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Fah Thai Magazine Jul Aug 2019

An In-Flight Magazine of Bangkok Airways

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JUL-AUG <strong>2019</strong><br />

PHANG NGA’S DRAMATIC<br />

BEAUTY AND TRANQUILITY<br />

LIVELY HERITAGE IN<br />

PHUKET TOWN<br />

CHENGDU’S INTRIGUING<br />

LIVE MUSIC<br />

MEET PEARYPIE,<br />

INSTAGRAMMER STAR<br />

COMPLIMENTARY COPY


LONG LIVE THE KING<br />

Our Best Wishes to<br />

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn<br />

Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua<br />

on His 67 th Birthday Anniversary<br />

From the Executives and Staff of Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited<br />

and <strong>Fah</strong> <strong>Thai</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>


MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT<br />

Dear Passengers,<br />

Welcome on board to our services on<br />

this Bangkok Airways flight.<br />

Our executives, employees, and I feel<br />

honoured to be part of another year of<br />

world award achievement namely: “World’s<br />

Best Regional Airline” and “Best Regional<br />

Airline in Asia.” Both prestigious awards<br />

for the aviation industry were bestowed<br />

by SKYTRAX World Airline Awards since<br />

2016, and has continued awarding us for<br />

four consecutive years.<br />

Additionally, Bangkok Airways was voted<br />

as the winning airline by passengers who<br />

expressed satisfaction with the services<br />

provided and the best-selected experiences<br />

offered. I strongly believe that we would<br />

not have received these esteemed awards<br />

without the support from all our passengers.<br />

Apart from the aforementioned awards,<br />

we also won the “Travelers’ Choice Awards –<br />

Regional Airline Asia <strong>2019</strong>” from TripAdvisor.<br />

The world-leading travel site has been<br />

ranking airlines globally, determined through<br />

the service satisfaction ratings of passengers.<br />

I would like to thank all our passengers<br />

who have been supporting and voting for<br />

Bangkok Airways. All of our employees<br />

and I take this pride in this and use this<br />

achievement as determination to improve<br />

the quality in our airline services even<br />

more, with safety and satisfaction as our<br />

utmost priorities.<br />

Thank you.<br />

สวัสดีครับผู้โดยสารทุกท่าน ขอต้อนรับ<br />

ทุกท่านสู่การบริการของสายการบินบางกอก<br />

แอร์เวย์สครับ<br />

นับเป็นความภาคภูมิใจสำหรับผม ทีมผู้<br />

บริหารและพนักงานบางกอกแอร์เวย์สทุกคน<br />

กับอีกหนึ่งปีแห่งความสำเร็จ กับรางวัลระดับ<br />

โลก “รางวัลสายการบินภูมิภาคยอดเยี่ยม<br />

ของโลก” และ “รางวัลสายการบินภูมิภาค<br />

ยอดเยี่ยมของเอเชีย” จาก SKYTRAX World<br />

Airline Awards เป็นครั้งที่ 4 ติดต่อกันที่เรา<br />

ได้รับทั้ง 2 รางวัลนับตั้งแต่ปี 2559 รางวัลนี้<br />

ถือเป็นรางวัลอันทรงเกียรติในอุตสาหกรรม<br />

การบิน ซึ่งได้มาจากการสนับสนุนของผู้โดยสาร<br />

ทุกท่าน ที่ได้รับความประทับใจจากการบริการ<br />

รวมถึงประสบการณ์ต่างๆ ที่เราได้คัดสรรสิ่งดีๆ<br />

เพื่อมอบให้กับท่านผู้โดยสารตลอดการเดินทาง<br />

ผมเชื่อว่าเราจะไม่ได้รับรางวัลเหล่านี้เลย หาก<br />

ขาดการสนับสนุนจากท่านผู้โดยสาร<br />

ซึ่งนอกจากรางวัลที่กล่าวมาแล้วนั้น<br />

เมื่อเร็วๆ นี้ เรายังได้รับรางวัล “ทราเวลเลอร์ส<br />

ช้อยส์ แอร์ไลน์ อวอร์ดส์ – สายการบินยอดเยี่ยม<br />

ในภูมิภาคเอเชีย ประจำปี 2562” จากทริป<br />

แอดไวเซอร์ เว็บไซต์ด้านการท่องเที่ยวชั้นนำ<br />

ของโลก ที่มีการจัดอันดับความพึงพอใจในการ<br />

ใช้บริการสายการบินทั่วโลกอีกด้วย<br />

ผมจึงขอขอบคุณผู้โดยสารทุกท่านที่ให้การ<br />

สนับสนุนและโหวตให้กับสายการบินฯ มาโดย<br />

ตลอด ผมและพวกเราชาวบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส<br />

ทุกคน จะนำความภาคภูมิใจจากการที่ได้รับ<br />

รางวัลเหล่านี ้ มาเป็นแรงผลักดัน เพื่อมุ่งมั่น<br />

พัฒนาคุณภาพการบริการของสายการบินฯ<br />

ให้ดียิ่งๆ ขึ้นไป โดยจะมุ่งเน้นความปลอดภัยและ<br />

ความพึงพอใจสูงสุดของผู้โดยสารเป็นสำคัญ<br />

ขอบคุณครับ<br />

กัปตัน พุฒิพงศ์ ปราสาททองโอสถ<br />

Captain Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth<br />

กรรมการผู้อำนวยการใหญ่ | President, Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited<br />

12


OVERTURES<br />

FEATURES<br />

52<br />

Travel with<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> Chic<br />

22 GREEN DAYS<br />

In this green season, a full moon<br />

calls for the graceful vigour<br />

in rattan ball matches, the<br />

adrenaline of marathons,<br />

Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios to<br />

the arts and concerts. There’s<br />

moon and star gazing in the<br />

Maldives too in our calendar<br />

of regional events.<br />

26 FACE FORWARD<br />

Pay more attention to skincare<br />

with our timely tips on the<br />

latest products on the market<br />

that banishes dull skin for a<br />

radiant look.<br />

28 VERDANT WEAR<br />

Men in green doesn’t have to be<br />

an alien concept in fashion. Our<br />

wardrobe picks bring out the best<br />

in stylish menswear.<br />

30 SHADES OF GREEN<br />

Stand out in clothing and<br />

accessories as you stylishly<br />

express yourself. Look smart as<br />

you make others green with envy!<br />

32 AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE<br />

Phuket Old Town’s revival makes<br />

history fun with offerings aplenty:<br />

colourful shophouses, Sino-<br />

Portuguese architecture, local<br />

food stalls and wall art.<br />

36 FIND YOUR<br />

PASSION FRUIT<br />

A taste of passion fruit can<br />

transport you to an island<br />

paradise or the feel of a breezy<br />

summer. We give you the<br />

facts on what makes this fruit<br />

increasingly popular.<br />

38 OH, O AEW<br />

This dessert name may not roll<br />

off the tongue easily but it’s a<br />

real treat for the tastebuds. Try<br />

this refreshing and sweet “only in<br />

Phuket” specialty on your visit to<br />

the <strong>Thai</strong> island.<br />

40 AN AIRPORT’S<br />

NEW HEIGHTS<br />

Now it’s even more enjoyable<br />

to hang out at Singapore’s<br />

Changi airport regardless of<br />

whether you have a flight or<br />

not. The recent expansion,<br />

Jewel, has now become a<br />

destination in itself, elevating<br />

the airport experience.<br />

44 SAMUI STANDARDS<br />

Only in Samui can you get the<br />

hospitality of a long standing<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> hotel, enjoy a spa day in a<br />

jungle forest setting, or dine on<br />

true southern food at one of the<br />

finest restaurants.<br />

52 A GOOD<br />

INFLUENCE<br />

With over 2 million<br />

followers, Pearypie<br />

embarks on a mission<br />

to make <strong>Thai</strong> textiles<br />

a winning and cool<br />

combination – combat<br />

boots included.<br />

58 STILL CRAZY<br />

FOR PHANG NGA<br />

If a perfect holiday<br />

destination means<br />

tranquil shores with<br />

uninterrupted views of<br />

limestone mountains<br />

and spectacular waters,<br />

then Phang Nga is for you.<br />

72 CHENGDU’S<br />

LIVE MUSIC<br />

Consider another side<br />

to Chengdu’s cultural<br />

offerings – an active,<br />

underground music<br />

scene that’s rivals<br />

most places in China.<br />

84 A CRAFTING<br />

SOJOURN<br />

To continue their<br />

visibility and viability,<br />

we visit Chiang Mai<br />

to see how a tribe<br />

perseveres in keeping<br />

their way of life through<br />

handicrafts and weaving.<br />

Photo Amata Chittasenee<br />

14<br />

15


HAPPENINGS<br />

CORPORATE<br />

A selection of relevant events around Asia.<br />

96 BANGKOK<br />

98 SAMUI<br />

102 PHUKET<br />

106 CHIANG MAI/<br />

PATTAYA<br />

108 HONG KONG /<br />

SINGAPORE<br />

109 KUALA LUMPUR<br />

110 PHNOM PENH /<br />

VIENTIANE /<br />

NHA TRANG<br />

112 MUMBAI/<br />

MALDIVES<br />

113 YANGON<br />

116 NEWS<br />

Bangkok Airways announces collaborations<br />

and winners.<br />

126 ROUTE MAP<br />

128 AIRCRAFT INFO<br />

CHECKING OUT<br />

130 MALDIVES<br />

The Maldives continue to defy expectations.<br />

This month’s cover:<br />

Phang Nga's<br />

natural splendours.<br />

84<br />

Keeping<br />

Traditions<br />

Alive<br />

16


MOST<br />

EFFECTIVE IN<br />

TRAVEL AND<br />

LEISURE<br />

BEST USE OF<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

BEST<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS PUBLIC<br />

COMPANY LIMITED<br />

99 Mu 14, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road,<br />

Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok<br />

10900, <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

www.bangkokair.com<br />

ADVISORY BOARD<br />

Mr. Prote Setsuwan<br />

Vice President - Marketing<br />

Mr. Varong Israsena<br />

Vice President - Sales<br />

Mr. Kridhakorn Sirabhabhoj<br />

Senior Director - Marketing<br />

Communications<br />

Mr. Komkrit Ngamwongwirot<br />

Regional Sales Director - South & South<br />

East Asia and Middle East<br />

Mr. Benjamin Sirirat<br />

Manager - Branding and Creative<br />

PUBLISHER<br />

MPMI Group Co., Ltd.<br />

1 Soi Lasalle 23/2,<br />

Bangna, Bangkok 10260, <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

Tel. +66 (0) 2744 4975<br />

Fax. +66 (0) 2744 5271<br />

Managing Director<br />

Steven Fong Chookiat Pangviphas<br />

Email: steven@mpmith.com<br />

EDITORIAL<br />

Email: editorial@fahthaimag.com<br />

Editorial Director Somtawin Chanyawong<br />

Editor-in-Chief Anutra Ungsuprasert<br />

Senior Editor Nawa Acosta Wright<br />

Deputy Editor Sarita Urupongsa<br />

Contributors<br />

Chalotorn Payomyol<br />

Chusri Ngamprasert<br />

Jeremie Schatz<br />

Joe Henley<br />

Marissa Marchitelli<br />

Matthew Camilleri<br />

Passakorn Hongthong<br />

Phoowadon Duangmee<br />

Prachi Joshi<br />

Richard <strong>Aug</strong>ustin<br />

Sirin P Wongpanit<br />

Sophia Natasia Powell-Schaffer<br />

Contributing Photographers<br />

Chatta Phoyen<br />

Dolnapa Ram-Indra<br />

Jeremie Schatz<br />

Kay Choomongkol<br />

Marissa Marchitelli<br />

Paul Ratje<br />

Permboon Wongpanit<br />

Sudarat Hawhan<br />

Suthasinee Werukamkul<br />

ART<br />

Creative Director JyeShen Koo<br />

Graphic Designer Pongtorn Khaoplag<br />

Contributing Stylist Saranya Ariyakul<br />

Font (Sriracha) Cadson® Demak<br />

PRODUCTION<br />

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ADVERTISING<br />

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Tel: +612 9909 5800<br />

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Tel: +852 2321 9788<br />

rebeccaCMOsupport@gmail.com<br />

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INFOPAC MEDIA HOUSE<br />

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Tel: +331 4643 0066<br />

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INDIA, MALDIVES<br />

RMA MEDIA<br />

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Tel: +9122 2925 3735<br />

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Tel: +8150 8882 3456<br />

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Tel: +603 7880 2185<br />

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“FAH THAI” is the in-flight magazine of Bangkok Airways Public Company<br />

Limited and is edited and published by MPMI Group Co., Ltd. All articles and<br />

photographs published herein are created by the authors and photographers<br />

at their own discretion and do not necessarily represent the views of the<br />

airline. Bangkok Airways holds no responsibility or liability arising out of the<br />

publication of such articles and photographs.<br />

All information correct at press time. All rights reserved. No part of this<br />

magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in<br />

any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Bangkok<br />

Airways Public Company Limited and MPMI Group Co., Ltd.<br />

18


ESSENTIAL NOTES TO GUIDE YOUR TRAVELS<br />

Food Art<br />

Follow the wall<br />

murals in Phuket<br />

Old Town as they<br />

lead you to the best<br />

food stalls this<br />

heritage town has<br />

to offer.<br />

Photo IG: Tootoomama<br />

NEWS AND EVENTS 22 / BEAUTY AND HEALTH 26 / STYLE 28 / THAILAND TREASURES 32 / A TASTE OF THAILAND 36 /<br />

FRUITFUL FINDS 38 / ARTS & CULTURAL MATTERS 40 / CHECKED IN 44<br />

21


OVERTURES<br />

NEWS AND EVENTS<br />

NOW<br />

-<br />

DEC<br />

<strong>2019</strong><br />

Now-3 JUL<br />

<strong>2019</strong><br />

MANDALAY<br />

WASO CHINLONE FESTIVAL<br />

Cheers ring out for the 91st annual Waso<br />

Chinlone festival where as many as 1,800<br />

teams converge in Myanmar to take part in a<br />

variant of Hacky Sack. The challenge is to keep<br />

the “chinlone,” a rattan ball, from falling to the<br />

ground. The festival takes place in a stadium in<br />

Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay and is celebrated<br />

every year on the day after the full moon of<br />

Waso month. The sport is over 1,500 years old<br />

and strongly defined in the old kingdom.<br />

The sport uses a small rattan ball and a team<br />

of six players who must pass it around by using<br />

their legs, knees and head as they play in a circle.<br />

One player stays in the middle of the circle<br />

while the rest of team supports him as they<br />

work together to keep the ball from hitting the<br />

ground. Once the ball hits the ground, the rival<br />

team gains a point.<br />

It’s also the time when locals from around<br />

the region flock to pay their respects to Buddha<br />

during the event. You will meet a river of crowds,<br />

food vendors, local magic shows and traditional<br />

shops around the area of Mahamuni Pagoda.<br />

It’s a chance to join in, drink some Burmese<br />

tea, eat some Laphet Thoke (green tea salad),<br />

and enjoy the matches as a live orchestra plays<br />

the traditional ‘Saing Waing’ on stage for a<br />

fascinating event. tourism.gov.mm/mandalay<br />

5 -18<br />

JUL<br />

<strong>2019</strong><br />

AUG<br />

<strong>2019</strong><br />

HONG KONG<br />

SUMMER OF ARTS<br />

The summer months in Hong Kong have always<br />

been the perfect time to celebrate the arts thanks<br />

to the organisers of the International Arts Carnival.<br />

Held annually, this year’s programme offers an<br />

exquisite line-up of overseas and local shows and<br />

participative activities for the whole family.<br />

This year’s line-up includes a variety of<br />

performances including multimedia theatre;<br />

puppetry and interactive theatre for children, all<br />

of which are designed to entertain audiences<br />

and nurture the interest of children and young<br />

people in the performing arts.<br />

This year’s opening programme is The Heart<br />

of Robin Hood, a modern take on the beloved<br />

English folk story presented by Icelandic theatre<br />

group, Vesturport. Also scheduled to take the<br />

stage at IAC <strong>2019</strong> is Vietnamese acrobatic<br />

troupe A O Lang Pho. Various venues across<br />

Hong Kong, hkiac.gov.hk<br />

6-21 <strong>2019</strong><br />

JUL<br />

SINGAPORE<br />

KURIOUS NATURE<br />

Considered the world’s greatest contemporary<br />

circus, Cirque du Soleil once again pitches its<br />

tent in Singapore, this time for a two-week<br />

engagement for its most acclaimed touring<br />

show yet. KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities,<br />

presented in the intimate setting of the<br />

signature Big Top at Marina Bay, celebrates the<br />

greatest inventions of the 19th century. Watch<br />

as the show transports audience members into<br />

the Curio Cabinet of an ambitious inventor who<br />

defies the laws of time, space and dimensions<br />

in order to reinvent everything around him.<br />

With the help of dazzling performances and<br />

artistic showcases, the show brings to life his<br />

perspectives, quite literally turning the world<br />

upside down in the process. Under the Big Top<br />

Tent next to Marina Bay Sands, cirquedusoleil.com<br />

21JUL<br />

<strong>2019</strong><br />

PATTAYA<br />

PATTAYA INTERNATIONAL<br />

MARATHON <strong>2019</strong><br />

Are you ready for the biggest running event<br />

in Pattaya? This year, Pattaya International<br />

Marathon will be held on Sunday of 21st <strong>Jul</strong>y,<br />

<strong>2019</strong> at Pattaya Klang Junction. The event<br />

will feature a full marathon (42km), a half<br />

marathon (21km), a quarter marathon (10km),<br />

a wheel chair marathon (5km), and a fun run<br />

(5km). This long-standing event has become<br />

the sporting tradition of Pattaya and has been<br />

attracting runners from all over the world. The<br />

event usually starts at 3am and continue<br />

until 10.30am, and it is such a popular event<br />

in Pattaya that even the streets are lined with<br />

a lot of spectators and locals who come to<br />

cheer and support all the runners. Whoever<br />

is in Pattaya during that time is welcomed<br />

to join the event. But if running is not your<br />

thing, being a spectator and enjoying the run<br />

is also a good idea, too! facebook.com/Pattaya-<br />

Marathon-366422933378043<br />

Photos Banyan Tree<br />

PHUKET, MALDIVES<br />

BANYAN TREE 25TH ANNIVERSARY<br />

This year Banyan Tree Luxury Hotels &<br />

Resorts celebrates 25 years and will<br />

offer added and complimentary experiences that<br />

guests can enjoy, showcasing local heritage,<br />

culture, sustainability and bringing exceptional<br />

experiences to guests.<br />

At Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru In Maldives,<br />

guests are welcomed to enjoy the conservation<br />

day at the Marine Lab embarking on coral<br />

planting and exploring the Ranamaari Shipwreck.<br />

Or if you visit Phuket, <strong>Thai</strong>land and stay at Banyan<br />

Tree Phuket, there will be body awareness<br />

workshops taking place with special Banyan<br />

Tree “Wellbeing Hosts” who will showcase how<br />

posture and poise can positively impact overall<br />

health and wellbeing. Guests of Cassia Phuket<br />

can also enjoy scooter tours of Phuket town,<br />

uncovering local treasures and experiences like<br />

a true local.<br />

On top of this, there is a 25% saving on<br />

room rates as part of the anniversary and all<br />

guests will receive a signature 25th Anniversary<br />

Cocktail, called the Botanical, on arrival.<br />

banyantree.com, cassia.com<br />

16-17 <strong>2019</strong><br />

JUL<br />

SOUTHEAST ASIA<br />

ASARNHA BUCHA & BUDDHIST<br />

LENT DAY<br />

Asarnha Bucha Day marks the day when the<br />

Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon known<br />

as “Dhammachakkappawattanasutta” which he<br />

preached to five ascetics at Benares in India<br />

over 2,500 years ago. As a result, all of them<br />

attained enlightenment and was ordained by<br />

the Buddha as the first ever Buddhist monks.<br />

Asarnha Bucha falls on the full moon day<br />

of the eighth lunar month of the calendar year,<br />

generally in <strong>Jul</strong>y. Buddhists perform a variety<br />

of Buddhist activities at temples across Laos,<br />

Cambodia, Myanmar and <strong>Thai</strong>land – mainly<br />

merit-making ceremonies such as offering food<br />

and alms to monks, listening to sermons and<br />

practising meditation in order to purify the mind.<br />

This day also marks the beginning of<br />

Buddhist Lent or Khao Phansa, a threemonth<br />

period when monks retreat into their<br />

monasteries to escape the monsoon rains and<br />

study Buddhist teachings. It is a time of making<br />

merit and candlelight processions, or wian thian<br />

in <strong>Thai</strong>, held at temples throughout the country.<br />

Asarnha Bucha Day is <strong>Thai</strong>land’s public<br />

holiday and everyone should note it is illegal<br />

to buy and sell alcohol on this day.<br />

tourismthailand.org<br />

22 23


OVERTURES<br />

NEWS AND EVENTS<br />

23-26<strong>2019</strong><br />

AUG<br />

PHNOM PENH<br />

GLITTER & GOLD<br />

The Cambodia International Gems & Jewellery<br />

Fair <strong>2019</strong> presents the country’s best gems<br />

and jewellery as well as the finest international<br />

diamonds, gemstones, fine jewellery designs and<br />

timepieces from around the world. Organised<br />

by The Cambodian Gems & Jewellery Traders<br />

Association and supported by Cambodian Ministry<br />

of Commerce, the annual national flagship fair<br />

seeks to capitalise on the growing trend of the<br />

gems and jewellery market in the region.<br />

For visitors, the fair presents a good avenue<br />

to explore and peruse some choice pieces<br />

from the world of fine jewellery as well as<br />

the latest collections from the world’s biggest<br />

brands. Over 40 exhibitors will be lining up to<br />

showcase their creations at this year’s event.<br />

Diamond Island Convention & Exhibition Centre,<br />

Phnom Penh, jewelrytradefair.com/Cambodia<br />

Photos Anantara Kihavah Maldives<br />

20JUL<br />

<strong>2019</strong><br />

MALDIVES<br />

ANANTARA KIHAVAH MALDIVES<br />

CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF<br />

MAN’S FIRST WALK ON THE MOON<br />

Fifty years ago, Apollo 11 landed on the moon<br />

and astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin<br />

stepped down from their lunar module onto the<br />

surface of the moon, the first humans in history<br />

to do so. On 20 <strong>Jul</strong>y, Anantara Kihavah Villas will<br />

commemorate the 50th anniversary of man’s first<br />

walk on the moon with ‘The Eagle Has Landed<br />

Celebration’. The astronomer’s paradise, Baa<br />

Atoll in the Maldives, is one of the best places on<br />

earth to enjoy moon and star gazing. Its proximity<br />

to the equator and its non-polluted skies mean<br />

both hemisphere’s stars are clearly visible from<br />

the resort with SKY, the Maldives’ first and only<br />

overwater observatory featuring a research-grade<br />

16” Meade LX200 telescope. The custom-built<br />

Ash-dome observatory sits on the roof deck of<br />

the resort’s Sky Bar surrounded by nothing but<br />

open skies and the ocean waves below.<br />

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the<br />

first moon walk, guests are invited to join sky<br />

guru and a native Maldivian, Ali Shameem, for<br />

a ‘Star Gazing’ breakfast with an early start of<br />

4am. Shameem will take you on a journey before<br />

taking a look through the powerful telescope at<br />

the craters on the moon that still amaze people<br />

50 years after the first landing. The price for the<br />

experience, including breakfast is 450USD per<br />

person. kihavah-maldives.anantara.com<br />

14AUG<br />

<strong>2019</strong><br />

BANGKOK<br />

FORMIDABLE FOALS<br />

Name bands with the most intense live act and<br />

surely the name of British rock band Foals will<br />

be ranked among the list. Yannis Philippakis (lead<br />

vocals, lead guitar), Jack Bevan (drums, percussion),<br />

Jimmy Smith (rhythm guitar) and Edwin Congreave<br />

(keyboard) formed Foals in 2005 and brought<br />

the music industry the mad, yet beautiful force.<br />

The band has received attention from<br />

alt-rock listeners and rose to prominence since<br />

the release of their first album Antidotes in<br />

2008. They have already launched five albums<br />

under their belt, including the Foals’ latest album<br />

Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 1. The<br />

Foals have received numerous critical acclaims<br />

and awards from NME, Q Awards and such.<br />

Guaranteed by their presence in leading<br />

music festivals from Glastonbury, Coachella<br />

to Reading, the Foals are sure to bring a raw and<br />

amazing power to the show while hypnotising<br />

the crowd with their music. This <strong>Aug</strong>ust, Singha<br />

Corporation is presenting Foals Live in Bangkok<br />

at Moonstar Studio. Tickets are now available<br />

through ticketmelon.com/VIJI/FOALS<br />

24


OVERTURES<br />

BEAUTY AND HEALTH<br />

WORDS PASSAKORN HONGTHONG STYLIST SARANYA ARIYAKUL PHOTO SUTHASINEE WERUKAMKUL<br />

Dedicated to Skincare<br />

Beauty brands that offer superior results should be part of your<br />

skincare repertoire. Everyone has had to deal with one skin<br />

issue or another at some point in their lives, whether it’s acne,<br />

dryness, sensitivity, oiliness, discolouration or wrinkles. While it’s<br />

impossible to avoid or eliminate most of these issues entirely, you<br />

can take steps to minimise and manage them, by maintaining a<br />

healthy lifestyle.<br />

STOCKISTS<br />

Clinique<br />

1F Central Chidlom<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2655 7198<br />

HYDRA LIFE LOTION<br />

TO FOAM, FRESH<br />

CLEANSER 200ML<br />

FROM DIOR (1,800 Baht)<br />

In just one pump, this fresh<br />

lotion transforms into a<br />

rich and airy foam cleanser.<br />

It effectively removes<br />

your makeup and deeply<br />

cleanses, purifies and<br />

refreshes the skin. Instantly<br />

free of impurities, your skin<br />

is perfectly clean and clear.<br />

THE CLEANSING<br />

GEL 200ML FROM<br />

LA MER (4,000 Baht)<br />

A gentle foaming cleanser<br />

that draws out impurities,<br />

excess oil, and pollutants<br />

with a refreshingly light<br />

touch and removes daily<br />

debris buildup without<br />

disrupting your skin’s<br />

delicate balance, keeps<br />

your skin fresh and vibrant.<br />

Dior<br />

GF Emporium<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2269 1000<br />

Estée Lauder<br />

MF Siam Paragon<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2610 7717<br />

La Mer<br />

MF Siam Paragon<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2610 7715<br />

CAPTURE YOUTH<br />

REDNESS SOOTHER<br />

SERUM 30ML FROM<br />

DIOR (4,100 Baht)<br />

A blend of cotton peptides<br />

helps to soothe and calm<br />

red, reactive skin. Its<br />

corrective green-tinted<br />

texture helps to visibly<br />

neutralise redness to calm<br />

and soothe your skin.<br />

NUTRITIOUS<br />

MICRO-ALGAE<br />

PORE MINIMIZING<br />

HYDRA LOTION<br />

100ML FROM ESTÉE<br />

LAUDER (1,750 Baht)<br />

A sheer, anti-shine<br />

moisturiser for refreshed<br />

and radiant skin. Awaken<br />

your skin’s natural beauty<br />

and help it to detox<br />

naturally, find radiance<br />

and combat fatigue while<br />

helping to minimise pores<br />

and control shine.<br />

7 DAY SCRUB<br />

CREAM RINSE-OFF<br />

FORMULA 100ML<br />

FROM CLINIQUE<br />

(1,150 Baht)<br />

A gentle skin polisher that<br />

scrubs gently and brushes<br />

away roughness and<br />

flakiness. It smooths skin<br />

to lessen the appearance<br />

of fine lines while clearing<br />

the way for moisture.<br />

CLARIFYING FACIAL<br />

OIL-CLARY SAGE AND<br />

PEACH 30ML FROM<br />

VOTARY (4,105 Baht)<br />

Keep your skin clear and<br />

calm with a soothing,<br />

lightweight oil. Developed<br />

specifically for blemishprone<br />

skin, this fast-absorbing<br />

oil gives troubled skin the hydration<br />

it needs to be balanced and healthy.<br />

AQUASOURCE MILKY<br />

LOTION 200ML FROM<br />

BIOTHERM (1,500 Baht)<br />

Milky lotion that combines<br />

the freshness of a lotion with<br />

the comfort of an emulsion.<br />

Instantly, skin’s moisture<br />

is rebalanced, your skin<br />

strengthened day after day,<br />

revealing its healthy, moist glow.<br />

VITAMIN C SERUM<br />

SKINCARE 29ML FROM<br />

MARIO BADESCU<br />

(1,780 Baht) A powerful serum that<br />

supports youthful luminosity while<br />

delivering antioxidant defence<br />

against environmental stressors<br />

and free radicals.<br />

GENIUS ULTIMATE ANTI-AGING<br />

TONER 150ML FROM ALGENIST<br />

(1,780 Baht) This powerful formula<br />

activates the skin and helps<br />

minimise the appearance of<br />

fine lines and wrinkles with<br />

breakthrough Alguronic Acid,<br />

nourishing Microalgae Oil<br />

and essential vitamins.<br />

Beauty Tips<br />

It’s a simple and easy thing<br />

– remove your makeup. During<br />

the night, let your skin take its<br />

own deep breath and renew while<br />

you sleep. Wipes, oils, skin milks,<br />

micellar water, and creams – these<br />

are all the choices on hand. Just<br />

do it and consider this beauty step<br />

as the perfect and final relaxing<br />

moment of the day.<br />

Skin cleansing, the start to<br />

better skin. In the morning, begin<br />

your wake-up routine by washing<br />

Brilliant Solutions<br />

Do you dream of having smooth skin and a freshface<br />

look? Now it’s time to treat your skin to a real<br />

routine. Most of us want to learn how to get perfect<br />

skin while eliminating excess sebum and<br />

impurities. Leave all that behind and<br />

radiant skin is yours to have.<br />

MEGA MUSHROOM SKIN RELIEF<br />

SOOTHING FACE LOTION 50ML<br />

FROM DR. ANDREW WEIL FOR<br />

ORIGINS (3,600 Baht)<br />

Instantly calm skin with this lightweight<br />

face lotion. It’s formulated with soothing<br />

Reishi and Cordyceps mushrooms. Visibly<br />

reduces redness and sensitivity now and in<br />

the future.<br />

NUTRITIOUS MICRO-ALGAE PORE<br />

PURIFYING CLEANSING JELLY 125ML<br />

FROM ESTÉE LAUDER (1,100 Baht)<br />

Its ingredients help to awaken your skin’s natural<br />

beauty with the power of microalgae and helps<br />

your skin detox naturally, support radiance and<br />

combat fatigue while helping to minimise pores<br />

and control shine.<br />

POWERMUD DUALCLEANSE<br />

TREATMENT 15G FROM<br />

GLAMGLOW (810 Baht)<br />

Say goodbye to weekly buildup and transform your cleansing ritual.<br />

A revolutionary dual action mud-to-oil cleansing treatment that gently<br />

but deeply removes dirt, oil and makeup, and reveals fresh, clean,<br />

velvety-smooth skin.<br />

with your favourite facial cleanser.<br />

You’ll eliminate impurities and<br />

refine pores. Repeat in the evening.<br />

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.<br />

Drinking water is essential; the same<br />

goes for our skin. The idea is to bring<br />

all the ingredients you need to get<br />

a perfect healthy, smooth and fresh<br />

look. A lack of moisture means dry<br />

and green-tinged skin. It’s not a<br />

good look so try this simple way to<br />

have nice skin every day.<br />

Makeover skin with a scrub.<br />

Once a week your skin needs to be<br />

stimulated and purified. Using an<br />

exfoliator will eliminate impurities<br />

and dead skin cells. Just refresh<br />

your skin and it will look smoother.<br />

Get your beauty sleep. Catch<br />

your Zzzs every night for healthier<br />

skin. A good night’s sleep is a<br />

must, if you want to have clear<br />

and radiant skin.<br />

Facial workout. Give your<br />

face some exercise. It’s a healthy<br />

way to tone our skin. Maybe<br />

surgery won’t be needed anymore<br />

to look younger with just 5 to<br />

10 minutes a day to exercise our<br />

facial muscles!<br />

CAPTURE<br />

YOUTH INTENSE<br />

RESCUE OIL<br />

SERUM 30ML<br />

FROM DIOR<br />

(4,100 Baht)<br />

With Intense Rescue,<br />

it helps repair dryness<br />

for your skin that feels<br />

instantly nourished, supple, and<br />

comfortable. With its breakthrough<br />

transformative texture, this formula<br />

combines the revitalising power of a<br />

serum with the nourishment of an oil.<br />

OLIGO-THERMAL<br />

CARE, ULTRA<br />

MOISTURIZING<br />

NORMAL AND<br />

COMBINATION SKIN<br />

75ML FROM BIOTHERM<br />

HOMME (1,900 Baht)<br />

With oligo-elements and<br />

vitamins in a formula that<br />

quenches the skin with<br />

moisture for hours. Skin is<br />

ideally hydrated all day long,<br />

whatever the conditions. Fresh<br />

gel texture, with Life Plankton.<br />

AQUASOURCE<br />

AURA<br />

CONCENTRATE<br />

SERUM 50ML<br />

FROM BIOTHERM<br />

(1,800 Baht)<br />

Intense regenerating<br />

and moisturising serum<br />

for dry and very dry<br />

skin that helps your<br />

skin glow again.<br />

STOCKISTS<br />

Biotherm<br />

1F Central Chidlom<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2255 6971<br />

Dior<br />

GF Emporium<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2269 1000<br />

Estée Lauder<br />

MF Siam Paragon<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2610 7717<br />

Origins<br />

2F Siam Center<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2610 7763<br />

Sephora<br />

1F Siam Center<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2658 1616<br />

2F Central Embassy<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2160 5817<br />

26<br />

27


OVERTURES<br />

STYLE<br />

A LUXURY BEACHFRONT RESORT<br />

OVERLOOKING THE ANDAMAN SEA<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

WORDS PASSAKORN HONGTHONG STYLIST SARANYA ARIYAKUL PHOTO SUTHASINEE WERUKAMKUL<br />

Retreat to an island paradise where lush hillside overlooks powdery beach. Hide away<br />

in luxury pool villas for two or sprawling residences for families.<br />

At Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, we invite you to engage or unwind at one the finest<br />

luxury hotels in Phuket. Feast in a Cliffside chapel overlooking the ocean.<br />

Master the art of Muay <strong>Thai</strong>. Submit to healing massages at Anantara Spa.<br />

For reservation or more information, please call +66 (0) 7631 7200<br />

or Email: phuketlayan@anantara.com<br />

Agreeable Green<br />

Who says the colour green can’t be<br />

in menswear? To all the doubters out<br />

there, this rich hue is not just a trend.<br />

In fact, its beauty lies in its versatility.<br />

Neon green – why not? Accessories in<br />

a shade of green? A smart move. For<br />

added fun, slip on some neon socks or<br />

sneakers with a dash of neon, just like<br />

the male runway models.<br />

FOR HIM<br />

NEON GREEN<br />

RUBBER SLIDE<br />

WITH SIGNATURE<br />

MEANDER BORDER<br />

AND ICONIC MEDUSA<br />

HEAD FROM VERSACE<br />

(10,500 Baht)<br />

STOCKISTS<br />

Balenciaga<br />

MF Emquartier<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2003 6477<br />

NEON GREEN<br />

ZIPPED POUCH<br />

WITH EMBROIDERED<br />

LOGO IN<br />

STRIPES FROM<br />

BALENCIAGA<br />

(26,100 Baht)<br />

Off-White<br />

MF Siam Paragon<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2129 4530<br />

ANKLE SOCKS<br />

POLYAMIDE<br />

WITH LOGO AND<br />

HORIZONTAL<br />

STRIPES FROM<br />

VERSACE<br />

(3,500 Baht)<br />

RUBBER<br />

KEYCHAIN WITH<br />

A CLASP<br />

CLOSURE<br />

FROM<br />

OFF-WHITE<br />

(10,000 Baht)<br />

Prada<br />

MF Emquartier<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2003 6044<br />

NEON GREEN<br />

CLOUDBUST KNIT<br />

TRAINER WITH<br />

RUBBER VELCRO<br />

FASTENING STRAPS<br />

FROM PRADA<br />

(34,000 Baht)<br />

Versace<br />

GF Central Embassy<br />

Tel +66 (0) 3160 5801<br />

28


OVERTURES<br />

STYLE<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

WORDS PASSAKORN HONGTHONG STYLIST SARANYA ARIYAKUL PHOTO SUTHASINEE WERUKAMKUL<br />

In Green We Trust<br />

With the rain comes the green season.<br />

As nature shows off its verdant world,<br />

so should our wardrobe. For <strong>2019</strong>, the<br />

fashion sphere voted green as one of the<br />

key colours to be on trend for the year.<br />

This trend encompasses all shades and<br />

tones of green from outrageous neon lime<br />

to kelly green, and shades of the forest.<br />

So add a little green to your wardrobe all<br />

season, not just for the weekend!<br />

FOR HER<br />

SNEAKY VIV’ SILK<br />

SATIN SLIP-ON SNEAKER<br />

WITH CRYSTAL-<br />

EMBELLISHED BUCKLE<br />

AND RUBBER OUTSOLES<br />

FROM ROGER VIVIER<br />

(49,500 Baht)<br />

STOCKISTS<br />

Gucci<br />

MF Emporium<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2664 8200<br />

SATIN SANDAL<br />

WITH ANKLE<br />

STRAPS AND KNOT<br />

DETAILS FROM<br />

PRADA<br />

(36,000 Baht)<br />

LEATHER CARD<br />

CASE WITH<br />

DOUBLE G LOGO<br />

FROM GUCCI<br />

(9,300 Baht)<br />

Prada<br />

MF Emquartier<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2003 6044<br />

CALF LEATHER<br />

BAG WITH PYRAMID-<br />

SHAPED STUDS<br />

SHOULDER STRAP<br />

AND FRONT BUCKLE<br />

FROM PRADA<br />

(78,000 Baht)<br />

Roger Vivier<br />

GF Central Chidlom<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2664 8442<br />

METAL DOUBLE<br />

G BROOCH<br />

WITH CRYSTALS<br />

FROM GUCCI<br />

(10,900 Baht)<br />

30


OVERTURES<br />

THAILAND TREASURES<br />

Renewing Phuket’s Old Charm<br />

Phuket still dwells on its past and in a good way, with the presence<br />

of a true heritage town of mansions, colourful shophouses, street<br />

food and charming wall murals.<br />

Words Chusri Ngamprasert<br />

Information & Photos Courtesy of<br />

the Tourism Authority of <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

On Phuket’s west side, spectacular<br />

beaches attract holidaymakers and sun<br />

worshippers who luxuriate in the resorts<br />

and beach clubs that reflect the modern<br />

face of this tropical island paradise. But<br />

the island also smoothly integrates with<br />

a past that’s still evident in its heritage<br />

town. A mere ride away from the bustling<br />

beaches lands you in Phuket Old Town<br />

on the island’s south side. The area is<br />

a reminder of the complex history and<br />

culture of this exotic island that raised<br />

itself in relevance, all generated from trade<br />

and tin mining.<br />

You don’t have to be a history buff<br />

to enjoy Phuket Old Town. This heritage<br />

and historical block has Sino-Portuguese<br />

mansions aplenty, street art by skilled<br />

artists and fabulous foods that’s uniquely<br />

Phuket. Phuket Old Town transformed<br />

since its designation as a UNESCO Creative<br />

City of Gastronomy in 2015. The vibrant<br />

Not just plain<br />

graffitis - these<br />

drawings on the<br />

walls are the<br />

artist statement<br />

underlining<br />

Phuket as a<br />

UNESCO Creative<br />

City of Gastronomy<br />

since 2015.<br />

dining scene, together with its fascinating<br />

Peranakan culture inspired a group of<br />

Phuket descendants called So Phuket to<br />

establish F.A.T (Food Art Old Town) Phuket<br />

in 2016. Talented <strong>Thai</strong> and international<br />

graffiti artists like Alex Face and Rukkit<br />

Kuanhawate collaborated on a series of<br />

murals reflecting the food, traditions and<br />

culture of Phuket in the old town.<br />

Hungry travellers and foodies alike can<br />

stroll along and follow a food graffiti trail to<br />

alleys that spring to life with the aromas of<br />

cooking. There is nothing better than eating<br />

local food such as a barbeque of freshly<br />

caught seafood served with a spicy dip,<br />

crispy fried pork ribs and mouth-watering<br />

noodles as heritage buildings rich with<br />

architectural details compliment the vibe.<br />

One of the most photographed spots<br />

sits at the junction of Romanee Road and<br />

Thalang Road. A striking character known<br />

as Mardi, has the face of a child with three<br />

32


OVERTURES<br />

THAILAND TREASURES<br />

eyes. Wearing a rabbit-eared hoodie, Mardi<br />

is artist Alex Face’s signature work while<br />

Ang Ku Koe, features Mardi in a red turtle<br />

cake dress, representing the longevity cake<br />

commonly eaten during festivals like Por<br />

Tor or the Hungry Ghost Festival.<br />

Another colourful mural shows a<br />

vendor cooking the traditional street food<br />

O Tao, a favourite of deep-fried pork<br />

rinds and tiny oysters in an egg mixture<br />

with taro in a gooey, spicy batter – sure<br />

to make passersby want to have a bite.<br />

Other murals depict festivals in Phuket<br />

like the Vegetarian Festival, the Chinese<br />

Lunar New Year and the custom of Dern<br />

Tao where people pack dinner and head<br />

to the beach to collect turtle eggs from<br />

evening until daybreak. This is sure to<br />

trigger thoughts to bring tasty vegetarian<br />

fried noodles and street foods ideal for a<br />

picnic on the beach under the moonlight.<br />

These head-turning murals brighten up<br />

the Sino-Portuguese quarter in Phuket’s<br />

old town, in turn creating memorable<br />

moments for the islanders.<br />

Following the success of F.A.T 2016,<br />

So Phuket and 4Studio launched the<br />

“F.A.T Street Art Season 2” in the year<br />

2018 encouraged a more active art<br />

scene in Phuket. Twenty local artists and<br />

art students were invited to create new<br />

murals portraying childhood memories and<br />

their Phuket sentiment emphasising its<br />

multicultural culinary heritage, traditions<br />

and cultures.<br />

Highlighted in each and every new<br />

mural is pride of the island showcasing<br />

the mix of different cultures and beliefs.<br />

Some artists build on old works. A wall<br />

painting of an old yaya or elderly woman<br />

sits with her food carrier is now a livelier<br />

depiction, joined by a girl and a boy by her<br />

side. Adjacent to the portrait of the yaya,<br />

a customer holds a plate while a dog looks<br />

up in anticipation, adding to the painting<br />

of the street vendor cooking O Tao.<br />

If you happen to check out the street<br />

art on Sunday, you can shop ‘til you drop<br />

from 4pm to 10pm at Phuket Walking<br />

Street or Lardyai (Talad Yai). Lardyai,<br />

meaning ‘big market’ in the southern<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> dialect sets up right in the middle of<br />

