manager (GM) of Hilton Pattaya, came wearing a true-blue rock star costume, displayed his passion for rock n’ roll so avidly, and mingled unhesitatingly to ensure that everyone had fun. It was an episode that was to set the tone for Rudolf's admirable relationship with his associates these days.

“I’m an easy-going guy,” says the 41-year-old GM who is obviously enjoying his first work experience in Thailand. “I work very hard and am passionate about what I do, but I always have time for my associates.

My door is always open to anyone who would like to discuss anything with me.”

His associates couldn’t agree more. They say he is a great boss."He is like a friend; a mentor to us," says one associate.

Barely 17 months in office at the Hilton Pattaya, Rudolf is held in high admiration by his team indeed.

Rudolf is only too happy to translate the same feeling with his associates.

“Happy team means happy clients,” he explains simply.

Apparently this mutual rapport has been helping enhance further the Hilton Pattaya brand of service, and making Rudolf enjoy his job even more: “It’s a great property in a great location with very good team; a very good place to work indeed.”

Rudolf oversees hotel operations and leads the team in delivering upscale quality and exceptional guest

LOOKEAST | LIFESTYLE

by Percy Roxas experiences at the award-winning property – it was the World’s Leading Design Hotel winner at the 2014 World Travel Awards, for one --- set in the heart of the city overlooking Pattaya bay, and perched atop Southeast Asia’s largest beachfront shopping complex, CentralFestival Pattaya Beach.

Rudolf has been a GM for only four years. He launched his career in his native Vienna, working initially as a waiter in a fine dining restaurant.

But even from an early age he has already figured out that he is meant for a hospitality career. He was only 12 when the thought first seeped in.

“It started quite funnily enough,” he says. “I remember my best friend and I talking back then. He wanted to be the smartest while I wanted to be the one farthest from home; just thought I wanted to see the world.

True enough, he became a doctor in Vienna and I went to Australia, which is how one could ever be been farthest from Austria, right.”

That was 21 years ago.

He joined Hilton when he was 20 and has remained with the group ever since. In the years that follow, Rudolf would spend his professional life working in far-flung destinations, from the U.K to Australia to Asia, moving along and up F&B, finance, and operations. Prior to joining Hilton Pattaya, he was GM at Hilton Colombo in Sri Lanka.

He says being GM of Hilton Pattaya poses unique challenges but adds that the hotel is well-positioned to meet the market’s growing demand for upscale accommodation, offering

the finest in accommodation, services, and dining while being ecologically responsible (the hotel has in fact incorporated unique environmentally friendly features within its operations and guest services, in line with Hilton Worldwide's global sustainability efforts).

Rudolf is also leading by example in continuing the hotel’s strong involvement in the community.

To celebrate the hotel’s 5th anniversary recently, Hilton Pattaya introduced its latest corporate social responsibility initiative: “The Charity Teddy Bear for Habitat for Humanity Thailand,” which aims to raise funds to help alleviate poverty by providing decent housing, improving quality of life, and providing response and solution for natural disaster recovery.

The hotel also recently donated more than 300 used calendars for the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind, and more recently, Rudolf led a biker team from the hotel, riding over 200km from Pattaya to Chanthaburi to donate soft toys to Baan Numkhun School and Child Development Center.

Indeed, Rudolf is keen to take forward the achievements of the 302-room five-star property, and said he would continue to work --with his team--to maintain the hotel’s popularity among local and international travelers.

In fact, Rudolf and his team are already neck-deep in the planning and implementing more activities with that clear goal in mind.

APRIL 2015 | 49

Atthasith Khupratakul

All photos from Megabangna

LIFESTYLE FASHION EVENTS

MEGA FASHION EXTRAORDINARY Megabangna recently organized a fashion event with famous gurus from diverse lifestyles, fabulous fashion shows, and mini concerts featuring various artists

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This Page: The annual “Mega Fashion Extraordinary” featured fashion shows, personality development workshops, concerts and other fun activities.

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egabangna’s signature fashion event returned last month -- bigger and more exciting than ever. The annual “Mega Fashion Extraordinary” gave shoppers a chance to enjoy fun activities including fashion shows from top-class models, workshops by celebrities who shared beauty, fashion, and personality development tips, as well as concerts from various Thai artists.

This year’s theme is “Fashion Fun Way.” To make the event more exciting, Megabangna (www.megabangna.com) decided to give its concept a new twist to meet the needs of fashionistas with different kinds of style.

The concept consists of four main themes: Denim, Office, Party, and Colorful. The four themes attracted a wide range of consumers and cover different lifestyles. Moreover, new collections from many leading brands were launched, along with other activities and workshops such as ● Make-up workshop and beauty talk from well-known celebrities including Momay, (Denim), Pang Kwankao (Office), Ploy Chavaporn (Party), and Maeya (Colofrul),

● Fashion shows from many brands with Thailand’s top-tier models, and ● Mini concerts from GMM Grammy artists, namely Chin Chinnawut, Pop Pongkool, Season 5 and New-Jiw The Star

“Mega fashion Extraordinary is the biggest annual fashion event of Megabangna shopping center, held in response to the needs of savvy shoppers and fashion lovers,” says Christian Olofsson, managing director of Megabangna Shopping Center. “We want to give our customers the privilege of experience new collections of each brand and new fashion trends for this year and this is just the event for them.”

The “4 Theme 4 Collection” covered different dressing styles: “Denim” for those who like to keep it cool and casual, “Office” for chic workers, “Party” for fun party girls and boys, and “Colorful” for people who are passionate with the cheerful boldness and brightness of the colorful world.

Megabangna welcomes approximately three million shoppers per month, 92 percent of which are Thais, with eight percent being foreigners.

LIFESTYLE SPA DEALS

Botanical Based

What: A series of botanically based treatments--“Botanical Bliss, “Siamese Zen,” or “Instant Smooth”– collectively called “Delightful Spa Body Treats” is available this summer.

