Old School’s Out
THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SAMUI TAKES A NEW AND VIBRANT APPROACH TO EDUCATION
Resplendent Rocky’s
WHEN IT COMES TO GREAT RESTAURANTS, ROCKY’S IS STILL THE NAME ON EVERYONE’S LIPS!
4 l www.samuiholiday.com
A Warm Welcome
Editor
Graeme Malley graeme@siammap.com
Graphic Designer Wunvilai Punnern - Meow
Photographer
Akaphon Phongninlaarphon - Don
Feature Writer Rob De Wet
Feature Writer Dimitri Waring
Feature Writer Natalie Hughes
Feature Writer Alison Stephens
Feature Writer Colleen Setchell
Webmaster
Seksak Kerdkanno - Klauy
Sales & Marketing Director Nipawan Chuaysagul - Ning 0 898 783 891
ning@siammap.com
Financial Director Kasper Bjørk kasper@siammap.com
Managing Director Henrik Bjørk henrik@siammap.com
Siam Map Company Ltd. 52/6 Samui Ring Road, Moo 3 Bo Phut, Koh Samui, 84320, Thailand Tel: 0 7742 2201 Fax: 0 7741 3523 E-mail: info@siammap.com www.siammap.com
With a major part of the northern hemisphere recently being covered in layers of snow and the planet experiencing the lowest temperatures in recorded history (so much for global warming), you’re certainly in the right place at the moment! Picture-postcard palm-fringed beaches surrounded by warm seas, fabulous restaurants serving the finest Thai and International cuisine, outrageously opulent spas and health centres offering the best in pampering and state-of-the-art detox packages, bars, nightclubs, shops, sports, culture and sunshine! Yes, Samui’s definitely got loads going for it. And during January and February, there are all the normal fun events happening on this small tropical island, with the addition of Chinese New Year – the ‘Year of The Goat’ – being celebrated on the 19th February (see article on page 104).
All Rights Reserved
Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited without written permision from Siam Map Company Ltd. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this publication, Siam Map Company Ltd. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. Siam Map Company Ltd. 2015
Should you manage to sit back and relax for a while, hopefully you’ll get a chance to read through this edition of Samui Holiday Magazine! There’s a wide range of articles covering things to see and do, as well as some great restaurant features and a whole lot more. Yes, Samui certainly is the place to be – regardless of the weather!
Distribution at Bangkok Airport courtesy of Bangkok Airways. Reservation Center: 1771 Samui Chaweng Office: 0 7760 1300 www.bangkokair.com
Please recycle or pass on to a friend.
Neo New World Tapas and Grill KC Beach Club – Chaweng Beach Sharing tapas planks, amazing cuts of imported meats cooked to perfection on charcoal in our Josper Grill. Free pickup available within 10km of Chaweng. See NeoSamui Facebook page for up to date offers and photos. Join us for our weekly Saturday pool party 1pm – 6pm. Happy Hour everyday 5pm – 7pm. 2 for 1 on all cocktails and beers.
Reservation: +66 (0) 77 915 155
www.kcbeachclub.com rsvn@kcbeachclubsamui.com Facebook NEOSAMUI
CONTENTS
20 Water Ways Water transport used to be the only way, but what’s it now like – on Samui today?
30 Green Against the Grey A sea of green in the midst of Chaweng – getting away to Wine Oasis.
38 Love Samui The story behind RAK Samui.
44 The Process of Passion Style, verve, flair and a unique creativity – at Chandra’s exclusive fashion boutiques.
52 Old School’s Out
58 64
72 Break Down A close look at all those public holidays – and what they mean in Thailand.
76 Phut-tering Around A look at the day and nightlife in and around Bophut.
84 Inspired by Nature Handcrafted jewellery that just might change your life at Nature Art Gallery.
90 Small Island, Major Hospital When times get tough Bangkok Hospital Samui is there to help.
The International School of Samui takes a new and vibrant approach to education.
94 Sublime Souvenirs
Fashion with a Conscience
98 Nothing Succeeds like Excess
Clothes for the global traveller at Psylo.
As Sure as Azur Integrity leads the way with one of Samui’s most impressive new living environments.
120
44
20
Shopping for Samui’s exotic products.
You’ll love being out of control at XD Theater’s four attractions.
104 A Sheep in Dragon’s Clothing February welcomes in the Chinese Year of the Goat.
108 Starting Smartly A new and capable day-care and nursery facility has opened in Lamai – Smart Start.
114 The Colours of Summer Exciting fashions and more at Ms. Carino.
120 Resplendent Rocky’s When it comes to great restaurants, Rocky’s is still the name on everyone’s lips!
128 More Than a Resort Guests become family at The Siam Residence.
134 Sole Purpose A Thai monk’s life may be a spiritual quest, but it’s also a barefoot journey through the streets and much more.
140 Life in the fast lane The Spa Resorts specialize in fasting and cleansing, but there many other reasons for a visit.
146 Creepy Crawlies Here are ‘the small five’ best avoided on Samui.
Mediterranean Mediterranean Cuisine Cuisine Amidst Amidst aa panoramic panoramic dreamscape dreamscape that that overlooks overlooks the the pristine pristine Crystal Crystal Bay, Bay, The The Cliff Cliff warmly warmly invites invites you you to to aa truly truly unforgettable unforgettable dining dining experience experience on on Koh Koh Samui. Samui.
www.thecliffsamui.com www.thecliffsamui.com
HAPA 2011 - 2013 Most Exquisite Dining Experience Most Trendy Casual Dining Restaurant Of The Year
Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2015 2015
"Thailand's Best Restaurants"
2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014 & 2015
Reservations Essential For For reservations reservations call call 077 077 448 448 508 508 Kitchen Kitchen open open 12:00 12:00 pm pm 10:00 10:00 pm pm -- Bar Bar open open 12:00 12:00 pm pm -- 2:00 2:00 am am
Tapas Tapas Bar Bar open open from from 12:00 12:00 pm pm -- 7:00 7:00 pm pm
Choeng Mon Choeng Mon
Chaweng
Chaweng’s main beach is five kilometres in length and is lined with 5-star luxury resorts, boutique hotels, budget accommodation and great oceanfront restaurants. Behind the resorts, the Chaweng Beach Road is filled with restaurants, bars, spas, shops, street stalls and mobile food vendors. The lake sits to the rear of them and is a wonderful place for an early morning walk or jog. Near the southern end of the lake is the Soi Reggae entertainment area which also has two Muay Thai boxing stadiums, a temple guarded by carved monkeys and the huge Laem Din market complex. All manner of fresh produce is delivered here every day and the adjoining Dow Seafood market is a hive of activity from the early hours.
Lamai
Samui’s second most popular beach is around four kilometres long and the waters are perfect for swimming. There’s plenty of choice in accommodation, restaurants, bars, spas and health resorts. It also has a free Muay Thai event every Saturday and just off the Beach Road there’s a children’s water park. Wat Lamai is home to a cultural centre and museum that houses artifacts of Samui life before the advent of tourism. On Sundays there’s a ‘Walking Street’ along part of the Beach Road. And just outside of Lamai town on the ring-road is the famous Hin Ta-Hin Yai rock formations that has dozens of small local Thai restaurants around it. 14 l www.samuiholiday.com
Mae Nam
Nestled on the northern shores of the island, Mae Nam Beach stretches for several kilometres and overlooks the neighbouring island of Koh Pha-Ngan. High-end resorts and beach bungalows are dotted along the coast and many visitors love it for its peacefulness, soft golden sands and wonderful views. It has seven side streets that meander into the mountains: from Soi 1 you can follow the road over the mountains all the way to Lamai; Soi 4 has a ‘Walking Street’ every Thursday from mid-afternoon and also houses an ornate Chinese temple overlooking the beach and a large Buddhist temple set a few hundred metres back from the ringroad; Soi 5 has a tree-top canopy adventure theme park a few kilometres into the hills; there’s a buffalo fighting stadium a couple of hundred metres off the main road between Soi 5 and Soi 6; an early morning market is also in Soi 6; an evening market near to Soi 7; and the world-class Santiburi Golf Course in the hills above Soi 7. There’re dozens of bars and restaurants in Mae Nam, many of which are on side roads that lead down to the ocean. And at the western end of the beach the Lomprayah ferry takes passengers to the neighbouring islands several times a day.
Island Insight An overall guide to Samui’s towns, villages, beaches and hotspots.
Samui is an idyllic tropical paradise. A blend of traditional Thai hospitality and remote island life has joined hands with modern traveller expectations. But the towns, villages and interior are home to much more than just luxury resorts, restaurants, bars and retail shops. And whilst the main beaches are recognised as some of the best in the world, there are also secluded coves and magical hideaways around many corners – if you know where to look. And this quick guide will point you in the right direction.
NathoN
This is the island’s main administrative centre and the major ferry port for boats to and from the mainland. There’re some hotels but it’s more a town you would visit for an afternoon rather than stay in. Beside the terminal, there’s a local food market every day from mid-afternoon until late in the evening. Along what is known as the ‘middle road’ there’re old teak shop-houses and small businesses and a ‘Walking Street’ on Saturdays. And on the one-way road that goes through the town there’re dozens of shops and restaurants. Just off the main road there’s an ornate Chinese temple and garden in Soi 4. And near the far end there’s a renowned open-air duck restaurant – just follow the crowds around lunchtime.
Bo Phut
Bo Phut is best known for Fisherman’s Village. It’s a single narrow street that still has authentic wooden houses that Samui folk have lived in for generations. Parts of it have been modernized but it’s still awash with local foods, international restaurants, bars, shops and market stalls. It becomes one huge ‘Walking Street’ every Friday and you’ll find lots of local delicacies that few other restaurants have. Along with small hotels, there’re several 5-star luxury resorts at the far end and the beach curves around a large bay that also overlooks Koh Pha-Ngan. And small speedboats leave from the village pier heading for the Full Moon parties that take place there every month.
Big Buddha and Plai Laem
The magnificent golden Big Buddha statue that watches over the island from the north-east corner of Samui is one of the first things you see as you fly into Samui Airport. Built on a tiny island (Koh Farn) with a connecting causeway, it’s the most iconic image of the island. Many Thais pray at the temple so dressing and acting appropriately is expected when you enter the site. There’re some very good Thai restaurants and small stores around the temple. It also affords some beautiful views and along the road from it you’ll see another large Buddha image at Wat Plai Laem. Half-way along the road between the temples is a side road that cuts through to Choeng Mon. Down this road there’s access to some quiet secluded beaches, although some of them are through resorts.
Choeng Mon
Choeng Mon lies just 15 minutes or so from the middle of Chaweng but it seems like worlds away. There’s a small town that the road runs through with a couple of dozen restaurants and bars. The beach is a favourite for many locals as it’s quiet, picturesque and safe for swimming most of the year round. There’s every class of accommodation with some old-style beach bungalows at one end. And they all overlook the tiny deserted island of Koh Farn Noi which you can walk out to if the tide is low.
www.samuiholiday.com l 15
Bang Rak
In between Fisherman’s Village and Big Buddha is where you’ll find Bang Rak. There’s a few very good resorts and some private villas for rent along the beachfront that stretches around for several kilometres and has stunning views. Bars and restaurants line the main street and there’re two piers. The one nearest to Big Buddha has daily ferries to Koh Pha-Ngan, Koh Tao and on to the mainland port of Chumpon, from which a VIP bus takes passengers to Hua Hin and on to Bangkok. Start to finish, it’s a 12-hour journey with about half of it on the boat. Just beside the ferry terminal in Bang Rak is one of the busiest fish markets on the island. Local fishermen drop their catches here and the place is bustling with people all day long. At the other end of town there’s a short-cut into Chaweng on a road called Soi Bond Kai (which the locals refer to as the ‘Ghost Road’).
Taling Ngam and Lipa Noi
The south-west part of the island is known as the ‘Virgin Coast’. It’s largely unspoiled with lots of secluded bays, although most of the shoreline tends to be rocky. The west coast overlooks the famous ‘five islands’ and some of the closer islands of the Angthong National Marine Park (which is a perfect getaway for a day’s boat trip excursion). In this part of the island there’re some hotels, private villas for rent, up-market and local restaurants and several temples of note, including two that house a mummified monk. A second car ferry terminal is located in Lipa Noi and, like the one in Nathon, boats to and from Donsak on the mainland arrive and depart every hour from 5:00 am until 6:00 pm (check for details). And inland on the island’s main ring-road there’re several large waterfall sites and a safari park with elephant trekking, animal shows and adventure tours. Further along, next to the Ford and Mazda dealers is a new Butterfly and Insect Kingdom Park.
16 l www.samuiholiday.com
Hua Thanon
This predominately muslim village is home to the descendants of some of the island’s earliest settlers. There’s still a thriving fishing fleet and fish market and a natural coastline that’s survived the ravages of time. Just after the village (coming from Lamai) you can turn off the ring-road to the left and signs will direct you to the nearby Tiger Zoo, Aquarium and Sea-life Show, the Butterfly Farm, the Snake Farm and the local Rum Distillery.
Thong Krut
With its brightly coloured fishing boats and backdrop of small islands to the one side, and coconut plantations to the other, Thong Krut is a picturesque little village. Located in the southwest corner of the island, this is where you’ll come if you’re after a long-tail boat to take you to the nearby islands of Koh Tan and Koh Matsum. Lining the shore you’ll find a selection of simple restaurants offering Thai food, and particularly good seafood, as well as tour operators offering trips to the islands.
The Interior
Samui predominately consists of hills, mountains and coconut plantations. And few visitors make the time to appreciate its hidden beauty. One way to do so is to take the turning into Mae Nam Soi 1. A new road has recently been constructed that goes over the mountains all the way to Lamai. The drive is only about 20-25 minutes over 15 kilometres with a couple of stopping off areas that offer fabulous views. Another way to really get the full picture of Samui is from Tar Nim’s Magic Garden at the top of one of the island’s highest peaks. Built during a 25-year period by a local farmer the stone statues in the garden were sculpted by hand and sit over 2,000 feet above the beaches below.
Romantic views, soothing sounds and classic Italian fare with a modern approach combine to please the most discerning diner. Olivio - a must for visitors and locals alike. Olivio ~ beachfront at Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort Chaweng Beach.
Free round trip transfer from Chaweng, Bophut and Choeng Mon. For reservation please call 0 7723 1500
Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort & Spa 154 Moo 2, Chaweng Beach, Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320 Tel: +66 77 231 500 Mob: +66 81 751 6073 Fax: +66 77 231 520 Email: info@baanhaadngam.com, booking@baanhaadngam.com www.baanhaadngam.com
WATER WAYS Water transport used to be the only way, but what’s it now like – on Samui today?
20 l www.samuiholiday.com
We take it for granted. We can’t picture it any other way. Indeed, why should we? We only know what we can see, and the way things were before is unknown. It’s impossible to imagine Samui without the ring-road. But in 1980, it was quite new. The airport wasn’t here, either. And those legendary hippies who ‘discovered’ Samui in the ’70s had to come across by boat. No roads, no ferries, no planes – how on earth did people get around from place to place? Things have changed very little (all over the world, in fact) ever since the first motor cars started being broken for spares. Because all you need is a boat, an
old car engine, plus a long metal rod to hang a propeller on. And, even today, the vast majority of local fishermen here still putter around in these. Back in the old days, every little village had their ‘water taxis’ which you could hire to get you from place to place. But, as the island’s road network expanded and the car ferries arrived, these began to fade away. Now it’s almost impossible to wander up to a fisherman (hard enough to find in the first place) and negotiate the hire of his boat for the day. The resorts and local tour agencies now handle all that kind of thing.
www.samuiholiday.com l 21
22 l www.samuiholiday.com
chef’s dinner specials
Overseeing the culinary team at Hansar Samui, born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Chef Stephen began his culinary career at the famed restaurant Les Halles in Quebec, one of the most outstanding independent restaurants in Canada. A unique opportunity to be the Private Chef to His Majesty the King of Jordan became a turning point in his career and he spent the next two years catering for the Royal Family. Stephen spent the next five years at the Lebua at State Tower Bangkok (known as the Dome) and within a few years became the Executive Chef at the Sirocco restaurant. So exactly what is available now, in the way of water transport, on and around the island? Well, let’s start big and talk about the ferries first. And right away, you’ll hit the malaise of the 21st century – Google. Google is totally un-God-like! So are some of the modern-looking websites that it throws up. Firstly some sites are still showing info from eight or nine years ago, and listing ferry piers or services that have collapsed; literally! One spanking new website (no names) even shows a photo of a pier in Maenam which doesn’t exist, and is in reality the big ferry terminal in Nathon. Other websites will provide details, but neglect to inform you of where on Samui this ferry departs, and then go on to contradict info found on other ‘helpful’ websites. I’ve been living on Samui for 15 years and, after three hours of shaking my head at the Google results (just to be on the safe side with the details), now I’m more confused than ever.
At our beachfront H Bistro restaurant, Stephen has created a unique epicurean experience for guests where they can appreciate the authentic taste of French Mediterranean Cuisine, in addition to a Thai menu.