the historical Sino-Portuguese district of<br />

Phuket Town. Jolt your taste buds with<br />

various southern <strong>Thai</strong> culinary specialities<br />

and continue your shopping spree at local<br />

handicraft and gift stalls. Enjoy many street<br />

performances while strolling along this<br />

vibrant walking street.<br />

Chim Jae Walking Street also is<br />

an ideal place to get handmade crafts<br />

that are also stylish. This newly-opened<br />

market comprises of two connecting<br />

houses resulting in a 130 metre covered<br />

walkway from Thalang Road to Dibuk<br />

Road. So come rain or shine, more than<br />

80 food and handicraft stalls await your<br />

visit. Phuket Old Town still retains its<br />

charms through the years, capturing it<br />

just requires walking.<br />

What a combination!<br />

Art, eat and<br />

shopping can be in<br />

one place around<br />

Old Town Phuket<br />

on Sunday. Walking<br />

along Rommanee,<br />

Thalang, Patipat,<br />

Phang Nga roads<br />

can be quite<br />

enjoyable and<br />

educational at the<br />

same time.<br />

Photo Tootoomama<br />

Street Art Route<br />

More than 20 wall murals are right in<br />

Phuket’s Old Town, starting from Thalang<br />

Road to Dibuk junction and Patipat Road<br />

via Phang Nga Road.<br />

Phuket Walking Street: Lard Yai<br />

Location: Thalang Road, Mueang, Phuket<br />

Telephone: +66 (0) 81 677 9851<br />

Every Sunday from 4-10pm<br />

Facebook: phuketwalkingstreet<br />

Chim Jae Walking Street<br />

Location: Thalang Road, Mueang, Phuket<br />

Telephone: +66 (0) 91 454 4249<br />

Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm<br />

Sunday from 10am to 10pm<br />

Facebook: ChimJaewalkingstreet<br />

34


OVERTURES<br />

A TASTE OF THAILAND<br />

Of Ice and Colours<br />

The unique “O Aew” or jelly<br />

in shaved ice is one type of<br />

refreshing dessert to try and<br />

introduced by the town of<br />

Penang in Malaysia. It became<br />

popular in the Hokkien or<br />

Fujian region of China and<br />

Taiwan and a first dessert<br />

choice for summertime. It<br />

later arrived in Southeast Asia,<br />

thanks to Chinese migration<br />

and earned a reputation as<br />

one of Phuket’s local sweets.<br />

O Aew begins with drying<br />

the seeds of the O Aew<br />

fruit and grinding them. A<br />

Chinese herb known for its<br />

cooling effect known as Jian<br />

Kang (a gypsum powder) and<br />

cultivated bananas get added<br />

to solidify the combination<br />

with the grounded seeds.<br />

When boiled together in<br />

water an opaque, white jelly<br />

becomes the result. To serve<br />

this dessert, the jelly should be<br />

cut into small pieces.<br />

People in the old days<br />

would eat O Aew on its own<br />

to cure mouth ulcers or simply<br />

quench a thirst. Now O Aew<br />

is enjoyed with shaved ice as<br />

a dessert, or with different<br />

types of sweet side dishes at<br />

a dessert café. As a tip, do as<br />

the locals would who order O<br />

Aew based on colour codes.<br />

Pick a combination: white and<br />

red, white and black, or white,<br />

black and red. White stands<br />

for O Aew, red for red beans<br />

while black refers to grass jelly.<br />

Ingredients:<br />

• Boiled red beans<br />

• Grass jelly<br />

• Cultivated banana<br />

• Shaved ice<br />

• Red salaccaflavoured<br />

syrup or<br />

regular syrup<br />

WORDS SARITA URUPONGSA<br />

36


OVERTURES<br />

FRUITFUL FINDS<br />

A Fruit’s<br />

Passionate<br />

Side<br />

The next time you need a natural vitamin<br />

boost, think about adding a fresh passion<br />

fruit as part of a healthy plan.<br />

WORDS CHUSRI NGAMPRASERT PHOTO KAY CHOOMONGKOL<br />

INVESTING IN SOPHISTICATED LIVING<br />

Tucked in a desirable spot in Phuket’s Bangtao/Laguna area and just minutes away from everything<br />

you need – Botanica Luxury Villas property boasts 21 custom-built elite residences of large open plans,<br />

bespoke design and sophistication in a tropical climate setting. Completed by January 2020, enjoy<br />

nearby beaches, restaurants, boutique shops and numerous activities for the family.<br />

In 2018, the <strong>Thai</strong>land Property Awards selected Botanica Luxury Villas as the winner for Best Villa<br />

Development (Phuket), also coming in highly recommended in the category of Best Housing Architectural<br />

Design (Resort). Botanica Luxury Villas is now ready to create your dream home. Three standard designs<br />

offer spaces from 265 to 700 sq. metres with a signature feature of a covered terrace that seamlessly<br />

interconnects all spaces. Other amenities include smart home technology along with 24-hour security.<br />

The Botanica Luxury Villas are also an ideal investment for short term rental accommodations<br />

vacations. Enjoy the remaining duration for your family. For a visual tour and discussion of your<br />

aspirations and dreams in a home, please contact us at info@botanicavillasphuket.com.<br />

With its purple or yellow colours,<br />

it possesses an inedible outer shell<br />

and a hard rind. But once cut open, a<br />

fragrance releases and the many edible<br />

seeds hold a sweet, tangy, juicy pulp.<br />

The passion fruit, round or oval in<br />

shape, comes in the size of a large egg.<br />

Botanists say this tropical fruit is<br />

considered a type of berry, the fruit<br />

of the Passiflora vine and a type of<br />

passion flower. The purple passion fruit<br />

is native to southern Brazil, Paraguay<br />

and Argentina while the yellow variety<br />

is of unknown origin. It thrives in<br />

tropical weather, but some varieties<br />

can survive in a sub-tropical climate.<br />

The fruit got its name from<br />

its eye-catching flower when the<br />

missionaries and explorers came to<br />

Brazil in the 16th century. Drawn<br />

to the striking look of the fragrant<br />

flower, they connected it to the<br />

crucifixion of Jesus Christ, also<br />

called the Passion of the Christ.<br />

In looking at the flower, the spikes<br />

protruding from the centre of the<br />

flowers symbolised the crown of<br />

thorns, and believers say that the<br />

ten petals represent the ten faithful<br />

apostles. The three stigmata<br />

represent the three nails from<br />

the crucifixion, and five anthers<br />

represented the five sacred wounds<br />

on Christ while the flower’s trailing<br />

tendrils resembled whips he<br />

encountered. So much symbolism<br />

alone can be found in the flower.<br />

The fruit while small in size, is<br />

loaded with nutrients and plant<br />

compounds that could benefit your<br />

health. It is a good source of fibre,<br />

vitamin C, vitamin A, antioxidants,<br />

minerals and dietary fibre, which<br />

could soothe your skin, enhance your<br />

immunity and help lower the risk of<br />

diseases like heart disease and diabetes.<br />

Enjoying the fruit simply requires<br />

cutting the shell open and scooping<br />

the tangy yellow pulp with a spoon.<br />

Don’t be afraid of the crunchy black<br />

seeds inside. All of those are chewable!<br />

A fabulous fruit to play with in<br />

the kitchen, a passion fruit can be<br />

used in a variety of ways. Add it to<br />

drinks, desserts, yoghurt, or make<br />

delicious salad dressings, or eat it on<br />

its own – the list is endless. In many<br />

recipes, the pulp is pushed through<br />

a sieve yielding a purée perfect for<br />

flavouring beverages and sauces.<br />

Just like its name, the heady<br />

fragrance of the passion fruit ignites<br />

an equally passionate response with<br />

just one taste.<br />

38<br />

www.botanicavillasphuket.com | Tel: +66 (0) 98 394 7097, +66 (0) 81 893 2113<br />

botanicavillasphuket botanicavillas


OVERTURES<br />

ARTS & CULTURAL MATTERS<br />

Evergreen Jewel Transforms<br />

Changi Airport<br />

Words<br />

Sarita Urupongsa<br />

Photos Jewel Changi Airport Devt Pte Ltd.<br />

In this 21st century marked by its own age of<br />

innovation, design aesthetics and the presence<br />

of authentic nature becomes part of it. The<br />

recently unveiled Jewel, the latest buzz to the<br />

bustle of Changi Airport in Singapore, reflects<br />

this aspirational yearning for futuristic thinking<br />

yet stays close to a preference for the organic<br />

by creating a multi-dimensional lifestyle<br />

destination. This urban space and complex now<br />

connects to three of the airport’s terminals with<br />

impressive and unforgettable sights showcasing<br />

a modernity and mix of entertainment choices.<br />

Jewel Changi Airport now holds quite a<br />

number of design marvels, especially the<br />

stunning structure of the HSBC Rain Vortex,<br />

which features a shower of water down<br />

to the centre of the building. Considered<br />

the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the<br />

rainwater is funnelled and harvested for<br />

landscape irrigation systems and sounds<br />

like something out of a sci-fi movie; but this<br />

is what happens when design aesthetics<br />

meets innovative technology.<br />

Since its unveiling to the public, Jewel<br />

has enticed and invited travellers to have<br />

a stopover and linger in comfort while<br />

taking in the new architectural details and<br />

the forest-like indoors. Local residents also<br />

find themselves a new playground that<br />

integrates all aspects of popular and new<br />

eateries, shopping and entertainment so it<br />

is not an exaggeration that Jewel Changi<br />

delivers a unique lifestyle experience while<br />

at the same time provides an easier and<br />

convenient transit point for everyone.<br />

The project began in 2014, the<br />

brainchild of renowned architect Moshe<br />

Safdie who envisioned a functional<br />

complex enveloped by indoor greenery<br />

within a vibrant space. Jewel actually<br />

encapsulates Singapore’s legacy as “The<br />

City in the Garden,” with modern architecture,<br />

pleasingly inviting businesses and urban<br />

greenery, all with advanced technology<br />

benefitting all who visit. Jewel’s attraction<br />

lies in the variety of trees and plants grown<br />

indoors specially selected and imported<br />

from all over the world before being<br />

nurtured in Singapore’s climate.<br />

The eye-catching Façade, the domeshaped<br />

enclosure with specially designed<br />

glass transmits light and reduces heat. The<br />

Façade’s glass surface underwent a great<br />

number of research and tests to ensure<br />

that the glare from the surface would not<br />

obstruct the daily operations of air traffic<br />

control. Another aspect of Jewel, the<br />

Connector, bridges together the airport<br />

terminals of Singapore Changi Airport,<br />

representing Singapore’s well-known<br />

importance as a connecting hub. There’s<br />

the Shiseido Forest Valley, a terraced garden<br />

with interactive experiences for visitors,<br />

walking trails, cascading waterfalls and<br />

serene areas for seating. While Canopy<br />

Park, the 14,000 square metre-space<br />

located on the 5th floor of Jewel, features<br />

play attractions, themed gardens, dining<br />

outlets and Cloud9 Piazza that can fit up to<br />

1,000 people.<br />

40<br />

41


OVERTURES<br />

ARTS & CULTURAL MATTERS<br />

Apart from its groundbreaking design,<br />

Jewel perfectly encompasses the essence<br />

of a vibrant business and commercial<br />

hub. It consists of different concepts<br />

or pillars to ensure that everyone, not<br />

just travellers, enjoys their time in the<br />

destination. The first pillar, Shop & Dine,<br />

has over 280 units with a wide array of<br />

F&B and retail options. Visitors can taste<br />

sumptuous delicacies and browse through<br />

exclusive stores, including the Pokémon<br />

Center, the only one of its kind outside<br />

Japan with custom merchandise dedicated<br />

to its Singaporean outlet. There is Tiger<br />

Street Lab, an original Singaporean beer<br />

that offers a curated experience to fans<br />

with unique beer flavours and special<br />

merchandise. A Nike store allows fans to<br />

go for customised options and create their<br />

unique sneakers.<br />

The second pillar of thinking, Fly, eases<br />

the journey for travellers as the hassle of<br />

connecting flights, painfully-long waits<br />

between flights or luggage storage get<br />

addressed. Jewel is strategically located<br />

next to Singapore’s bustling Changi Airport<br />

so travellers benefit from early check-in<br />

counters and baggage storage facilities that<br />

are open from 6am to midnight.<br />

Jewel’s concept of Stay is dedicated<br />

to YOTELAIR, of cabin-styled rooms<br />

meant to deliver a comfortable rest with<br />

smart beds and amenities which can be<br />

booked starting from four hours and more.<br />

Famously-known for its flexible option to cater<br />

to various needs of travellers, it finally made its<br />

debut in Asia as the first YOTELAIR at Jewel.<br />

YOTELAIR Singapore Changi Airport provides<br />

self check-in kiosks for travel convenience<br />

with a gym and a chance to view the Rain<br />

Vortex cascading right next door.<br />

With Jewel’s concept of Play, it captures<br />

the theme of exciting exploration that is<br />

best conveyed in the layout and experience<br />

offered at Canopy Park, located at the top of<br />

Jewel whilst the Changi Experience Studio<br />

on the fourth floor portrays the diverse<br />

stories of Changi Airport.<br />

Even after the normal closing hours,<br />

Canopy Park and Jewel’s Basement 2 will<br />

still be open, some even until 3am to make<br />

sure that the fun never stops. Other areas<br />

which are still operating on extended hours<br />

include the Changi Lounge on level 1 and<br />

its neighbouring cafés, as well as YOTELAIR<br />

Singapore Changi Airport.<br />

Jewel Changi, set in innovative<br />

architecture and astounding choices of<br />

food, shopping and entertainment goes<br />

beyond being a desirable airport terminal.<br />

Not just a rest stop for travellers, it’s also<br />

a destination for all hours of the day set in<br />

lush greenery and serene surroundings to<br />

ease the stress of travel. With technology,<br />

commerce and nature rolled under one<br />

glass dome roof, Jewel Changi maintains<br />

Singapore’s reputation as a forwardthinking<br />

city with cutting-edge wonder.<br />

jewelchangiairport.com<br />

42


OVERTURES<br />

CHECKED IN: SAMUI<br />

STAYED: SANTIBURI<br />

Located in Maenam in north Koh Samui,<br />

Santiburi is a luxurious resort sprawled<br />

out along a lazy arc of golden sand and<br />

calm, clear waters. Harking back as one of<br />

the first 5-star resorts in Samui, Santiburi<br />

is a classic example of a meticulously<br />

maintained Siamese-style resort.<br />

Flanking each side of the lobby are<br />

the original rooms in a variety of layouts to<br />

adapt to guests – from solo travellers to<br />

big families. You’ll find exquisitely tasteful<br />

artwork adorning walls amongst teakwood<br />

furniture and accents. Quality is the name<br />

of the game for Santiburi in everything<br />

from service to décor to dining.<br />

They’ve recently completed a sizable<br />

expansion dubbed The Reserve and<br />

although you will find all of the fine<br />

qualities of the original resort, the style is<br />

distinctly contemporary with clean lines<br />

and state-of-the-art, well, everything.<br />

Making the List in Koh Samui<br />

The Reserve consists of 19 pool villas<br />

that are surprisingly private tucked behind<br />

their wooden gates. An enormous sliding<br />

door opens at the foot of the bed and if<br />

you step through that door, you’re in the<br />

pool. A huge floating beanbag is provided<br />

and once settled into it, good luck trying<br />

to get out of it for anything. If you do<br />

manage to escape, there are sun loungers<br />

and an oversized umbrella. You’ll also find<br />

an outside shower which is a very nice<br />

touch indeed.<br />

Join in the exploration of Samui’s vast array of places that are worthy of attention, as we<br />

venture from classically elegant <strong>Thai</strong> accommodations to a unique spa nestled among<br />

boulders and jolting our tastebuds with true southern food. Words & Photos Jeremie Schatz<br />

Inside the ample 250sqm villas are<br />

welcome snacks and fruit awaiting you in<br />

the living room. A big flat screen is above<br />

the Bluetooth soundbar so you can really<br />

make yourself at home. There’s a coffee-pod<br />

machine for a pick me up, a mini bar for a<br />

cool down, and room service for everything<br />

in between. From the cavernous bathroom<br />

with his-and-her sinks to the small but not<br />

insignificant details like the ample cushy<br />

pillows and ideally placed lighting, the villas<br />

are impeccably appointed and welcoming.<br />

On your coffee table you will find a<br />

booklet that says “Len” on the front – which<br />

means “to play” in <strong>Thai</strong>. Here Santiburi has<br />

created a way to cater the day’s activities<br />

to your current state of mind. First you<br />

can choose from adventure, relax, family,<br />

culture, or romance. Next you will choose<br />

from spa, activity, or gourmet and your<br />

treatment, destination, or dishes will reflect<br />

your selected mood. A unique and clever<br />

way to ensure your experience is narrowly<br />

tailored to your day.<br />

However, the accommodations are<br />

only one part of the equation – albeit<br />

an important one. Let’s not overlook the<br />

stunning beach with plenty of sun loungers,<br />

hammocks, and activities such as a Hobie<br />

cat to sail and paddle boards to explore on.<br />

Clockwise from Top<br />

The resort’s freeform<br />

pool is a massive<br />

50 metres long.<br />

The kids club for the<br />

little ones.<br />

You don’t even have<br />

to get out of your<br />

private pool to enjoy<br />

a luxurious floating<br />

breakfast.<br />

The villas in The<br />

Reserve are outfitted<br />

with far more<br />

than the necessary<br />

amenities.<br />

Unwind in a hot bath.<br />

Families will be pleasantly surprised at<br />

the vast amount of activities for the little<br />

ones. There’s a kids club with outdoor and<br />

indoor play areas where they show movies,<br />

host hands-on projects, and tons of toys<br />

to keep them entertained. They even have<br />

movie time on the beach to keep them<br />

occupied while you relax at the restaurant.<br />

Speaking of restaurants, Santiburi has<br />

a few such as The Beach House where<br />

you can sit barefoot with your feet in the<br />

sand and order something from the wellrounded<br />

menu. Sala <strong>Thai</strong> has superb <strong>Thai</strong><br />

classic dishes and a sommelier on hand.<br />

12/12 Moo 1, Maenam Beach, Koh Samui,<br />

Surat Thani, +66 (0) 77 425 031<br />

44


OVERTURES<br />

CHECKED IN: SAMUI<br />

Clockwise from<br />

Top Centre<br />

After a healing<br />

and detoxifying<br />

experience, nourish<br />

your body with a<br />

fresh and healthy<br />

meal in the café.<br />

Plunge pools await<br />

you around every<br />

corner, tucked<br />

amongst the<br />

towering granite<br />

boulders.<br />

Tamarind Springs’<br />

location couldn’t be<br />

more idyllic with<br />

the grounds lovingly<br />

maintained<br />

and styled.<br />

Here is where you<br />

begin and end your<br />

enchanting journey,<br />

shedding the<br />

accumulated stresses<br />

of daily life.<br />

TRIED: TAMARIND SPRINGS<br />

Steam swirls around you in random<br />

patterns visible in the dim light trickling<br />

through a few small frosted-glass<br />

windows. As condensed steam steadily<br />

drips off of the huge granite boulder<br />

in front of you, a mysterious rumbling<br />

emanates from somewhere deep in the<br />

shadows. The sound gradually seems<br />

to grow louder while at the same time<br />

crawling closer. Steam begins to slowly<br />

roll out of the hidden vent mingling with a<br />

bouquet of herbal scents beckoning you<br />

to breathe deeply. You’re starting to feel<br />

like a character in a movie script when you<br />

remember where you actually are – at one<br />

of the most unique spas in <strong>Thai</strong>land.<br />

Tamarind Springs is not what you<br />

might expect when browsing options<br />

of a place to spend an afternoon being<br />

pampered. Instead of being located<br />

off the side of a resort lobby, Tamarind<br />

Springs is in a perfectly manicured jungle<br />

valley amongst towering rounded granite<br />

boulders. Tree roots have grown to<br />

embrace boulders with a small stream<br />

meandering through as it has for millennia.<br />

Small waterfalls cascade into splash<br />

pools which can be found tucked into<br />

corners of boulders. Vibrant tropical vines<br />

dangle from tree trunks while butterflies<br />

flitter about and exotic bird song echoes<br />

through the canopy. The scene feels<br />

surreal, serene, and has an indescribable<br />

sense of magic.<br />

Visitors can begin their experience at<br />

the cooler of two steam rooms. Let the<br />

steam turn your stress and tense muscles<br />

into jelly. Once outside of the steam room<br />

splash off with cool water, rehydrate,<br />

and rub down with one of the natural<br />

body scrubs provided (the coffee scrub is<br />

amazing). Another steam, a rinse, and into<br />

the plunge pool you go. Make your way<br />

downhill where the hotter steam room<br />

awaits to work its healing magic.<br />

Although you’ve undoubtedly reached<br />

a euphoric level of relaxation and inner<br />

peace by now, you still have the massage<br />

to look forward to. Tamarind Springs offers<br />

up quite a selection and combination<br />

of options such as the Forest Dreaming<br />

where you can choose from 3 different<br />

types of 2.5-hour treatments or a <strong>Thai</strong><br />

oil massage paired with a facial, head<br />

or face reflexology. There are also hot<br />

and cold stone massages and specialty<br />

prenatal treatments.<br />

The open-air massage salas are<br />

perched on the hillside above the springs<br />

with cool breezes wafting in. Visiting on a<br />

rainy day makes the vibe more dreamlike.<br />

After reaching complete nirvana,<br />

showering and getting dressed, you will kick<br />

back in their beautiful 9 Seasons Restaurant<br />

with a coffee or tea and some fresh vegan<br />

spring rolls and fruit. The restaurant is open<br />

for breakfast and lunch with a menu of tasty<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> and fusion options.<br />