Where: Spa Cenvaree at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok (MRT: Phahonyothin) When: Until April 30 How much: THB 2,000 net More info: 02 541-1234 ext. 4292 and 4567; email: spacenvareecglb@chr.co.th

So SPA

What: The Okura Spa celebrates Japan’s sakura season with a new cherry blossom treatment that combines a body scrub with an aroma oil massage.

The treatment begins with a “Glowing Sakura” full body scrub that removes dead cells and provides much-needed nourishment to the skin. The aroma oil massage features a totally enchanting body ritual inspired by Japanese tradition.

This ‘Sakura Blossom’ treatment lasts for 90 minutes, and guests may also select the optional 30-minute Sakura milk bath session.

When: Until May 31 Where: The Okura Spa, The Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel, Wireless Road (BTS: Ploenchit) How much: THB 3,800++ per person (THB 5,200++ with Sakura milk bath session).

More info: 02 687 9000; email: spa@okurabangkok.com

The Okura Spa

Japanese Inspired

Cooling Summer Package

What: Keep cool this summer by retreating into "So SPA with L’Occitane."

Enjoy a 30-minute Jacuzzi bath followed by a 60-minute Shea Moisturizing Body Scrub to help repair sun damage, and eliminate dead skin cells. Complete the pampering experience with a 60-minute Aromachologie treatment to relax your mind and body.

When: Throughout April only Where: Sofitel Phokeethra Krabi Resort & Spa, Krabi How much THB 3,800 per person; THB 7,000 per couple More info: 075 627 800 or email: H6184TH@SOFITEL.COM

Products from Paris

What: A spa package that makes the most of Paris-based products used especially in the 150-to-180-minute “Top-to-Toe treatments.”

Where: Spa InterContinental, InterContinental Hotel Bangkok, Ploenchit Rd (BTS: Chidlom) When: Until April 30 How much: Price: THB 5,800 net / THB 6,200 net More info : 02 656 0444 ext. 6288

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LOOKEAST | LIFESTYLE

What: Inspired by the coming together of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Devarana Spa presents its new ASEAN Remedies spa program, at all Devarana Spas worldwide. The program brings together the best of the region’s natural ingredients and healing traditions, and combined to create an invigorating spa experience. The healing traditions from 10 ASEAN countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) have been classified into four distinct programs: “Mekong River Harmony,” “Malaya Retreat,” “Kalimantan Haven.” and “Pilipinas Island Hideaway.”

Each one is devised to bring body and mind back into equilibrium within two hours to improve total well-being.

When: Throughout 2015 Where: All Devarana Spas More info: 02 200 9999 or email: info@ devaranaspa.com; www.devaranaspa.com

Kempinski The Spa

Spa InterContinental

ASEAN Remedies

Seasonal Massage

What: Kempinski The Spa at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, which was recently awarded the Hotel Spa of the Year for Asia & Australasia at the recent World Spa & Wellness Awards in London, is offering two new packages at very special prices.

When: Ongoing Where: Kempinski The Spa, Kempinski Hotel Bangkok beside Siam Paragon (BTS: Siam) How much: 90-minute seasonal massage is THB 3,600++ per person; THB 6,500++ for a 180-minute head-to-toe signature treatment package More info: 02 162 9050 or email spa. siambangkok@kempinski.com

salads, wraps, sandwiches, paninis, pasta, soups, smoothies Mercury Ville 540 Ploenchit Road Chidlom/Langsuan Intersection Ground Floor BTS: Chidlom Open Daily 9am - 10pm Tel. 02-658-6688

Siam Paragon 991 Rama1 Road Ground Floor (Opposite MK Gold) BTS: Siam Open Daily 10am - 10pm Tel. 02-610-7714

Empire Tower Second Floor Sathorn / Narathiwas Intersection BTS: Chong Nonsi Tel. 02-670-1898

Order delivery through:

#dressed_dressed

dressedthailand

Franchise Inquiries: info@thesehgalgroup.com

LIFESTYLE DOING SPA

DELICIOUS BLISS Summer is the season of mangoes, so why not try a spa treatment that offers their finest benefits – at Oasis Spa?

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h, how Thailand spoils us! As home to some of the world’s best spas and wellness centers, not to mention some of the most innovative and creative purveyors of treatments in this multi-million baht industry today, there is surely something in the kingdom to suit your needs of the moment whatever they may be. In the years that I have been continually visiting many different spas throughout Thailand, never have I had a treatment delivered the same way, although my aim was always the same: to de-stress, to relax, to be spoiled, and to be pampered. Even when I go to the same spa -- like say, in any of the several Oasis Spa branches around the country – I still get amazed at how their treatments

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by Percy Roxas menu continue to evolve and expand, and how I get a new blissful experience each time I visit.

Take my recent trip to Oasis Spa on Sukhumvit 51, the second Oasis Spa branch in the capital. I have been to this branch once, when it first opened a few years ago, where I enjoyed the first "four-hands Thai massage" that got me addicted to the treatment. This branch is more atmospheric in design than the Oasis Spa on Sukhumvit 31 and the neoMoroccan details add an element of mystique; an urban-bohemian spirit if you will, to your spa visit.

I visited this haven again recently to enjoy a new seasonal promotion: “Coco Mango Tango,” which as its name suggests, was inspired by the traditional Thai dessert: mamuang

and khao neiow (ripe mango and sticky rice) and described as a delicious new way to tropical bliss.

To be honest, I was just curious about it. I have probably tried most of the new Thai spa treatments based on some organic ingredients – chocolate, rice, coffee, coconut, red wine, silk cocoon, you name it – but I haven’t had one with mango.

Sure I love mangoes, and I was especially addicted to mango juices.

But a mango scrub? Never. So I eagerly booked a two-hour and a half package of the promotional “Coco Mango Tango” treatment at Oasis Sukhumvit 51 (Tel: 02 262 2122).

After the usual courtesies, my therapist ushered me to one of the 11 private treatment rooms at the spa. But even before my treatment

All photos from Oasis Spa

started, my senses were already being “massage” by the rich, playful colors, the exotic details in the décor, and the sensuous textures that welcomed me. If going to the spa means being transported to a world so different from our own, then this is my kind of spa indeed, which is what I told myself as I laid face down on the bed. Never mind if some people were saying otherwise.