Stephen Dion “an epicurean experience one shouldn’t be missed”
H Bistro at Hansar Samui 101/27-28 Moo 1, Bophut, Koh Samui +66 77 245 511 www.hansarsamui.com
Keeping it as fault-free as possible, there two big car/passenger ferries. Raja, running out of the ferry point at Lipa Noi on the island’s west coast, and Seatran, which is based at Nathon. Both companies run passenger and car ferries non-stop throughout the day to the nearest mainland port at Donsak, and offer combined tickets on from there to other destinations, including Surat Thani airport. Day-trippers already on Samui can also look at timetables from Seatran Discovery, close to Big Buddha, running outwards to Pha-Ngan and Tao (and on to the mainland). And there’s also the Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran, from the far end of Maenam, which offers similar routes. The old wooden Maenam pier collapsed in 2002 and hasn’t been replaced, although there is now one run a day here (off the sand) by Tong Nai Pan Ferry Company, going to Haad Rin (Koh Pha-Ngan) and onwards. There are others, but enough of this ferry frippery! Let’s move on. It all depends what you’re after, doesn’t it. Book a day trip on a boat to the southern islands of Koh Tan and Koh Matsum and you’ll be put in with 12 other people sitting next to the rattling car engine of a big longtail boat. On the other hand, hire a Chinese junk for a sunset cruise and, at a price, it’s a completely different kettle of fish. And then there’s boat charter. Companies such as Sa-ard’s Watersports offer various combinations of luxury cruising in power or sailing boats, complete with crew, either with set routes or by arrangement if you want something special.
24 l www.samuiholiday.com
The Ridge is an exclusive luxury development of private pool villas with panoramic sea views located in the prime North East of Koh Samui, just minutes from the island’s most popular beaches and entertainment areas. Designed by David McCormick, a renowned international architect, each villa provides the perfect blend of “contemporary tropical living”. Each villa is also designed to meet the dual requirements as a luxury vacation residence and successful luxury villa rental property. Sunbathe on the expansive terrace, take a cool dip in the infinity pool, relax in the integrated Jacuzzi and dine under the stars. Breathe fresh air, get away from it all and escape from the city in style…
SALES: 0856 920 550 l INFO@THERIDGESAMUI.COM l WWW.THERIDGESAMUI.COM
At the more earthy end of the scale, you could go kayaking. It’s less glitzy but it’s more in keeping with a healthy lifestyle, and packages even take-in the wonderful vistas of Angthong National Marine Park, plus the cost of the boat to get you out there. (Blue Stars are the best here.) But that’s not quite within the spirit of ‘transport around Samui’. But one thing is that, if you’re reading this, you’re already here. So let’s summarise. You can go out on a longtail for the day, or alternatively charter a luxury-yacht. Go and visit Koh Pha-Ngan for a while, on an adventure excursion. Bounce with 30 others on a speedboat over to the Full Moon Party (file this under ‘Thailand cultural studies’). Or power your own kayak, singularly or in company, here or there, according to your budget or whim. There’s only one thing lacking here and, entrepreneurs take note; there are no hovercraft to be seen anywhere. Who needs a jetty or a pier! The big slick ones can do 80 nautical KPH and land on any beach anywhere. The little personal ones you can just head off in and go fishing for the day. Forget about speedboats, or the antique longtails. Choose between kayaks or a hovercraft! It’s not only the way to go but you can drive it straight into your garage. And this is one thing that might make Samui’s old-time ‘water ways’ bang up to date!
Rob De Wet
26 l www.samuiholiday.com
BOUTIQUE RESORT KOH SAMUI
30 l www.samuiholiday.com
GREEN AGAINST THE GREY A sea of green in the midst of Chaweng – getting away to Wine Oasis.
www.samuiholiday.com l 31
32 l www.samuiholiday.com
everything. And what’s fascinating is that these two modern, educated, and thoroughly cosmopolitan young women have made the resort into something of a quiet shrine to the old traditions of Koh Samui. “We promised our father that not a tree would be cut when we added more accommodation,” Jenny told me. “He’s a gentle man who loves this island and has a deep respect for our family ways. And so we’ve restored the original old wooden bungalows – but also kept the traditional styling for new additions, too. There are a lot of customs that are only found locally – styles of building, window and door designs, and a few old superstitions – that you’ll still find around, if you know what to look for!”
Many people are unaware that there’s often quite a chunk of land between the sea and Chaweng’s beach road – mostly it’s fronted by resorts and can’t be seen. Some of these resorts are comparatively new, filling the space where several smaller resorts used to be. But a few, just one or two families, didn’t cash-in - they held on to the land, which had been theirs for a century. They shared a quiet pride in this heritage. They passed it down
from father to son. They kept the old wooden buildings and the big old trees, added more bungalows around them, and filled every cranny with greenery, like a tropical forest. There aren’t many like this left. But one of them is Chaweng Garden Beach Resort. And, true to form, it’s now been handed on in the family, but this time from father to daughter. Today, June and Jenny Phetkaew run
And so there are. How about this: it’s an ancient tradition on the island that steps should never be of an even number. Even numbers are a portent of bad luck. And so all the steps you’ll see around Chaweng Garden, leading into the bungalows and up into reception, are of an odd number. And then take a look at the little wooden ‘windows’. Not the main house windows; the long narrow ones you’ll see at the top of the house walls for ventilation – more like lattices to let out the warm air and cool the house. The ones here have leaf-shaped holes. This is the family emblem and the resort’s logo. The father’s name is Khun Pho, and he’s named after a tree that has deep religious significance. There are several ancient ‘pho’ trees scattered around the grounds. But the biggest one is at the edge of the car park. And it’s not only gigantic but is also the tallest tree in Chaweng, standing out above all the rest anywhere you have an uninterrupted view of the coast-line.
www.samuiholiday.com l 33
All of which makes the resort sound rather quaint and old-fashioned. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! It embodies traditional values, yes, with its respect for nature and a life in harmony with its surroundings. The décor and fittings are bang up to date, the bungalows comfortable and modern, and the restaurant is . . . well, actually, the restaurant is one of the best on the strip. At the front of the resort, where it fringes the beach road, open to the sky for most of it and set amongst the bushes and greenery outside reception, is Samui Wine Oasis. This story isn’t about the restaurant – we’ve sung its praises many times in these pages already! But it’s another engaging tale to tell. It begins with an intelligent and inquisitive young Thai man who was given the chance to explore the world. Which is exactly what happened with Khun Napasoon Chayuntaradilok – Khun Laem for short – when he became an airline pilot. He discovered wine and it became his hobby, then his obsession. Every country he flew to was an opportunity to learn more about it. He even managed to take a Master’s Degree with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in London. And then he opened his own wine import and distribution company in Bangkok, BKK1855, such was his involvement and enthusiasm. It just happened that he was an old friend of the family, here at Chaweng Garden. And of course wine and good food goes together like peaches and cream. So the logical next step was to combine the two in the haven, the oasis, that is Chaweng Garden Resort. Every month Wine Oasis features two, sometimes three, new, exciting and undiscovered wines, which Khun Laem has tracked down on his most-recent voyages. The excellent cuisine is matched to these, and you’ll be attended by bright, alert staff who speak excellent English. Even the tables are re-set between diners, with new cloths as well as cutlery. Khun Laem’s amassed an extensive range of gourmet wine glasses to go with all of this. And he, together with owners Khun June and Khun Jenny, initially spent two years trialling, preparing, experimenting, selecting and training staff, as well as landscaping an environment that’s as near to Mediterranean as you’ll find on Samui, before they finally officially opened, in 2012. 34 l www.samuiholiday.com
However, this month and in February (as if it all wasn’t tip top enough anyway) there’s a wine promo and a special set menu being featured at Wine Oasis. The wines put forward are a 2010 Château Paret Côtes de Bordeaux, which is an exceptional example of a ‘petit château’, and at an exceptional price too, at just 990 baht. Plus there’s a related Cru Bougeois and, the top of the tree with a serial number on every bottle, the Saint Emilion Grand Cru from Chateau Cravignac. The set menu is a 3-course Thai or European offering, each for two people and including two glasses of wine per head, for just 990 baht per person. (Note that this only applies if you come to eat before 8:00 pm.) If the bright and cheery bustle of Chaweng were Las Vegas, then Wine Oasis would be a little bubble of sanity in the midst of the mayhem – an oasis in the desert. But it’s not. Chaweng is Chaweng. Even so, in amongst the concrete of the newer resorts, and right in the heart of the town, there’s Chaweng Garden Beach Resort with its own little (wine) oasis – a true taste of the old Samui, a splash of green against the grey.
Rob De Wet
_______________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 848 361 855. www.samuiwine.com
38 l www.samuiholiday.com
LOVE SAMUI The story behind RAK Samui.
The Thai word for love is ‘rak’. And so when a group of residents got together to look at road safety on the island, ‘RAK Samui’ seemed a good choice for a name. It also helped a bit that in this context it also stood for ‘Road Accident Kampaign’ – the ‘K’ being seen as a modern sort of a thing! And, no, this wasn’t just another bunch of old people with time on their hands. It had been building up to something like this for a long time. And for a very good reason. To a visitor, Samui seems a cheerful and laid-back sort of an island – which it certainly is. Everything is quite happy-go-lucky. It’s no problem if things happen tomorrow instead of today. It’s the island lifestyle. But underneath this carefree existence is a situation that’s been escalating for quite a while. It never really used to matter so much, but now it does. Look at it this way. Once upon a time Samui was a coconut island. There were few visitors and the inhabitants made their living by either selling coconuts, or fruit, which also grew prolifically. Some islanders caught fish and sold them. The ‘Samui folk’ were a million miles away from the national seat of government in Bangkok, and almost as far removed from the provincial administrators in the nearest jurisdiction of Surat Thani, on the mainland. Life here was about as informal as it could be.
www.samuiholiday.com l 39
Villages sprouted up in the sheltered bays. Local disputes and arguments were settled by the headman (pu yai baan) in each of the villages – in this way law and order was effectively and simply maintained. But then things began to change. Everything got bigger. Bungalow resorts appeared to cater for visitors. This caused more visitors to come. Regular ferries appeared to bring them here from the mainland. And, as the money began to flow in, so the residents could afford more luxuries – motorbikes (scooters) to get around on, cars, even. Then add to this mix that nobody who is living here needs to have had driving lessons or really to have passed a driving test, just like it was 30 years ago. And top it off with the fact that many of the foreign visitors to our island have never ridden on a motor scooter before, but here, on Samui, they give it a go for the first time. And so, for all of these reasons, there are now lots of road accidents on Samui. Far too many. Many of them fatal. The aim of RAK Samui is to increase awareness. Visitors coming here expect there to be road-traffic rules like they are used to back home. They can’t imagine being overtaken on the inside and the outside at the same time, whilst someone is also driving at them head on, on the wrong side of the road. Or a scooter pulling out from a side road without even looking. Plus a hundred other things which they just can’t begin to envisage. They need to know. At the same time, the young Thai people who are growing up here need to develop some awareness of what everyone else is doing on the roads. And if you need convincing about the state of all this, pause for a moment outside any of the 26 Thai government schools and watch 13 year-old children, often three on a scooter, their feet not even able to touch the ground, being carefully guided out into the traffic flow by a local policeman. “We need to aim to raise the awareness of both the local people, especially the children, and also visitors to Samui,” said Su Buchanan, one of the founders of RAK. “Initially we have the agreement of the largest hotel association on the island to provide all guests with a small ID card with their name and hotel details on it, in case they are unable to identify themselves to police after an accident. It happens so many times that an accident victim is in shock, or unconscious, or simply can’t communicate in a common language. The idea is that when guests sign into a resort, these cards are filled in for them from their passport
Some Road Safety Advice Make sure you have adequate travel insurance. If you paid for your holiday on a credit card, you may have some cover. If you must rent a motorcycle, wear a helmet at all times. You may think it is cool not wearing one, but not so cool when you have a fractured skull. Rental companies have no legal right to hold your passport. Only let them take a copy. When approaching a junction, if you see a vehicle with its hazard lights on, this means it is going straight ahead, and is not going to slow down. If a vehicle flashes its lights at you, they are NOT giving you the right of way, in fact exactly the opposite. Again, he is going straight ahead and will not slow down. At traffic lights it is okay to turn left on a red light when safe to do so. When approaching a side road don’t assume that the person waiting to pull out will give you the right of way. In many cases they will pull out and expect you to make room for them. Be aware of cats, dogs and children that can run out suddenly.
information, and details like their passport number and the phone number of their resort quite often could save their life.” “Samui Rescue, the island’s emergency service, actually suggested this to us,” Su continued. “And we’ve prepared an information flyer which Bangkok Airways has provisionally agreed to distribute in the departure lounges. Plus we’re working on a scheme with approved renters, too, with those who have proved themselves responsible being available to associated resorts and hotels. It’s a long way to go, but already we have got some of the local schools interested.” Down at the SCL International School in Lamai, founder and Principal, Emma Dias, has very much come on board, with a new curriculum item of road awareness in play and fund-raising this year going towards medical equipment and another ‘jaws of life’ for the rescue services. And she’s also been granted the approval of the regional Director of Education in Surat Thani to develop schemes for Thai children, too, and has already written the Thai language outline. It’s early days yet, but things are beginning to move. It’s interesting that the entire scheme only emerged in October, and, of the ten people who came to the first meetings, it quickly reduced to a core of four. And, at the moment, this small team is working to finalise the website and the printed material. And, of course, to attract local businesses in the hope of sponsorship. There are few ongoing expenses and everyone of course is volunteering their services. But the costs of printing the cards and flyers have to be met, as does the website installation. And so if you are a visitor do take great care on our roads. And if you’re a resident or a business on the island, this is one cause that’s more than deserving – it’s necessary. I’m not going to scare you with the accident statistics, but if you love Samui, then consider contributing. RAK Samui needs all the help it can get!
Rob De Wet
____________________________________________ For more information, or to enquire about sponsorship, call Su on 0 810 910 107.
During or after heavy rainfall there can be many holes in the road that can’t be seen due to flooding. Strange objects in the road (a chair, a branch, bamboo with plastic bags) may be a warning sign that there is a large hole or other hazard in the road. Beware of drivers tailgating. Vehicles behind you getting as close to your exhaust pipe as possible is common. Seeing vehicles overtaking into head on traffic or on a blind bend is not unusual. Vehicles driving at night without lights are common, so be very cautious. Be prepared to move over for vehicles driving towards you in the middle of the road. Do not assume they will move over, as they may not. If you are unlucky enough to be involved in an accident, ask for the Tourist Police to attend the scene. If you are able to do so, take photographs of everything before the vehicles are moved. Try to drive defensively at all times. If you suffer from road rage, it’s probably best to get a taxi!! Good luck, and have fun on Koh Samui.
40 l www.samuiholiday.com
www.samuiholiday.com l 41
THE R E S TA U R A N T
Pavilion presents the best in Samui Boutique Resort dining.
The Patio Restaurant serves authentic Italian and Thai delicacies. Experience a romantic meal with outstanding sea views. The Look-Out Bar is the ideal place to unwind with a drink by our beach side pool. Wedding on the Beach Experience the most special day of your life in romantic tropical surroundings at Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort. Select from our Western, Thai and Chinese wedding options. Let us tailor make a celebration for you or choose one of our wedding packages.
42 l
Lamai Beach, Koh Samui Tel: 0 7742 4420, 0 7742 4030 Fax: 0 7742 4029 www.samuiholiday.com info@pavilionsamui.com www.pavilionsamui.com
Serving an exciting variety of Thai, Italian and seafood from our open, show kitchen with genuine pizza oven. Choose from open air seating on the first floor with ocean view or air-conditioned seating on the ground floor. Live music every night.
Open daily from 12 noon till 11 pm Located on Lamai Beach Road opposite Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort www.samuiholiday.com l 43 Reservation: 077 424 420
44 l www.samuiholiday.com
THE PROCESS OF PASSION
Style, verve, flair and a unique creativity – at Chandra’s exclusive fashion boutiques. So here you are then. Koh Samui. Lounging back at the edge of the pool with lots of factor 20 and a long iced drink. You’re going to take it easy – do what you want, when you want to do it. Lazing about in the daytime, and then a great meal and a look around the shops at night. You’re going to make the most of your holiday. You’re going to check out everything Samui has to offer. And you’re going to make sure that you buy lots of bargains and unusual stuff to take back home with you.