If you don’t want to wander too far<br />

from this jungle haven, they also have four<br />

different luxury villas available that are<br />

elegantly simple and private.<br />

When you’ve inevitably decided<br />

that it’s time for temporary detachment<br />

from a bustling world outside, Tamarind<br />

Springs beckons you to their sanctuary of<br />

relaxation, peace, and tranquility.<br />

205/7 Thong Takian, Koh Samui,<br />

Surat Thani, +66 (0) 85 926 4626<br />

46


OVERTURES<br />

CHECKED IN: SAMUI<br />

TASTED: SEA GRILLE AT CELES<br />

What is it about seaside dining that is so<br />

alluring? The sea itself beckons many on<br />

some subliminal, instinctual level. So much<br />

so that simply looking out over it while<br />

indulging in a meal somehow satiates this<br />

mysterious desire.<br />

If you’re going to succumb to that<br />

urge while in Koh Samui, the Sea Grille<br />

is the place to do it. Located on the<br />

beachfront in the corner of Celes Resort,<br />

this bright and airy eatery delivers one of<br />

the finest dining experiences on the island.<br />

Ample space for any size party is<br />

available in the spacious, air-conditioned<br />

dining room. If that’s not close enough<br />

to the water, an outdoor patio gets you<br />

as close as possible without getting your<br />

feet wet. The theme is distinctly nautical<br />

with wooden fish lining the walls as well<br />

as lighthouse and sailboat models nestled<br />

in between.<br />

Okay, so it’s a beautiful spot, but what<br />

about the food? This is where we get<br />

down to business. This discussion can be<br />

prefaced by saying, if you’re a devotee to<br />

an epicurean lifestyle, especially fine cuts<br />

of beef; you’ve found a place that ought<br />

to appeal to your sensibilities.<br />

While the menu is overflowing with<br />

culinary delights from all around the<br />

world such as <strong>Thai</strong> favourites, pizza and<br />

pasta, and creative sandwiches, there are<br />

few stand-out dishes that deserve your<br />

special attention.<br />

The Jack’s Creek wagyu tomahawk<br />

steak certainly qualifies for this list and<br />

likely merits the top spot. Before even<br />

taking a bite you know it’s going to be a<br />

Clockwise from Top<br />

The experience of<br />

devouring amazing<br />

surf and turf.<br />

Jack’s Creek wagyu<br />

tomahawk steak.<br />

The Sea Grille is<br />

highly recommended<br />

for casual fine dining.<br />

The imported wagyu<br />

steak with a local twist.<br />

The popular tom<br />

yum goong is made<br />

right at your table.<br />

mind-blowing steak. Jack’s Creek earned the<br />

award as the “World’s Best Steak Producer”<br />

two years in a row. They specialise in only<br />

the highest quality grain-fed beef.<br />

However, the best cut is nothing<br />

without being cooked with care along<br />

with the right spices. Fortunately, the<br />

Sea Grille’s chef knows his way around<br />

the grille. The ideal blend of salt, pepper,<br />

and other spices combined with precisely<br />

enough time over just the right-sized<br />

flame produces an extraordinarily<br />

succulent and flavourful steak. Served with<br />

a savoury au jus and equally masterfully<br />

cooked roasted potatoes, there exists<br />

little opportunity for disappointment.<br />

If you want to stick with steak but<br />

are more inclined to dabble in the local<br />

flavours, the nuea yang namjim jaew fits<br />

the bill. Here is an incredibly tender cut of<br />

wagyu beef served with a crowd-pleasing<br />

sauce from northeastern <strong>Thai</strong>land that’s<br />

made with chillies, lime, fish sauce, and<br />

toasted ground sticky rice. The slight spicysourness<br />

of the sauce compliments the<br />

rich umami nicely and don’t be surprised to<br />

find yourself asking for a refill.<br />

Other instant favourites can be found<br />

such as the mixed sea and land skewer<br />

with generous servings of New Zealand<br />

lamb, beef tenderloin, and fresh prawns.<br />

Let’s not forget that it’s essential to<br />

warm up before embarking on a meal of<br />

this stature. To wake up the palate, the<br />

yellow fin tuna rolls couldn’t do a better job.<br />

Rolled with truffle essence, basil, served on<br />

top of a lemon tapenade green apple salsa<br />

and topped with roe, what could go wrong?<br />

The Sea Grille touts quite the bounty<br />

of enticing dining options sure to inspire<br />

the savvy gourmet.<br />

175/3 Thaveerat-Pakdee Bophut Beach,<br />

Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani,<br />

+66 (0) 77 900 999<br />

48


OVERTURES<br />

CHECKED IN: SAMUI<br />

TASTED: BAITONG RESTAURANT AT BANANA FAN SEA<br />

Here you are in <strong>Thai</strong>land – the land of experience their specialty, take a look at the<br />

smiles. It’s also the land of some of the southern <strong>Thai</strong> food offerings.<br />

tastiest food on the planet. This is so<br />

Unsurprisingly, most countries as<br />

universally agreed upon that it’s nearly big as <strong>Thai</strong>land exhibit several regional<br />

crossed the line from opinion to fact – if culinary variations. There are many famous<br />

that’s even possible. Regardless, there is dishes from the central and northeastern<br />

no doubt that to <strong>Thai</strong> people, their cultural parts of the country such as papaya salad,<br />

heritage has far transcended the realm larb, green curry, and tom yum. Southern<br />

of mere sustenance to something much <strong>Thai</strong> dishes are lesser-known but certainly<br />

more sacred and cherished.<br />

offer equal, if not more, in terms of flavour<br />

This being said, not all <strong>Thai</strong> food is varieties and intensities.<br />

created equal and this is evident after<br />

Let’s start with the dish that exemplifies<br />

dining at Baitong Restaurant. Located right the cuisine of several southern provinces<br />

on the water at the Banana Fan Sea Resort – orange curry with fish (gaeng som<br />

on Chaweng Beach, a beautiful tropical plaa). Many of these southern dishes are<br />

beachside atmosphere is complemented by inherently spicy, although they can tone<br />

an extended menu with plenty of options it down for you upon request, and orange<br />

for all palates. However, if curry is no exception. Typically made with<br />

you truly want to fresh white snapper, this thin curry mates<br />

The zesty khua<br />

kling gai is<br />

adorned with fresh<br />

green peppercorns.<br />

turmeric with chilli peppers, garlic, shallot,<br />

shrimp paste, tamarind, and lime to create<br />

a unique flavour that balances sour, sweet,<br />

and spicy.<br />

Another very unique dish is the shrimp<br />

pan fried with shrimp paste and sataw which<br />

is often called stink bean or bitter bean in<br />

English. They start with the freshest <strong>Thai</strong><br />

shrimp and lightly fry them. After, they toss<br />

in a pan with shrimp paste, fish sauce, palm<br />

sugar, garlic, and other spices along with<br />

the sataw beans. The result is an intensely<br />

potent and complex flavour. The distinct<br />

aromatic taste of the sataw meets the flavour<br />

of the shrimp paste halfway and morphs into<br />

something that is neither fishy nor overly<br />

oniony. There’s a depth to the flavour that is<br />

elusive in other types of cuisine.<br />

Top Right<br />

Sataw, or stink bean,<br />

can at first seem to<br />

overwhelm the senses,<br />

but will be followed<br />

by a new appreciation<br />

for its uniqueness.<br />

Middle Right<br />

This creamy curry<br />

with pork is cooked<br />

with a type of<br />

sprouted bean in a<br />

flavour similar to stink<br />

bean but lighter.<br />

Left<br />

Many would consider<br />

orange curry with fish<br />

the signature dish of<br />

southern <strong>Thai</strong> cuisine.<br />

Sticking with the theme of full,<br />

complex-flavoured dishes, khua kling is a<br />

dish commonly found in eateries across<br />

the south. Most often made with minced<br />

pork or chicken, khua kling is sautéed in<br />

a dry curry. Perhaps it’s the dryness that<br />

reduces the curry paste resulting in such<br />

profound tastes. Khua kling is packed<br />

with kaffir lime leaves, black pepper,<br />

lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, garlic,<br />

and of course chillies.<br />

All the food at Baitong tastes<br />

incredibly fresh thanks in part to their<br />

herb garden. On Mondays, Baitong puts<br />

together a great beach barbecue.<br />

201 Moo 2, Chaweng Beach, Chaweng,<br />

Koh Samui, Surat Thani,<br />

+66 (0) 77 413 483<br />

50


AMATA CHITTASENEE<br />

Meet<br />

Pearypie:<br />

AN<br />

INFLUENCERWords Phoowadon Duangmee<br />

Photos Amata Chittasenee, Wichit Kongsiangsung<br />

OVES FROM COSMETICS<br />

to<br />

TRADITIONAL WEAR<br />

Makeup tutorials shot her to fame, and now<br />

this Instagram star hopes that by adding the<br />

cool factor to <strong>Thai</strong> traditional fabrics, they<br />

get to develop their own fandom.<br />

52<br />

53


AMATA CHITTASENEE<br />

On one Monday afternoon, Amata Chittasenee made her way to a<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> restaurant in Thong Lor, Bangkok’s trendy and fashionable<br />

neighbourhood. Her face, in neat makeup, had a sweet and charming<br />

glow. An outfit of a loose shirt and trousers from <strong>Thai</strong> traditional<br />

fabric may contrast with her Dr. Martens but they definitely made a fashion<br />

statement. In making <strong>Thai</strong> silk and combat boots unusual bedfellows, she<br />

made it cool. Her real name, Amata, makes her a relative unknown. But it’s<br />

“Pearypie” – her social media persona – that gives her celebrity status with<br />

almost two million followers in Asia and beyond.<br />

“That’s Pha Lai Yang! What a<br />

coincidence!” Amata or Pearypie<br />

bursts in excitement, as she<br />

discovered a piece of fabric hanging<br />

down a wooden bar at Patara Fine<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> Cuisine. It turns out her outfit<br />

and textiles in the restaurant are<br />

made from traditional Pha Lai Yang<br />

(Siamese chintz), which was once<br />

reserved for aristocracy in the late<br />

Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin<br />

period and whose decorative patterns<br />

denote rank.<br />

“This traditional textile has<br />

a long history, when the trend of<br />

printed fabric made its way for the<br />

very first time to the Ayutthaya<br />

kingdom. Back then, Siam didn’t<br />

have the technology for printed<br />

fabric, and artisans in the royal court<br />

had to design the floral patterns<br />

before sending them to be printed in<br />

a textile factory in India,” she says.<br />

Concluding her story about<br />

India-Siam fashion influence<br />

around the 18th century, she<br />

called a waitress to order a glass<br />

of iced coffee to treat herself on a<br />

Top Right<br />

Pearypie poses with<br />

colourful threads<br />

of <strong>Thai</strong> silk at<br />

Thasawang Village<br />

in Surin province,<br />

Northeastern<br />

<strong>Thai</strong>land. The<br />

village is famous for<br />

making the finest<br />

silk in <strong>Thai</strong>land.<br />

Below, Left & Right<br />

Pearypie makes a<br />

personal statement<br />

for <strong>Thai</strong> silk on a trip<br />

to Petra Caves and<br />

the Roman Ruins at<br />

Jerash in Jordan.<br />

warm afternoon as I took notes<br />

on her commitment to traditional<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> fabrics.<br />

Amata’s friendly smile makes<br />

her seem quite nice and her story<br />

also holds amazing twists and turns.<br />

Born into a well-off family in<br />

Bangkok, Amata went to Central<br />

Saint Martin’s in London, England,<br />

to study art and theatrical design.<br />

Then she earned a master’s degree<br />

in business management. Like many<br />

people in the digital age, Amata has<br />

her physical world interface with a<br />

digital realm. She created “Pearypie”<br />

as an online identity to enjoy the<br />

thrill and adventure in digital<br />

platforms via Instagram, Facebook<br />

and other social media applications.<br />

Driven by a passion for makeup and<br />

fashion, she started her Instagram<br />

feed sharing makeup tutorials.<br />

“I am passionate about makeup,<br />

and always take it as an art form,”<br />

said Amata, having done her visual<br />

arts degree in the London art<br />

school. “I painted and dabbled in<br />

colours and cosmetics on models’<br />

faces. When the models changed<br />

their postures or express different<br />

emotions, I could see my art, as<br />

makeup springs to life and develops<br />

into different perspectives.”<br />

“When you do what you love,<br />

you give it your very best. I take<br />

Instagram, Facebook and other<br />

digital platforms as my centre<br />

stage, to bridge my creativity with<br />

like-minded followers.” Recently,<br />

Pearypie has 1.6 million followers.<br />

In the past five years, she was<br />

recognised as a leading beauty and<br />

fashion influencer in Asia. The viral<br />

success took her to London and<br />

Paris fashion shows. She worked<br />

with some major brands and had<br />

significant collaborations.<br />

Pearypie had been happy with the<br />

challenge and success for five years<br />

until she found a drawback in the<br />

circle of online influencer and shill<br />

business of product endorsement.<br />

By nature, an online influencer<br />

is a creature of propaganda. Unlike<br />

TV commercials in the conservative<br />

form of advertisement, the<br />

authenticity that drives the world<br />

of online advertising is based on<br />

having ordinary people recommend<br />

merchandise or services they enjoy.<br />

Imagine a review from some real<br />

user or even your friends telling the<br />

high and low points of their latest<br />

smartphone, digital camera or a new<br />

restaurant in the neighbourhood<br />

based on their liking. You don’t<br />

need very much creativity to shill a<br />

product, but you have to make your<br />

feed raw and real to ensure that<br />

people will respond to your post.<br />

But Pearypie is not the average<br />

influencer. “As soon as I post my<br />

latest beauty clip in my channels,<br />

someone would make a comment<br />

immediately: I cannot wait for your<br />

next video clip,” said Pearypie.<br />

“That’s heartbreaking! It took<br />

me longer than a month to do a<br />

storyboard, shooting, editing,<br />

reediting and finalising a video<br />

clip. Alas, the emotions and the<br />

lifespan of the clip lasted only a<br />

few seconds. Did a follower really<br />

appreciate my creativity?”<br />

Clearly, Amata, while an affable<br />

person, is also frank. She has many<br />

stories to share and is not shy to<br />

express her feelings and ideas.<br />

Looking into her dark eyes, I could<br />

see a strong sense of independence<br />

and wilfulness. The fashion<br />

industry is full of untruths, Amata<br />

admitted, and a person around<br />

the industry sometimes insults<br />

human intelligence by talking and<br />

dramatising the same old things.<br />

Almost two million people follow<br />

you, and many of them see you as<br />

an influencer, who is your influencer<br />

or idol, I asked – wondering if an<br />

influencer needs an influencer?<br />

“My influencers are Samruay in<br />

Buri Ram province, Ko in Surin<br />

province, Kong at The Cloud who<br />

is an environmental crusader and<br />

Kob at Big Tree Foundation who is a<br />

guardian of every single tree in the<br />

city,” says Amata. “My influencers<br />

and idols are ordinary people, a<br />

common man and woman, who<br />

contribute extraordinary work to<br />

a community.”<br />

Pearypie gave me a full body<br />

twist, and I needed a high dose<br />

of caffeine to handle her spin. In<br />

this case, a double shot espresso<br />

would do.<br />

If you follow Pearypie’s IG<br />

feed or Facebook lately, you might<br />

realise that Pearypie does not feed<br />

“As a makeup artist, I deal with colours and pigments all<br />

the time – but they’re chemicals. The local people taught<br />

me to source pigments from nature. They really took me<br />

out of my comfort zone. They’re my influencers.”<br />

Top Left<br />

Inspired by the<br />

Japanese kimono,<br />

Pearypie fashioned<br />

an outfit of<br />

elegant silk from<br />

Surin province<br />

in Northeastern<br />

<strong>Thai</strong>land.<br />

Top Right<br />

Pearypie does her<br />

strut at the Louvre<br />

in Paris with a gray<br />

overcoat made from<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> silk.<br />

beauty video clips any more. She<br />

found a new thrill in traditional<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> fabrics. This beauty influencer<br />