And so my journey of bliss began.

The therapist covered my body with a floral-printed sheet, placed her hands on the focal points of my torso, and gave them quick, short shakes.

I tried to close my eyes as I wanted to remember precisely how she was doing it.

I felt a warm towelette touching the soles of my feet, which is how spa treatments usually commence. Then, she lifted part of the sheet to begin the scrub. She used the Mango Sticky Body Scrub, made by combining natural coconut butter, Shea butter, mango, finely textured coconut, and organic rice. As she pasted and rubbed the slightly gooey substance, first to my legs and then all over my body, a tingling sensation engulfed

me. Curious, I asked: “What is this for, again?”

“This skin nourishing and exfoliating mixture uncovers a more youthful and healthy you,” the therapist replied in broken Thai. I wanted to ask more questions but my right brain was being eclipsed by the delightful sensations I was feeling. Meanwhile, my left brain kept thinking about the mango and its multiple health benefits.

I have read somewhere how mangoes help make the skin glow and shine because they are rich in Vitamin A, among other nutrients.

When the pulp of mango is rubbed over the skin, it makes the complexion fair, maintains the moisture, and encourages the skin to glow. Of course mango has many other health benefits, but for the moment, these will suffice. Believe me, just thinking about this has already consumed the time allotted for my body scrub, and soon the therapist told me that its time to take the scrub off my skin with a quick shower.

When I returned to the bed, the therapist was readying another mixture, which was the Body

Wrap Cocoon, the next stage in the treatment. Unlike the scrub, this one is meant to stay on the skin for about an hour to be able to rehydrate dry skin. I closed my eyes and went to my peaceful place, as I really don’t like being “wrapped up” like a mummy.

But the rich coconut and mango fragrance countered my fears and soon, was teasing my senses. I fell asleep, as soundly as a log.

Next, I was given a Purifying Facial Treatment using renowned Guinot, a cleansing facial scrub with a soothing facial massage that nourishes the complexion and nurtures serenity. My eyes remained close but my mind remembered somebody telling me that they have their own signature products here too, labeled “Kin,” especially designed for these facials. I felt my face being revitalized indeed.

After a quick run to the shower again, it was onto the last step. I was ready for the warm Coconut Oil Body Massage. Having been born in a tropical country, I am quite aware of the benefits of coconuts; I know how our great-grandmothers use coconuts for all sorts of things, including curing various ailments. What I wasn’t expecting was that coconuts can also be effective for anxiety-busting procedures. They can soothe aches and pains and also boost alertness.

Perhaps I do not need to mention how the treatment concludes with a further massage, as this is SOP in all spas, at least in my experience. But I must point out how, at the end of treatment, I really felt like a brand new me – clean, recharged, and rested from head to toe. Definitely worth the THB 3,800 that the spa treatment costs!

“Thank you, I hope you will come back another time,” says my therapist as I hand her a small tip on the way out. “And bring a friend so you can take advantage of our fabulous treatment and promotional offer – half price for your friend, when he or she comes with you. The seasonal “Coco Mango Tango” is available at all Oasis Spa locations in Thailand until June 30 only, so hurry.” Hurry back, I certainly will!

Opposite Page: The 'Coco Mango Tango' offer starts this month.

This Page: Top: Oasis spa Bangkok Suk 51 exterior.

Bottom: The treatment room.

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WINE&DINE RESTAURANTS

BEST OF THE BEST

All photos from Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards

5 Bangkok restaurants win at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards; Gaggan is ‘The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Asia

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T

hailand continues to be a strong presence in Asia’s dining scene with five establishments honored at the recent Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015 awards in Singapore. Gaggan in Bangkok secured the No.1 spot, earning it the coveted dual titles of The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Asia and The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Thailand. Other top awardees are 2014 winner Nahm (No.7), Eat Me (No.25), Bo.lan (No.37) and Issaya Siamese Club (No.39).

Chef Gaggan Anand opened his eponymous Bangkok restaurant in 2010 with a vision to reinvigorate Indian cuisine by incorporating modernist cooking techniques. His passion, energy and creativity are evident in every aspect of the dining experience, from the colonial-style setting to the molecular twists added to traditional Indian dishes. Ranked No.3 at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards last year, Gaggan debuted on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2014 at No.17.

Now in its third year, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, were announced at an awards ceremony at Capella Hotel, Singapore. The 2015 list features eight new entries, including first-time entries from the Philippines (Antonio’s, No.48) and Cambodia (Cuisine Wat Damnak, No.50). China boasts 16 restaurants on the list, followed by Singapore and Japan, with 10 and eight respectively.

Individual Country Awards:

Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (No.3) in Shanghai is named The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in China, a title previously held

by Hong Kong’s Amber (No.6).

However, Chef Richard Ekkebus of Amber still had his moment in the spotlight. The respected culinary master is this year’s recipient of the Chefs’ Choice Award, sponsored

by Nespresso, an honor voted for by his peers.

Rising one place from its 2014 ranking, Restaurant André (No.5) retains the title of The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Singapore.

The new addition to Singapore’s restaurants is Burnt Ends (No.30), while Osteria Mozza (No.45) makes a welcome return.

For a third consecutive year, Narisawa (No.2) is named The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Japan.

Korea’s influence on Asia’s dining scene continues to grow with two new entries, namely Ryunique (No.27) and La Yeon (No.38), the latter earning the One To Watch award, sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro.

Building on the success of his 2014 debut, Chef Jungsik Yim’s flagship Seoul restaurant, Jungsik, rises 10 places to No.10, earning the title of The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Korea.

For the first time, Indian Accent (No.22) claims the title of The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in India. The country is also represented by Wasabi by Morimoto (No.29) and Bukhara (No.41).

A new entry to the 2014 list, this year Le Moût ranks at No.26, retaining its title as The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Taiwan. Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants also recognizes Nihonbashi in Colombo (No.31) as The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka, Antonio’s (No.48) in Tagaytay as The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in the Philippines and Cuisine Wat Damnak (No.50) in Siem Reap as The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Cambodia.