Not surprisingly, at the top of everyone’s list seems to be clothing. And this falls into two types. The first are all those things which you didn’t bring with you because you knew that you could get them cheaper over here – things like flip-flops, T-shirts and shorts, wraps and sarongs. But the other type of clothes is harder to find. The designer things. They are items you just can’t find back home. And they’re special.
www.samuiholiday.com l 45
46 l www.samuiholiday.com
And, if you know Samui already, that’s where you hit a snag. This isn’t The Riviera or Bali, and you won’t find boutiques selling handcrafted exclusive designs. Well, yes, there are a couple like this, but we’ll get to that in a moment! You’ll see cheap and colourful massproduced tourist tat on every corner, along with the airbeds and sandals. But the quality goods? The designer offerings? You’re limited, here. You could spend a week looking. Or you could take our advice and head directly for something unique to begin with! At which point the name ‘Chandra’ springs instantly to mind. Chandra is unique in many ways. Firstly, it’s in a class of its own and stands right out from the crowd. And second, what they are selling is unique, too, conceptually designed from the sketchpad through the fabric design, the fabric printing, the manufacture and into the shop. Chandra simply vibrates with creative energy, and is owned and run by passionate individuals. Chandra is no newcomer to the island, the first shop appearing on Chaweng Beach Road, way back in 2003. Talking and spending time with owners, partners and designers, Barak and Dana, reminds me instantly of the
timeless energy of an art college environment; one where nobody clocks on or off, everyone’s seething with ideas and creative verve, and everywhere you look things are being designed, trialled, experimented with and produced. Photographers work-in with computer technicians, drawings are scanned, screen prints are tested, adjusted, perfected and produced, and graphic designers play with the photos to make brochures, posters and catalogues. Walking out onto the street and leaving all this passion behind is a sudden jolt – the 9-to-5 normality out in the everyday world seems thin lifeless in comparison. But, in truth, all this is exactly what Barak is wrapped up in. He not only handles every single step of the garment production himself – excepting the actual fabric printing and manufacture, which he outsources and supervises – but he designs and produces all the publicity material and catalogues, too. Surprisingly, for such a passionately talented and creative person, he’s almost overwhelmingly laid-back, although now and then you’ll get a hint of his intensity via his suddenly perceptive gaze, which misses nothing.
www.samuiholiday.com l 47
“We produce garments which are away from the mainstream,” he told me, “but we seek to stamp them with a timeless quality, as well as making them to last. Dana handles the women’s wear and gives her creations a very ‘island’ kind of feel, using silk, rayon or cool cottons, with flowing lines and quite often funky prints. The men’s wear is my area and, again, the fabric and the weave or patterning is designed not only to be perfect for Samui, but to blend in effortlessly in any social setting, anywhere in the world.” And I have to add to this that the manufacturing standard is world-class: buttonholes are an exact fit, buttons and zips substantial, and the inside of each garment is as well-finished as its outer layers. Chandra has two shops on Samui, quite close to each other on Chaweng Beach Road, one almost directly opposite the Starbucks at the edge of Central Festival shopping mall, the other a little way south, just across from McDonald’s. And, no, they’re not duplicating each other; the more-southern one is exclusively women’s fashions, and the other caters for both sexes. And
48 l www.samuiholiday.com
as well as garments, you’ll also find a range of excellent and occasionally quirky accessories, such as jewellery, scarves, handbags, belts, sandals and swimwear – the leather bags are like velvet and the bikinis are stunning! And, to top things off, Barak and Dana have now gone very high-end indeed, opening a new branch of Chandra last year on Phuket’s exclusive Surin Beach. This posed quite a challenge with the interior design (it’s free-standing and three times the size of one of their shops here) but applying their usual ‘process of passion’ to the project, it’s become a resounding success – as of course you’d expect from this unique pair with their energy and talent!
Rob De Wet
_________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 7742 2311. www.chandra-exotic.com
CRAFTED LIVING SPACES
T H E
H O M E
O F
I N S P I R E D
I N T E R I O R S
Phuket 424 Srisoonthorn Rd. Cherngtalay Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 76 325 419
Samui 9/18 Moo1 Maenam Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 77 247 675
info@oriental-living.net
www.oriental-living.net www.samuiholiday.com l 49
50 l www.samuiholiday.com
52 l www.samuiholiday.com
OLD
SCHOOL’S OUT The International School of Samui takes a new and vibrant approach to education.
On a small hilltop sits a community that most residents have heard about, yet relatively few are familiar with. In this article we take a look at the International School of Samui, a private school that aims to enable children to put down their educational roots on a small island, and yet have an international level of learning. The school has moved on since its first days, when there were just a few buildings and only a few students. The setting is conveniently located close to Chaweng, with the immediate environment being calm and secluded. Turn off the ring-road at Bandon International Hospital, and head up the hill until you see the sign for the school. You’ll have to go right over the brow of the hill to see the school itself – a whole collection of buildings that has a village-like feel to it. The sign itself includes the school’s motto, ‘For a better future’, which encapsulates a lot more than you might initially think. Headmistress Lisa Taylor Hawkins says that it’s about having a clear vision. “The students come first,” she says. “We strive to be an outstanding school, enabling every child to achieve their true potential, both academically and personally. We’re adamant that the highest standards will be reached by every child, and their talents nurtured.” www.samuiholiday.com l 53
The school, she says, treats children as individuals, thereby stimulating their interests so that they develop a real thirst for learning in a supportive environment. She believes that students should enjoy learning – it shouldn’t ever be a dull business. “Students benefit from the expertly planned, innovative curriculum that we have. We also have a lot of extra activities – these are an integral part of the children’s education.” During the school’s Business Enterprise Week, for example, students from years one to 11 learned how to create a business concept. They had to visualize everything, put together plans that included profit margins, and then actually sell the products they had designed and made. Items ranged from jewellery, candles with glass mosaics through to dream-catchers, food and the students’ own artwork. Everything was put on display and sale at stalls in the school itself. This goes to show that the school isn’t just an academic setting for young minds, but has a very practical side to it, too. The students come from a variety of different backgrounds and nationalities, and though they may speak a whole gamut of languages, at the school it’s English that draws them together and which linguistically unites them.
54 l www.samuiholiday.com
The school teaches a British curriculum, with all teachers being experienced and qualified to teach the English National Curriculum. They are also ably supported by Thai assistant teachers. The language of instruction is English, with Thai also being taught to Thai nationals, and Thai culture to all non-Thai children. Spanish and Mandarin are taught as foreign languages to students. The age range is from 18 months to 18 years, with the older students being offered a range of Cambridge and Edexcel A level qualifications, opening the path to university. The physical side of education isn’t forgotten either. When it comes to sports, all children take part, but the trick has always been to find activities that will motivate every child. At the school there’s a whole variety on offer, so children can hopefully find something that they really enjoy. A happy environment is one where children are not endlessly faced with sports situations that bore them and make them feel more like becoming couch potatoes than working their muscles. The school’s list of extra-curricular activities is more akin to that of a popular sports centre: children can participate in a variety of activities ranging from yoga,
www.samuiholiday.com l 55
keep fit, taekwondo and swimming, as well as play hockey, football and water polo. They can also play chess, dance, paint, learn to play the recorder and do drama and ballet. The list goes on… As Lisa says, “We want to give children as many experiences as possible and have the best start in life – so we’ve opted for a wide choice of pursuits.” Obviously, a motivated child is more likely to find success in the areas that he or she has chosen, and to be motivated enough to try to surpass previous results. The school is always aiming to move forwards and has ambitious plans. They’ve completed a 25 metre swimming pool with five lanes, where the children are now able to do all their swim training, as well as compete against other schools from around Thailand. And the next phase of development is a learning playground that will include state of the art equipment, different learning areas and safety flooring. Unusually for a school, the planners and architects behind many of the changes also include the students themselves. “Students should be active participants, not passengers on their journey,” says Lisa as she cites the example of the school garden. “The children designed it. We gave them a completely empty area and let them go ahead and do all the planning. Then they had to design it, and together as a whole school community we built it. The teachers, staff and parents helped. It wasn’t just a question of digging some flower beds, either. They wanted a cascading waterfall, so we went ahead and built that, too.” Having students design their school setting would have been unheard of just a few decades ago, but approaches like these work, and have helped gain the school its reputation.
The school was recently accredited by a UK inspection agency, gaining the coveted International Schools Quality Mark (ISQM). It is the only school to have had its standards verified by an international inspection so far on the island. To quote from their report, “Students’ personal development is strongly visible across the whole school. As they grow, the students take pride in being part of what is a courteous and caring school community. Their developing maturity and confidence is helped by a high level of participation in school enrichment activities as well as community initiatives such as charity fundraising and business enterprises.” The report praises the school as being successful and for taking “great care to ensure that it delivers its vision of educating students to become confident, independent individuals who are ready to take their place in a global community.” As you can see, education has changed and doesn’t need to be dull at all. The International School of Samui, with its pursuit of excellence, and its beautiful island setting has ensured that education can be a joyous and vibrant time in a child’s life, and offers many new possibilities for learning, recreation and personal development.
Dimitri Waring
________________________________________ For further information telephone 0 7748 4548. www.iss.ac.th
56 l www.samuiholiday.com
HAND-MADE JEWELRY MADE TO ORDER. GOLD, SILVER, LEATHER, PRECIOUS AND SEMI PRECIOUS STONES. TWO LOCATIONS IN CHAWENG: 1ST: CHAWENG BEACH ROAD, PHONE: +(66)0 7742 2594 2ND: CENTRAL FESTIVAL SAMUI 2ND FLOOR, PHONE: +(66)0 7796 3811 WWW.THAILAND-JEWELRY.COM Nature Art Gallery Central Festival Samui CHAWENG BEACH ROAD
Supermarket
www.samuiholiday.com l 57
58 l www.samuiholiday.com
FASHION WITH A CONSCIENCE Clothes for the global traveller at Psylo. As the seasons change so do the clothes, summer fades into autumn, autumn to winter, and we see thicker and thicker clothing as we say goodbye to the warmth of summer. At least that’s how it is in western countries. But here on Samui it seems we never say goodbye to the sun for long. The shops are always full of summer dresses, T-shirts, shorts, sandals. But walk past Psylo and you’ll immediately be struck by a huge difference. If it’s winter in London then it’s winter fashion in their store
front display here on Samui. It’s a shop for global travellers, not tied to local climate – they might be headed anywhere. These are clothes to take home, to travel with, or to hike the trails of a long forgotten route with a local guide. But there’s a whole other concept along with the comfort, durability and individual design behind the clothes too. Psylo adheres to a philosophy of sustainable fashion or, as it is sometimes known, eco-fashion. The people behind it have a keen sense of social responsibility.
www.samuiholiday.com l 59
Established in 1999, by two friends and travellers, Psylo is a company with a strong commitment to the protection of the environment. Based in Bali, Indonesia, they have their own design studio and factory, with their own highly trained staff. As a socially responsible company, the needs of their workers in the factory are paramount, recognising that without their skill they would have no products to sell. Their workers are an ethnically diverse group, and as such all their religious holidays are observed and they are paid above-average salaries. Their design studio is a converted wooden house in the rice fields of the Bali countryside. Surrounded by nature, you can see its influence upon the designers, Ami and Shoki, in the motifs of the clothes: lotus flowers, owls and ikat-style clouds. Recycling, or to be more precise, up-cycling is a key component of the design of their clothes. While maintaining a strong urban and tribal influence in the designs, they reuse their fabric scraps to create whole new outfits: dresses, comfortable pants and bags. Take a look at the interior of their shop and you can see Psylo’s commitment to this protection of the environment. No metal rails or harsh down lights here. It’s all wood, and what’s more the majority of it is up-cycled. Picture frames that border their posters are all up-cycled wood. You’ll also see a huge mirror frame made from the old wooden tracks of an Indonesian railway line with the rivet holes still visible. Just imagining the history that went along those lines is a story in itself. And in their Chaweng Beach Road shop, an ornate carved wooden Indonesian doorway makes for a spectacular dressing room entrance. History, in particular tribal and ancient history, plays a major role along with nature in the design of their clothes. Symbols from ancient cultures can be seen on many of their clothes, for example the Garuda, a birdlike beast of Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Other shirts feature religious symbols from around the world, as well as Pali verses. The design team works in collaboration with a number of artists from different countries to produce these motifs. Much of Psylo’s production is handmade, from the meticulously hand- painted screen shirts to the incredible shoes and boots that are made by a single Indonesian family that have been making shoes for over a hundred years. The shoes are truly a work of art, taking months to make just one pair. Indeed everything in the shop is like a piece of fine art, from the handmade clothes,
60 l www.samuiholiday.com
with their slanted cuts, off-centre necks and layered designs, to the Papua New Guinea face masks that adorn the walls, and the handmade brass chandeliers that hang from the ceilings in both the Chaweng Beach Road shop and the store in Central Festival. Along the walls of both shops you will see the shots of the models in edgy, dark settings, in night clubs or abandoned places. An ideal backdrop to the raw urban feel of the clothes. Psylo at present has four main locations worldwide, London, Bali, Samui and a newly opened store in Mexico. They also have a distribution centre in Toronto, Canada. But ask them if they have plans to open other stores, and despite their tremendous popularity and following among lovers of their fashion, it may come as a surprise to hear them say, no. But when you understand their philosophy it fits in perfectly; they don’t wish to become too big. They enjoy what they’re doing right now. Shops around the world can already order from them, and they have an internet business, and so their clothes and concepts can already reach
www.samuiholiday.com l 61
a wider audience. They’re happy where they are, making their art and helping the environment in whatever ways they can. They use natural fabrics such as cotton and rayon modal as much as possible, though they do sometimes use some synthetic materials, such as spandex for strength and elasticity. They also use a filter system after dying their fabrics, passing the coloured water through this system before it enters the sewage system so as to decrease any environmental footprint left behind. Psylo is already introducing organic cotton into its collection but it’s expensive, though they hope to introduce more in the near future. Described by Psylo’s art director and co-designer, Ami Ganiel as ‘ethno-punk clothing’, their clothes are about a lifestyle, the individual expressed through their clothing. Part of that concept is also an awareness of the environment and nature and the desire to protect the world around us for future global travellers. So when you leave Psylo with your purchase you won’t be handed a plastic bag. You’ll receive an environmentally friendly cotton bag. No plastic here!
Natalie Hughes ______________________________________ For further information telephone 0 7725 6157 or 0 879 288 748. www.psylofashion.com
62 l www.samuiholiday.com
New Branch Grand Opening at The Wharf Samui
www.samuiholiday.com l 63
AS SURE AS AZUR Integrity leads the way with one of Samui’s most impressive new living environments.
64 l www.samuiholiday.com
Yes, I know, it’s another Samui development. There are a great many of them about, it seems. Everywhere you look, there’s another parcel of land up a hill somewhere being sold off as apartments and villas. Some of them are still in the concept stage, and you’re effectively buying from an architect’s drawings. Many are partially built and buyers have to live with construction noise. Quite a few are excellent, but how can you tell? It can be a gamble – just how do you sort out the gilt-edged from the guilty? Buyers need to have confidence and they need assurances. They need to know the bottom line before they get involved. And so here it is. The bottom line at the start of the story. Azur Samui is a development located off Soi 2 in Maenam with (in its current phase) luxury
apartments and villas. It’s been conceived and managed by a company who have very successfully done this sort of thing before and won awards for it – the main players live here on the island. The award-winning architect – also having previously proved himself on Samui – is a perfectionist and insists on the highest quality of build (including soundproofing). The properties are freehold. The management company has eight years of experience here, and the concept is that of a quality professional hospitality management environment. There is a central clubhouse, with a café, fitness centre and a tennis court. There’s an elected residents’ association, and a detailed working charter. And all the homes are available at exceptionally realistic prices, and currently have developer’s finance available at up to 50% interest free.
www.samuiholiday.com l 65
To begin to appreciate the integrity of all this, it really needs to be seen in context. The man behind this is Tim Dean-Smith, who came here to live after a successful background in construction and property development in the UK. In 2008, he opened the well-known beach club, Beach Republic, in Lamai. At the time this raised a few admiring eyebrows, as the concept and design was strikingly individual – the architect he used was David McCormick. A little while afterwards Tim expanded the beach club to include a spa and 39 very luxurious pool villas and suites. Although Beach Republic was never really a ‘day club’ in the party sense of the word, it very quickly lent itself to a more expansive genre, and one that brought Tim’s hospitality management skills into play.
66 l www.samuiholiday.com
www.samuiholiday.com l 67
Looking around at the property scene on Samui right now, there really do appear to be some very good buys. But things come into sharp perspective when you start comparing prices. For example, you can buy a furnished studio apartment in a condominium, essentially a hotel room in a non-landscaped apartment block, for around two million baht. This seems quite attractive for a single person or for occasional holiday use. But then you won’t be aware of the quality of the construction until you’ve stayed there for a while. In comparison, the very pleasantly landscaped Azur development has one of the most stunning sea views anywhere. And the starting prices for a well-designed studio apartment are much the same as in the example above, and they are all a lot bigger. “The quality of the construction is of the utmost importance,” Tim told me. “This is why I wanted to use David McCormick again. And the construction was undertaken by Adept Asia. The Chief Operations officer is Mike Ryan – the man
68 l www.samuiholiday.com
THE SIAM RESIDENCE B o u t i q u e
R e s o r t
Phone: +66 (0) 77 420 008 | samui@siamresidence.com www.siamresidence.com
Your Private Holidays in Samui Located at the beach of Lipa Noi, the Siam Residence is nestled in a tropical garden. Created to provide the very best of Thai hospitality, this small luxury retreat incorporates luxurious accommodation, attentive service and excellent cuisine in an atmosphere of calm and seclusion. Enjoy our 1 or 2 bedroom luxury villas with separate living room, marble bath, two toilets, free wireless internet access.
is a perfectionist. Not only that, but the way everything is constructed is first-rate, very substantial and solid. The last thing anyone needs is leaky windows or to hear the neighbours all the time. Mike’s done some extensive and ambitious projects in South Africa, and has picked up several awards. The combination of these two paired together is unbeatable.” At the moment ‘Phase One’ is complete and is being lived in; Phases Two and Three will be essentially an expansion of the existing facilities, with the second phase looking to be finalised in six or seven months’ time. The villas are just stunning: there are currently 4-bedroom options, but as Tim points out, it’s a comparatively simple matter to add one extra room, if an office or work-room is required. But having looked at all this closely, if it wasn’t admirable enough already, what makes it all shine is the residents’ charter.
and decisions being acted on effectively. If there is a contention with the garbage collection or elements of the gardening, if there needs to be improvements or maintenance, then it will happen. This charter and its committee are seen as integral to maintain the ambiance and integrity of the residences.