has transformed herself into a<br />

fashionista. While many <strong>Thai</strong>s find<br />

their traditional and ethnic textile<br />

uninspiring, Pearypie finds them<br />

cool and chic.<br />

“I got a piece of silk a few<br />

years ago as a gift for my beauty<br />

workshop at Khon Kaen University.<br />

The lecturer kept telling me how<br />

expensive and luxurious Khon Kaen<br />

silk was, and I doubted it, maybe<br />

it was an overstatement,” recalled<br />

Pearypie. With no better idea of<br />

what to do with that piece of silk,<br />

Pearypie tailored her clothing and<br />

packed it for a Dior fashion show<br />

in Paris. It was silk, burgundy-pink<br />

with geometric patterns, a classic<br />

blouse with Mandarin collar,<br />

winged shoulders and long sleeves.<br />

Pearypie put it on with her denim<br />

jeans to make a statement for Khon<br />

Kaen silk in Paris.<br />

“People from Dior gave me a<br />

thumbs up, and they asked where<br />

I got such a beautiful fabric to<br />

make my blouse,” said Pearypie.<br />

“Wow! Our traditional textiles can<br />

be super cool and extremely good if<br />

we make it right.”<br />

54 55


AMATA CHITTASENEE<br />

After a trip to Paris, Pearypie<br />

gravitated to a new passion –<br />

traditional <strong>Thai</strong> fabrics. She often<br />

travels across the country scouring<br />

for material for her custom-made<br />

designs. Following the threads<br />

of textiles to local looms around<br />

<strong>Thai</strong>land, Pearypie came across<br />

equally beautiful people in her<br />

eyes who have dedicated their<br />

craftsmanship for the sustainable<br />

and lasting beauty of <strong>Thai</strong> fabrics.<br />

“In Buri Ram province, I met<br />

Auntie Samruay, who took me to<br />

gather volcanic stone in the wood,<br />

and she even taught me about<br />

sustainability. In Udon Thani, I<br />

found out that local people dye their<br />

clothes using water lily flowers,”<br />

said Pearypie. “As a makeup artist,<br />

I deal with colours and pigments all<br />

the time – but they’re chemicals.<br />

The local people taught me to source<br />

pigments from nature. They really<br />

took me out of my comfort zone.<br />

They’re my influencers.”<br />

Pearypie demystifies the<br />

“traditional textile makes boring<br />

dress” idea with her stylish designs<br />

that fit into the modern lifestyle.<br />

She wore her custom-made outfits<br />

and took some photos at iconic<br />

landmarks and travel destinations,<br />

such as Petra caves in Jordan, the<br />

Pink Palace in India’s Jaipur and the<br />

Louvre Museum in Paris.<br />

Pearypie posted her photos with<br />

these outfits in her social media<br />

networks, and followers take their<br />

hats off to her for the creativity.<br />

“I want to create a new fashion<br />

for traditional <strong>Thai</strong> fabric. I want to<br />

make it cool,” she ended.<br />

Special thanks to Patara Fine <strong>Thai</strong> Cuisine for<br />

shooting location. patarathailand.com,<br />

+66 (0) 2185 2960-1<br />

เมื่ออมตา จิตตะเสนีย์ ก้าวเข้ามายังร้าน<br />

อาหารภัทรา ย่านทองหล่อ ร้านก็ดูสว่าง<br />

จากออร่าของเธอขึ้นทันตา ใบหน้าสวย<br />

หวานแต่งแต้มด้วยเครื ่องสำอางอย่าง<br />

พิถีพิถัน เสื้อผ้าไทยหลวมๆ และกางเกง<br />

ขายาวดูขัดกับรองเท้า Dr. Martens<br />

ทว่าลงตัว น้อยคนนักที่จะรู้จักเธอในนาม<br />

“อมตา” แต่ถ้าเรียกเธอว่า “แพรี่พาย”<br />

แล้วไม่ได้ยินเสียง “อ๋อ” คงแปลกน่าดู<br />

บังเอิญที่ผ้าแขวนประดับร้านอาหาร<br />

กับผ้าที่ใช้ตัดเสื้อของเธอคือผ้าไทยดั้งเดิม<br />

ชนิดเดียวกัน ยิ่งสร้างความตื่นเต้นขึ ้น<br />

ไปอีก คุณอมตาเล่าถึงความเป็นมาของ<br />

ผ้า “ลายอย่าง” ด้วยความตื่นเต้นว่า<br />

เป็นผ้าสำหรับชนชั้นสูงในสมัยอยุธยาและ<br />

รัตนโกสินทร์ตอนต้นเท่านั้น ในสมัย<br />

อยุธยาเทคโนโลยีในการพิมพ์ลายผ้ายังไม่<br />

พัฒนามากพอ ช่างหลวงจึงจำเป็นต้องส่ง<br />

ลายผ้าให้โรงงานพิมพ์ผ้าที่อินเดียผลิตให้<br />

เลยทีเดียว พอเราได้ฟังเรื่องที่เธอเล่า เห็น<br />

ทีเธอคงไม่ใช่เน็ตไอดอลธรรมดาๆ แน่ๆ<br />

ภายใต้รอยยิ้มหวานเป็นมิตร มีเรื่อง<br />

ราวชีวิตที่ไม่คาดคิดแฝงอยู่ อมตาเกิดและ<br />

โตในกรุงเทพฯ เธอเข้าศึกษาการออกแบบ<br />

ศิลปะและละครใน Central Saint Martin’s<br />

กรุงลอนดอน จากนั้นเรียนจบปริญญา<br />

โทสาขาบริหารธุรกิจ เธอได้สร้างตัวตน<br />

ในนาม “แพรี่พาย” บนโลกดิจิทัลออนไลน์<br />

ผ่าน อินสตาแกรม เฟสบุ๊ค และโซเชียล<br />

มีเดียอื่นๆ เธอเริ่มจากการสอนแต่งหน้า<br />

ด้วยความหลงใหลในเครื่องสำอาง<br />

เธอเล่าว่า การแต่งหน้าคือศิลปะ<br />

รูปแบบหนึ่ง สีสันบนใบหน้าของนางแบบ<br />

ขณะเปลี่ยนท่วงท่าแสดงให้เห็นถึงศิลปะที่<br />

พัฒนาเป็นมุมมองที่แตกต่างออกไป เธอ<br />

ย้ำว่า คนเราจะทำอะไรเต็มที่เมื่อสิ่งนั้นเป็น<br />

สิ่งที่เรารัก และโลกออนไลน์ก็เป็นเหมือน<br />

สะพานที่เชื่อมระหว่างความคิดสร้างสรรค์<br />

ของเธอกับผู้ติดตามที่มีความหลงใหลใน<br />

สิ่งเดียวกัน<br />

ปัจจุบัน แพรี่พายมียอดผู้ติดตามกว่า<br />

1.6 ล้านคน เธอได้รับการยอมรับในเอเชีย<br />

ว่าเป็นกูรูด้านความงามและแฟชั่น จนนำ<br />

มาซึ่งความสำเร็จในงานแฟชั่นโชว์ระดับโลก<br />

ณ กรุงลอนดอนและปารีส<br />

ตลอดห้าปีในฐานะแพรี่พาย เธอมี<br />

ความสุขกับความท้าทายและความสำเร็จ<br />

แต่วงการออนไลน์อินฟลูเอ็นเซอร์และ<br />

การรีวิวสินค้าออนไลน์ไม่ได้น่าตื่นเต้น<br />

สำหรับเธออีกต่อไป<br />

เธอเล่าว่า พอเธอโพสต์คลิปวิดีโอ<br />

ล่าสุด ก็จะมีคนมาคอมเม้นต์ว่า “รอ<br />

คลิปต่อไปอยู่นะคะ” แต่ใครจะรู้ว่ากว่า<br />

เธอจะสร้างสตอรีบอร์ด ถ่ายทำ และ<br />

ตัดต่อ กระบวนการทั้งหมดนั่นใช้เวลา<br />

เป็นเดือน ขณะที่ความรู้สึกและอายุของ<br />

คลิปวิดีโอมีความยาวแค่ไม่กี่วินาที จน<br />

เธอเกิดคำถามในใจว่าผู้ที่ติดตามเธอ<br />

เห็นคุณค่าของความคิดสร้างสรรค์<br />

จริงหรือเปล่า<br />

นัยน์ตาสีเข้มของอมตาสะท้อน<br />

ความเป็นตัวของตัวเองและความมุ่งมั่น<br />

บนซ้าย<br />

อมตา จิตตะเสนีย์<br />

หรือที่เรารู้จักกันดีในชื่อ<br />

“แพรี่พาย” สวมเสื้อคลุม<br />

ผ้าไทย “ลายอย่าง” ซึ่ง<br />

บังเอิญเป็นผ้าชนิดเดียว<br />

กับที่แขวนประดับอยู่<br />

ร้านอาหารภัทรา<br />

ย่านทองหล่อ ที่เธอให้<br />

สัมภาษณ์กับนิตยสาร<br />

ฟ้าไทย<br />

ล่างขวา<br />

“แพรี่พาย” กับผ้าไหม<br />

ไทยสีฟ้าและผ้าทอมือ<br />

พันรอบคอเพื่อกันหนาว<br />

ระหว่างเดินทางท่องเที่ยว<br />

ที่เพชรบูรณ์<br />

แล้วเราก็ได้แปลกใจอีกครั้งเมื่อได้รู้ว่า<br />

ไอดอลของแพรี่พายคือใคร<br />

คุณอมตาได้รับแรงบันดาลใจจาก<br />

คุณสำรวยที่บุรีรัมย์ คุณโก้ที่สุรินทร์<br />

คุณก้องที่ The Cloud และคุณกบที่<br />

Big Tree Foundation เธอบอกกับเรา<br />

ว่าแรงบันดาลใจของเธอมาจากคน<br />

ธรรมดานี่แหละ บุคคลเหล่านี้คือผู้ที่<br />

สร้างคุณูปการให้แก่สังคมของเรา<br />

หากคุณติดตามแพรี่พายผ่านไอจี<br />

และเฟสบุ๊ค จะสังเกตว่าเธอหันมาให้<br />

ความสนใจผ้าไทยโบราณ เปลี่ยนตัวเอง<br />

ให้เป็นแฟชั่นนิสต้าผ้าไทย เธอเล่าว่า<br />

เธอได้รับผ้าไหมจากมหาวิทยาลัย<br />

ขอนแก่น เธอตัดผ้าไหมสีชมพูเบอร์กันดี<br />

ลายเรขาคณิตผืนหนึ่งเป็นเสื้อแขนยาว<br />

คอจีน ไหล่ตั้งเล็กน้อย สวมคู่กับกางเกงยีนส์<br />

ชุดของเธอสวยงามจนดีไซเนอร์ดิออร์<br />

ยกนิ้วให้ในงานแฟชั่นโชว์ที่ปารีส<br />

กลับจากปารีส แพรี่พายได้ค้นพบ<br />

ความตื่นเต้นใหม่ในผ้าไทยโบราณ เธอ<br />

เดินทางไปทั่วประเทศเพื่อเฟ้นหาลายผ้า<br />

ที่เปี่ยมด้วยเอกลักษณ์ จนเธอได้พบ<br />

กับผู้คนมากมายที่อุทิศตนเพื่อสืบสาน<br />

งานฝีมืออันงดงามของไทยไว้<br />

อมตาได้ความรู้มากมายจากชาวบ้าน<br />

ไม่ว่าจะเป็นการใช้สีย้อมผ้าจากดอกบัว<br />

และอีกหลายๆ ศาสตร์จากธรรมชาติ<br />

เธอพบโลกแห่งภูมิปัญญาและความ<br />

พอเพียง โลกใบใหม่นี้เองที่สร้างให้งาน<br />

ศิลปะของเธอมีเอกลักษณ์ ผ้าไทยจึง<br />

ไม่ใช่เรื่องน่าเบื่ออีกต่อไป อมตาสวมใส่<br />

เสื้อผ้าตัดจากผ้าทอผ้าไทย โดยมี<br />

ภาพพื้นหลังเป็นถ้ำเพตราในจอร์แดน<br />

พระราชวังสีชมพูในอินเดีย หรือจะเป็น<br />

พิพิธภัณฑ์ลูฟว์ในปารีส<br />

แพรี่พายแบ่งปันความแปลกใหม่<br />

สร้างจากความดั้งเดิมของไทย ผนวก<br />

ผ้าไทยเขากับไลฟ์สไตล์สมัยใหม่ของ<br />

แต่ละคน เปลี่ยนความคิดว่าผ้าไทย<br />

“เชย” ให้เป็นความ “ชิค” แบบลงตัว<br />

56


BREATH-TAKING GETAWAY<br />

In Phang Nga, this wonder of a province<br />

comes with generous offerings of<br />

extraordinary natural sights and beauty.<br />

Phang Nga:<br />

SMALL AND<br />

AWESOME<br />

Words Sirin P Wongpanit<br />

Photos Permboon Wongpanit<br />

Phang Nga Bay from the<br />

Samed Nang Chee viewpoint.<br />

58 59


BREATH-TAKING GETAWAY<br />

This sleepy yet<br />

stunning town on<br />

the Andaman coast<br />

of <strong>Thai</strong>land calls<br />

out to those seeking beauty<br />

amidst absolute solitude.<br />

There are two types of travellers,<br />

I gather. One seeks recognition,<br />

perpetually in desperate need for<br />

popular, they-go-I-go kind of<br />

check-in destinations. And another<br />

type exists on the total opposite<br />

end. Those always finding a chance<br />

to leave the world behind may<br />

look deeper into something far<br />

more greater and significant than<br />

oneself. For this group, this is<br />

where nature beckons.<br />

Wedged between Phuket and<br />

Krabi – already the two megadestinations<br />

of the <strong>Thai</strong> south,<br />

Phang Nga is a vast and verdant<br />

province with everything to do<br />

amidst its natural wonders. If<br />

you try to pinpoint Phang Nga on<br />

the map, chances are that it will<br />

take you directly to the touristpopulated<br />

beachfront stretch of<br />

Right<br />

Once called Koh<br />

Tapu (Nail Island),<br />

this rock rose<br />

to fame for its<br />

appearance in a<br />

movie and became<br />

known as James<br />

Bond Island in<br />

Phang Nga Bay.<br />

Bottom<br />

Koh Panyi -<br />

Phang Nga’s only<br />

existing community<br />

on water.<br />

Khao Lak. Though not a faulty<br />

location choice, it limits your<br />

perspective on this wonderful place.<br />

The annual migration of tourists<br />

usually blow down from the northern<br />

hemisphere to <strong>Thai</strong>land. Winters<br />

see families from far away flocking<br />

to Phang Nga beaches for its<br />

tropical solace.<br />

But when the crowds lessen,<br />

your exploration can begin. Phang<br />

Nga locals will tell you in perfect<br />

unison that their province requires<br />

long drives – from one destination<br />

to another, and then from one<br />

communal cluster to another. So<br />

plan your trip wisely to get the total<br />

effect during this greenest time.<br />

Phang Nga is dense with lush<br />

forests. After all, this one province<br />

contains as much as three and<br />

a half national parks. While the<br />

stunning and mostly unpaved Si<br />

Phang-Nga National Park lines<br />

the northern rugged shores,<br />

Khlong Phanom National Park,<br />

Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park<br />

and Ao Phang Nga National Park<br />

are equally great and open for<br />

authentic nature explorations.<br />

A trail of hot springs dot the<br />

northern Kapong District. Some<br />

sites are community-run facilities,<br />

others remain bare-boned in<br />

services, trimmed down to just being<br />

surrounded by limestone peaks. For<br />

tree worshippers, it’s a site best<br />

described as awesome. Visitors<br />

can enjoy the ancient hot springs,<br />

understanding their therapeutic<br />

properties from knowledge passed<br />

down from one generation to<br />

another. Rain, drizzle and cloudy<br />

skies are typical in Phang Nga,<br />

making secluded places even more<br />

mesmerising in scenery.<br />

Visit Phang Nga for a few days<br />

and you immediately realise that<br />

once overlooked things turn out<br />

to be hidden gems and one should<br />

have planned for more time to<br />

enjoy them all. The ever-famous<br />

Phang Nga bay is in fact best seen<br />

not from the middle of the bay, but<br />

instead from the elevated shores<br />

of Samed Nang Chee. You can’t<br />

pick the best weather, but even on<br />

Visit Phang Nga for a few days and you<br />

immediately realise that once overlooked things<br />

turn out to be hidden gems and one should have<br />

planned for more time to enjoy them all.<br />

partly cloudy days, the magnificent<br />

natural limestone structures of the<br />

bay is simply spectacular.<br />

If you’ve heard about the trading<br />

routes of the <strong>Thai</strong> south and the<br />

Malay peninsula, you will notice a<br />

remnant of this direct link between<br />

Phuket and Phang Nga. As the major<br />

trading hub of Phang Nga in the old<br />

days, the district of Takua Pa boasts<br />

a small but untainted stretch of an<br />

old Sino-English community. These<br />

original century-old shophouses are<br />

‘so authentic’ here a local told me,<br />

it can overwhelm Phuket people<br />

with nostalgia.<br />

However, the town centre of<br />

Phang Nga is not Takua Pa, though.<br />

Top Right & Below<br />

Ao Phang Nga<br />

National Park,<br />

famous for its<br />

unique limestone<br />

formations,<br />

and highly<br />

recommended for<br />

an adventurous<br />

daytrip.<br />

Ideal acitvity<br />

includes trekking at<br />

Khao Lak-Lam Ru<br />

National Park.<br />

The story has it that back in 1809,<br />

the Siam-Burmese wars drove<br />

people down to Phang Nga bay,<br />

hence the new settlement that<br />

has now become the province’s<br />

municipal seat. It’s still small<br />

in size, but with newer natural<br />

charms. Mountains surround<br />

Phang Nga with their magnificent<br />

limestone peaks that create<br />

wonderfully amazing signature<br />

views. Driving through the town’s<br />

small parallel streets and looking<br />

up, one can only marvel at Mother<br />

Nature. Perpetual rain and misty<br />

mornings to virtual greenness –<br />

Phang Nga people will confirm<br />

you get all that.<br />

60 61


BREATH-TAKING GETAWAY<br />

Only In<br />

Phang Nga<br />

Clockwise, from<br />

Top Left<br />

Phang Nga town -<br />

small, serene,<br />

yet full of life.<br />

The Phang Nga<br />

City Shrine.<br />

Turtles at the Royal<br />

Navy Turtle Nursery.<br />

Colonial-style<br />

mansion turned<br />

Phang Nga Museum.<br />

“Onsen” quail eggs<br />

at Plai Phu Hot<br />

Springs in<br />

Kapong district.<br />

PHANG NGA TOWN<br />

Enveloped by a series of limestone<br />

mountains, Phang Nga exudes<br />

greenery. Mornings can be spent<br />

spotting the lowering clouds on<br />

top of Wat Khao Lang Bat where<br />

a century-old pagoda stands.<br />

While a nondescript structure, it is<br />

classified as a royal-class temple<br />

and now a place with a solitude<br />

that’s sacred.<br />

PHANG NGA HOT SPRINGS<br />

For those wishing for a maximum<br />

do-nothing vacation, head towards<br />

some of the available mineral hot<br />

springs in Phang Nga. A daytrip or<br />

a stayover at nearby accommodations<br />

are possible. While the communityrun<br />

Rommanee Hot Springs are<br />

more built up with facilities, the<br />

all natural Plai Phu (both in Kapong<br />

district) is where you can embrace<br />

the elements of the nature while<br />

enjoying delicious ‘onsen-style’ eggs.<br />

ROYAL NAVY TURTLE NURSERY<br />

The third fleet of the Royal <strong>Thai</strong><br />

naval base in Phang Nga has<br />

been an important sanctuary for<br />

thousands of sea turtles since 1995,<br />

with support by the royal initiation<br />

of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the<br />

Queen Mother. This is an important<br />

nesting ground for this vulnerable<br />

animal and a great place to spend<br />

hours wandering from pond to<br />

pond, listening to tales of the<br />

turtles. Even better, you can be a<br />

volunteer helping clean the pond<br />

and turtles themselves. It’s a great<br />

excuse to be able to touch this<br />

magnificent creature.<br />

Feeding times: 9am, 1pm and 5pm,<br />

+66 (0) 76 453 342<br />

MURALS OF PHANG NGA TOWN<br />

Alex Face or Patcharapol Tangruen,<br />

an influential <strong>Thai</strong> graffiti artist,<br />

portrayed his three-eyed baby Mardi<br />

in three locations in Phang Nga town.<br />

All have become check-in points<br />

for visitors. For more information<br />

about Phang Nga’s popular stops,<br />

visit tourismthailand.org.<br />

PHANG NGA MUSEUM<br />

Get to know Phang Nga better by<br />

walking through simplified exhibits<br />

at the Phang Nga Municipality<br />

Museum. The museum is in a<br />

colonial-style mansion of the<br />

Rama VII era built back in the early<br />

1930s. Now preserved and visited,<br />

this beautiful building has been<br />

listed as a national architectural<br />

heritage landmark by the<br />

Department of Fine Arts in 1987.<br />

For more information,<br />

call +66 (0) 76 481 956. For a local<br />

guide, call +66 (0) 90 226 9556.<br />

62


BREATH-TAKING GETAWAY<br />

<br />

Stay in Phang Nga<br />

Hotels & Resorts<br />

<br />

<br />

APSARA BEACHFRONT<br />

RESORT AND VILLA<br />

Apsara Beachfront Resort and Villa<br />

on Pakarang Beach is a convenient<br />

90 minute drive from Phuket<br />

International Airport. Guests can<br />

enjoy the natural wonders of the<br />

area. Friendly waves make the<br />

beach an ideal spot to also surf<br />

during the green season from June<br />

to October.<br />

apsarakhaolak.com<br />

CASA DE LA FLORA<br />

A Design Hotels property in palmfringed<br />

Khao Lak. Stunning views<br />

of the Andaman will embed in<br />

your memory, including the modern<br />

architecture and unique design<br />

in a lush tropical setting that’s<br />

perfect for a romantic getaway or<br />

a relaxing stay in ultimate luxury.<br />

casadelaflora.com<br />

LA VELA KHAO LAK<br />

The ideal place to kick back and<br />

relax in tranquility, Khao Lak has<br />

always offered the loveliest beach<br />

to feel the sand between your toes.<br />

A modern resort, be sure to enjoy<br />

the swimming pool, their dining<br />

choices and feel like a whole new<br />

person at their spa.<br />

lavelakhaolak.com<br />

LAGUNA KHAOLAK RESORT<br />

Perched on the cliff off the Khao<br />

Lak range, Khao Lak Laguna is<br />

a sprawling northern-style<br />

property guaranteed to make<br />

you feel right in <strong>Thai</strong>land. All<br />

wood trimmings, <strong>Thai</strong> traditional<br />

decoration, glittering details and<br />

big swimming pools with facilities<br />

feature the old-school standards of<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> hospitality.<br />

khaolaklaguna.com<br />

<br />

EDEN BEACH RESORT<br />

AND SPA<br />

With a modern rustic theme,<br />

Eden’s plush natural-toned rooms<br />

provide excellent solace for<br />

travellers looking for some luxury<br />

to their trip. Located in the tourist<br />

cluster of Khao Lak, Eden Beach<br />

Resort offers a great choice for<br />

those wishing to explore the<br />

beachfront areas as well as the<br />

nearby national parks and hot<br />

springs. edenbeachkhaolak.com<br />

<br />

Hotels & Resorts<br />

Eat in Phang Nga<br />

Many local eateries in Phang Nga areas have been listed in the Michelin guide<br />

encompassing Bangkok, Phuket & Phang Nga (<strong>2019</strong>). This is a province of good local<br />