Other winners include:

Asia’s Best Pastry Chef, sponsored by Cacao Barry: Hidemi Sugino -- Pastry connoisseurs queue up daily at Hidemi Sugino’s eponymous Tokyo patisserie to experience his delicate, inspired creations. Trained in France, his signature mousse cakes delight

with their rich textures and original combinations.

Highest Climber Award: Hajime -- Chef Hajime Yoneda continues to impress diners with his dedication, artistry and command of French and Japanese cooking techniques. His eponymous Osaka restaurant rises 28 places this year, from No.42 in 2014 to its current ranking at No.14.

Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by LesConcierges: Fu He Hui -- Chef Tony Lu continues to reinvent modern Shanghainese cuisine with his vegetarian restaurant, Fu He Hui. Entering Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list at No.19, Fu He Hui showcases Chef Lu’s inventive combinations, respect for ingredients and finely honed skills.

One To Watch, sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro: La Yeon -- La Yeon in Seoul makes its debut on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list at No.38. Serving Korean cuisine in a fine dining setting, La Yeon uses seasonal ingredients to present traditional dishes with impeccable style and refinement.

Chefs’ Choice Award, sponsored

by Nespresso: Richard Ekkebus -- The Dutch-born culinary director of Amber, in Hong Kong’s Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel, is recognized by his fellow chefs as a master craftsman. Ekkebus has guided the restaurant to the top table of gastronomy, gaining respect and admiration as a chef and as an inspirational leader.

Other honorees include Chef Vicky Lau of Tate Dining Room & Bar in Hong Kong who is named Veuve Clicquot Asia’s Best Female Chef 2015. Chef Tetsuya Wakuda of Waku Ghin in Singapore is the worthy recipient of The Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award. For the full list of awardees, visit: www.theworlds50best.com/ asia

Opposite Page: Top, right: Veuve Clicquot Asia's Best Female Chef 2015, Vicky Lau Left: Tate Dining Room & Bar Counterclockwise: Tate's foie gras terrine, Zen Garden, and Ros Bresse pigeon.

APRIL 2015 | 57

Abbot

WINE&DINE RESTAURANTS

TO TEASE YOUR PALATES Three restaurants-- Osha, Abbot, and Moodz – have been added to our list of choices for new high quality dining experiences in Bangkok

T

by Laurence Civil

Abbot

hree new restaurants opened in Bangkok recently, all reflecting modern dining traditions.

Two of them had Californian origins, and one has European foundations, but all contributing significantly to the city's contemporary dining scene.

Osha, from San Francisco, serves authentic Thai taste with a molecular twist. Abbot brings the flavors of Venice Beach from the American “City of Angels” (Los Angeles) to our own “City of Angels” (Bangkok). And last but not least, Moodz gives us modern, comfortable, and chic Europeanstyle dishes. What do they have in common? They all offer quality dining experiences.

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Osha (99 Wireless Road, 02 256

6555, www.oshabangkok.com )

Osha started in San Francisco in 1996 and is famous for authentic Thai tastes but with a molecular twist. It is one of the best-known ethnic food restaurants in the Bay Area, with nine branches. It came to Bangkok in late 2014, and took up residence in palatial quarters at the junction of Wireless Road and Soi Ruamrudee.

The restaurant’s executive chef, Noom Thaninthom, plates his food with European elegance. But, don't let the gentility confuse you, because the taste is genuinely authentic, with pronounced chili kicks in the after-taste. Noom, a celebrity chef,

American-trained René Michelena who has worked in some of the finest dining establishments in the States.

In Bangkok, he recreates California flavors made with local Thai ingredients. “My food has always been Californian, but I wanted to make it more casual,” Rene says. “After working in fine dining for 20 years, I’m over the white table cloth, white gloves thing.”

We started with three fresh oysters served with a wedge of lemon or fresh wasabi. Our delightfully light first main was tigress BBQ prawns & red pepper, made up of barbequed prawns, corn custard, candy stripe beets, garlic crumble, and a barbequed red pepper.

Followed by the smoky 1/2 chicken, which comes with spinach and cherry tomatoes with a betel leaf-xeres wine reduction. We finished with a hyper multi-nut pie made from pecans, almonds, macadamia nuts, and jaggery served with caramel bourbon ice-cream and garnished griottine cherries for dessert.

is a master of using the right cooking temperature to enhance the flavors of his food. With the exception of certain meats and fish, majority of the ingredients he use are sourced in markets where he can find the best quality. His chili comes from Samporn, salted eggs from Chaiya, organic brown rice from Suphanburi, and Manoi leaves from Nongkhai. The latter he uses to make natural gelatin.

The first appetizer we tasted was poached Andaman oyster with Nha Noi leave foam, which sits elegantly in a pile of pink rock salt sprinkled on a black plate. Effectively styled, it has a great taste to match its unique appearance. Next was the ahi tuna tower, featuring a big-eye tuna tartar that sits neatly on a bed of diced avocado, and sprinkled with Sriracha citrus balsamic and lotus root chips.

Again, the elegant presentation hides the volcanic taste within.

His signature appetizer is called Dancing King Prawns, which is a prawn ceviche that sits in the middle of a wafer-thin sliced cucumber and red radish carpaccio with a chilicilantro granita. This is another great example of how wonderfully executed fine dining touches elevate the simple Thai flavors.

His massaman lamb is a masterpiece. The New Zealand lamb shank is cooked sous vide at a low temperature for 48 hours, and then the deliciously tender meat is served on the bone with potatoes and crushed almonds in a rich southern Thai massaman gravy. This is a straightforward curry cooked with a culinary mind.

Studio’s Brian Kent Sherman, Moodz is a situated on the corner of Thonglor Soi 10. The décor is a mix of wood, turquoise, and colorful jazz-style paintings.

Our first dish here is the tuna tartar that comes as a generously diced fish in a pleasantly sweet dressing. His crab cakes are succulently tender and are made from 100 percent crab with no superfluous filling.

When the squid alfredo came to the table, it looked like regular pasta but it was not. It was thin strips of grilled squid tossed in a deliciously creamy Alfredo sauce, which was an impressively creative use of seafood.