All shared condo-type or communal freehold accommodation (‘shared freehold’) is required by law to have some kind of agreement between the residents and the management. But in reality this often breaks down, repairs or modifications take forever to happen (if at all) and working relations can become frayed. Here the charter is alive, practical, and very much an active affair, with the members being elected by the residents
70 l www.samuiholiday.com
But I’ve saved the best until last. Unlike some developers who try to grab back as much of their investment as they can in the early phases, Phase One is actually being under-priced “. . . to establish the quality, ethos and reputation of the development”. And a giant plus is that the developer is prepared to finance your purchase himself, free from bank loans, hassles and red tape. He’s offering up to 50% of the purchase price at interest-free credit for a limited period. Exceptional. And with everything being locally based, yet another reason why this particular venture is a very sure thing!
Rob De Wet
___________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 980 502 120 or 0 980 502 119. www.azursamui.com
BRANCH 1 CHAWENG BEACH ROAD OPPOSITE SPAGO RESTAURANT
TEL: +66 831715733
BRANCH 2 CHAWENG BEACH ROAD NEXT TO CENTRAL FESTIVAL
WWW.MSCARINO.COM
BRANCH 3 THE WHARF SAMUI FISHERMAN’S VILLAGE
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MSCARINOO www.samuiholiday.com
l 71
BREAK DOWN A close look at all those public holidays – and what they mean in Thailand.
When I first came to live in Thailand, I knew nothing. But six months later, I was getting clued in. I remember smiling at travellers I met and saying with a cool kind of shrug, “. . . yeah, well, I’ve been here six months now . . .” and getting a small glow as they nodded wide-eyed with respect. I suppose it took me a year to really get the hang of things. I could now speak the language – nothing like as well as a two-year-old Thai child, but to the other foreigners around me I sounded like a native. And certainly well enough to order food and tell taxi drivers where to go and what to do. Yes, it took me a whole year living here full-time to get the hang of what Thailand was all about. And it took another two years to realise that, really, I’d just been scratching at the surface, and in fact, I didn’t have a clue. I still knew next to nothing about the way Thai people thought, why they acted and reacted in certain ways and why their attitudes and their country was in many respects so very strange. You see, my thinking, my logic, my approach to people and things, my ideals – all my assumptions about morality and life in general – were rooted in the West. But I was in Thailand. And, as well as the people themselves, the way that the government, banking, law and police all functioned here was completely different. Take the utterly normal idea of weekends, for example, almost a human right, and the familiar hinge around which all of our working lives turn. Well, many Thai people don’t have them. There’s not even such a word in the Thai language. Even most public institutions like government offices, post offices and the like, work the majority of each Saturday. Most employees in the private sector are granted one day off each week, but it might be a Wednesday or
72 l www.samuiholiday.com
a Friday, usually decided on a rota basis. In some sectors, such as hotels and tourism, there are seasonal highs and lows. And often staff will work 24/7 at peak periods, then be granted an accumulated numbers of days off to be taken by arrangement in the following low season. But gaze around you while you’re on Samui and touring around. There’s another huge difference. There are hundreds of people who are what we’d call ‘self-employed’. It’s a lot easier to do this over here, no need to register yourself or declare an income, and anyone can decide to make a living at turning their hand to anything they fancy. Some things need a permit, like motorbike taxis or running a market stall on government or public land. But count the mobile motorbikes and sidecars selling a hundred different kinds of food. Or vendors hawking all sorts of stuff along the beach. Or the street noodle sellers who appear after dark. For all of these, and for literally millions of others, a ‘weekend’ is an alien concept. And so, for that matter, are annual holiday breaks. Paid annual holidays are another thing we just take for granted, along with state benefits, government housing for low-income families, free medical and dental care and state pensions. None of these things exists in Thailand. Annual holidays are marginally the exception, though, as some salaried government employees enjoy this luxury, as do some executive staff in the private sector. But, for over 90% of the Thai population, an entitlement to two or three weeks holiday each year belong in the same space ship that brought the idea of ‘weekends’ to them.
www.samuiholiday.com l 73
On the other hand, there’s an upside to this. Thailand has a bewildering number of days that are public holidays, either for religious reasons, or by government decree. One or two of these sound familiar or make sense, such as New Year’s Day (of which Thailand celebrates no less than three!) or His Majesty The King’s Birthday, or Coronation Day, for instance. Or the holiest of religious holidays, Visakha Bucha, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into Nirvana of Buddha. Then there are others, which you might not know about. The gentle festivities of Loy Krathong are quite well-known, although this is not actually a holiday day. But then there’s The Royal Ploughing Ceremony. The Monks’ Robes Ceremony of Throd Kathin. Or Chulalongkorn Memorial Day. There are, in all, a total of sixteen of these national public holidays in Thailand, although occasionally this may vary by decree. All very cultural and informative, I hear you say, but what’s it got to do with me? Well, it all depends on your inclinations and circumstances. If, for example, you are a bar-hound or a sports fan, you might be disappointed. Public sales of alcohol are banned on some of these national holidays, and your sports bar will be closed. Exceptions to this are many; for one, restaurants will probably sell drinks along with their food. Private hotels usually discreetly ignore these occasions, too. Some street bars may even remain open, although the froth on the ‘coffee’ they’re allowed to sell might smell strangely of barley or malt. This is Thailand and there is often a way round these things and, in any case, how rigorously these laws are enforced tends to ebb and flow from one year to the next. And then there’s the lesser-appreciated aspect of travel. If you’re flying in and out of Samui this probably won’t concern you. But if you’re on the road, or using public transport like ferries, busses or trains, take care. If a public holiday is on either side of a Saturday or Sunday (particularly the latter) then there will be a great many people travelling, taking advantage of the two or three-day break. And if you happen to be travelling on the edges of Songkran, the Thai New Year in April, watch out! This is a traditional time to return to spend time with family members and the whole of Thailand will be on the move, not to mention the chaos on the streets on the actual day itself. Everything’s different in Thailand, although it might not seem so from the modern comfort of your air-conditioned hotel room. And it’s as well to be aware of this. Many important flight connections have been missed by unwary travellers in the past, just because they didn’t do a ‘break down’ of public holidays first. Be warned!
Rob De Wet 74 l www.samuiholiday.com
HANSAR
GR
EE
N
HO
SP
AL IT
76 l www.samuiholiday.com
PHUT-TERING AROUND A look at the day and nightlife in and around Bophut. It’s a hard thing to do. It’s not easy. And after a week, you’ve probably forgotten. But the very first impressions of a new place – those first few hours – give you a strange and one-sided picture. For most people on Samui that means coming in by air. That charming view of tiny cars and houses fringed by sand and blue sea as you drop in to land. And then 20 minutes through a maze of tiny twisting lanes away from the airport, with no sign of the sea at all. In fact, that perception is all wrong. The airport’s runway is just a half-a-kilometre from Chaweng Beach Road, but there’s no direct link.
The same holds true for Bophut. If you spend a while zooming about on Google Maps, you’ll see just how close it is to both the airport and to Chaweng. But there are only two ways to get there - both by road, and both ways you’ll seem to have travelled for miles. But then, the whole subject of Bophut can be confusing. Generally speaking, when anyone mentions Bophut, they are talking about the bay up on northeast coast. But unhappily, the post office has decided to include all of Chaweng in its Bophut address zoning, too – in fact, the whole top right-hand quarter of the island seems to come under this code.
www.samuiholiday.com l 77
78 l www.samuiholiday.com
And then, just to add to the fun of it all, there’s Bophut Bay. But within this are contained Bangrak Beach as well as Fisherman’s Village and the Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai). To begin to understand this less-than-sophisticated organisation, you need to head back to the mid 1960’s. Before this time there were no roads, villages composed mainly of one big extended family had arisen wherever there were sheltered bays and coves, and boats were the usual way to travel around the island. Although the government offices had recorded the names of these many villages, mostly names were used verbally within the community, and even the name of the same place varied from one set of villages to the next. It wasn’t until 1967, that work began to build a road that circled the island, and this wasn’t completed for another 12 years. It was at this point that Samui began to develop with an ever-increasing momentum, as firstly regular ferry services came about, motorised vehicles flooded onto the island, and then an influx of visitors that led to an escalation in new construction. Place names that previously had been mainly verbal needed to be recorded because there was an increase in postal services to match. But little of this was regulated or organised, leading to occasional confusions in names and areas along the way. (Even today, this is bizarrely present in the way that houses and buildings are numbered. Each ‘moo’ (local community) has a number of ‘soi’ (streets) and each new house is given a moo and soi number as it is built, often leading to adjacent buildings having street numbers that are wildly different!)
www.samuiholiday.com l 79
Plus you need to realise that most printed maps of the island are essentially symbolic – making it occasionally perplexing to be precise about local areas. For instance, coming westwards on the ring-road away from Chaweng in the direction of Nathon, you’ll know you are in Bophut only when you come to the traffic lights on the T-junction that leads off to Fisherman’s Village. Continuing towards Nathon, Bophut Bay ends (and becomes Maenam) at a sharp 90-degree left turn in the road – but on most maps this is shown as a slight kink. This stretch, between the traffic lights and the landmark of Zazen Boutique Resort on the sharp bend, is the stateliest part of Bophut, being lined with gentile and elegant up-market resorts that occupy broad swathes of land between the ring-road and the sea. The aptly-named Fisherman’s Village was originally, I suppose, Bophut
80 l www.samuiholiday.com
More than
A MOVIE
2nd Floor SAMUI
Tel.: 0 954 141 366 www.xd-attractions.com
‘village’ (as in – the only village there!) and, even today, beside the plate glass and chrome of the new shops and restaurants at the stunning ‘The Wharf’ shopping complex, there are quite a few of the old original wooden houses still to be seen.
But taking the coast road from here, eastwards towards Big Buddha, really does give you a feel for Bophut Bay itself, and the several little communities contained within. This is one of the very few parts of the north coast not yet to have been completely developed, and there’s not much to see for about two kilometres. When you do start to see the buildings suddenly lining each side of the road, you’re actually in Bangrak. This is an easy-going strip of small beachside resorts, shops, restaurants, bars and pubs, and a pleasant alternative to the more intense attractions of Chaweng.
E AW
SO
ME
EXCITIN
G SCARY
HORROR HOUSE
As you progress eastwards, once again, for half a kilometre or so you’ll run out of buildings, and then they’ll appear in a rush, at the junction of the side-road leading to the airport. There’s quite a busy intersection here, with the old fish and vegetable market, half a dozen bouncy nighttime bars, some very modern new buildings and shops, and the notable recently added landmark of the Seatran Discovery ferry pier. From here you can easily reach not only Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Tao, but also buy tickets for a link by road via the mainland city of Chumpon, and on to Bangkok – an option that cuts hours off the alternative of going all the way there by bus. And the gigantic big golden Buddha that’s just down the road? (And is debatably actually in Ban Plai Laem anyway!) Well there are whole articles and web pages dedicated to this alone. So I’ll leave you to discover it for yourself, while you’re puttering around Bophut!
Rob De Wet
82 l www.samuiholiday.com
www.samuiholiday.com l 83
INSPIRED BY
NATURE Handcrafted jewellery that just might change your life at Nature Art Gallery. A couple walks in. They’ve been here before. In fact, the previous year they had moldavite bangles made, and now they’ve returned to have some made for their children. A man walks in. A collector from France, he stands over the table of crystals. Picking up some blue amber he exclaims, “I found it, I found it. I’ve looked for this stone all over Europe, and here it is.” A woman walks in. She had asked to get her grandmother’s ring restored. When the finished ring is shown to her, she weeps. These stories continue, one after the other. A simple store. That’s all it is. But it’s what the store can do, that makes Nature Art Gallery special beyond measure. Your experience will begin even before you step inside. It will begin from the street. You will be walking down Chaweng Beach Road, windowshopping, laughing and carrying on. Then, just across from Central Festival you’ll stop, fixated on a store. The warm wood covered walls will catch your eye, the bright lights will draw you in, and soon you will be standing in a room that sparkles.
84 l www.samuiholiday.com
www.samuiholiday.com l 85
The meticulous art of jewellery making will surround you. Requiring the utmost detail and precision, the art is unlike any other. Hours, sometimes days, even weeks of work on a single handcrafted piece, stones from across the world, unique and special to the one who wears it will be at your fingertips. Within these walls of wonder, I had the pleasure of meeting Shai Shalom Nissim, coowner of Nature Art Gallery. Shai, an artist himself, delved into the magic of crystals - the energy they produce, the healing they inspire, and the lives they change. He spoke firstly of his favourite crystal, moldavite. A product of a meteor collision with earth nearly 15 million years ago, the green stone is both rare and royal. The stone’s high vibration energy is a powerful chakra opener, particularly at the heart and above. Sleeping with the stone activates the ‘Dream State’ and wearing it helps manifest positive life change. This is just one of the many different crystals the store offers, each one producing a different energy, opening different combinations of chakras. Shai comments on the different ways customers choose, from being drawn to one ascetically, reading through the energy one produces, or talking to an associate about where they are in their life and where they wish to go. Once a crystal is chosen the options are endless. Some choose to carry the crystal as it is; others craft their own unique bracelet, necklace, ring or earrings.
86 l www.samuiholiday.com
Nearing a time in his life for a career change, nearly 15 years ago, Shai decided to go into reflexology, alternative medicine, energy work and the art of healing. Finding himself in a class focused on the use of crystals, his life-long love for jewellery was inspired. Soon after he decided to go into business with Michael Trav beginning their journey on Koh Pha-Ngan, where they still have two stores. There are now a total of four outlets, with two more right here on Samui. As I wandered through the store, unaware of the time passing, I couldn’t believe what sat just above me. But up a short flight of stairs, as they say, the magic happens. A small workspace complete with rare stones and dozens of tools, jewellers work effortlessly (I say effortlessly because they make it look so easy!) Going through the process of ring making, I learned how time consuming each piece is. It begins with only a small strip of sterling silver sheeting. Then between hours of drilling holes, sawing, buffing and polishing the ring is sized, the stone is inserted, and a beautiful handcrafted piece is made.
www.samuiholiday.com l 87
The jewellery at Nature Art Gallery also includes silver, gold, meteorite and even elephant hair. This variety of materials is an extension of their philosophy to provide a wide range of handcrafted jewellery, to ensure the happiness of each individual customer. Beginning at the foundation, the owners emphasize design, pushing both themselves and empowering others to create unique original art. The gallery allows their own jewellers to create inspiring pieces, and also allows independent designers to show their pieces, showcasing different tastes and perspectives of artists from around the world. Diversified further, the store also holds an area for leather goods such as handbags, wallets and purses, all also handmade. Walking through the store it’s easy to miss things. Take a few trips around. Gaze into the glass display tops on top of varnished tree stumps - each time you look you will see something
88 l www.samuiholiday.com
new. Ask for help and be guided towards the piece of jewellery that just might change you. Be the next couple. The next man. The next woman. Be the next person to walk into Nature Art Gallery and leave a little bit happier.
Alison Stephens
____________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 7742 2594. www.thailand-jewelry.com
Thank you for your reviews that have made us...