Southern foods, seafood and simple hearty all-day meals the likes of rice vermicelli<br />

and deep-fried chicken.<br />

KHRUA LUANG THEN<br />

Located on Phet Kasem road on the way<br />

to Khao Lak, this local restaurant has<br />

received the “Big Gourmand” award<br />

from Michelin Guide <strong>2019</strong>. Famous for<br />

its authentic Southern taste, be sure<br />

to try Khua Kling beef, deep-fried<br />

fish with cumin, Kaeng Som Mamud<br />

- whose herbs and spices spark your<br />

tastebuds. Be warned - dishes are hot, as<br />

authentic flavours and spiciness are not<br />

compromised (even for <strong>Thai</strong>s).<br />

Opens daily: 11am-1.30pm, 5-9.30pm, closed<br />

every 10th, 20th and 30th of each month,<br />

+66 (0) 90 716 4182<br />

KHANOM CHEEN PA SON<br />

(NA SAN CHAO)<br />

A hole-in-the-wall that serves all-youcan-eat<br />

rice vermicelli with a selection of<br />

curries rated from super spicy Gaeng Tai<br />

Plaa to sweet Nam Prik. Highlights are the<br />

generous selection of fresh, blanched and<br />

pickled vegetables and nibbles collectively<br />

called ‘Pak Nor.’ Opens Tuesday-<br />

Sunday: 11am-6pm,<br />

+66 (0) 86 593 9658<br />

64


BREATH-TAKING GETAWAY<br />

หากคุณเป็นนักท่องเที่ยวที่แสวงหาความ<br />

ยิ่งใหญ่และความล้ำลึกของโลกใบนี้ ได้<br />

เวลาสัมผัสธรรมชาติเขียวขจีอันกว้าง<br />

ใหญ่ที่พังงา จังหวัดที่ถูกขนาบข้างด้วย<br />

สองจังหวัดยักษ์ใหญ่อย่างภูเก็ตและกระบี่<br />

ทางชายฝั่งอันดามัน<br />

เมื่อนึกถึงพังงา ความคิดแรกคงหนี<br />

ไม่พ้นชายหาดเขาหลัก ที่คลาคล่ำไปด้วย<br />

นักท่องเที่ยวซึ่งหลีกหนีความหนาวเหน็บ<br />

มาให้แสงแดดชโลมผิว เมื่อไฮซีซั่นจบลง<br />

นักท่องเที่ยวเริ่มซา เมื่อนั้นคือช่วงเวลา<br />

สำหรับนักท่องเที่ยวตัวจริง<br />

คุณอาจต้องวางแผนการเดินทาง<br />

มากกว่าปกติ เพื่อไปยังแต่ละจุดหมาย<br />

ต่างๆ ในพังงาที่ห่างกันพอสมควร ความ<br />

อุดมสมบูรณ์ของธรรมชาติในอุทยาน<br />

แห่งชาติหลายแห่งกระจายตัวอยู่ทั่ว<br />

จังหวัด อย่างอุทยานแห่งชาติศรีพังงา<br />

อุทยานแห่งชาติคลองพนม อุทยานแห่ง<br />

ชาติเขาหลัก-ลำรู่ และอุทยานแห่งชาติ<br />

อ่าวพังงา<br />

ลองแวะไปตอนเหนือของพังงา ที่<br />

อำเภอกะปง เพื่อบำบัดร่างกายและ<br />

ผ่อนคลายจิตใจด้วยการแช่น้ำพุร้อน<br />

ซึ ่งห้อมล้อมด้วยภูเขาหินปูนและแมกไม้<br />

นานาชนิด ปรอยฝนและร่มเงาจากก้อน<br />

เมฆยิ่งทำให้บรรยากาศของพังงาน่า<br />

ค้นหาเพิ่มขึ้นอีก<br />

ระยะเวลาเพียงสองสามวันอาจไม่<br />

พอสำหรับการค้นหาความล้ำค่าของ<br />

พังงา คุณอาจพบความงดงามของอ่าว<br />

พังงาที่จุดชมวิวเสม็ดนางชี ไต่สูงขึ้นไป<br />

ตามแนวชายหาดเพื่อได้สัมผัสทิวทัศน์<br />

ภูเขาหินปูนธรรมชาติตั้งตระหง่านท้าให้<br />

ทุกคนตื่นตาตื ่นใจ<br />

หรือจะแวะไปที่อำเภอตะกั่วป่า เพื่อ<br />

ย้อนรอยเส้นทางการค้าระหว่างดินแดน<br />

ตอนใต้ของไทยกับคาบสมุทรมาเลย์ แม้<br />

ขนาดของชุมชนการค้าในพังงาจะค่อน<br />

ข้างเล็ก แต่สถาปัตยกรรมชิโน-อองเกลที่<br />

ผสมผสานระหว่างจีน-อังกฤษเต็มไปด้วย<br />

ความดั้งเดิมขนานแท้<br />

ถึงอย่างนั้น ศูนย์กลางของพังงาก็ไม่<br />

ได้อยู่ที่ตะกั่วป่า เนื่องจากชาวเมืองได้<br />

อพยพหนีสงครามระหว่างสยามและพม่า<br />

ในปี พ.ศ. 2352 ลงมาตั้งรกรากบริเวณ<br />

อ่าวพังงา สร้างเป็นเมืองเล็กๆ ปกคลุมไป<br />

ด้วยหมอกยามเช้าตรู่ ละอองฝนอ่อนโยน<br />

และธรรมชาติที่ทำให้นักท่องเที่ยวอย่างเรา<br />

ประทับใจครั้งแล้วครั้งเล่า<br />

พังงาโอนลี่<br />

ตัวเมืองพังงา<br />

เริ่มเช้าวันใหม่ที่วัดเขาล้างบาศ ชมสาย<br />

หมอกและปุยเมฆยามเช้าท่ามกลาง<br />

พรรณไม้เขียวและเขาหินปูน พร้อมกับ<br />

ความงามของเจดีย์อายุกว่าร้อยปี<br />

ท่ามกลางความเงียบสงบที่ทุกคน<br />

แสวงหา แล้วเดินทางไปชมพังงาสตรีท<br />

อาร์ต เช็คอินและอัพไอจีกับงานศิลปะฝา<br />

ผนังของ อเล็กซ์ เฟซ หรือพัชรพล แตงรื่น<br />

ศิลปินกราฟฟิตี้ชาวไทย เจ้าของภาพ<br />

วาด Mardi ทารกสามตา ดูแหล่งเช็คอิน<br />

เพิ่มเติมได้ที่ tourismthailand.org<br />

ผ่อนกายพักใจที ่น้ำพุร้อนพังงา<br />

สำหรับผู้ที่แสวงหาการพักผ่อนที่แท้จริง<br />

คงไม่มีอะไรสบายไปกว่าการแช่น้ำแร่จาก<br />

น้ำพุร้อนในอำเภอกะปง จังหวัดพังงาอีก<br />

แล้ว จะเลือกไปเช้าเย็นกลับ หรือพักค้าง<br />

คืนเพื่อแช่น ้ำร้อนที่บ่อน้ำพุร้อนรมณีย์<br />

(rommaneehotspring.com) หรือจะใช้<br />

บริการที่บ่อน้ำพุร้อนปลายพู่ เพื่อสัมผัส<br />

ธรรมชาติและชิมไข่ออนเซ็นก็ฟินไม่แพ้กัน<br />

ศูนย์อนุบาลเต่าทะเล กองทัพเรือ<br />

จากพระราชดำริในสมเด็จพระนางเจ้า<br />

สิริกิติ์ฯ ในปี พ.ศ. 2538 ฐานทัพเรือ<br />

พังงา ทัพเรือภาคที่ 3 ได้ทำหน้าที่เป็น<br />

แหล่งอนุรักษ์เต่าทะเลหลายพันชีวิต จะ<br />

ชมความน่ารักของลูกเต่าทะเลในบ่อ<br />

อนุบาล หรือผันตัวเป็นอาสาสมัคร<br />

ทำความสะอาดบ่อเลี ้ยงเต่าก็เยี่ยม<br />

เวลาให้อาหารเต่า: 9.00 น., 13.00 น.<br />

และ 17.00 น. สอบถามข้อมูลเพิ่มเติม:<br />

076 453 342<br />

อาหารการกิน<br />

มีร้านอาหารท้องถิ่นจำนวนมากในพังงา<br />

ที่มิชลินไกด์ 2562 แนะนำ พังงาเป็น<br />

จังหวัดที ่โด่งดังเรื่องอาหารใต้รสจัด<br />

อาหารทะเล หรือจะเป็นอาหารพื้นถิ่น<br />

ทานง่าย เช่น ขนมจีนและไก่ทอด<br />

ขนมจีนป้าศล หน้าศาลเจ้า<br />

ใครจะเชื่อว่าซอกเล็กๆ จะมีร้านขนมจีน<br />

เจ้าเด็ด พร้อมกับน้ำยาละลานตา ห้าม<br />

พลาดขนมจีนแกงไตปลา ขนมจีนน้ำพริก<br />

และที่เด็ดขั้นสุดคือสามารถตักทั้งผักสด<br />

ผักดองได้แบบไม่อั ้น เปิดวันอังคาร<br />

- อาทิตย์: 11.00-18.00 น.,<br />

086 593 9658<br />

ครัวหลวงเทน<br />

ตั้งอยู่บนถนนเพชรเกษมทางไปเขาหลัก<br />

ร้านอาหารครัวหลวงเทนเป็นร้าน<br />

อาหารใต้รสจัดจ้านที่ได้รับรางวัลมิชลิน<br />

ไกด์ <strong>2019</strong> ด้วยรสชาติดั้งเดิม ห้าม<br />

พลาดคั่วกลิ้งเนื้อ แกงส้มมะมุด และปลา<br />

ทอดขมิ้น และอื่นๆ อีกมากมาย<br />

เปิดทุกวัน: 11.00-13.30 น.,<br />

17.00-21.30 น. ปิดทุกวันที่ 10, 20<br />

และ 30 ของทุกเดือน, 090 716 4182<br />

ที่พัก<br />

ASPARA BEACHFRONT RESORT AND VILLA<br />

อัปสรา บีชฟร้อนท์ ตั้งอยู่บนหาดปะการังอันเงียบสงบ<br />

ห่างจากสนามบินนานาชาติภูเก็ตไปเพียงชั่วโมงครึ่ง<br />

เหมาะสำหรับพักผ่อนอย่างแท้จริง นอกจากนี้ยังเป็น<br />

สถานที่จัดการแข่งขันเล่นเซิร์ฟนานาชาติ เมื่อเดือน มิ.ย.<br />

ถึง ต.ค. ของปีที่แล้วอีกด้วย apsarakhaolak.com<br />

CASA DE LA FLORA<br />

โรงแรมดีไซน์โมเดิร์นเรียบหรู ท่ามกลางธรรมชาติของ<br />

ทะเลอันดามัน และความเขียวชุ่มฉ่ำของแมกไม้บริเวณ<br />

เขาหลัก casadelaflora.com<br />

EDEN BEACH RESORT AND SPA<br />

พักผ่อนในห้องพักโทนธรรมชาติเรียบหรูที ่ Eden Resort<br />

ซึ ่งตั้งอยู่ใจกลางแหล่งท่องเที่ยวเขาหลัก คุณสามารถเดิน<br />

เล่นที่ชายหาด ออกเดินทางไปยังอุทยานแห่งชาติและน้ำพุ<br />

ร้อนได้สะดวก ที่นี่คือที ่พักผ่อนสำหรับนักท่องเที่ยวอย่าง<br />

แท้จริง edenbeachkhaolak.com<br />

LA VELA KHAO LAK<br />

รีสอร์ทริมหาดสุดไพรเวทที่เสิร์ฟความสุขให้คุณได้ครบ<br />

ไม่ว่าจะเป็นอาหารเลิศรส สระว่ายน้ำ และสปา ที่ทำให้วัน<br />

หยุดของคุณสมบูรณ์แบบ lavelakhaolak.com<br />

LAGUNA KHAOLAK RESORT<br />

สัมผัสบรรยากาศสไตล์ล้านนาระหว่างผ่อนคลายในที่พักซึ่ง<br />

เกาะอยู่บริเวณหน้าผาเขาหลัก ชมความงามจากเครื่องไม้<br />

ตกแต่งด้วยศิลปะไทยแท้ พร้อมสระน้ำขนาดใหญ่ที่พร้อม<br />

ต้อนรับผู้มาเยือนด้วยมิตรไมตรี khaolaklaguna.com<br />

Phang Nga’s<br />

Preferred Hotels<br />

This paradise of a province boasts accommodations that range from homey charm to<br />

unimagined luxuries that never deviate from the ultimate comfort of guests.<br />

<strong>Fah</strong> <strong>Thai</strong> offers a shortlist of accommodations that showcase the best of Phang Nga<br />

hospitality, spectacular vistas included.<br />

66<br />

67


Luxuriate<br />

in Beauty and Comfort at<br />

La Vela Khao Lak<br />

Inspired by verdant tropical nature,<br />

a shimmering ocean, and a rich<br />

cultural heritage of the ancient<br />

Takola seaport, La Vela is anchored<br />

on Khao Lak’s most serene stretch of<br />

beach called Bang Niang. Khao Lak<br />

has long been considered one of the<br />

loveliest beach escapes in the south<br />

of <strong>Thai</strong>land, with stretches of sand<br />

meant for barefoot pleasure.<br />

La Vela Khao Lak, a modern<br />

resort with touches of rustic charm,<br />

welcomes visitors from everywhere<br />

with genuine hospitality that<br />

reflects the beautiful traditions of<br />

the local people tracing back to the<br />

era of maritime trade. Discover a<br />

haven of comfort at our exquisite<br />

beachfront, immerse yourself in<br />

our stunningly enormous free-form<br />

swimming pool, dine with a loved<br />

one by candlelight at our beach<br />

club, and refresh your spirits at<br />

our spa. What better way to spend<br />

a vacation than at La Vela in a<br />

beautiful destination?<br />

La Vela Khao Lak<br />

98/9 Moo 5, Khuk Khak,<br />

Takuapa, Phang Nga<br />

82220 THAILAND<br />

contact<br />

T +66 (0) 76 428 555<br />

F +66 (0) 76 428 500<br />

website<br />

www.lavelakhaolak.com<br />

reservations<br />

contact@lavelakhaolak.com<br />

A Brand New Luxury Hotel<br />

In Khao Lak, <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

Situated on a white, sandy beach on the southern<br />

shores of Khao Lak overlooking the crystal waters of<br />

the Andaman Sea, Eden Beach Resort & Spa opened its<br />

doors to guests on the 10th of December 2018.<br />

Occupying over 30,000 square metres of land, the<br />

resort comprises 208 luxury accommodations in a<br />

variety of categories, including pool access suites.<br />

A spa with a full range of treatments, two dining<br />

outlets, a fitness centre, swimming pool and more<br />

allow our guests to enjoy the best in this pictureperfect<br />

piece of paradise.<br />

Eden Resorts is unique in the unspoiled Khao Lak beach,<br />

surrounded by the sea and nature. The resort overlooks<br />

the Andaman Sea’s southern <strong>Thai</strong> coast. A perfect drive<br />

within one hour from Phuket International Airport, or a<br />

second option from Krabi International airport which is<br />

approximately one and a half hour journey.<br />

Eden is the place where friendliness, happiness and<br />

caring take place for our guests and lives up to its name.<br />

We provide the finest personal service and facilities<br />

for our guests who will always enjoy a warm, relaxed,<br />

and comfortable setting.<br />

Eden always makes it happen for our guests’ needs.<br />

Eden Beach Resort & Spa<br />

12/12 Moo 2, T. Lam Kaen, A. <strong>Thai</strong> Muang, Phang Nga 82210 THAILAND<br />