For the main course, we had succulently tender slow-cooked beef cheeks with mashed potato, made for the ultimate in quality comfort food.

The meal finished with a light yet rich, molten chocolate cake served with contrastingly simple vanilla ice cream.

Again, we left the restaurant thinking that we had another impressive meal consisting of simple dishes, done exceptionally well.

Opposite Page, Top: Abbot's The best oyster of the day selection Bottom: Tigress BBQ prawns with rred pepper, also from Abbot.

This Page: Below and Bottom: Moodz interior and the signature tender slowcooked beef cheeks Bottom, Left: Hyper multi-pie from Abbot

(308 Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor); Tel 02 170 8440, www. facebook.com/MOODZTHAILAND)

This restaurant reflects the current trend of a more casualsmart dining area, and the food style is contemporary European. An alternative to the more traditionally formal, this style features tables and chairs inside and a more lounge-style set out on the deck. It's a place to come as you want and dine as you feel comfortable.

Designed by Bensley Design

Moodz

Moodz

Moodz

02 258 6250, www.abbotbangkok. com)

This place is not ecclesiastical; rather it has been named after Abbot Kinney Road in the uber-cool Venice Beach district of LA. A typical bohemian lifestyle is reflected in the mid-century Cali-Mod furniture and vibrantly painted woods. There is a lively bar downstairs and a more refined dining experience on the level above.

The chef is Filipino-born but

Abbot

Abbot (253/2 Sukhumvit 31, Tel:

APRIL 2015 | 59

All photos from Wolff’s

WINE&DINE RESTAURANTS

DELIGHTFULLY ‘NOIR-ISH’ This noir jazz bar and restaurant --Wolff’s--has been lovingly shaped by its owner, a former private detective turned crime fiction author

This Page: Wolff’s is a venue put together very much by a “man in the know" as these photos above show.

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F

by Thomas Sturrock

or Malcolm Schaverien, the journey from private investigator to author to bar owner and restaurateur has been a colorful one. A long-term Bangkok resident, Schaverien built a business as a private detective – a fixer, if you like – hiring out his services mostly to Westerners struggling to navigate the murky waters of law and order in Thailand. He then drew upon these experiences for his book, Bangkok Rules, written under the pseudonym Harlan Wolff, which follows the adventures of a gumshoe called Carl Engel, based loosely on his own.

And now, his jazz bar and restaurant, Wolff’s (33/30 Sukhumvit Soi 11; 090-926-1777; jazzbarbangkok.com), combines

LOOKEAST | WINE & DINE

those past lives. His storied background ensures that, on any given night, Wolff’s attracts an eclectic mix or writers, musicians and food lovers, all keen to swap their own stories of goings-on in Bangkok.

When the jazz band takes a break, the soundtrack and the bar is a patchwork of in-the-know gossip and innuendo.

It’s a delightfully “noir-ish” setting, created by a man whose real life has been painted in those tones.

The beguiling atmosphere aside, Schaverien has also made an impressive fist of compiling a menu that could most aptly be described a modern European with some fine dining ambitions. Alongside an intriguing selection of sandwiches – try a merguez baguette or a portabello piquant – there are some mains far

more sophisticated than one might expect in a bar environment.

One of the signature dishes is the volcano chicken, which comes with a spectacularly spicy seasoning and a creamy saucy on a bed of vegetables.

It is, of course, one of Schaverien’s personal creations. The scallop and prawn dumplings in sauce is more delicate but no less flavorful, while the soft-shell crab salad is a lighter option that allows the excellent protein to speak for itself.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there is also a formidable selection of booze at Wolff’s. You’ll likely find Schaverien nursing vodka at one end of the bar, but he’ll be all too happy to recommend something from the excellent wine list. He’s particularly fond of a Spanish rioja. Equally, there’s a compact but well-executed range of cocktails, including the Tuscan Negroni.

Perhaps it’s no surprise. Wolff’s is a venue put together very much by a “man in the know.” And just maybe, if you get him chatting, he’ll let you in on one of his many fascinating secrets.

WINE&DINE GOURMET TOURS

GO GOURMET TOURS Culinary experiences for discriminating foodies who are willing to put their money where their plate is --- the gourmet tour trend is growing, and fast!

by Percy Roxas This Page, Above: Gourmet breakfast on top of the hill

by Dusit Thani chefs.

Right: One of the treats served during the Afternoon Tea Far Right:: Fresh baby carrots grown at the Royal Agrcultural Center Angkhang.

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This Page, Top: The Tea Plantation is one of the background of the Gourmet Tour Angkhang.

Below: Strawberry tart from the Afternoon Tea.

T

All Photos by Percy Roxas

he road to Doi Angkhang is long, narrow, and steep. But that’s no hurdle for about 150 self-declared foodies from Bangkok who have driven all the way to the remote mountaintop retreat some three hours away from Chiang Mai. The reason for their journey: To enjoy a three-day gourmet tour activity that combines upscale dining and wining experiences along with the usual perks of a fun holiday escape.

In many parts of the world today, gourmet tours – culinary adventures, wine tours, mobile cooking classes, and related activities – are the “in” thing.

They often promise aficionados exclusive lifestyle experiences. At their best, these tours capture the unique food, wine, and culinary traditions of each destination where they are conducted. From Singapore to Sicily, London to Legos, California to China, New York to New Zealand, there is a growing demand for these gourmet tours. Thailand, being an emerging gourmet destination hub, is no exception. In fact, they have become an activity that anybody who is anybody in the community wants to get in on.

In just the first few months of 2015 alone, two major gourmet tours have already happened in Thailand. They set the tone for the year’s most amazing culinary experiences in the kingdom: The Gourmet Tour Angkhang, organized by the Royal Agricultural Center (Anghkang), in late February, and at the time we were writing this story, the PB Valley Harvest Festival was taking place.

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WINE&DINE GOURMET TOURS

This Page, Above: The tour group also visited a strawberry farm.

Right: The setting for breakfast Far RIght: The Dusit Thani culinary team proved more than equal to the glam dining events featured in the recent Gourmet Tour Angkhang.