2014 Winner
“A sure place in a street full of very average places.” Dubai,UAE “The real charm is the atmosphere as you're seated in a quaint night garden with grape vines.” London,UK “Un petit coin de paradis avec des mets excellents et copieux pour un très bon rapport qualité prix.” Paris, France
“It was worth every penny we spent there.” CA, USA “Each dish has been beautifully presented and the flavours have been magnificent.” MEL, Australia “Definitely worth a visit, specially as there are not so many places sith great wine here in Thailand!” Rome, Italy
Chaweng Garden Beach Resort Reservation, Call Khun Mae 084-836-1855 www.samuiholiday.com www.samuiwine.com www.facebook.com/SamuiWineOasis
l 89
90 l www.samuiholiday.com
SMALL ISLAND, MAJOR HOSPITAL When times get tough Bangkok Hospital Samui is there to help. If you’re far from home and new to Thailand, falling sick can easily make you feel insecure – after all, you’re in unfamiliar territory and aren’t quite sure what to expect. But ask any expatriate living on the island about medical care, and you’ll be told that there are no less than five hospitals here. For an island that just used to be jungle until not so long ago, that’s a very impressive statistic. It’s certainly one that makes people feel safe living here: they know that if something goes wrong they’re not far from help and can usually be treated on the island. Bangkok Hospital Samui is now 10 years old, and offers a plethora of medical amenities. It’s internationally accredited and has 50 beds, with over 25 highly trained specialists and physicians offering a variety of services. Medical facilities include a modern emergency and trauma unit, 12 fully equipped ICU beds, two ultra-modern operation rooms, a haemodialysis unit, a CT scanner, 4D ultrasound, a fully equipped laboratory with blood bank, a well-stocked pharmacy, and a physiotherapy unit.
www.samuiholiday.com l 91
More than 60 percent of the patients are from abroad, and most of them are here on holiday. There are in addition a number of patients from Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Tao. The hospital operates an inbound evacuation team, using fast boats to transfer patients in emergency situations. Not all the cases seen by the hospital are emergencies; there are a growing number of medical tourists who choose to combine treatment, very often of a dental nature, with a holiday. All these people have planned their surgery in advance, often months ahead. At Bangkok Hospital Samui, there’s a team of foreign coordinators who speak various different languages, and who are there to assist patients to communicate very precisely with the doctors and medical teams. The coordinators also help patients in their contact with insurance companies, when the policies are valid and the conditions are in accordance with insurance company terms. They can also organize repatriation – it’s no mean feat to get an airline to turn a row of seats into a bed and organize the patient’s insurance company to guarantee payment. They can arrange hotel calls and are there to help with enquiries, whether by phone or by e-mail. It’s also possible to have a pre-appointment consultation via e-mail. They can provide translations and help with paperwork, and can also find out approximately how much a course of treatment is going to cost before it’s embarked on. Of course, Bangkok Samui Hospital isn’t able to handle every case that comes through its doors, and it may occasionally be necessary to organize what’s called a medical evacuation, whereby the patient is taken by plane to Bangkok, accompanied by a qualified team, which consists of a doctor and one or more nurses. Once the plane arrives, patients are taken directly from the tarmac to the hospital in Bangkok. And with over a million medical tourists coming to Thailand every year, and a large percentage of them staying in Bangkok, you can be sure
92 l www.samuiholiday.com
that the hospitals there really do have the facilities to deal with extremely complicated cases. Bangkok is less than an hour’s flight away from Samui, so the trip isn’t an exhausting one. Bangkok Samui Hospital arranges everything, and literally provides a door-to-door service. In order to see just how professional and advanced the hospital is, it’s worth taking a look at one or other of the most complex areas in medicine today and seeing how the hospital deals with them. Let’s take the example of neurosurgery. Bangkok Samui Hospital prides itself on being able to deal with many neurological problems, especially strokes and head injuries. Due to the ever-increasing number of elderly residents and visitors coming to the island, and the sheer number of motorbike accidents (with many riders not wearing a helmet), the hospital saw the need very early on for neurological services. Today, many people owe their lives to the hospital. As you can imagine, brain and spinal cord problems call for very specific and accurate treatment. And it’s not just that the response has to be rapid, with the patient arriving in the hospital as soon as possible; once in medical care, close monitoring is almost always called for, notably in the case of head injury or a stroke. Both are dynamic processes, meaning that the patient’s situation can change very quickly. The team doing the monitoring needs to be experienced and highly professional; Bangkok Samui Hospital prides itself on its ability to handle these kinds of cases.
Fine Beach & Hillside Dining at Samui's Newest Venue Quality Thai, Seafood & International Dishes The Ultimate Samui Dining Experience!
The hospital has a CT-scanner, which is a vital aide in diagnosing problems. And it’s not just any old machine, but a 64 slice spiral CTscanner, allowing CT angiography and CT perfusion studies. It allows the doctors to ‘see’ beyond the carapace of the skull to whatever is happening beneath and thus it helps them with their evaluation. However, just because a CT-scan shows that the neurological situation seems normal, it’s still limited as a tool, and the patient may need further monitoring and evaluation. The hospital doesn’t always advise brain surgery. Sometimes it can be dangerous. And at other times, though it may seem it, it’s not necessary at all. Obviously, only an expert is able to decide; there’s no single course of action that fits every case; each patient is unique and treated as such. The hospital adheres to the saying, ‘the best chance comes only once.’ It’s a question of being ready to seize that opportunity, and to proceed, with an experienced team, where each participant knows what he or she has to do. The patient’s individual character plays an important part too. According to the hospital, hope and belief also play a major part; nothing is written in stone; and survival and quality of life are to be prized and fought for, rather than fatalistically assuming a worst-case scenario. The choice of exactly how to react to a neurological problem is also very important. But with a major hospital providing medical expertise and all manner of help, patients feel much more reassured and hopeful. And, once again, the hospital can refer more complicated cases to its main hospital in Bangkok, or any other. Those who live on the small island of Samui can indeed feel privileged – after all, how many islands can boast that there’s a well-located hospital that has its own neurology unit and neurologist? Part of every holiday – unless you’re off the beaten track – is feeling safe while abroad; who wants their time ruined by niggling doubts and worries? Bangkok Samui Hospital has done much to take the edge off those worries, allowing you to relax whilst enjoying your holiday in exotic surroundings.
Dimitri Waring
_________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 7742 9500. www.bangkokhospitalsamui.com
The Barge Nora Buri's Signature Restaurant Chaweng North For Reservation Tel: 0 7791 3555 E-mail: thebarge@noraburiresort.com www.noraburiresort.com
Sublime Souvenirs Shopping for Samui’s exotic products.
Want to take home some souvenirs? Of course you do! But will the folks at home appreciate them? That’s the big question – souvenirs always have a bit of a tacky association. And that in turn makes it doubly hard to buy something that people will like having around. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Here’s a brief guide to shopping for some un-souvenir type souvenirs, all of which will surprise, intrigue or delight those that receive them.
94 l www.samuiholiday.com
These are high quality and typically Thai products and souvenirs that are to be found on Samui and be purchased at local prices – just because you’re shopping for gifts shouldn’t mean you have to pay inflated prices.
www.samuiholiday.com l 95
previously mostly exported, and could only be found in the up market boutiques of Singapore, New York, Moscow or Zurich. Now these top quality goods can be purchased at source at just a fraction of the price which you would pay elsewhere. Top quality products at reasonable prices can be found in Samui’s Snake and Leather World. There’s a snake show, and an impressive store featuring a wide variety of exotic leather items, such as handbags, briefcases, wallets, belts, passport holders and key chains. The shop also features other exotic products including Thailand’s famous royal jelly, bee pollen and delicious coconut honey chocolates, as well as canned edible insects which you can bring home to surprise your friends. In addition you’ll find many exotic natural health remedies, including licensed snake and crocodile capsules (licenced by Thailand’s food and drug regulatory body) as well as high grade birds’ nests.
Seashells and Pearl Jewellery Shell World in Big Buddha features a beautiful range of top quality fresh and salt water pearl jewellery, and a large variety of seashells. Many of the shells have been made into ornaments and gift items, and you’ll see rings, bracelets, brooches and photo frames on display. If you’re interested in pearls you’ll find printed information in the store about how they came into being, and how to assess their value through their size, shape, colour, quality and lustre. The pearl jewellery and other items are attractively priced, and two or three times cheaper than some other outlets. If you’re visiting Big Buddha it’s definitely worthwhile dropping into Shell World. Just keep to the right as you come off the causeway, and you’ll see the store. For further information, call 0 7723 0068 (Thai/English) Exotic Leather The exotic leather industry in Thailand is thriving. Although quality leather is usually cowhide, Thailand is famous for its crocodile, ostrich, stingray and lizard leather, as well as its fashion goods made from snake skin. These goods were
96 l www.samuiholiday.com
All health information is given in English, Russian and Chinese. The store has no sign but if you’re heading from Chaweng, it’s next to the Muay Thai boxing school just before you come to Choeng Mon. For directions or a free pick-up call 0 950 373 997 (Thai/English) or 0 833 896 471 (Russian/English). Spa, Beauty and Wellness Products A holiday on Samui usually includes indulging at one of the many spas which offer great value for money. Thailand also has a leading position worldwide in exclusive spa and beauty products. One of the country’s top brands has its origins in Samui and is simply called ‘Samui’s’. Samui’s boutique stores can be found around Thailand, and on Samui they are located in the Lamai Plaza and at Big Buddha. A large Samui’s outlet, called the Samui’s Village, is located in Choeng Mon, 100 meters from the Imperial Boat House hotel as you head towards Chaweng. You’ll easily see it as it features a large golden tea pot at its entrance. The unique beauty collection at Samui’s Village mainly focusses on quality skin care with pearl and gold ingredients. There is also a wide variety of spa and aroma products which are made with natural, pure and fresh ingredients that are relaxing and pleasing to the senses. Increasingly popular are the natural
Thai health supplements and other remedies. The most popular of all is ginseng, which is used to treat various health conditions, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and blood pressure problems, as well as to promote general well-being and vitality. According to the shop’s manager, Khun Oar, visitors are becoming more aware and are looking for new ways to improve their health, and are therefore turning to natural remedies rather than pharmaceutical drugs. The shop also stocks the most exclusive coffees in the world, Black Ivory and Wild Kopi Luwak. These coffee beans famously pass through the gastrointestinal tract of an elephant or civet cat, which takes away the bitterness before roasting, thus creating perfect bliss for coffee lovers. Samui’s Village in Choeng Mon also features over 60 organic teas, and guests are invited to participate in a free tea ceremony and enjoy the delicious flavours of Thailand. For directions or transportation guests can call 0 806 919 405 (Thai/English) or 0 888 246 979 (Russian/ English). When it’s time to buy souvenirs, you’ll find it’s a pleasant experience, and certainly a very exotic one, if you pay a visit to the places we’ve mentioned. And you’ll also find that exotic doesn’t mean expensive. And you can be absolutely sure that if you’re making gifts of these souvenirs that they will be greatly appreciated.
Dimitri Waring
Fine Beachfront Dining serving Thai, Seafood & International Cuisine. Chaweng Beach Road Chaweng North Tel: 0 7742 9400 Fax: 0 7742 9498 E-mail: reservation@norabeachresort.com www.norabeachresort.com
98 l www.samuiholiday.com
NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE EXCESS You’ll love being out of control at XD Theater’s four attractions.
www.samuiholiday.com l 99
Holidays are all about being laid-back and taking things easy. How good it is, we’re told, to de-stress, soak up the sun, stretch out by the pool and simply enjoy the surroundings. But perhaps even on a holiday, we crave intense excitement not usually associated with the palm-fringed tropical island on which we find ourselves. XD Theater caters for just such times. You’ll find it in its own niche in the second floor of Central Festival in Chaweng. You can walk past it without so much as an extra heart-beat, but visit any of its four attractions and you’re in for a serious dose of fun, and a big spike in your adrenalin. Here’s a brief run-down on what the folks at XD have on offer for you. The little cinema at XD Theater looks so innocent. A single row of seats, unremarkable except that they have handles to hold onto by the sides. And then you notice that each has a safety belt too, just like in a car. Things aren’t going to get that rough, surely? The screen is quite close and looks oddly blurry. That is, until you put the glasses on. These are given you by the staff and once they’re on, everything sharpens up dramatically. This is because the glasses act
100 l www.samuiholiday.com
as a focus for the projectors that will play the films. And that’s not all. With the glasses on, the screen no longer seems to be a flat 2-dimensional affair: things seem to float out of it, and are suddenly right in front of you. The rest of the cinema is kept dark, and within moments you’re lost in the action on the screen. Each film lasts for seven minutes, but it feels a lot longer! There are eight films altogether to choose from, and staff will help you if you’re not sure what to pick. The film I chose was certainly action-packed. The seat moved, vibrated and shuddered with each deadly twist and turn along the way, and there were many. In this film, a runaway mining cart is hurled along narrow, twisting and often broken tracks, plunging vertically into a deep gorge at one moment and hurled into the air at another. Everything is zippy, totally unpredictable and looks utterly real. You will, quite literally, hang on to your seat. (Each seat is designed with the latest technology, promising more than 400 movements per second.)
If you liked XD Theater, then you’re bound to enjoy the Extreme Elevator. It stands just to the side of the theater and looks a bit odd because there’s no shaft either above or below it. Clearly, it’s not going anywhere. But it’s no less of a rush. So what happens? And how can standing inside a metal box even begin to raise your heartbeat? Step inside, after first reading the health warnings, which will take you a little time, as there are a handful of them: you’re warned not to go in if you’re pregnant, have heart problems of any kind, or if you’ve had surgery recently, or have a bad back or neck. As the lift doors open, you might wonder if the warnings aren’t tongue-in-cheek. They’re not. The elevator packs a mighty adrenaline punch even if it doesn’t seem so at first. When you step in, it looks just like any other elevator, except for the glass floor, which is the cinema screen. There are handles to hold onto – quite serious ones – and you’ll soon be clutching them.
As with XD Theater there’s a range of films to choose from, and each is of the adrenalinboosting kind. Your eyes will be riveted on the floor, as right at your feet, the action starts. Again, you’re wearing glasses which focus the projectors making everything look in 3D. I chose a film that features a trip from New York to Moscow, but not via the skies, but the earth and the seas. Bizarrely futuristic, it starts with a descent into the earth. The see-through elevator floor looks vertically down a brightly-lit shaft that plummets down miles into the earth.
102 l www.samuiholiday.com
monitors before choosing your race, all of which are based on real circuits. The car shakes and vibrates, making everything seem very realistic. The car, too, mimics real life: foot pedals control the brake and the accelerator. It’s easy to get the hang of it, and off you go, chancing your life as you lean into bends and overtake other cars. It’s a totally engrossing ride and you may only be vaguely aware of the world outside, though unlike XD Theater and Extreme Elevator, you’re not physically cut off from it. Suffice to say, all three rides incorporate cutting edge technology from top manufacturers.
The elevator now descends at supersonic speed and begins its journey, which just like that of the mining car at XD Theater, is plagued by twists, turns and accidents aplenty. The elevator vibrates and shifts this way and that – you have to really hold on as the shaking is so violent – and is attacked by giant piranhas before eventually surfacing and rushing up out of the depths once more.
In the last of the attractions, the Pirate Adventure Horror House, you are definitely cut off from all outside influences – you’ll quickly forget that there is anything beyond the mysterious house in which you find yourself. From the outside, the Horror House looks fairly stagey – an obvious mock-up and definitely not real. So your conclusion is: it can’t be all that scary.
When the elevator doors open, you’ll be surprised to step out into the more mundane world again. But a short hop away is the F1 simulator. For this you climb into an F1 racing car, and face a panorama of three computer
That’s where you’re wrong. It is. It’s so scary that you’ll forget all your problems once you’re inside. Your brain may insist that it’s all bogus and you know deep down that it is – but you’ll very quickly forget that rational bit of
information. Within a few moments of being inside, the fun starts: dead pirates jump out at you, there are bangs and crashes, and it’s mostly dark inside with enough skeletons to fill a small cemetery. But everything is so realistic that you end up screaming all the same. Worse still, you’re completely sealed off in the house, lost inside as you desperately try to make your way forward. The really dramatic bit is that you don’t realize at first that there are also two ‘actors’ inside the house dressed as ghosts, who will add to the fun. I won’t go ahead and spill all the secrets of the house, but just say that unless you have snacked on a shoebox full of tranquillizers before you go in, you’ll soon be jumping out of your skin. XD Theater and its attractions are unique on Samui, with nothing even beginning to approach the kind of thrills it’s offering. Fun like this is all too delectable – especially if you’re tired of taking it easy while on holiday – and you’ll enjoy experiencing a surge in your adrenalin.
Dimitri Waring
___________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 991 287 898. www.xd-attractions.com This is the original health destination on Koh Samui offering only the best Vegetarian, Raw and Healthy Thai Food. Listed as one of the 50 best restaurants in the world. Over 17 years serving the freshest mouthwatering healthy food. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Daily @ both locations 7:00 am until 9:30 pm. Radiance is a part of The Spa Resorts.
104 l www.samuiholiday.com
A
SHEEP IN DRAGON’S CLOTHING February welcomes in the Chinese Year of the Goat.