contact<br />

T :+66 (0) 76 410 186-7 | F :+66 (0) 76 410 187<br />

website<br />

www.edenbeachkhaolak.com<br />

reservations<br />

info@edenbeachkhaolak.com


A Pleasure<br />

destination<br />

for your precious<br />

relaxation<br />

Stay in Modern Luxury,<br />

Hide Away in Nature’s Beauty<br />

Casa de La Flora, a member of Design<br />

Hotels, sits on the beautiful, palmfringed<br />

beach of Khao Lak; a scenic<br />

one hour and twenty minutes drive<br />

from Phuket International Airport. This<br />

ultimate design resort holds stunning<br />

Andaman views with a friendly service<br />

that warmly welcomes visitors from<br />

across the globe. We take pride in<br />

being the first modernist hideaway<br />

in Khao Lak, presenting cutting-edge<br />

architecture and a unique design amidst<br />

tropical nature. Whether you’re looking<br />

for a romantic hideaway or a luxury<br />

holiday experience, Casa de La Flora<br />

is definitely a perfect choice.<br />

Casa de La Flora<br />

67/213 Moo 5, Khuk Khak,<br />

Takuapa, Phang Nga<br />

82220 THAILAND<br />

contact<br />

T +66 (0) 76 428 999<br />

F +66 (0) 76 428 998<br />

website<br />

www.casadelaflora.com<br />

reservations<br />

contact@casadelaflora.com<br />

Apsara Beachfront Resort and Villa<br />

sits on tranquil Pakarang Beach just<br />

90 minutes from Phuket International<br />

Airport. The resort nestles in an area of<br />

outstanding natural beauty where the<br />

tides of the Andaman Sea flow into a<br />

lush lagoon and mangrove forest, a true<br />

paradise for nature lovers!<br />

The beautiful lagoon divides the<br />

resort into two zones. The resort zone<br />

itself has a lively ambiance while the<br />

Make us your home away from home.<br />

villa zone across the bridge offers<br />

privacy, quiet, and solitude.<br />

Apsara serves as a great place for<br />

surfing, particularly for those looking<br />

for uncrowded spots and friendly<br />

waves. Surfing at Pakarang Beach<br />

during the green season from June<br />

to October has become more popular<br />

with international surfers, especially<br />

following the Khao Lak Surf Contest<br />

& Festival 2018.<br />

Apsara Beachfront<br />

Resort and Villa<br />

45 Moo 2 Khuk Khak,<br />

Takua Pa, Phang Nga<br />

82220 THAILAND<br />

contact<br />

+66 (0) 76 584 444<br />

website<br />

www.apsarakhaolak.com<br />

reservations<br />

rsvn@apsarakhaolak.com


CHENGDU’S LIVE MUSIC<br />

An Insider’s Trip<br />

through the<br />

In Chengdu’s dark of the night,<br />

experience the city’s bars and live<br />

music venues that showcase an active<br />

indie scene.<br />

Words Joe Henley<br />

Photos Paul Ratje<br />

72 73


CHENGDU’S LIVE MUSIC<br />

Only in China can a<br />

city of 14 million<br />

be considered<br />

“small.” But that’s<br />

Chengdu, capital of Sichuan<br />

Province, where the frontier<br />

of the airy eastern Tibetan<br />

highlands meets the hazy<br />

western China urban sprawl.<br />

For the people of Chengdu,<br />

in this left-of-centre section<br />

of a 1.4 billion-piece puzzle,<br />

flying under the radar is<br />

just fine. They’ve got their<br />

own thing going on, free of<br />

the snide cynicism of their<br />

eastern counterparts. And<br />

whether you’re a first-time<br />

visitor or an old Chengdu<br />

hand, you’re more than<br />

welcome to join in.<br />

In Chengdu’s Wuhou District,<br />

an area with a sizable population of<br />

Tibetan migrants who come down<br />

from the plateau in search of work<br />

and a chance at living the urban<br />

dream, prayer flags hang in shop<br />

windows and signs and menus still<br />

feature the flowing scrawl of the<br />

Tibetan script.<br />

It is here in Wuhou, against the<br />

backdrop of Tibetan tradition, that<br />

Chengdu’s multi-faceted Chinese<br />

music scene thrives. It is where<br />

many streets are marked by Tibetan<br />

bars where singers still perform<br />

songs in their native tongue, singing<br />

for khata, silk scarves of red, green,<br />

or gold that equate to tips paid by<br />

patrons of between 100 and 500<br />

yuan (USD 14 and 72). A good singer<br />

will finish a song draped in layer<br />

upon layer of silk, the added weight<br />

no burden, as it means a hefty<br />

addition to an otherwise modest<br />

monthly paycheck.<br />

Clockwise, from Left<br />

New Machu Picchu<br />

Bar offers not just<br />

live performances<br />

but also an<br />

impressive bar.<br />

Patrons get to enjoy<br />

a thriving, confident<br />

music scene<br />

in Chengdu.<br />

At New Machu<br />

Picchu Bar,<br />

musicians from<br />

all over have<br />

performed – from<br />

jazz, acoustic, to<br />

electronic and<br />

experimental music.<br />

A much more<br />

relaxed city,<br />

Chengdu enjoys the<br />

increasing popular<br />

of live music venues.<br />

This is just a small part of what<br />

Wuhou has to offer, though. The<br />

district is also where you will find<br />

many of the bars and live-houses<br />

where the city’s underground<br />

and established rock and indie<br />

musicians ply their trade seven<br />

nights a week.<br />

As good a place as any for an<br />

intro to Chengdu’s musical culture<br />

is New Machu Picchu Bar, a dark,<br />

lamp-lit space that feels like home,<br />

even for the wayfarer. The walls<br />

are covered in photos of all the<br />

musicians who have taken to the<br />

bar’s small stage over the past six<br />

years, the furniture is carved from<br />

Himalayan softwoods, and the<br />

bands and solo acts who play here<br />

tend to favour the softer end of the<br />

musical spectrum - jazz, acoustic,<br />

electronic, and experimental.<br />

On any given night at Machu<br />

Picchu, you might see a table of<br />

Tibetans doing rounds of shots,<br />

musicians from Shaanxi or Luzhou<br />

or Yunnan talking shop or putting<br />

together new collaborations over a<br />

cocktail or two. Listen in and you<br />

might hear them mention that in<br />

Chengdu it’s not nearly as hard to<br />

74


CHENGDU’S LIVE MUSIC<br />

make a living purely from music or<br />

art as it might be in the nation’s<br />

other tier-one urban centres. The<br />

scene here is well-developed in a<br />

country where indie music is still<br />

something of a fresh face, barely<br />

into its third decade of existence.<br />

Starting with a place called<br />

Little Bar just over 20 years ago,<br />

the Chengdu indie scene has<br />

flourished, and Machu Picchu is<br />

merely a starting point. A short taxi<br />

ride away is Steam, a music and art<br />

hub that also serves as a hostel, a<br />

place where many an underground<br />

touring band beds down for the<br />

night when passing through the<br />

city for a gig.<br />

Steam’s owner, Mao Mao, is<br />

one of those who has come from<br />

away. Originally from Yushan,<br />

a county west of Chengdu, the<br />

transplanted thirty-something<br />

founded Steam with the simple<br />

goal of providing a space<br />

wherein musicians, music fans,<br />

and travellers can have a good<br />

time. Even if there isn’t a show<br />

scheduled, anyone is welcome to<br />

get up on the Steam stage and jam.<br />

There is even an on-site studio,<br />

Havoc, where local bands record,<br />

and where artists from abroad,<br />

including New York post-punk<br />

legends Television, had expressed<br />

interest in laying down tracks.<br />

Top, Clockwise<br />

Jam sessions at Jah<br />

bar, a reggae joint,<br />

with a riverside<br />

location.<br />

A casual and<br />

down-to-earth<br />

spot, Jah Bar draws<br />

music fans and<br />

musicians alike.<br />

In between<br />

listening to sets,<br />

foosball matches<br />

offer additional<br />

entertainment at<br />

Jah Bar.<br />

Chengdu, according to locals,<br />

is relatively more free - more<br />

liberal in its sensibilities - than<br />

other major cities in China. Still,<br />

there are the usual one-party state<br />

authoritarian hallmarks that can<br />

plague something as liberated and<br />

disorderly as rock n’ roll. There<br />

was a time, scenesters say, when<br />

the 21 floors of the Poly Center on<br />

Jinxiu Street were filled with rock<br />

and electro clubs. Today, just one<br />

remains. TAG (which stands for “To<br />

Another Galaxy”) is the last space<br />

standing, the others shut down<br />

by police raids and accusations<br />

of open drug use on site. Online<br />

reviews for TAG are a mixed bag,<br />

76


CHENGDU’S LIVE MUSIC<br />

WHERE TO ENJOY<br />

THE TUNES<br />

New Machu Picchu Bar<br />

Yulin Beijie 1, Chengdu<br />

• Tel: +86 158 8235 6944<br />

Steam<br />

30 Wuhouci Street,<br />

Wuhou district, Chengdu<br />

• facebook.com/Steam-Hostel<br />

but when it comes to big-name<br />

international DJs coming through<br />

Chengdu, it’s the place to be.<br />

For a real taste of Chengdu’s<br />

libertarian spirit, though, head to Jah<br />

Bar, near the Old South Bridge in the<br />

Jinjiang District. It’s a reggae bar,<br />

the interior bathed in a red glow,<br />

paper lanterns hanging overhead,<br />

strings of lights behind the bar. The<br />

red could very well be a cheeky nod<br />

to the bar’s location, in the middle<br />

of Chengdu’s officially unofficial red<br />

light district.<br />

Jah Bar is a place where you<br />

might catch an impromptu reggae/<br />

dub jam session by a crew of scene<br />

veterans both homegrown and<br />

foreign, or a live set from a tight<br />

jazz trio. Patrons bask in the peaceand-love<br />

vibes, watching the band,<br />

heading outside for a cigarette and<br />

a game of Foosball, going back in<br />

for another libation and a few more<br />

songs. It’s a throwback, bar regulars<br />

say, to what the Chengdu scene was<br />

like a decade ago, organic and pure.<br />

The growth of any music community<br />

brings with it its share of pain and<br />

contempt bred from the strains of<br />

familiarity. But none of that seems<br />

to exist at Jah Bar. Here it’s all about<br />

78<br />

Above<br />

At Steam, also<br />

a hostel, musicians<br />

benefit from the<br />

presence of<br />

Havoc studio.<br />

Wu Zhuoling<br />

(right) of indie<br />

band Wednesday’s<br />

Trip hangs with<br />

bandmate Mao Mao<br />

at Steam.<br />

the love and the P.M.A., Positive<br />

Mental Attitude.<br />

From Little Bar to Jah Bar,<br />

Chengdu pumps with both positivity<br />

and creativity. It is a place to indulge<br />

and be indulged, a million miles<br />

from pretension, a stone’s throw<br />

from the Next Big Thing. Come, stay<br />

a while, and you just might discover<br />

your new favourite band, or that<br />

intimate venue that will make you<br />

say “I know a little place...” the next<br />

time you hear “little” Chengdu come<br />

up in conversation.<br />

GETTING THERE<br />

Bangkok Airways flies<br />

to Chengdu four times<br />

a week from Koh Samui.<br />

For flight information,<br />

visit bangkokair.com.<br />

Little Bar<br />

87 Fang Qin Jie, Yulin Shang<br />

Wu Gang, Chengdu<br />

Jah Bar<br />

Old South Bridge, Huang Gate<br />

Road #36-118, Chengdu<br />

• Tel: +86 136 8905 1773<br />

Tag<br />

Room 2118, Building A –<br />

Poly Centre, Jinxiu Street,<br />

Wuhou district, Chengdu<br />

• Tel: +86 139 8190 9901<br />

• zx024@163.com


CHENGDU’S LIVE MUSIC<br />

คงจะมีเพียงประเทศจีนเท่านั้น ที่ถือว่า<br />

เมืองที่มีประชากร 14 ล้านคน เป็นเมือง<br />

ขนาด “เล็ก” ที่แห่งนี้คือเฉิงตู เมืองเอก<br />

ของมณฑลเสฉวน ดินแดนที่เชื่อมระหว่าง<br />

ที่ราบสูงตะวันออกของทิเบตกับเขตเมือง<br />

ทางตะวันตกของประเทศ ไม่ว่าคุณจะ<br />

เคยมาเยือนเฉิงตูหรือไม่ สถานที่แห่งนี้<br />

จะอ้าแขนต้อนรับคุณอย่างอบอุ่นเสมอ<br />

ณ อำเภอวูเฮาของเฉิงตู ซึ ่งคลาคล่ำ<br />

ไปด้วยชาวทิเบตที่เข้ามาแสวงหาอาชีพ<br />

ธงมนต์ที่โบกสะบัดอยู่หน้าร้านรวงเป็น<br />

สัญลักษณ์ว่าร้านนี้ต้อนรับชาวทิเบต<br />

เสมอ หากลองเงี่ยหูฟังดีๆ คุณจะได้ยิน<br />

ดนตรีจีนสอดประสานกับเสียงร้อง<br />

ภาษาทิเบต นักร้องเสียงหวานจะได้รับ<br />

คาทา (khata) ผ้าพันคอไหมสีแดง เขียว<br />

และทองเป็นรางวัล ซึ่งจะเปลี่ยนเป็น<br />

เงินสดได้ราว 100-500 หยวนเมื่อวัน<br />

สิ้นเดือนมาถึง<br />

หากคุณกำลังมองหาเมืองที่มีบาร์<br />

และดนตรีใต้ดิน ดนตรีร็อก และอินดี้เล่น<br />

สดทั้งเจ็ดวันต่อสัปดาห์ รับรองได้ว่า<br />

เฉิงตูจะไม่ทำให้คุณผิดหวัง<br />

ลองแวะไปที่ New Machu Picchu<br />

Bar ร้านแสงไฟสลัวแต่อบอุ่นเหมือน<br />

บ้าน ผนังตกแต่งด้วยรูปถ่ายศิลปินที่<br />

เคยแสดงบนเวทีเล็กๆ แห่งนี้ เฟอร์นิเจอร์<br />

แกะสลักจากไม้เนื้ออ่อนหิมาลายัน<br />

คุณจะได้พบกับศิลปินทั้งเดี่ยวและกลุ่ม<br />

ที่มากับเสียงดนตรีแจ๊ส อะคูสติกส์<br />

อิเล็กทรอนิกส์ และเอ็กซ์เปริเมนทัล แล้ว<br />

ดื่มด่ำไปกับวัฒนธรรมแห่งเสียงดนตรี<br />

ในสไตล์เฉิงตู<br />

เมื่อ 20 ปีก่อน Little Bar เป็นจุดเริ่ม<br />

ต้นเล็กๆ ของดนตรีอินดี้ ที่ปัจจุบัน<br />

เติบโตจนมีนักดนตรีจากสถานที่หลาก<br />

หลายมาปล่อยของให้แก่ผู้ฟังทั้งชาวจีน<br />

และทิเบตได้เพลินเพลินโดยมีแอลกอฮอล์<br />

เป็นกับแกล้ม<br />

นั่งแท็กซี่ออกมาอีกสักหน่อยก็จะเจอ<br />

ร้าน Steam ที่เป็นแหล่งศิลปะ ดนตรีและ<br />

โฮสเทลในที่เดียวกัน คุณเหมา เหมา<br />

เจ้าของร้าน ไม่ได้เกิดและเติบโตที่วูเฮา<br />

เขาเพียงแต่ตั้งใจเปิดบริการที่พักให้แก่<br />

ศิลปิน แฟนเพลง และนักท่องเที่ยว แต่ก็มี<br />

เวทีให้แก่ศิลปินแสดงตัวตนได้ทุกเมื่อ แถม<br />

ยังมีห้องอัด Havoc ที่แม้แต่ศิลปินจาก<br />

ต่างประเทศยังให้ความสนใจมาใช้บริการ<br />

แม้ว่าเฉิงตูจะรู้จักกันโดยทั่วไปว่าค่อน<br />

ข้างเสรีมากกว่ามณฑลอื่นๆ ในประเทศจีน<br />

แต่ก็มีบางยุคที่เจ้าหน้าที่มีอิทธิพลเข้า<br />

ตรวจค้นแหล่งบรรเทิงยามราตรีอย่าง<br />

Poly Center ที่เคยอัดแน่นไปด้วยอิเล็กโทร<br />

และร็อกคลับ จนเกือบทั้งหมดต้องปิดตัว<br />

ตามเข็มนาฬิกา<br />

จากบนซ้าย<br />

นักดนตรีจากทั่วประเทศ<br />

จีนมักแวะเวียนกันมา<br />

เฉิงตูเพื่อซึมซับรับฟัง<br />

ดนตรีคุณภาพจากนัก<br />

ดนตรีฝีมือฉกาจ หาตัวจับ<br />

ได้ยาก ที่เล่นกันสดๆ<br />

คิดดูว่าโลกดนตรีของ<br />

เฉิงตูทีเด็ดขนาดไหน<br />

ขนาดภาครัฐยังโปรโมท<br />

เชื้อเชิญว่าดนตรีสดของที่<br />

นี่ เป็นสิ่งที่ “ต้อง” มาชม<br />

บาร์หลายๆ แห่งของเฉิงตู<br />

ไม่ได้มีสีสันแค่ดนตรีสด<br />

ตัวสถานที่เองก็น่านั่ง<br />

ชิลล์ไม่แพ้กัน<br />

จูดี้ ฉู่ เจ้าของบาร์เร็กเก้<br />

Jah Bar<br />

ลงในที่สุด เหลือเพียงแค่คลับ TAG เท่านั้น<br />

ถ้าคุณกำลังหาแหล่งรวมดีเจสุดฮ็อตจาก<br />

ทั่วโลก ที่นี่ตอบโจทย์แน่นอน<br />

หากต้องการสัมผัสความเสรีนิยมของ<br />

เฉิงตูที่แท้จริง ให้แวะไปที่ Jah Bar ใกล้กับ<br />

Old South Bridge ในอำเภอจินเจียง คุณ<br />

จะได้สัมผัสบาร์เร็กเก้ ภายในตกแต่งด้วย<br />

สีแดงสว่าง เพดานห้อยโคมไฟกระดาษ<br />

พร้อมกับศิลปินเร็กเก้ที่เล่นดนตรีแบบ<br />

ด้นสดกันเดี๋ยวนั้น อินไปกับความรักและ<br />

สันติภาพผ่านเสียงดนตรี หรือจะชวนกัน<br />

เล่นโต๊ะโกลเพลินๆ ก็อยู่ที่นี่ได้ทั้งคืน<br />

จาก Little Bar สู่ Jah Bar เฉิงตูอัด<br />

แน่นไปด้วยทัศนคติเชิงบวกและความคิด<br />

สร้างสรรค์ ที่นี่คือสถานที่สำหรับทั้งให้<br />

และรับความสุขโดยไม่มีเสแสร้ง ลองแวะ<br />

มาสักครั้ง คุณอาจได้พบวงดนตรีสุด<br />

โปรดวงใหม่ ได้ใกล้ชิดกับสถานที่แห่งนี้<br />

จนบอกกับใครต่อใครได้ว่า “รู้จักที่เล็กๆ<br />

แห่งหนึ่ง...” จนไม่อยากเก็บเอาไว้คน<br />

เดียว เพราะของดีมีไว้บอกต่อ<br />

80


GALLERY<br />

Visiting the Last<br />

Pwo Karen<br />

Taking a tricky path to a remote place in Chiang Mai, a writer spends time with a<br />

hilltribe community whose endangered way of life could see a rebirth with their<br />

vibrant crafts and welcoming spirit. Words & Photos Marisa Marchitelli<br />

The road becomes increasingly treacherous<br />

as I cling to the roof of the pick-up truck<br />

for fear of being flung overboard. We<br />

soon lose cell reception and eventually<br />

emerge in a verdant valley that evokes a<br />

feeling of a time gone by. The surrounding<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> mountains that border Myanmar<br />

are virgin forests, protected by their<br />

sheer remoteness. We have arrived in<br />

Sop Lan village, a quiet community in<br />

the southernmost edge of Chiang Mai<br />

province, a dizzying 6-hour journey from<br />

Chiang Mai city.<br />

The Pwo Karen people have settled in<br />

this village for generations, for the most<br />

part in complete isolation from the outside<br />

world. It was soon before my visit that they<br />

had electricity for the first time. Before<br />

that, they existed entirely off the land and<br />

continue to produce everything they need<br />

to survive — they grow their own rice and<br />

food, they raise a variety of farm animals,<br />

they weave vibrant and intricate textiles<br />

and make stunning baskets to carry their<br />

things. They welcomed me into their<br />

homes and allowed me to observe their<br />

way of life. They shared stories of wild<br />

elephants and tigers that used to roam<br />

the area and insisted that I taste their<br />

powerfully spicy Karen chilli pepper.<br />

The Karen people make up the largest<br />

group of hilltribe in <strong>Thai</strong>land, littered<br />

throughout the Northern highlands and<br />

lowlands. The Pwo Karen are a minority<br />

sub-group who possess a distinct way of<br />

life, a preliterate language, and unique<br />

culture and customs, all of which are<br />

critically endangered.<br />

Polo Mu carries spools of<br />

fine silk to the loom to set<br />

up for weaving.<br />

84<br />

85


GALLERY<br />

BELOW LEFT<br />

Jetli and Phong<br />

diligently weave rattan<br />

baskets at a workshop<br />

led by Sop Moei Arts,<br />

who provides sustainable<br />

support to the Pwo Karen<br />

for over 30 years.<br />

BELOW RIGHT<br />

A rustic pedestrian<br />

bridge crosses the<br />

Yuam River, close<br />

to the <strong>Thai</strong> border<br />

with Myanmar.<br />

BOTTOM<br />

The Salween River is the<br />

last undamed major river<br />

in Southeast Asia, running<br />

from the Himalayas,<br />

through China, Myanmar,<br />

<strong>Thai</strong>land and back<br />

to Myanmar.<br />

OPPOSITE TOP<br />

This bridge for<br />

motorbikes also<br />

crosses the Yuam<br />

River, serving as<br />

a conduit for travel<br />

and commerce<br />

between villages.<br />

OPPOSITE BOTTOM<br />

A woman at<br />

Huay Naam Sai<br />

village waits for<br />

her husband to<br />

return home<br />

from planting rice<br />

in the fields.<br />

86<br />

87


GALLERY<br />

OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP<br />

Yai Gi Phae prepares bamboo strips to<br />

weave traditional baskets adapted as<br />

plant holders.<br />

Paku Mu is in the midst of one of the<br />

many detailed stages leading up to the<br />

weaving process.<br />

A traditional Pwo Karen blouse, vibrant<br />

and hand-embroidered with fine thread<br />

and Jobe’s tears seeds.<br />

The loom is set up and ready for weaving<br />

in Sop Lan Village, Om Koi.<br />

THIS PAGE, TOP RIGHT<br />

A curious Pwo Karen woman stops by a<br />

weaving workshop.<br />

Her tattoo markings depict flowers and fire<br />

ants, and elements from nature, only seen<br />

on women from her tribe.<br />

88<br />

89


GALLERY<br />

OPPOSITE PAGE<br />

Husband and wife, Paku Phi<br />

and Paku Phu in their home in<br />

Sop Lan, Om Koi.<br />

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT<br />

Paku Mu attends to the many<br />

detailed stages before weaving.<br />

She and her sister have been<br />

weaving together since they<br />

were about 7 years old.<br />

Polo Mu stays with her sister<br />

Paku Mu as she spins fine silk<br />

threads onto spools in<br />

preparation for weaving<br />

on the loom.<br />

Yai Gi Phae’s tattoos reveal his<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> animist faith. The Pwo<br />

Karen follow a range of beliefs<br />

from Christianity, to Buddhism<br />

and animism - often combined.<br />

90<br />

91


GALLERY<br />

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER<br />

BELOW, CLOCKWISE<br />

A young generation of Pwo<br />

Karen hill tribe men are<br />

learning to weave fine baskets<br />

from generations before them.<br />

Yai Gi Phae preparing bamboo<br />

for chicken baskets.<br />

Klu De meticulously weaves<br />

baskets to hold bottles in his<br />

home. The baskets are then<br />

placed in a smokehouse for<br />

about a month, following a<br />

centuries-old tradition of<br />

fumigation while adding a<br />

warm patina.<br />

Marisa Marchitelli is a <strong>Thai</strong>-Italian filmmaker,<br />

photographer and writer living in Chiang Mai.<br />

Her photography and writing has appeared in<br />

Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, BBC Travel,<br />

CNN, DestinAsian <strong>Magazine</strong> and more. She<br />

is passionate about the environment and<br />

disappearing culture and offers bespoke tours<br />

of the region.<br />

92<br />

93


DOUBLE AWARDS<br />

for<br />

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO<br />

MAGAZINE!<br />

FAH THAI is honoured to receive the prestigious PEARL AWARDS<br />

for the second year in a row that was given out in New York City.<br />

This time, it’s a double win!<br />

Organised by the CONTENT COUNCIL, the influential PEARL<br />

AWARDS celebrates and honours the best in content marketing<br />

from around the world.<br />

FAH THAI was awarded:<br />

> THE SILVER AWARD FOR BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

> THE BRONZE AWARD FOR MOST EFFECTIVE IN TRAVEL<br />

AND LEISURE<br />

We thank all our readers and sponsors for the unwavering support<br />

of FAH THAI.<br />

We commit ourselves to continuing improvement of our content to<br />

inform and entertain our readers.<br />

For more information, please visit: thecontentcouncil.org/pearl-awards<br />

FAH THAI is published by MPMI GROUP CO., LTD.<br />

for Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited.<br />

Soulful Mix<br />

We know a place on<br />

the island paradise of<br />

Samui with<br />

exotically-crafted<br />

cocktails best<br />

enjoyed while<br />

listening to<br />

the brassy notes of<br />

a saxophone.<br />

นิตยสารฟ้าไทยคว้าสองรางวัลซ้อน!<br />

นิตยสารฟ้าไทย มีความภูมิใจที่ได้รับรางวัลอันทรงเกียรติจาก<br />

เพิร์ลอวอร์ด (Pearl Awards) ในนครนิวยอร์ก<br />

ติดต่อกันเป็นปีที่สอง และครั้งนี้เป็นการคว้ารางวัลถึงสองรางวัลซ้อน<br />

รางวัล เพิร์ลอวอร์ด จัดโดย คอนเทนท์เคาน์ซิล (Content Council) เพื่อประกาศ<br />

ยกย่องความเป็นเลิศแก่วงการสื่อสารเพื่อการตลาดจากทั่วโลก<br />

นิตยสารฟ้าไทย ได้รับรางวัล<br />

> เหรียญเงิน ประเภท BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

> เหรียญทองแดง ประเภท MOST EFFECTIVE IN TRAVEL AND LEISURE<br />

ขอขอบพระคุณผู้อ่านและสปอนเซอร์ทุกท่านที่ให้การสนับสนุน นิตยสารฟ้าไทย เสมอมา<br />

นิตยสารฟ้าไทย และทีมงานมุ่งมั่นที่จะพัฒนาผลงานให้มีคุณภาพในระดับสากล<br />

สาหรับผู้อ่านของเราต่อไป<br />

อ่านข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมได้ที่ thecontentcouncil.org/pearl-awards<br />

นิตยสารฟ้าไทย จัดพิมพ์โดย MPMI GROUP CO., LTD.<br />

เพื่อสายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส<br />

BANGKOK 96 / SAMUI 98 / PHUKET 102 / CHIANG MAI & PATTAYA 106 / HONG KONG, SINGAPORE 108 / KUALA LUMPUR 109 /<br />

PHNOM PENH, VIENTIANE & NHA TRANG 110 / MALDIVES & MUMBAI 112 / YANGON 113<br />

95


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

BANGKOK<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Free Ticket to Ride<br />