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Gourmet Tour Angkhang

What makes the Gourmet Tour Angkhang different from other such gourmet tour programs? It was organized in support of the Royal Projects of His Majesty King Bhumibol. Held at least twice times a year, the Gourmet Tour Angkhang incorporates nature exploration in the scenic Angkhang Mountains and tea plantations among the hill tribes in the food tour.

The program includes experiencing the area’s stunning flora, fresh fruits and vegetables grown on the plantation, a sampling of an authentic ethnic Thai Yai breakfast and delightful lunches in unique settings, and delicious luxury dinner parties interspersed with other holiday activities.

But the highlights, as expected, are the dining created by celebrity chefs from Bangkok invited for the tour. This year, it includes a gala set dinner, a gourmet buffet breakfast on the tea plantation, and a BBQ night. In the last few years, the tour has been inviting chefs of the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and Le Cordon Bleu to create these glam dining events. This year, they have decided to invite the master chefs of the Dusit Thani group.

Dusit Internaitonal ‘s group chef of Thai cuisine, Morten Bojstrup Nielsen corporate chef, and Dusit Thani Bangkok executive chef Philippe Keller prepared a stunning Gala Set Dinner in the Greenhouse, a Gourmet Buffet Breakfast on the top of the tea plantation with scenic views of the Angkhang mountains, and a BBQ Jazz Dinner in the Bonsai Garden – incorporating fresh produce from the Royal Projects to give their fine dining skills and give their creations a new and special twist.

The Dusit chefs did not disappoint, exceeding even the expectations of the guests, who included some of the most affluent members of the Bangkok community, local celebrities, and other selected guests who have to pay a whooping THB 17,000 per person (THB 15,00 per person for couples) for the experience. For more details on how to join, visit: www.thairoyalprojecttour. com

LOOKEAST | WINE & DINE

Khao Yai Wine Tours

PB Valley

PB Valley

Khao Yai is another popular gourmet tour destinations because it is Thailand’s veritable wine central, and this home to some of the country’s leading vineyards has its own charm that lends itself so attractively to connoisseurs of fine dining and wining.

The Khao Yai area called Asoke Valley is home to several vineyards – such as Khao Yai Winery (PB Valley), Village Farm and Winery, and Granmonte -- making the destination appealing to those who enjoy wine tastings, farm stands, and country drives. There is a family-run winery called Supartra Vineyard, where one can sample selections of local wines, grape juices and grape cookies. Granmonte Winery, of course, is one of Asia’s largest and most renowned wine producers and we remember this winery creating custommade wine tours for enthusiasts every year as does PB Valley vineyard, home to the area’s oldest and still one of its best wine producers.

Last month, PB Valley held a scintillating wine tour dubbed as “Rhythm in the Vineyard – PB Valley’s Harvest Festival 2015.” The annual event started with a tour of the vineyards and the grape harvesting activity with lots of photo opportunities, followed by a tour of the winery with an invitation to a barrel tasting. Similar to what one can experience in the vineyards of France, Chile, California, or Australia, the organizers of this wine tour open the vineyards to all who can afford the fee of THB 2,600 net per person, THB 4,500 net for two (with a PB Membership Card) and THB 6,250 net for three persons.

The PB Valley event is in fact a reflection of how Khao Yai is growing in popularity as a foodie retreat and destination for alternative lifestyle experiences. Thus, even places such as Escape Khao Yai have been importing the best culinary talents from the capital to provide a new experience for their guests. Escape Khao Yai's Green Oak Bistro, for example, has introduced what it calls "farm to table cuisine" bringing together the region's freshest ingredients to a style of cooking that has been perfected in their "underground" kitchens.

Expect more gourmet tours to happen in other major destinations around Thailand this year!

To join any of the wine tour programs, contact the individual vineyards and wineries: ● PB Valley Winery & Vineyard (Tel: 036 226 415-16) GranMonte Family ●Vineyard (Tel: 036 227 334-5) ●Village Farm & Winery (Tel: 02 273 0222-4 / 044 228 407) or the ●Thai Wine Association (Tel: 02 716 1450)

Of course these are just two of the major “gourmet tours” so far. We can expect more similar tours to be organized especially as the high season of tourism draws near, and not just for Thais -- but also for expats and tourist around the kingdom’s major tourists destinations such as Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin! APRIL 2015 | 65

Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong

The Okura Prestige Bangkok

WINE&DINE DINING SPECIALS

Easter Sunday Brunch

What: Celebrate Easter, one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar, with a special brunch that is designed to appeal not only to families of all nationalities but also all religious denominations.

Where: Up & Above Restaurant, 24th floor, The Okura Prestige Bangkok, Wireless Road (BTS: Ploenchit) When: April 5 How much: THB 2,600++ per person including soft drinks; THB 3,300++ including free flow selected wines, local beers, and cocktails More info: 02 687 9000, email

Mexican Fiesta

Grossi Trattoria

What: Experience a Mexican food festival featuring specialties by Mexican Chef Gastavo Perez. Chef Gastavo recommends a special Mexican corner offering dishes for adventurous palates such as traditional homemade mole of chicken, shrimp with tamarind sauce, tortillas rolled topped with coriander sauce, marinated pork tacos with flavorful salsas, and more.

Where: Flavors International Restaurant, Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel (BTS: Chidlom) When: April (Sunday-Thursday dinner only) How much: THB 1,590++ More info: 02 125 5010

22 Kitchen & Bar

White Asparagus Seasonal Menu

Hawaiian Nights

What: Enjoy Hawaii's vibrant colors and flavors with this Polynesian food promotion.

Savor a set menu created by native Hawaiian chef, Nikolas Ramirez.

Where: 22 Kitchen & Bar, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Rama IV Rd (BTS: Saladaeng) When: April How much: THB 1,750++ per person More info: 02 200 9000 ext. 2345

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What: Grossi’s special menus highlight the finest imported ingredients from Italy.

This month it is the white asparagus on the menu. Grossi's talented chef, Amedeo Ferri, will be creating outstanding versions of dishes with delicious white asparagus.

