THAILAND: THE ULTIMATE INDULGENCE For discerning travellers, there may be no better place on Earth than this awe-inspiring kingdom, abundant in remarkable sights, one-of-a-kind experiences and boundless opportunity Blessed with white-sand beaches, lush tropical forests, paradisiacal islets and dramatic mountains, Thailand possesses natural good looks rarely found elsewhere on the planet. Still, the human contribution to the kingdom’s beauty deserves praise, too, from the gleaming Buddhist temples and picturesque rural villages to the bright lights of bustling Bangkok, where endless shopping, dining and cultural adventures await. For lovers of all things luxe, Thailand is a tempting destination, offering indulgent, six-star accommodation, attentive personal service and scintillating cuisine cooked up by some of the world’s most revered toques. SUBLIME SHOPPING When it comes to retail therapy, the capital of Bangkok is a veritable gold mine: home to glittering outposts of many of the world’s most beloved luxury brands – which include anything from Dior, Prada and Montblanc to Aston Martin and Ferrari, among many others – the city’s reputation as an upscale retail mecca is, indeed, well deserved. Bangkok’s epicentre of luxe may be the colossal Siam Paragon mall. Behind its majestic glass-and-steel façade, this ultra-modern complex accommodates 250 shops, including the likes of Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs and Lamborghini. For a post-shopping treat, there’s myriad gourmet dining outlets – including the Chinese-inflected Four Seasons, the second international outpost of the popular London mainstay, famed for its succulent roast duck. Another temping shopping paradise, Gaysorn Village makes quite the impression with its white-marble décor and unabashed chicness, visible throughout its five storeys. With more than 100 shops and boutiques – including outposts of big-name brands from Della Spiga and La Prairie to Tag Heuer and Bang & Olufsen – there’s also a plethora of dining options, including the Michelinstarred Paste Bangkok eatery. In the EM District, you’ll find the glass-walled EmQuartier mall, whose extensive offerings include an open-air garden, a five-storey waterfall and 400-strong roll call of shops from Tory Burch to Miu Miu and Valentino – as well as a direct link to the Emporium mall just across the street; the city’s original luxuryretail address, this six-storey complex has class in spades, with its sleek marble floors and vast cache of brands from Cartier to Shiseido.
PROMOTION Still, these are but a few of the breathtaking hideaways for which Thailand is synonymous. CULINARY DELIGHTS Bangkok’s gastronomic prowess is one hardly disputed by those in the know. The culinary peer of the world’s great foodie capitals, the Thai metropolis boast both a breadth of influences and an A-list roster of chefs and restaurateurs keen on perfecting the dining experience. It’s a drive for excellence evidenced in the Michelin Guide Bangkok, which includes an impressive 17 restaurants awarded the company’s coveted Michelin Star. Cream-of-the-crop establishments here run the gamut from elevated Thai cooking to classic European cookery done right. The two-star Gaggan – which has snagged the number-one spot on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list for four years running – serves updated Indian staples by elBulli alum Gaggan Anand; at the Mandarin Oriental, the two-starred Le Normandie is known for its top-notch renditions of French fine-dining favourites; and, in a charming house-turned-restaurant, the one-starred Bo.Ian delights diners with innovative interpretations of Thai street food. Beyond Bangkok, the idyllic island of Phuket’s burgeoning culinary scene became the first Southeast-Asian city to appear on the Unesco Creative Cities listing in 2015, a nod to its gastronomic aptitude. It’s no surprise, then, that the next Michelin guide – due for release later this year – will be expanded to cover Bangkok, Phuket and Phang Nga, the lush southern province on the sunny coast of the Andaman Sea. LIVING THE HIGH LIFE Thailand does luxury better than most places on Earth. Whether you’re off to a lively metropolis or headed for a dreamy, shoreside idyll, well-heeled visitors are spoilt for choice. Highly celebrated luxury -hotel brands – from Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental to The Peninsula, Shangri-La and Ritz-Carlton – have a robust presence across the country, in buzzy cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai as well as in much-loved island destinations like Koh Samui and Phuket. Next to big names, there are countless one-of-a-kind resorts, which, nestled in verdant forests or perched along gorgeous tropical shorelines, purvey refinement and elegance in abundance. Offering enticing amenities from privatepool chateaus and multiple-storey villas to personalised service, Michelin-starred cuisine and sumptuous spas, guests will find themselves wanting for nothing. Amid centuries-old ficus trees and gently swaying coconut palms in the hills of northwestern Phuket, Trisara ticks all the right boxes, luring would-be guests with plush suites and villas – some with en-suite infinity pools and luscious ocean views – and Thai seafood plucked straight from the sea. On the island of Krabi, Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve sleeps guests in lavish private villas and pavilions; there’s also a rejuvenating spa with lagoon views and delectable Med-inspired cuisine. Set along enchanting rice fields just outside the city, the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai is a haven for individually tailored luxury. Guests here stay in striking private pavilions and villas – some catered to by live-in butlers and private chefs – sup on exquisite north-Thai food and engage in a number of unique experiences, from Muay Thai classes to cooking courses. BY SEA AND BY AIR Whether you’re at the helm yourself or leaning back as an expert crew does the work for you, the warm tropical waters of southern Thailand, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are fertile ground for once-in-a-lifetime nautical sojourns that will soon become treasured, lifelong memories. Across the country, a wealth of professional yachting and sailing purveyors command ample fleets of vessels – both mono hulls and catamarans – that will turn dreams of sailing into the sunset or casting off at dawn’s first light into blissful reality. Above shimmering waters of turquoise, up high in smooth blue skies, Thailand is also home to some of Southeast Asia’s best air-service providers. Private-jet and helicopter charters to points throughout the country’s south, north, east and west can be arranged in the blink of an eye. There’s both an ease of access and a plethora of options that ensures flying is always a true pleasure in the world’s favourite kingdom.