I used to think that I was a goat. But then I saw a professional Chinese fortune teller. He reassured me that I wasn’t. I was a horse. No I’m not mad, though some of my friends would doubt that. I’m talking about the Chinese zodiac, which is comprised of 12 animals, and Chinese New Year. It’s a lively time here with the explosion of firecrackers, fireworks, the ringing of the gongs at the Chinese temples, and dragons dancing in the street. Each year a different animal is honoured. Chinese New Year is a big event in Thailand as many of the population are of Chinese descent. And Samui was settled in part by Hainanese immigrants. Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar and is thus celebrated on a different day every year. This year, 2015, the festival is celebrated on 19th February, and is the year of the goat in the Chinese zodiac. The goat is the eighth animal of the zodiac, and in Chinese the number eight is considered to be very lucky. Hence many people are hoping for a prosperous New Year.
www.samuiholiday.com l 105
Talking of money, little red envelopes containing small gifts of money are given to children at this auspicious time by parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and even sometimes neighbours. Workers in companies may also receive a bonus at this time, again given in the customary red envelope. It is impolite to open the envelope at the time of receiving, and it should be kept unopened until later. The New Year is a time of reunion in China and families will get together, much like our western Christmas, and enjoy the celebrations. Decorating their house, making offerings to their ancestors at the temple and shopping for the festivities will all play a part. As with any festival around the world, food is extremely important. Many Chinese people, including those of Chinese descent on Samui, make offerings either at their family shrine or outside their place of business. The offerings are thought to bond this world to the world of the ancestors. The food eaten at this time also takes on significance and symbolism. You won’t find any dish with white tofu during the festivities, since white is the colour of death and considered very unlucky. Instead there are lots of foods said to bring wealth and prosperity: oranges, jujube dates, and kumquats and to inspire family harmony, lychees, mixed vegetables and green vegetables. Shrimp signifies happiness and good fortune and tangerines also symbolise luck. Fish is an extremely important food at this time of year, expressing people’s hope of prosperity in the New Year. Sugared fruits are thought to sweeten the following year. There are some taboos however for those adhering to the strict Chinese standards. Words such as ‘death’, ‘broken’ and ‘sickness’ are not to be uttered.
106 l www.samuiholiday.com
And the taking of medicine on this day is prohibited or the rest of the year will be one of sickness. The New Year tradition itself is over 4,000 years old, originating as a time of family reunions and colourful festivities to welcome the spring. Legend had it that the ‘year’ or as the Chinese called it the ‘nian’ was a huge monster that devoured humans and animals. And the New Year was known as ‘guonian’ the word describing the passing of the year, an opportunity for the monster to come out. In time people found that the ‘nian’ was scared of the colour red and firecrackers. As a result the custom of using red in clothing and decorations and the setting off of firecrackers began and remains to this day. On Samui, you’ll be treated to some spectacular celebrations. Nathon, on the west coast of the island, has the biggest festival during this time. Events start off in the morning at the Chinese Temple, with offerings and then a procession through the streets of men dressed as dragons, while others are in a trance with large spears through their cheeks. They bless the businesses, and you’ll see them painting mandalas on the walls and taking offerings in red envelopes from the shop owners. It is a noisy and smoky affair but it’s a great time and the streets are packed. Look out for the red envelopes tied up high, and if you wait you’ll see a young man or boy hoisted up on a pole to grab them. The festivities in Nathon continue into the evening with dragon dances and people walking across hot coals in front of the temple. You’ll find young and old, racing across the coals and if you’re brave enough you’ll be invited to do the same. Maenam also has a Chinese Temple and a large Chinese community. In the
2 Sp dis 0% a cou tr ea nt tm en ts on
Our Siam Ten Senses Treatment focuses on the ten main senses in human body. Restoring body systems and improving the balance.
Green Resort Green Spa Detoxifying and Slimming Program Healthy Thai Restaurant Natural Wing Health Spa & Resort 11/5 Moo 6, Maenam, Koh Samui, Thailand Tel: 0 7760 2111, 0 7760 2112 Fax: 0 7744 7243 Mobile: 0 819 682 796 Email: info@naturalwing.com, www.naturalwing.com
lead-up to the New Year the locals adorn their homes and shops with red Chinese lanterns and cut outs of Chinese characters for luck and prosperity for the year – exactly as they do in China. The main street in Maenam will be lit up by red Chinese lanterns strung high across the road. The celebrations here tend to be a little more laid back during the day time than in Nathon, but come evening time things start to liven up. In the afternoon you can also see the local businesses making their offerings to the dragon that weaves its way through the street, going from shop to shop to the beat of drums, and there’ll be the constant backdrop of explosions from the firecrackers. The night time dance of the dragon is usually one not to miss – with acrobatic performances from young men, followed by children hoisted high above the street on impossibly long poles, which will leave your heart racing. They are a professional team of dancers from the mainland, who make their way around the island during this time, from Ban Hua Thanon, Nathon and Maenam and Fisherman’s village. After the performance you can buy a piece of the dragon’s mane – thought to bring good luck for the coming year.
Fine gold and silver jewelry manufacturer with diamonds, precious stones (ruby, sapphire, emerald, etc.) semi-precious stones (blue topaz, amethyst, tsavolite, aquamarine, etc.) and pearls (cultured and South Sea pearls - Tahitian pearls) Tailor-made with modern designs. We also offer professional wood carvings, paintings and local souvenirs. Most competitive prices and best quality on Samui. Open for more than 25 years, we are the largest retailer and producer on the island. All our pieces come with certificate of authenticity.
So if you are in Samui at this time take a trip to one of the Chinese temples and revel in the festivities, the noise of the firecrackers and the colour and spectacle of the dragon dancers. Head on out and join in the fun to welcome the year of the goat.
Natalie Hughes Samui Lapidary, Maenam, Koh Samui Free transport service. Open daily 09.00 - 18.00. Tel: 0 7724 7845-6 Email: samuilapidary@hotmail.com www.samuilapidary.com
Осуществляем бесплатный трансфер ежедневно с 9.30 до 18.00.
108 l www.samuiholiday.com
STARTING SMARTLY
A new and capable day-care and nursery facility has opened in Lamai – Smart Start. A generation ago, it didn’t really matter. After all, most people who came here were visitors. But now it’s important. There are many westerners living on the island, either full time or part time. And lots of people means lots of children. The age-groupings have altered, too. At one time, it was mainly older folks with grown up children who’d moved away from home. But now, there are thousands coming away from Europe, particularly out of Russia. They’re younger and more active – and so are their kids.
Take a look on Google - you might be surprised. I have to confess that, until I began to research the subject, I didn’t realise just how many crèche and day-care facilities are now on the island. It poses the question: what do parents look for when they need to leave their young child at a crèche? Is it mere convenience – simply the closest place to where they are? Is it about cost? Perhaps it’s the level of dedication of the staff, or what the facilities are like. And this brings me to the subject of this story, a day-care centre that scores on all these points. It’s new. The name is Smart Start Day Care and Learning Center. And it’s in Lamai.
www.samuiholiday.com l 109
110 l www.samuiholiday.com
It’s easy enough to find: it’s not far up the hill from the landmark of the IT Complex, right next to SCL International School, down the quiet little side road to the left. And when I say ‘quiet’, I mean it! It’s a tranquil little cul-de-sac, with only perhaps half a dozen large bungalows spaced out along one side. In fact, when you see the premises, you’ll be impressed by how perfect everything is. There’s a large and shady outside play area in front, screened by tall shrubs, with a sand pit, a Wendy house, a big colourful caterpillar tunnel and a romping pen that’s sometimes filled with small plastic balls. The whole downstairs of the building is dedicated to the nursery, with separate living accommodation on the floor above. It’s just right. But this is no accident. In fact, it took Elena Korostylova, the owner and teacher, four non-stop months of driving around the island, sometimes seeing three potential venues in one day, to finally find it. “I must have seen more than a hundred places,” she told me, “in the end I lost count. Every one that looked promising had some kind of fatal flaw in one way or another – either in the middle of nowhere, or with no safe outside area, or on a busy road, or too small, or needing too much converting. But when I saw this place, right away I could see the potential. Like all the other houses around, it opened directly onto a broad side road, but I grassed the front and planted a screen of shrubs. The house is quite big and modern, with spacious airy rooms and lots of natural light. And there’s exactly enough rooms downstairs – it’s almost as if it were purpose-made!”
www.samuiholiday.com l 111
It’s actually very impressive. Between the lawn and the inner house there’s a sheltered terrace with a seating area for parents, and a nice soft spongy rubber floor for the younger children to crawl or play on. Going inside the house, there’s a big day area that’s an indoor playroom, again with soft spongy flooring, plus nests of cushions, and with a small kitchen to one side. But what is striking is the schoolroom, complete with tiny dinky desks and chairs, and a big whiteboard. And, on the other side of the playroom is the sleeping room with tiny soft beds that will sleep eight or nine toddlers. Everything’s sparklingly clean and very bright and modern. “I ensure that there is a maximum of four children to each adult,” Elena continued. “There are two of us working here, myself and Galina, whose 5-year old keeps my own son cheerfully occupied – my son, Ricard, is 15 months now. We have attracted a number of Russianspeaking parents, but I want to stress that we are very much multi-lingual. I spent eight years teaching in America, and so the words and phrases we use with the children are in both English and Russian, and the songs and rhymes in both languages, too. We live in a multicultural society and need to share our diverse cultures and traditions.” “My outlook and attitude is straightforward – there is nothing I will not do to satisfy the parents. Their child is the most important thing to them,
112 l www.samuiholiday.com
Located on the tropical stretch of golden sands and turquoise waters off Koh Samui’s up market Bophut bay, Beach Bar offers wide variety of cocktails, champagne, wines, snacks, delicious home made ice cream and freshly blended fruit drink Come and join our happy hour as day turns to dusk before strolling down to the quaint cobblestone ‘Bophut Fisherman village’ Good things come in three, enjoy our Happy Hours daily at
01:30 - 02:30 pm 06:30 - 07:30 pm 09:30 - 10:30 pm
- buy one get one free -
so if it’s just two hours a day, or irregular times like in the evenings, or if their child has a special diet or a special need, I’ll oblige. I have to consider the balance of the needs of the children and requirements of their parents, and I am sympathetic to all requirements or requests. As far as the activities are concerned, it’s not all just play. We stress language skills, and expression and development through art, singing, music and dancing, although the very youngest children have different programs. We’ll accept any young child as long as they are weaned – those in diapers are not a problem at all.” Smart Start Day Care and Learning Center is open six days a week, excluding Sundays, and runs two separate shifts, from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm, and the second from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with two meals being included on each shift. Elena immediately impresses with her humour and energy, and comes across as an attentive and compassionate person – it’s not surprising that the philosophy here is centred very much on development and learning, rather than simply providing a baby-minding service.
Rob De Wet
_____________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 983 645 379. www.samuismartstart.com
HANSAR SAMUI
101/27-28 Moo 1, Bophut Koh Samui 84320 Thailand +66 77 245 511 | www.hansarsamui.com www.samuiholiday.com l 113
114 l www.samuiholiday.com
THE COLOURS OF SUMMER Exciting fashions and more at Ms. Carino. It’s lovely to walk into a shop where you feel that you’ve left the crowds and noise of Chaweng behind, and Ms.Carino is just such a shop. Stepping inside is a delight for all the senses, the wonderful aroma of lemongrass pervading the air, the pastel shades of the clothes and the painted wooden furniture. It is a simple yet stylish design that immediately puts every shopper at ease. I met the owner, Khun Yui in the larger of her two shops in Chaweng. Khun Yui described how she and her partner fell in love with the island, she herself being from mainland Suratthani. After some careful consideration they decided to open up their own boutique. But what is the meaning behind the name? Khun Yui wanted an Italian feel to her shop right through from the name to the interior design, and she also wanted a name that suited her designs - feminine, light and flattering, hence carino, which in Italian means beautiful. So was born Ms. Carino - Ms. Beautiful.
www.samuiholiday.com l 115
Khun Yui’s concept is all about quality at affordable prices. All her garments are handcrafted by one family that she works closely with in Indonesia. The designs are her own, or made in collaboration with her Indonesian counterparts. And this is where the really clever and unique part of her boutique comes in. All the clothes are free size and are cleverly designed to suit all body sizes and shapes. Khun Yui has some beautiful feminine summer dresses that are especially flattering for the fuller figure, perfect for sunset strolls along the beach. Off the shoulder beach dresses, feminine halter-neck summer dresses and beach cover ups to suit everyone. Her collection is a combination of pastel colours with hints of darker summer hues, cobalt blue, peach and the ever classic black and white. The pastel items have proved to be the most popular, Khun Yui tells me, and anything light blue is also in high demand. At the top of that list is her easy to wear pastel blue and floral print cotton summer maxi dress, and an off-theshoulder shorter version, or for fun, a short playsuit. There are also some original beach cover ups, with fringed edges and loose-fitting elbow length sleeves that come in solid colours or with floral designs. The boutique as the name suggests, focuses on women, and there is also a girl’s collection of very pretty summer dresses; some are the same design as the women’s dresses, pinks and blues, for a mother daughter look. There is an unhurried feel to the shop; all customers are encouraged to take their time while browsing. And it is very easy to browse as there’s so much to see. It’s relaxed but stylish; a chaise longue beckons the weary shopper, glass chandeliers hang from the ceilings and mellow down lights perfectly pick up the wonderful summer hues of the clothes and accessories. Many of the display rails and cases are made of white-washed wood, giving a light feel to the boutique’s interior. Along the rails the clothes are arranged with blues at one end, pastel pinks, peaches at the other and whites in the middle. In the centre of the shop is a wooden fruit cart from Thailand, though even this has a feel of the Italian about it. It is the perfect display case for the array of accessories also available at Ms. Carino - earrings, bracelets and necklaces in matching and complimentary colours, which perfectly set off the outfits. One particular item is proving to be very popular in this department, and that is a thread bracelet with the curved connector of the word ‘love’ in capital letters. Take a look in her display case and you’re sure to find something to your taste, perhaps a handmade beaded bracelet, a necklace with a Buddha head or a matching turquoise bracelet and necklace. There are also handmade sandals that all come from Indonesia, or perhaps you’re looking for a clutch bag to go with your new summer dress? Ms. Carino has them all.
116 l www.samuiholiday.com
But not all of her customers are looking at the clothes, she tells me; often people will stop outside her shop to take a picture. What of, you may ask? Well, her mascot for her shops is a Vespa motorbike, and what could be more Italian than that? On one occasion Khun Yui told me how a family came into her shop; the mother and daughter were busy looking and trying on the clothes, while the father and son were looking at the Vespa. They left her store not only having bought some beautiful summer dresses but also having bought the Vespa! I didn’t leave the store with a Vespa but I did leave with a new knowledge of sarongs. This is not a major area of the boutique, but it sums up the commitment of Khun Yui and her staff to the happiness of their customers. I believed a sarong was just a sarong, something to quickly tie around myself when I’d left the pool or the sea. Little did I know that a sarong could be tied into a stylish dress with the aid of a bangle. Khun Yui and her staff will be happy to show anyone interested in their beautifully patterned sarongs how to tie them and transform them into a number of stylish dresses. 118 l www.samuiholiday.com
Samui Discover authentic Indian Cuisine
Noori India Restaurant - Chaweng Center Chaweng Beach Road, opp. Chaweng Buri Noori India Restaurant - Chaweng South at Chaweng Cove Resort Noori India - Central Festival at Chaweng Beach Road For reservation (English) - 0 867 407 873 or 0 7741 3108 For reservation (Thai) - 0 813 960 283 E-mail: nooriindia_samui@yahoo.com www.nooriindiasamui.com
2012 WINNER
2013 WINNER
2014 WINNER
SCL International School Ms. Carino is rapidly gaining popularity, and opened a third boutique in The Wharf, Fisherman’s Village in December 2014, just over a year since opening her first shop in Chaweng. With so much on offer you’re sure to come back to Ms. Carino for a second or even a third time. You can find the boutiques opposite Spago restaurant and Central Festival on Chaweng Beach Road and at The Wharf in Fisherman’s village.