Where: Grossi Trattoria Restaurant & Bar, Hotel InterContinental, Ploenchit (BTS: Chidlom) When: April How much: Starts at THB 590 ++ per dish More info: 02 656 0444, ext. 6273 or visit: www.icbangkok.com

What: Reward yourself with "The Trooper Burgers." Leading the troop is the “wicked burger,” featuring a beef patty and truffle mayonnaise. Other tempting burgers include Japanese prawn burger, Thai style chicken burger, larb kai, and more.

Where: 1881 by Water Library, G floor, Groove Central World (BTS: Chidlom) When: Throughtout April How much: THB 390 with a side dish and soft drink More info: 02 613 1778 or visit www. waterlibrary.com

Tempting Easter Feast

What: Get together with friends and family to spend some quality time celebrating the birth of spring and the enjoyment of life with two very special dining experiences – Easter Sunday Brunch at Colonnade and three days of mouthwatering Easter Chocolate Buffet at Lobby Salon.

Where: The Sukhothai Bangkok, Sathorn Road When: April 3-5 How much: Easter Sunday Brunch/THB 3,500++; Easter Chocolate Buffet/THB 990++ per person More info: 02 344 8888; email promotions@sukhothai.com

Garden Court Restaurant

What: The Chinese restaurant famed for authentic Cantonese cuisine prepared by Chef Kongrit presents a new special of the month – a “Come 5, Pay 4” all-you-can-eat dim sum promotion for lunch and dinner. Of course a la carte dishes, such as abalone and other delicacies, are available.

Where: Garden Court Restaurant, 2nd floor, Chaophya Park Hotel, 247 Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok (MRT: Ratchadapisek) When: Ongoing How much: THB 819 More info: 02 290 0125, ext. 7105

Art of Healthy Dining

What: “The Art of Healthy Dining” is all about consuming food by its natural colors for a better health. The chef expertly selected five colors -- red, yellow, green, white, and black -- to make his dishes more appealing and tasteful.

Where: Fei Ya Restaurant, Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel (BTS: Chidlom) When: April How much: THB 450++ More info: 02 125 5030

Chilled Chinese Desserts

What: Chilled Chinese homemade dessert dishes are perfect during the hot weather, and the hotel presents some of them: chilled bean curd with fresh fruit salad, chilled honeydew melon with sago seeds, and more for your enjoyment. The dessert menu complements their Cantonese menu and dim sum selection, both ideal for dining with friends and family.

Where: Chyna Rooftop Restaurant, Central Station Hualumpong, Bangkok (MRT: Hualumpong) When: Throughout April How much: THB 120 each More info: 02 344 1699, ext. 3

Chyna Rooftop Restaurant

1881 by Water Library

Trooper Burgers

‘Come 5, Pay 4’ All-you-can-eat Dim Sum

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What: Seafood lovers will enjoy grilled scallops, baked tiger prawns with black bean topping, fried silverfish, fried prawns, and deep-fried seafood spring rolls, served with three varieties of Chinese dipping sauce, during this promotion.

Where: Lin-Fa, The Sukosol Bangkok, Sri Ayutthaya Rd (BTS: Phayathai) When: Until April 30 How much: THB 2000++ (enough for 4 persons) More info: 02 2470–123, ext. 1820 or visit www.sukosolhotels.com

What: Delight in the succulent texture of tiger prawns prepared in their favored cooking style. These include baked tiger prawn with Béarnaise sauce, pan-fried tiger prawn with BBQ sauce, wok-fried tiger prawn with spicy Thai herb, and much more.

Where: Lobby and River Barge restaurants, The Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, Charoenkrung Road When: Throughout April More info: 02 307 8888, email: dining.chrb@chatrium.com

Evolution of Thai Food

What: Executive Chef Andreas Hameder presents a new set of dishes showcasing the evolution of Thai food. He mixes the traditional well-loved tastes with the latest culinary techniques, and uses the best ingredients to create timeless recipes that take diners to new levels of dining pleasure as part of Patummat’s extensive international lunch and dinner buffets.

Where: Patummat Restaurant, The Sukosol Bangkok, Sri Ayutthaya Rd (BTS: Phayathai) When: Until April 30 More info: 02 247 0123, ext. 1810, or visit www.thesukosol.com

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Loop Italian Restaurant Terrace and Bar

Seafood Platter

Tiger Prawn Specials

Landmark Bakery & Café

Lin-Fa

The Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok

WINE&DINE DINING SPECIALS

Never-ending Ice Cream

What: Summer has arrived and with the temperatures soaring, the hotel offers the perfect antidote: an irresistible All-YouCan-Eat Ice Cream Buffet.

Where: Landmark Bakery & Café, ground floor, The Landmark Bangkok, Sukhumvit When: April and May How much: THB 240++ per person; THB 390++ including ice cream buffet plus French pastries More info: 02 254-0404, ext. 7777

Pesto in Season

What: It's the season of Pesto Sauce, and it's time to enjoy traditional favorites such as cannelloni, stuffed with salmon, spinach and pesto sauce, Ravioli stuffed with ham and pesto sauce, and more for dinner.

Where: Loop Italian Restaurant Pathumwan Princess Hotel Bangkok (BTS: National Staadium) When: Throughout May How much: THB 349 More info: 02 216 3700, ext. 20818

“Enoteca real Italian gourmet experience, with the best Italian wine list in town” Enoteca (which literally means “wine library”) with its garden is tucked away in a small alley. A little oasis in the middle of the Bangkok’s business district.

Once our guests step inside they can forget the frantic and busy life of the city and indulge in a real Italian gourmet experience.

Our Story Enoteca was created in 2004 by Giancarlo (former real estate developer) and his son Nicola (former financial planner). The original idea included the aspect of the promotion of Italian wines, along with serving well-matched simple foods. However, with time and the help of skilled chefs, it turned into the gourmet restaurant it is today. Enoteca can now be considered as one of the, if not the most authentic Italian gourmet restaurants in Bangkok. Philosophy ·Tradition with innovation · Modern creative and simple with high quality products · Slow food with a highlight on biodynamic products.

Soi Sukhumvit 27, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand | Tel : 0 2258 4386 | Fax : 0 2259 917 Email: enotecabangkok@gmail.com | www.enotecabangkok.com | We are open everyday from 6PM till Midnight

WINE&DINE THE FIFTH TASTE

) W.FIFTHTASTE.COM.AU CHEF BEN MCRAE (â—?WW ING NN WI DAR OF S AW IN CK JO ILS THE TIPS AND TRI COLUMN, AS HE UNVE A EVERY MONTH IN THIS STOMERS LEAVE WITH BARS THAT ENSURE CU D AN TS AN UR E STA RE OS E TH THOS EM DESIRE YMENT THAT MAKES TH JO EN IC OM ON STR SENSE OF GA ER AGAIN. FLAVORS OVER AND OV

D

ining out in Thonglor is often a picky choice, but when I heard Chef Ton from Ledu had opened a new breakfast/brunch bar, I had to go check it out.

Taper restaurant is located just off Thonglor 13 next to Little Beast.

It has a cozy split-level setup that seats around 12 diners downstairs, six of whom are seated at the chef’s observatory and six at the front window. The house can then accommodate another 20 covers upstairs. Open from Tuesday to Sunday 9 a.m. till 4 p.m., this clever little establishment is the work of Chef Ton and one of his culinary school buddies, Chef Toon. The menu covers everything you could want

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LOOKEAST | WINE & DINE

Taper restaurant

New breakfast/brunch bar

for that pick-me-up or for a good meal to start the day. From fresh juices, smoothies, and coffee, to eggs, congee, granola, and burgers, there is something for everyone.

I arrived around 1 p.m. on a Wednesday and the place was in full swing. I took a seat at the front window, and after a quick glance at the menu, I had a mango smoothie, congee, and Wagyu short rib burger on the way.

The mango smoothie (THB 150) was sweet and well blended, just as I like it. Then came the congee (THB 330). Served with pork belly bacon, mushroom, scallion, rice crisps, fried ginger, and sous-vide egg, the congee was one of those dishes where I just could not put my spoon down. The

base of the dish was so flavorsome and addictive that after my second mouthful I was salivating and wanting more. It reminded me of one of those childhood dishes that stay with you forever.

This was definitely a dish I would be coming back for. After I scraped the bowl clean, my Wagyu short rib burger (THB 450) arrived.

It was served on a brioche bun with the usual garnishes of bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion marmalade, mustard, and ketchup; the twist on this dish was that the chefs had taken some short rib and turned it into a delicious, tender burger patty. I could not complain about the burger, but the congee had left such an impression on my tastebuds, I could think about nothing else!

I decided to finish my experience with a dessert and ordered the coconut pancake with coconut cream, coconut caramel, and almond crumbs (THB 235). A very Asian-inspired dessert, one that reminded me of a dish I had once tried at the night market in Saigon.

Taper now has a number of branches throughout Bangkok, and I have to say that this is one location I will be experiencing again.

The young, hip crowd and buzzing atmosphere only add to the fun. I suggest you get on down to Taper and see for yourself.

Try the congee!

Zing at Centara Grand at CentralWorld

Playground Pullman Bangkok Hotel G

WINE&DINE BAR SPECIALS

Designer Drinks: G on the Beach

Summer Smoothies

Sofitel So Bangkok

Flava Bar, Dream Hotel Bangkok

What: A new playground for fashion designers opens at Pullman Bangkok Hotel G featuring Paul Tin, one of the most exciting designers of the season. To complement his new collection, the mixologist of Playground, Bubbles & Mixology Bars has created a limited-edition cocktail inspired by the summer collection.

Guests are invited to explore the hidden treasures of the latest Paul Tin collection while enjoying exclusive cocktail.

Where: Playground, Bubbles & Mixology Bars on the Mezzanine Floor, Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, Silom When: April How much: THB 240++ per bucket More info: 02 238 1991 or email: H3616@accor.com

Hi-So Ladies’ night

What: For ladies only -- an hour of free flow sparkling wine every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sofitel So Bangkok.

Enjoy the rest of the evening with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine after 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. Special prices for the gents.

Where: Sofitel So Bangkok, Rama Iv Rd (MRT: Lumpini) When: April How much: Special prices include THB 250++ for cocktails; THB 900++ for a bottle of wine to split with your friends More info: 02-624-0000 or e-mail h6835-fb3@sofitel.com

Three Hours Free Flow on Cocktails, Wine

What: Every night you can enjoy three hours of “Free Flow Wine” -- red or white wine -- or you can opt for the three-hour “Free-Flow Cocktails” between 5 p.m-1 a.m. with complimentary nibbles at Flava.

Where: Flava Bar & Lounge, Dream Hotel Bangkok When: Ongoing How much: THB 600 net per person (Free Flow Wine); THB 500 net per person (Free Flow Cocktails) More info: 02 254 8500 or email: info@ dreambkk.com

What: Zing now serves fresh fruit smoothies: cool, refreshing, and healthy.

The new flavors being introduced, such as Tropical Smoothie (fresh pineapple, orange juice and honey); Banana Tea Smoothie (fresh banana, green tea and honey); Zing Smoothie (green apple, kiwi and cloudy apple) and Strawberry Smoothie (fresh strawberries, plain yogurt, fresh milk), will tempt you.

Where: Zing at Centara Grand at CentralWorld When: Every day from 7 to 9 p.m.

How much: THB 140++ per glass More info: 02 100 6255 or email: diningcgcw@chr.co.th

Thursday Stories

What: Create your own “Thursday Stories” through music, food, and drinks.

Enjoy free flowing sparkling wine (and selected cocktails for ladies) from 7 to 9 p.m. and live DJ performances.

Where: 22 Kitchen & Bar, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Rama IV Rd (BTS: Saladaeng) When: Ongoing More info: 02 200 9000 ext. 2345; E-mail dtbkdining@dusit.com

(Editor’s Note: Have special promotions or events in your bar or night club? Send them us for publication by emailing percy@ lookeastmagazine.com) APRIL 2015 | 71

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