International Education from Pre-school to Secondary Educating the Mind Nurturing the Soul
Small classes Individual education plans Fully qualified teachers A family atmosphere
With these qualities, it’s not hard to see why the children at SCL are achieving so much A warm welcome is extended to anyone who wishes to visit the school
Natalie Hughes _________________________
For more information, telephone 083 171 5733. www.mscarino.com
SCL International School
206/26 Moo 4 Maret, Lamai, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand Phone: 0 7741 8789 Mobile: 0 810 910 714 Email: emma@sclinternationalschool.com www.sclinternationalschool.com
120 l www.samuiholiday.com
RESPLENDENT ROCKY’S When it comes to great restaurants, Rocky’s is still the name on everyone’s lips!
www.samuiholiday.com l 121
Restaurants are like neighbours. Well, on Samui, at least. They come and they go. If you keep looking out of the same window for a year or so, you’ll see Russians, an Italian or two, or maybe even a Greek – and I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether that’s eateries, or the folks living in the house next door! But restaurants, unlike neighbours, can be a fickle fad of fancy. They might have an all-star cast, burn brightly for a few months, then simply fade slowly from sight, without a murmur. But there are others that may not have yelled and made a fuss when they arrived, but are still simply unbeatable, ten years later. And one of these is Rocky’s. Rocky’s Boutique Resort emerged on the island scene back in 2003, created by partners Ole and Colette Larsen. It took a while to compete all the work, but right from the start, they had a vision of what they wanted it to be like. This part of the coastline is formed from steep cliffs that are chequered with giant rocky outcrops. So it’s not surprising when you discover Rocky’s layers of terraces, descending around a central path which drops on down towards the beach. But what is delightful is the consistent flair with which Colette has landscaped, and themed, both the surroundings and the décor of the luxurious accommodation and the two restaurants. The main restaurant, The Dining Room, is very much a refined fine-dining affair although, this being Samui, it’s totally laid back, too. Coming here at night, you’ll be guided by red Chinese-style lanterns high above the main path. And inside
122 l www.samuiholiday.com
www.samuiholiday.com l 123
124 l www.samuiholiday.com
The Dining Room you’ll find several much larger ones, suspended from the ceiling. Open on three sides, there’s a rugged rock wall at the far end over which a steady stream of water quietly cascades. And that red glows out at you again, from the table decor to the scatter cushions and upholstery. There are actually 15 different sets of lighting in just this one area – and Colette confides it took her months to get this just to her liking. And everywhere there are little artefacts of aged wood or carved stone, some inside and some out, placed almost carelessly here and there, like shrines to good taste. Talking of which, the excellent culinary tastes here are provided by a man who has become something of an island legend, Azizskandar Awang. Malaysian born Aziz (for short) started his professional life as a kind of youthful prodigy, having been awarded ‘The Best Young Chef’ in Malaysia. He then went on to win gold and silver medals in Malaysia and Singapore at the ‘Golden Chef Hat’ as well as an award at the ‘Chaine des Rotisseuers’ competition, before eventually heading off to work at such 5-star icons as the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel and the Singapore Marriott Hotel. And after several years with the Renaissance Group, he ended up being virtually headhunted, and landed at Rocky’s. As well as The Dining Room, on the other side of the path, and raised on a higher level, there’s ‘The Bistro’. This is equally as laid-back, although serving mainly Thai cuisine with a Royal Thai leaning, but there’s an absolutely killer selection of tapas available, too. The dining area here has a different feel altogether, featuring an intriguing open show-kitchen and, being poolside, an inner shaded section together with sunshine tables under big umbrellas. Over in The Dining Room, Chef Aziz’s cuisine can be said to be ‘contemporary French with a Mediterranean bias’. It’s a much lighter, cleaner-tasting approach compared with the heavy sauces and creams of classical French dishes, and one that Aziz has honed to an art. His dishes are light and delicate, and full of sudden snaps of unexpected contrasts of taste and texture. And he’s a great believer in slow cooking; many of his meat dishes are prepared sous vide. Take the prime Australian beef that has been grain-fed for 150 days. This is supremely tender to begin with. But Aziz will vacuum cook it at just 45 degrees, and then flash-sear it to seal in the juices. And you’ll also find that you won’t be burdened with an agony of choice: the ‘mains’ section has eight or nine mouthwatering selections to choose from.
Welcome to Sa-ard’s Watersports Center on Koh Samui. Where everyday can be an aquatic adventure – above and below the crystal clear blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Join us and discover what r eally makes these islands so very special. Our brand new catamaran Fountaine Pajot Belize 43 “Kindred Spirit” can comfortably take 15 people on a day trip and sleep 6 people on over-night excursions. The starboard hull has a double stateroom with ensuite bathroom and living area. There are also two double state rooms in the port hull with a shared bathroom. You’ll also find a large galley and a living area with CD/DVD player and a 28 inch colour TV. All the cabins and living areas are fully air-conditioned. Sa-ard’s Watersports Center also offers Private Speedboat tours to the beaches and snorkeling destinations of the surrounding islands. Manager and Skipper is Sa-ard, one of Thailand’s most celebrated windsurfers. He took part in the Olympics 1984 in Los Angeles and 1992 in Barcelona, was a long time member of the Thai National Windsurfing Team, has been Asian Champion and 5 times Gold Medal Winner in the South East Asian Games. You simply could not be in better hands!
But, tantalising as these are, what most folks seem to go for is the five-or sevencourse ‘Chef’s Degustation Menu’, which comes with the option of paired wines. There are choices such as poached lemon sole, Scottish smoked salmon or roasted Australian striploin, combined together in a very leisurely and extremely classy gourmet experience. Each dish is thoughtfully constructed to complement and enhance those that come before and after it. And each can be paired with an appropriate wine, as and if required. There’s a huge cellar of well over 100 classic and New World wines, in addition to those already recommended to complement each of the dishes in the degustation menu. And to go with all this, Rocky’s have regular evenings of entertainment. Sometimes there will be a very mellow’n’moody jazz trio appearing one night a week. And there’s the regular Thai Night each Wednesday. And you really 126 l www.samuiholiday.com
must look out for the ladyboy cabaret show every Saturday. Take a look on their Facebook page to see what is current while you’re here. Rocky’s is located on a little rocky spur of land that juts out into the sea, just a short way south of the ‘Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks’ (Hin Ta Hin Yai) in Lamai. It’s hard to miss because of the resplendent red pennants lined up along the main ring-road outside. But then, everything’s resplendent at Rocky’s!
Rob De Wet
________________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7723 3020-4. www.rockyresort.com
S A M U I
ENJOY THE VIEW • FEEL THE QUALITY • LIVE THE LIFESTYLE
Beach
Acces s
Pub l
ic R
oad
PLOT 1 PLO T2
(SOLD)
PLOT 3
LD)
PLOT 5 (SOLD)
(SO
PLOT 6
4
Under Construction
Royal H ol
dings Ro
B Acceach ess
ad
PLOT
16
PLO T 15
OLD )
Sea
PLO T 14
2 PLO T1
PLO T1
PL OT 9
(S
1
Samui
8 OT ) PL OLD
PL OT 10
L
(SO
PLO T 13 (S
T7 PLO D)
PLOT
(SOLD)
EXCLUSIVE BEACHFRONT AND SEA VIEW LAND, TOTALLY 16 PLOTS, 9 PLOTS REMAINING FOR SALE
S A M U I
PLOT 9 PLOT 18
PLOT 17 SOLD
PLOT 10
SOLD
SOLD
PLOT 11
SOLD
T 19 PLO PLOT 7 PLOT 8 SOLD SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
PLOT 6
SOLD
PLOT 15
SOLD
PLOT 13
SOLD
SOLD
PLOT 2
PLOT 4 PLOT 3 SOLD
PLOT 12
PLOT 16
PLOT 1 PLOT 5
Canal
mer
or Tranf
SOLD
SOLD
PLOT 14 SOLD
19 SEA VIEW PLOTS FOR SALE (16 SOLD), 5 BEDROOM VILLA & SEPARATE GUEST VILLA FOR RENT OR SALE
Plai Laem Soi 8, Choeng Mon, Samui, Thailand
PLOT 3
Contact : Mr. Yo 081 537 3088
PLOT 2
PLOT 1
Completed Villa
sales@naraikiri.com yochaweng@hotmail.com o
LUXURIOUS 6 BEDROOM MAIN VILLA WITH 360 SEAVIEWS AND SEPARATE GUEST VILLA FOR RENT OR SALE & 1 PLOT FOR SALE
Pub li PLOT 1
PLOT 12
ad Ro
PLOT 11
PLOT 10
PLOT 6
(SOLD)
Public Road
ad
SAMUI ROYAL HOLDINGS SKYLINE RESIDENCES HILLSIDE PROJECT
PLOT 9 PLOT 8
PLOT 7
c Ro
PLOT 13
PLOT 3
PLOT 5
www.samui-ultimate-samui.com
PLOT 14
PLOT 2
PLOT 4
www.naraikiri.com
NARAI KIRI RESIDENCES
KOH SAMUI www.samuiholiday.com l 127
14 SEA VIEW HILL SIDE PLOTS FOR SALE, STARTING FROM 1.6 MILLION BAHT
MORE THAN A RESORT Guests become family at The Siam Residence.
128 l www.samuiholiday.com
Most vacationers stay at large resorts, eat out at five star restaurants, and only swim at the ‘featured’ beaches. But what if I were to tell you they were missing something. What if I told you there was a place where the staff not only know every guests name, but at least one or two facts about them. A place where the waiter knows what you want even before you sit. And with a staff that’s been together for nearly ten years, some members even twenty, Siam Residence is more than a resort, it’s a family.
www.samuiholiday.com l 129
The resort has just eight villas offering two types of rooms, both spacious and private. The one bedroom villa stretches 80 square meters to encompass a bedroom, bathroom, living room, and walk in wardrobe. It should be noted that the bathroom is nearly the same size as the bedroom, so get ready to feel pure luxury. The two-bedroom offers a similar layout only with an extra bed and bathroom, but you’re never going to guess where the second bathroom is located – outside! Escape normalcy and shower with a view of the ocean and a natural breeze. From water adventures to excursions to dinner plans, the seventeen staff members pride themselves on their guest’s satisfaction. With only eight villas to take care of, there is always someone available to answer questions or lend a hand. Benjamin Lehman, the resident manager, has also taken guests out to show them the ‘hidden places’ on the island. He loves the personal feel the resort offers their guests, and that he along with the rest of his team can offer a unique experience. He comments, “The people here are family. We have guests who come back many years later, and our staff remembers them by name.”
130 l www.samuiholiday.com
Daily Theme Nights From 7pm. Monday Classical Thai Night Buffet - THB 590 Tuesday Catch of the Day - from THB 250 Wednesday Italian Night Buffet - THB 490
If you’re looking for a nice dinner on the beach, you’ve come to the right place. With a direct view of the sunset, watch the sun disappear below the horizon in a mix of yellow, red and purple. Twice a week, the resort hosts a beautiful barbeque buffet, but prefers to cater to the individual needs of their guests. With an a la carte menu prepared by a 23-year veteran chef, you can bet you’ll leave happy. For starters they have a large menu full of both Thai and European options. Can’t choose between breakfast, lunch and dinner? Then you don’t have to! Your needs will be met down to the last detail, including those all-day meals. Breakfast for dinner you say? Done. Let’s take a look at some of the restaurant’s highlights: Thai Satay: A traditional appetizer, the grilled chicken strips served with peanut sauce and cucumber salad are a Siam Residence favourite. Traditional Thai Dishes: Choose between vegetables, chicken, pork,
Thursday Steak Supreme - from THB 300 Friday Beach BBQ Buffet featuring live music and a fire juggling show - THB 690 Saturday Surf & Turf - THB 790 Sunday Roast Chicken Sunday - THB 390 Daily Happy Hours at Beach Bar Buy 1 get 1 free beers and cocktails from 12pm - 2pm l 5pm - 7pm l 9pm - Midnight Sentinel Band Enjoy music from the Sentinel Band - Monday to Saturday from 7pm – 10pm Dining on the Beach Moonlight beach dining with your own private chef, from THB 1,500 per person
Chaweng Noi Beach
Tel. 077 448 994
info.kohsamui@impiana.com www.impiana.com
squid, beef or prawns to start. Then, match it with a your choice of cashewnuts and onions, young ginger and spring onions, fresh chilli, garlic and Thai basil leaves, pineapple and sweet & sour sauce, oyster sauce and vegetables or garlic and pepper. The options are endless. Meat Specialties: Try the crispy pork ribs, fried with garlic and pepper, or be adventurous with the mixed grill - a combination of grilled beef, chicken, pork and bacon. For meat lovers you simply can’t go wrong with either option. The restaurant also takes special orders. But these orders don’t just come up every now and again… try every meal of every day! One of the perks of being a small resort is that guests can go to the market, pick out their own ingredients and the chef will cook them. They’ll even accompany you to the market to show you the ins and outs of shopping for food. If you have a Thai special you’ve always wanted to try, now is the time! This way of making individual wishes a reality extends to drinks. If you have a favourite, or are feeling adventurous and want to try a local concoction, Siam Residence will fulfil your holiday desires. But don’t feel down if you aren’t a guest. The restaurant is open to everyone! Take the plunge. Drive towards the beach after turning at the stoplight in 132 l www.samuiholiday.com
Tiny Steps Nursery and Pre-School Tiny Steps Nursery and Pre-School is committed to providing a warm, safe, secure, friendly and fun environment for children 2-6 years old. Activity led structured learning 500 metres off Samui Ring Road near Bophut trafďŹ c light
Tel: 0 7742 6941, www.samuitinysteps.com
KAYAKING Explore the caves and beaches of the Angthong National Marine Park Offices located behind Bondi Pub in central Chaweng and on Chaweng Lake Road opposite Lake View For reservations please call 0 7730 0615 or 0 878 866 097
Nathon, and the signs will lead you the rest of the way. Follow a trail of red, orange and yellow flowers and you will end up experiencing one of the highlights of your holiday. You’ll leave not only with wonderful memories, but good friends that you might even call family.
Alison Stephens ________________________________
For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7742 0008. www.siamresidence.com
www.bluestars.info
SOLE PURPOSE A Thai monk’s life may be a spiritual quest, but it’s also a barefoot journey through the streets and much more.
134 l www.samuiholiday.com
No early morning street scene is complete without barefoot monks collecting alms and people kneeling to receive blessings. It’s a routine that’s gone on for hundreds of years. Monks are everywhere, and as modern as Thailand is becoming, they’re still an integral part of the culture. Every young Thai Buddhist man is expected to spend time in the monkhood, known as ‘buat phra’. They may enter for any period that they wish. It’s not always a lifelong commitment. It is done to bestow merit on the young man’s ancestors and parents for the afterlife, especially their mothers, who as women can’t themselves become monks.
The monk will upon his entrance to the monkhood show great respect to his parents and immediate family, kneeling to wash their feet. But once he becomes a monk the roles are reversed and the parents will treat him with great respect because of his position as a monk. Often people will consult with monks on the naming of their baby or ask them to come and consecrate land for a new building. The monk’s head will be shaved on the first day that he enters the monkhood. This is a symbolic act, signifying the renouncement of all worldly goods. Each member of his family will cut a piece of his hair, all the time being careful that
none falls to the floor. Finally another monk will shave the young man’s head clean. In Thailand they also shave the eyebrows – this is a purely Thai tradition and not a Buddhist one. The young man will then change into a white robe, at which point he is known as a ‘naga’ – exactly the same name as the mythical serpent from Indian legend. It’s said that a naga disguised itself as a human in order to become ordained as a monk. The Buddha told him that only humans could become monks and he should leave. The serpent agreed but only on condition that from that day those about to be ordained should be called ‘naga’. The Buddha agreed.
www.samuiholiday.com l 135
136 l www.samuiholiday.com
The would-be monk is then asked a series of questions in the ancient language of Pali and is also expected to answer in Pali. If his answers are correct he’s allowed to be ordained as a monk, and will change into his saffron robes. As an ordained monk he must follow 227 precepts, or what we might call codes of conduct, such as no wearing of garlands, or gold or silver, no dealings with money, and no physical contact with females. A monk’s day will begin before sunrise. Everyone’s woken at 5:00 am by the sound of the temple gong. This will be followed by prayers at 5.50 am. They will then start on their alms rounds or ‘takbat’ as it is called in Thai. The monks will walk through the neighbourhood accepting the offerings of food from the local people, and bestowing a blessing on them at the same time. The people do this to make merit and even if the monk’s bag or alms bowl is full he cannot refuse an offering. During the alms rounds, the monks walk barefoot along the street with their heads slightly bowed, and they are not permitted to look up searching for food. You may also see young boys, called ‘dek wat’, or temple boys helping the monks in their everyday tasks, such as joining them on their alms rounds in the morning, or washing the plates after meals. These boys may be from poorer families, and at the temple they can have a home and meals. Sometimes they
are from richer families who are hoping that the altruistic ways of a monk’s life will be beneficial to their son. Monks shouldn’t cook nor hoard food, so they rely upon this daily routine to supply their food for the day. Bigger temples may have laypeople, usually the older women of the neighbourhood, cooking at the temple for them. Once back at the temple the monks first make an offering of some of the food that they have collected and pray together in front of the Buddha image. The monks have to take a little from each of the offerings so that all the donors may make merit. Their first meal is around 7:00 am. For monks in the forest monasteries in northern Thailand, this is the first and last meal of the day. For monks elsewhere they have two meals per day but the last meal should be eaten before midday. So around 11:30 am monks enter the prayer hall of the temple or ‘sala’ and eat the leftovers from the first meal. Before sitting, the monks pray towards the Buddha statues in the hall. The monks and the head monk will sit in one corner, while the novices sit in another corner. The novices first pray together facing the Buddha statue and then bring the trays of food to each monk. Two monks will share one tray while novices have one bigger tray for all of them. Any remaining food will not be wasted. It will go to nuns at the temple, poorer people in the neighbourhood, or is used to feed the cats and dogs around the temple grounds.
www.samuiholiday.com l 137
In the afternoons in the larger towns and temples the monks may be bussed into schools to preach the ‘dharma’ or Buddhist teachings, while in smaller, rural areas the monks will study on their own in the temple grounds. When it becomes cooler around 3:00 pm or 4:00 pm, they’ll clean the temple grounds, sweeping the prayer halls, watering the plants, cleaning inside the halls. All these activities are ideally done in a state of meditation. At 7:00 pm they congregate in the main meeting hall to chant and pray. All the sutras need to be chanted in Pali, the language of the Buddha’s teachings, and not Thai. And at 9:00 pm the monks and novices usually retire to bed; their long day is finally over. A monk is free to leave the temple at any time that he wishes. All he need do is tell the abbot. His departure will be regarded as a second birth, so the abbot will choose an auspicious date for this second birthday. While the monkhood is only for men, women can
138 l www.samuiholiday.com
become nuns, and you may have seen them with their shaved heads at the temple wearing their traditional white robes. Monks are an integral and highly respected part of Thai communities. They are treated with great respect. As in all walks of life however, there are those who enter the monkhood for an easy life and even take advantage of the respect they garner in the community. But it is the ones – the great majority – who truly help the community, who earn true merit and respect, that it’s certain that the tradition of monkhood will continue for centuries to come.
KHAO SOK
The Cliff and River Jungle Resort
Come and Relax with us at The Cliff and River Jungle Resort in magnificent Khao Sok. Enjoy the natural beauty and fresh air at this Scenic Riverside location. Sightseeing Info - Canoeing - International Restaurant Luxury Recreation Facilities - Elephant Trekking
for more information and reservation please call 0 872 718 787, 0 812 721 221, 0 7791 3050 Fax. 0 7791 3099 www.thecliffandriver.com
P. CHAWENG GUEST HOUSE
100 ISLANDS RESORT
Located at the end of Soi Colibri, opposite Centara Grand Beach Resort. Thai owned and managed, offering the beauty of Thai style architecture combined with European comforts.
The first boutique hotel in Suratthani. Reasonably priced with friendly service and a family atmosphere. Relax by the pool or ease your tensions at the luxurious spa.
Natalie Hughes
Recommended by Lonely Planet
Tel.: 0 7723 0684
Tel.: 0 7720 1150-8
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE The Spa Resorts specialize in fasting and cleansing, but there many other reasons for a visit. Drive around Samui and you’ll see plenty of spas, but one of the best just happens to be the first to be built on the island, simply referred to by everyone as The Spa. Not only has it been going strong ever since its inception, it’s gained a world-wide reputation for its fasting and cleansing programs which leave you amazingly rejuvenated. Thousands of people have taken part and have experienced the benefits of detoxing the body, as well as learning to meditate and increase their sense of well-being. The Spa is set right by the beach in Lamai, and to say that The Spa did well for itself is a bit of an understatement; it proved so popular that owner Guy Hopkins set up a second resort on Samui, this time on a hillside, just a couple of kilometres away. So whether you prefer to be on the sands, or away from it all and close to the jungle, you can spa in the setting of your choice. Guy has also set up further branches on Koh Chang and in Chiang Mai. The main activity at both spas is fasting and cleansing. Dr John Schreiner is in charge of the programs and is a firm believer in the benefits of the programs. “It’s something you have to experience first-hand in order to really understand what it’s about,” he says. “Generally speaking, you feel lighter afterwards, and you have more energy – it’s a very empowering experience.” Most guests enjoy the three and a half or seven day programs which consist of fasting and colonic enemas, or ‘colemas’, as they’re called here, and rarely experience hunger, thanks to the addition of broth, herbal supplements and pure fruit juices.
140 l www.samuiholiday.com
www.samuiholiday.com l 141
John and his team make sure everyone has adequate instructions – there’s both an introductory video to watch and a very comprehensive brochure; together they answer most questions you’re likely to have, but you can always ask one of the practitioners if you have more – they’re there to help, and do so willingly. And just because the fast is over and you’re back home in your own country doesn’t mean to say you’re forgotten - the packages also include an internet consultation with a registered nutritionist. There’s been a lot of hype about spas over the last few years and a few have become almost cultish, causing those who might be curious to instead be cautious; step inside these palaces of luxury and you feel you have to keep your voice hushed and earnest. But The Spa Resorts are not like this. They’re deeply convivial places and very relaxing. They’re well-appointed and filled with simple luxury throughout, but there’s nothing forbidding about them. Take a seat in their restaurants and you’ll feel relaxed enough to start up a conversation with your neighbour. Not just because you’re on a journey to improve your health and already have a lot in common, but because life is just very laidback here. The practitioners are also friendly and take time to explain everything to you, and will help you with all your concerns. And staying at The Spa Resorts won’t cost you an arm and a leg; these spas have kept everything affordable. Year after year, both see many returnees – they’re that popular.
142 l www.samuiholiday.com
SMART START
Day care and learning center Where your child shines bright Tel: +66(0)98 364 5379 www.samuismartstart.com Lamai, Koh Samui
In addition to the cleansing programs, there are also a great many courses available, and the two spas have become places of learning where you can acquire skills that will help you for the rest of your life. You can have sessions with practitioners specialized in very diverse health fields. You’ll find a hypnotherapist, nutritionist, reiki master, energy worker and a cranio-sacral practitioner, while John himself is a chiropractor. You don’t even need to come to the spas for any particular purpose apart from sheer hedonism. You can come here for a simple treatment. An abidingly popular way to spend a couple of hours is to opt for the massage and clay facial, which includes a session in the spas’ popular steam rooms. The highly-trained therapists offer a range of professional and utterly relaxing massages that will help you de-stress and ease into relaxation. Other treatments offered include classical Thai massage; back, neck, shoulder and stomach massage; foot massage and hand and arm massage. There are also many other options that both guests and nonguests can choose from, as well as a number of classes, including yoga, chi-gong and meditation. There’s a daily meditation session at each of the spas, and it’s free. Usually they’re led by one or other of the practitioners here, and whether you’re new to meditation or an old hand, you’ll reap all the benefits of experiencing this phenomenally healthy practice.
Health is, of course, much to do with eating and as you can expect cuisine is taken very seriously at The Spa Resorts. Their restaurant has been featured as one of the Top 50 in the world in the international magazine, Restaurant. It’s simply called Radiance (there’s one in each of the spas). Expect highly tasty food that’s also extremely healthy. Dishes which include some raw-food recipes, as well as many vegetarian ones. Boring? Definitely not. There’s a lot going on at The Spa Resorts. Many people enjoy combining a stay here with their holiday on Samui, but you don’t even need to be staying here to rack up some healthy benefits. Some of them may well qualify as life-changing, and it’s not surprising that people tend to return here to soak up more of the healthy lifestyle that The Spa Resorts aims to promote.
Dimitri Waring
______________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7742 4666. www.thesparesorts.net
144 l www.samuiholiday.com
Zico's is an electric combination of colourful calypso, vibrant carnival rhythm and dance. A unique party experience not to be missed! Every night is fiesta night at Zico's. The beat goes on, and so does the dancing. Tuck into a superb selection of all you can eat grilled seafood and meats, prepared just for you, complemented by large salad bar. CHAWENG BEACH : OPPOSITE CENTARA GRAND BEACH RESORT SAMUI T : 077 230 500-10 | E : zicos@chr.co.th Open daily : Bar 17.00 - 01.00 hrs., Restaurant 18.00 - 23.00 hrs. WWW.CEN TARAHOTELSRESORTS.C OM
146 l www.samuiholiday.com
CREEPY CRAWLIES
Here are ‘the small five’ best avoided on Samui. An article about insects on Samui wouldn’t be worth reading if it didn’t start with the most annoying insect of all time - the pesky mosquito. Yes, that annoying sound you hear while you are just drifting off to sleep at night. While sometimes only thought of as a nuisance, they actually transmit quite a few diseases including malaria and dengue fever. There are roughly 25,000 reported cases of malaria each year in Thailand, but these tend to be in the more rural areas. The trick is to cover yourself from head to toe in the highest percentage DEET anti-mosquito spray you can afford, and keep your windows and doors shut at night. Not always so easy in a hot country. Some say eating garlic or Thai herbs will keep the pests away. Maybe burning coils or spraying citronella will reduce your contact, but no matter what you do, make sure you have Tiger Balm handy as this applied immediately after being bitten, will rapidly reduce the swelling and itching. Next on the list are centipedes. Some Thai people fear these multi-legged beasties more than snakes. These colourful creatures, sometimes around ten centimetres long with many legs, can have quite an attitude and if you get bitten, it can easily ruin your holiday. The bitten area can swell up and throb painfully for over a week, and your desire to lie in the sun and drink cocktails
www.samuiholiday.com l 147
will be severely diminished. There are smaller harmless ones too, but they tend to roll into a ball when attacked. The actual poison from a centipede’s sting will not kill you; it’s your body’s allergic reaction to the bite that causes problems. When heading to hospital, they will treat this reaction rather than the actual bite.
most of the spiders are harmless (emphasis on the word ‘most’). There are very big ones which measure several centimetres across. These are cane spiders and are actually harmless. In fact, they don’t even bite. They do a really good job of catching and eating flying cockroaches, so really you should be welcoming them into your home.
Ah spiders. Not technically an insect but rather an arachnid, but included here under the title of ‘creepy crawlies’. Spiders are the stuff of nightmares (that’s if you’ve managed to get to sleep with the mosquitoes). These eight-legged creatures strike fear into the hearts of both men and women alike. In Thailand,
There are, however, some spiders that you don’t really want to mess with. We’d have to mention the beloved tarantula. This genus is found in the rain forests of South East Asia as they need high humidity levels to survive. The black tarantula can be found in Thailand, but don’t worry, on Samui you’ve got nothing really
148 l www.samuiholiday.com
B Smart B Smart Sys. Co., LTD has been providing top level security solutions, lighting control systems, CCTV systems, access control, fire alarms and WiFi solutions since 1999. B Smart has quickly earned the reputation for being one of the most progressive and innovative system integrators in Thailand. Along with high quality products and a very knowledgeable work force, you can be confident that B Smart Sys. Co., LTD will meet and exceed your expectations. Hotline: 0 815 631 685 Email: bsmartsys@gmail.com For Taxi: ร้านตั้งอยู่ตรงข้ามโรงแรมนภาใส แม่น้ำ�
ZAZEN If you are looking for something wonderful and different, Zazen restaurant is the place for you to discover. Their master chef emphasises the use of healthy organic ingredients while infusing dining participation. Zazen is truly one of the most romantic and serene beachside dining restaurants on the island. Every night this charming establishment lights up over 100 candles to set the ambiance for you to experience.
Tel: 0 7742 5085 Email: info@samuizazen.com Website: www.samuizazen.com
Samui Every conceivable Indian dish is on offer here – and they are all delicious! Conveniently located in Central Chaweng, the restaurant is open from 11:00 am – 11:30 pm. For further information, reservations, and take-away orders (free delivery in Chaweng area), telephone 0 7741 3315.
Asia Travel Asia Travel is the most popular travel agency on Koh Samui. Established 15 years ago, they are well known to provide updated travel information reasonably priced for all international and domestic needs. Their second to none consultancy service will help you with all aspects of long or short stay requirements such as visa, work permit or company registration and finances. Asia Travel is well known for their quality services as mentioned in The Lonely Planet. Tel.: 0 7723 6120, 0 7742 1342 Fax: 0 7742 1185 Email: asia_int@samart.co.th For Taxi: ร้านตั้งอยู่ที่ถนนหน้าทอน
Simply the best
Brite Smile The Original BriteSmile Centre from Hollywood’s Professional Teeth Whitening. . One Hour . One Visit . One Dazzling Smile Offering other new services: Painless dentistry, depigmentation with laser and dental implants, as well as a wide range of dental hygiene and care.
to worry about. While the spiders here might bite, and the bites might hurt, they aren’t dangerous. Black scorpions are the most common variety in Thailand. Again, not so much an insect as an arachnid. Their sting isn’t fatal, and compared to some lethal cousins of theirs in Mexico and the Middle East, the sting is fairly mild. However, as with any serious insect bite, it’s better to head to the hospital because some people suffer severe allergic reactions after being stung, and it’s better to get yourself checked out professionally. Bangkok Samui Dental Clinic Open daily from 9:oo - 20.00 Tel : 0 7742 9500 www.DentalSamui.com
Tel.: 0 7742 9500 Website: www.DentalSamui.com For Taxi: ร้านตั้งอยู่ในโรงพยาบาลกรุงเทพ
ถนนรอบเกาะ เฉวง
And last but certainly not least, the smallest and one of the most irritating of all, the ant. There are simply far too many species of ants in Thailand for anyone to actually count. Some have powerful jaws and are full of attitude so will bite first and be frightened of you later. The smaller ones can have poison or allergens to inject into your skin, and these can get worse a couple of days after being bitten. The best defence against these critters is to make sure there is no food residue lying around, as their sense of smell is second to none. It might sound like all doom and gloom but according to an expert on the island who specialises in ‘dangerous creatures’, there is nothing on Samui that is particularly dangerous to people, providing you get to the hospital in case of an allergic reaction. He has been bitten and stung by pretty much everything here and has lived to tell the tale, although he’s not denying it can hurt! It’s probably a good idea to keep some antihistamines with you just in case one of these creatures decides to pay you a visit. But other than that, be sensible, relax, enjoy your holiday and order that next round of Mojitos.
Colleen Setchell 150 l www.samuiholiday.com
PROPERTY CLASSIFIED
Villa for Rent/Sale - Yupa Villa 1 5 fully furnished bedrooms with air-con throughout. All bedrooms ensuite, one with jacuzzi. Living area fully furnished with TV and internet. Thai/Western kitchen. Swimming pool, remote control gate, security camera around house, safety box, parking area, garden. Tel: 0 818 917 912, 0 897 636 032 E-mail: cr@chawengbayviewsamuiresort.com www.chawengbayviewsamuiresort.com
The Estates Samui
Villa for Rent/Sale - Yupa Villa 2
An exclusive and private collection of ultra luxury homes, cradled on a hillside overlooking one of the most pristine stretches of beaches on the island. A mixed-use development, including villa residences and the Four Seasons Hotel. Each villa features a private infinity pool with large sundeck, sunken dining pavilion, spacious living and dining areas, state-of-the-art entertainment and technology, indoor & outdoor bathrooms. Price starts from THB 145 million
3 fully furnished bedrooms with air-con throughout. All bedrooms ensuite, one with jacuzzi. Living area fully furnished with TV and internet. Thai kitchen.Swimming pool, remote control gate, security cameraaround house, safety box, parking area, garden.
Website: www.theestates-samui.com Email: propertysales@minornet.com Telephone: +66 (0) 8 5484 8752
Chaweng - Bar for Rent / Sale Bar for rent in Soi Colibri, opposite Centara Samui Resort. Includes apartment on 1st floor with 2 ensuite bedrooms and seperate access. Price for rent : 29,000 Baht per month 3 months deposit No key money Price for sale: 4.9 million Baht Contact Khun Na: 0892914747 (English and Thai) Â
Chaweng - Shophouse for Sale Shophouse for sale in Soi Colibri, opposite Centara Samui Resort. Ground floor ideal for office space, retail shop or small bar/restaurant. Apartment on 1st floor with 2 ensuite bedrooms and seperate access. Price: 4 million Baht Contact: Graeme 0 860 193 166
Tel: 0 818 917 912, 0 897 636 032 E-mail: cr@chawengbayviewsamuiresort.com www.chawengbayviewsamuiresort.com
Private real estate with incredible 180-Degree views The actual view from this house is the picture above. This 4-bedroom house has been built according to European standards on 972 sqm. It is centrally located near Nathon and only 500 metres from the main road in a small, warm and tidy community. Priced very competitively, this house is ideal for couples or young families ready to live in paradise. Price: 8 Million THB only Tel: 0 819 709 632 Email: asiatravel_international@yahoo.com
Profitable Established Business for Sale 18 hole, concrete tracked, mini golf course. Member of the World Mini Golf Federation (one of only 2 in Thailand). 3020 m2 of land including 2 storey house with foreign ownership. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 2 extra apartments. Sale includes well established, profitable Thai Limited Company. Location: Near Choeng Mon Tel: 0 817 879 148, www.minigolfsamui.com
Santib
Santiburi Beach Resort Golf & Spa
Rim Talay Restaurant at Santiburi Beach Resort, Golf & Spa
Premier Pool Villa at Bo Phut Resort & Spa
L'Ocean Beach Restaurant at Bo Phut Resort and Spa
buri Resort
Bo Phut Resort & Spa
FEATURING THE OUTSTANDING 18 HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE FOR YOUR PLAYING PLEASURE, THE SANTIBURI GROUP WELCOMES YOU TO EXPERIENCE OUR FINE DINING AND THE HOSPITALITY OF TWO EXCEPTIONAL BEACH RESORT GOLF AND SPA.
12/12 Moo1, Maenam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84330 Tel: +66 (0) 7742 5031-5 Fax: +66 (0) 7742 5040 E-mail: info@santiburi.com www.santiburi.com
12/12 Moo 1, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 Tel: +66 (0) 7724 5777, +66 (0) 7743 0201 Fax: +66 (0) 7724 5776 Email: info@bophutresort.com www.bophutresort.com
Sales Office: 245/7 Sukhumvit 31, Klongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2260 2530-5 Fax: +66 (0) 2260 7570