Great news for those who waited in anticipation<br />

and excitement for the new MRT Blue Line<br />

extension. The public can get aboard the latest<br />

metro transit system at the first four stations of<br />

the MRT Blue Line. With its recent unveiling, the<br />

interiors are hardly nondescript or utilitarian for<br />

MRT stations. Commuters will experience the<br />

wonderment of their striking design, cultural<br />

expression and the thrill of modern transport.<br />

The first four stations of the long-awaited Hua<br />

Lamphong-Bang Khae extension includes Sanam<br />

Chai, Wat Mangkon, Sam Yot and Itsaraphap,<br />

all standouts with their own design concept<br />

that reflects the history or cultural legacy of<br />

the area. Sanamchai station, for instance, sits<br />

within the vicinity of the classic Rattanakosin<br />

Photos Dolnapa Ram-Indra<br />

Island with its many venues<br />

of <strong>Thai</strong> history. The station is<br />

designed to resemble a royal<br />

court or a palace. Meanwhile<br />

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, or<br />

Dragon Temple, is one of the<br />

destinations known to people<br />

who seek to improve their fate<br />

and ask for blessings. The vision<br />

for Wat Mangkon MRT station<br />

combines Sino-<strong>Thai</strong> aspects,<br />

represented by the station’s<br />

dragon pattern as well as lotus<br />

and other dragon decor. For<br />

Sam Yot station, the ambience<br />

of the century-old shophouses<br />

along Charoen Krung Road<br />

provide great inspiration for<br />

the station’s mixed Sino-<br />

Portuguese architecture, which<br />

was then fused with classic<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> culture. Finally, Itsaraphap<br />

marks its significance as the<br />

first MRT station on Bangkok’s<br />

Thonburi area, connected with<br />

the recent construction of a<br />

tunnel under the river, stressing<br />

the station’s importance as the<br />

gateway Bangkok’s s sibling<br />

area. Enjoy free rides between<br />

<strong>Jul</strong>y and <strong>Aug</strong>ust – after, fares<br />

start from 16 Baht to 42 Baht in<br />

September. Bangkok MRT daily<br />

operating hours: 6am to midnight<br />

MOVING TOWARD CREATIVITY<br />

Based in Los Angeles and Bangkok, the<br />

foundation called Creative Migration<br />

launched its latest project by converting<br />

the residence that once belonged to<br />

former <strong>Thai</strong> minister Sanan Devahastin<br />

Na Ayudhaya, known for his noble title of<br />

“Chao Phraya Thammasakmontri”. With<br />

this transformed and collaborative space<br />

called Bangkok 1899 – art, design, urban<br />

and social innovation meet and interact<br />

with the organisation’s goal to connect<br />

through cultural diplomacy. With support<br />

from The Rockefeller Foundation and<br />

the Ford Motor Company Fund, Bangkok<br />

1899 appeals to locals and visitors alike<br />

with artist residency programmes and<br />

events, as well as a variety of public<br />

events. The space is open to everyone and<br />

provides the opportunity to rediscover<br />

one’s inner creativity in a gathering with<br />

like-minded folks in discussions and sharing<br />

of experiences. 134 Nakhon Sawan Road,<br />

Wat Sommanat, Pom Prap Sattru Phai,<br />

creativemigration.org<br />

96


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

SAMUI<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Good Chi in Bangrak<br />

Bangrak beach has long been<br />

known as one of the best<br />

places on the island to catch<br />

a stunning sunset with a<br />

mountains and sea backdrop.<br />

Chi Samui is among one of<br />

the many establishments to<br />

provide their patrons a lush<br />

and comfortable setting to<br />

experience them. Their 25m<br />

beachfront stretch sets Chi<br />

apart and an infinity salt pool<br />

complete with a swim up<br />

bar. Each evening from 6pm<br />

onwards Chi features live<br />

music with sets ranging from<br />

instruments like the saxophone<br />

and guitar to opera and more.<br />

In addition to the luxury pool<br />

and live entertainment, Chi also<br />

offers an international wine<br />

list, artisan cocktails, and food<br />

expertly crafted by chef Andrew<br />

Freeman who comes from the<br />

UK. Wednesday nights are<br />

arguably the most popular at<br />

Chi with their brilliant Oysters<br />

& Sax night offering guests<br />

delectable molluscs with wine<br />

pairings and the brassy sounds<br />

of the saxophone. 16/4 Moo 4,<br />

Bophut, +66 (0) 92 271 7439,<br />

chisamui.com<br />

A THRILLING JUMP<br />

At some point in life, people may<br />

have imagined jumping from 50<br />

metres in the air with the wind<br />

rushing past their ears and pure<br />

adrenaline pumping through their<br />

veins. For some, this may just be a<br />

fantasy that could never possibly<br />

come true, but for those who dare<br />

– Samui Bungy Jump can make it<br />

a reality. Being the only bungee<br />

jumping service on Koh Samui,<br />

it offers an exciting alternative<br />

beyond the usual days at the beach<br />

or trips around the island. Samui<br />

Bungy Jump offers guests some<br />

of the most incredible views of<br />

the Chaweng area from 50 metres<br />

up, with sights like a beautiful<br />

golden temple, the white sands<br />

of Chaweng coast, and popular<br />

Chaweng lake. However, those<br />

who dare to live on the edge and<br />

jump can only see these views.<br />

Booking in advance is encouraged<br />

to avoid disappointment. Soi<br />

Reggae, Chaweng, samuibungy.com,<br />

+66 (0) 77 414 252<br />

HIGH END & FUSION<br />

Asian meets Italian at Link Cuisine – located in the heart<br />

of Fisherman’s Village on Bophut Beach. Long known as<br />

a tourism hot spot, the stretch of beach with its dining<br />

and entertainment options have always been bountiful in<br />

Fisherman’s Village and Link Cuisine has staked its claim as<br />

being one of the best for the past three and half years. An<br />

eye-catching sleek wooden shopfront draws guests in while<br />

the highly-rated food and beautiful sea views keep them<br />

staying. Link prides itself in creating an upscale atmosphere<br />

where guests feel relaxed while enjoying meals that blend<br />

East and West. Visitors and locals alike hold Link in high<br />

regard and consider dining there a special night out along<br />

beautiful Bophut beach. Though reservations are not required,<br />

the restaurant is busy and booking in advance will help<br />

guarantee a spot during high season. Opens Daily for lunch<br />

& dinner, 79/3 Moo 1, Fisherman’s Village, Bophut, Samui,<br />

+66 (0) 77 963 493, linkcuisine.com<br />

98


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

SAMUI<br />

Photos Apiwath Boonsin<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Peaceful Beach<br />

Camping<br />

Dreamy boho beach vibes create<br />

a kind of theme that some<br />

holidaygoers seek on trips to<br />

Koh Samui. Samui Caravans<br />

provides one of the best places<br />

on the island to experience that<br />

ideal. Beach camping with a<br />

collection of charming caravans<br />

has drawn many from around<br />

the world to the sandy south<br />

coast of Koh Samui. Samui<br />

Caravans prides itself on being<br />

the only accommodations<br />

provider on the island that offers<br />

this special experience. With a<br />

full service breakfast, breathtaking<br />

sunrise views, and free<br />

access to kayaks, the offerings<br />

go beyond just camping on<br />

the beach. A stay with Samui<br />

Caravans offers the ultimate<br />

peaceful experience that should<br />

not be missed. Reservations can<br />

be made year-round online, by<br />

phone, or in person. 35/2 Moo 4,<br />

Namuang, +66 (0) 65 395 2659,<br />

facebook.com/samuicaravans<br />

STAY AND CATCH<br />

For lovers of fishing, or even those new<br />

to the sport, Fishing Park Samui offers<br />

the chance to throw a line without having<br />

to leave the comfort of your resort. Fully<br />

equipped with 17 guest rooms and 12<br />

comfortable day salas that can seat<br />

four people each, the Fishing Park has<br />

options for guests to stay at the resort or<br />

purchase day passes for fishing. Choices<br />

of three different room types including<br />

poolside townhouse cottages, lakeside<br />

superior and lakeside deluxe rooms with<br />

both lakeside accommodations offering<br />

the chance to fish directly from your<br />

room. The resort sits on an 8 rai (over<br />

1 hectare) lake with some 3,000 fishes<br />

and over 25 species, including Mekong<br />

Catfish, Amazon Arapaima, Redtail Catfish,<br />

Siamese Carp and more. All fishing<br />

equipment is provided to novices and<br />

experts who would like to try their hand<br />

at reeling one in. Fishing Park Samui is<br />

a unique venue offering an experience<br />

unlike any other on Koh Samui. 66/16<br />

Moo 2, Namuang, +66 (0) 61 419 1414,<br />

fishingparksamui.com<br />

FRESHLY CAUGHT FARE<br />

With an already well-established<br />

reputation on Koh Samui, the<br />

owners of the ever-popular Italian<br />

restaurant Pepenero decided in March<br />

2017 to open a second location,<br />

focusing on fresh seafood cooked<br />

in a Mediterranean style. Salefino<br />

(meaning fine salt) has established itself<br />

as a worthy follow-up to Pepenero<br />

with its breezy seaside location and<br />

unparallelled Mediterranean flair. The<br />

fresh, never frozen, seafood is sourced<br />

directly from local fishmongers several<br />

times throughout the day providing<br />

patrons true deliciousness. Though<br />

there are a handful of Italian options<br />

available on Koh Samui, none have<br />

quite nailed the true essence of Italian<br />

seafood, that is, until Salefino came<br />

along to fill that need. A traditional<br />

Spaghetti alle Vongole paired with<br />

a juicy Italian wine, and the gentle<br />

lapping of waves from the Gulf of<br />

<strong>Thai</strong>land at your feet makes for a<br />

perfect afternoon or evening. Opens<br />

Monday-Saturday 6pm-10pm, 300<br />

metres before Big Buddha, Bangrak,<br />

+66 (0) 91 825 2190, salefinosamui.com<br />

DIY GOURMET<br />

When looking to prepare a delicious meal while on a resort island, tourists<br />

and locals alike can go to Merchant Gourmet who provides high-quality<br />

essentials. Gourmet food options on Koh Samui continue to grow each<br />

year, and Merchant Gourmet has become a go-to food provider in Lamai<br />

town. They specialise in meats, steaks, tomahawk cuts, lamb to seafood<br />

like Canadian lobsters, to cheeses and home-made ice cream. Though the<br />

shop is located in Lamai in the southeast corner of the island, visitors come<br />

from all areas to purchase the imported quality products. Specialty meats<br />

and cheeses typically purchased abroad are found in the shining display<br />

cases of Merchant Gourmet. The shop offers different cuts and size options,<br />

happily tailoring to small or large portions, based on requests. Opens Monday<br />

-Saturday 9am-6pm, 127/8 Moo 4, Maret, Lamai, +66 (0) 88 857 5563,<br />

merchantgourmetsamui.com<br />

100


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

PHUKET<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Oceans For All<br />

There’s no overlooking the<br />

mounting support for<br />

environmental awareness<br />

and conservation in <strong>Thai</strong>land.<br />

Many resorts, restaurants, and<br />

other businesses are boasting<br />

about their paper straws,<br />

water conservation practices,<br />

and composting and recycling<br />

programmes. Every little bit helps,<br />

however, the majority of these<br />

efforts are just “green washing”<br />

or making a big deal of a small<br />

effort for marketing purposes.<br />

Thankfully there are<br />

organisations whose efforts are<br />

geared towards making tangible,<br />

substantial, and lasting positive<br />

impacts. Based in Boat Lagoon<br />

Marina in Phuket, Oceans For All<br />

is a non-profit organisation that<br />

has made it its mission to bring<br />

about these changes. They are<br />

implementing a mutli-faceted<br />

approach beginning with the crucial<br />

education of the youth about the<br />

big problems that plague marine<br />

environments such as overfishing,<br />

climate change, pollution, and<br />

tourism impacts.<br />

Oceans For All is keenly aware<br />

that to acknowledge these issues<br />

and bring about change, they<br />

must collaborate and integrate<br />

with Phuket’s tourism industry.<br />

Developing solutions that reward<br />

participation economically are<br />

crucial while evolving Phuket’s<br />

reputation to be one which<br />

treasures and protects the marine<br />

environment it depends on so<br />

heavily. oceansforallfoundation.org,<br />

+66 (0) 92 197 9338<br />

A WELL-CRAFTED CAFÉ<br />

Located in Cherngtalay in the Laguna<br />

Phuket area, Project Artisan is a recent<br />

addition to the burgeoning café scene<br />

on the island.<br />

The idea of Project Artisan was<br />

born out of inspiration to create<br />

a community-oriented place that<br />

represented the diversity of modern<br />

<strong>Thai</strong>land as well as the local expat<br />

community. It is partly a bohemianstyle<br />

café (think Canggu, Bali) with<br />

luscious garden seating offering up<br />

a tantalising selection of breakfast<br />

options like smoothie bowls and<br />

Brussels-style waffles. Veggie-lovers<br />

will find many creative plates such as a<br />

poached-pear salad, quinoa and roasted<br />

pumpkin salad, as well as black bean<br />

and red rice vegan burgers.<br />

As the name suggests, another<br />

facet of Project Artisan is to foster a<br />

creative atmosphere. The walls are<br />

adorned with huge paintings and<br />

creative spaces are bustling with activity.<br />

With a strong focus on art and local<br />

crafts visitors can learn everything from<br />

the secrets of music therapy to the<br />

ancient and holistic benefits of proper<br />

breathing techniques. Come for the<br />

food, stay for the drinks, and enjoy the<br />

atmosphere. 53/17 Moo 6, Cherngtalay,<br />

Thalang, +66 (0) 93 790 9911<br />

TANDOORI NIGHTS<br />

Everything about this non-descript Indian eatery is<br />

unassuming: the name, the location on the quiet end<br />

of a strip mall on a busy street, and if you changed the<br />

name on the front of the menu it could fit most Indian<br />

restaurants. However, this place stands out where it<br />

counts most – the flavour.<br />

Who knows what kind of culinary magician they<br />

have back there in the kitchen, but he deserves a<br />

raise. Some of the garden-variety dishes such as butter<br />

chicken, jalfrezy, and vindaloo curry exhibit flavours<br />

with surprising depth. The usual tandoori chicken<br />

could simply not be improved; it’s moist and tender,<br />

the rich smoky-spiced-flavour somehow permeates<br />

the meat through and through.<br />

If there is one dish to not be missed, it is the eggplant<br />

masala. Take it is a personal challenge to find a better<br />

one. The wide variety of fresh spices like cardamom,<br />

ginger, and turmeric are perfectly and delicately balanced<br />

and blend seamlessly with the soft-but-not-mushy<br />

eggplant. It’s the kind of meal that will make your eyes roll<br />

back in your head. 5/32 Fisherman Way Business Garden,<br />

Wiset Road, Rawai, +66 (0) 89 652 9265<br />

ALL HANDS ON DECK<br />

Attention all sailing enthusiasts! It’s time to batten down the<br />

hatches and get all hands on deck because the Cape Panwa<br />

Hotel Phuket Raceweek is right around the corner.<br />

Coming into its 16th year, the Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket<br />

Raceweek is comprised of four days of world-class yacht racing<br />

and of course, the four nights of obligatory beachside parties.<br />

Run over six or more classes including IRC, multihull, charter<br />

and one-design classes – Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek<br />

has gained a reputation for its competitive racing and moderate<br />

courses around islands for less experienced racers.<br />

phuketraceweek.com<br />

102


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

PHUKET<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Surf<br />

House<br />

Phuket<br />

The waves come and go, but at<br />

the Surf House Phuket the surf<br />

is always up!<br />

With locations in both Kata<br />

Beach and Patong Beach, the<br />

Surf House gives you and your<br />

friends and family a way to<br />

test your skills on the flow rider.<br />

The flow rider shoots a wide,<br />

shallow sheet of water over an<br />

inclined, padded base. Although<br />

often referred to as surfing,<br />

it’s a closer relative to wake<br />

boarding in style and equipment.<br />

Regardless, it’s super fun and<br />

almost anyone can try it.<br />

The Kata Beach Surf House<br />

is just across the street from<br />

the sand and is an ideal<br />

location for catching the sunset<br />

with a happy hour drink,<br />

ordering up something tasty<br />

from their restaurant, and<br />

working on your cutbacks and<br />

180’s. The Patong Surf House<br />

is complemented by a complex<br />

with a bar, restaurant, surf<br />

shop, as well as indoor dining<br />

with a co-working space.<br />

Opens everyday from 9.30am<br />

to midnight, 4 Soi Pakbang,<br />

Karon, Mueang, Phuket,<br />

surfhousephuket.com<br />

PURE VEGAN HEAVEN<br />

Adhering to veganism where you don’t<br />

consume nor use any foods or products<br />

derived from animals can be challenging.<br />

Luckily we have restaurants like Pure Vegan<br />

Heaven that eases that challenge a bit.<br />

Nestled among the Muay <strong>Thai</strong> camps,<br />

tattoo shops, and barbecue joints<br />

lining Soi Ta-ied, Pure Vegan is armed<br />

with a well-rounded menu offering up<br />

appetizers, options for every meal of the<br />

day, and a long list of fresh juices and<br />

other hot and cold creations.<br />

Omnivores might be dissuaded by<br />

the vegan concept assuming that the<br />

food is not as hearty or flavourful but<br />

alas, here’s a little eatery that busts those<br />

myths. The portions are oversized, prices<br />

quite reasonable, and the flavours are<br />

rich and super healthy.<br />

The smoky bbq bowl can be<br />

vouched for and is loaded with<br />

roasted sweet potatoes, bbq jackfruit,<br />

lettuce, pico de gallo, probiotic kimchi,<br />

crispy shallots, and topped with a<br />

raw turmeric chia dressing. A perfect<br />

complement is the Ayurveda turmeric<br />

latte which is even better than it<br />

sounds. You won’t miss the meat.<br />

10/120 Moo 5, Soi Ta-ied, Chalong,<br />

Mueang, Phuket, +66 (0) 64 014 4068<br />

BREATH-TAKING PHROMTHEP CAPE<br />

Despite the fact that several breath-taking viewpoints can be<br />

found on Phuket, many would consider Phromthep Cape the<br />

crowning jewel.<br />

Situated at the very southern tip of the island, Phromthep<br />

Cape is a vividly picturesque vantage point that looks down along<br />

a rocky peninsula, which points out across the blue expanse of the<br />

Andaman Sea. A nearby island has a small Buddhist temple empty<br />

except for a few monks who reside there. The outlines of islands<br />

far offshore are visible on clear days.<br />

The viewpoint itself dominated the hilltop with a shrine<br />

dedicated to elephants and a small lighthouse that houses a<br />

maritime museum. Don’t expect to get this gem all to yourself<br />

as it is a planned stop on just about every tour itinerary. There<br />

are a variety of shops peddling the usual souvenirs and a hillside<br />

restaurant whose food and prices are both pretty good.<br />

104


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

CHIANG MAI / PATTAYA<br />

MIXED FEASTS<br />

For the past 16 years, Chef John Lee<br />

has been offering enticing Mexican<br />

comfort food at two branches of Salsa<br />

Kitchen in Chiang Mai. With his wife<br />

Latawan by his side, the power couple<br />

opened Feast Society late last year,<br />

which became a playground for John<br />

to experiment and explore, extending<br />

beyond his Mexican repertoire. The<br />

menu is rustic home cooking, influenced<br />

by Mediterranean cuisine with a dabble<br />

of Middle Eastern and the occasional<br />

appearance of kimchi. What brings<br />

it all together is John’s signature<br />

sourdough bread, which is charred and<br />

piled on to just about every dish, a<br />

WEAVING A BUZZ<br />

Don’t be fooled by the industrial, nondescript exterior.<br />

Weave Artisan Society is all the buzz about Chiang Mai.<br />

This creative hub was formed by a group of diverse and<br />

international friends and echoes their love of craft heritage<br />

while inviting it into a contemporary and dramatic space<br />

(that was formerly an ice factory). Set in the heart of<br />

Wualai, a historic community of silversmiths, Weave is part<br />

artisan studio and part performance space, with an in-house<br />

flower shop and barista featuring carefully selected<br />

local coffee. <strong>Jul</strong>ian Huang, one of the founders, speaks<br />

passionately about how he imagined a centre to showcase<br />

and tell stories of the many skilled artisans scattered<br />

throughout Chiang Mai. As a visitor, the remoteness of<br />

these craftsmen impedes exploration, but Weave offers<br />

the opportunity to visit a living community of artisans, all<br />

conveniently under one roof. Their concept store will surely<br />

leave you a few pennies poorer, but all in the name of<br />

supporting local makers! weaveartisansociety.com<br />

reflection of how John himself likes<br />

to eat: fork in one hand and bread in<br />

the other. He speaks so lovingly of his<br />

customised oven that he retro-fitted<br />

for bread making that you wonder if<br />

his wife is jealous! He prides himself<br />

on making absolutely everything from<br />

scratch – from sauces, to curing meats,<br />

breadmaking, pickling and even cheesemaking.<br />

Excellent offerings for vegans<br />

and carnivores alike. Noon-11pm, daily,<br />

facebook.com/Feast-Society-by-Salsa-<br />

Kitchen-610992249315943/<br />

Sriphoom Road Soi 1, Mueang, Chiang Mai,<br />

+66 (0) 99 376 4400<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Time with Adorable<br />

Animals<br />

Get yourself ready to have a fun day in another<br />

one of Pattaya’s popular attractions. Located on<br />

the Pattaya-Rayong Road, Pattaya Sheep Farm<br />

is a perfect destination for family or a group of<br />

friends. The farm has four main zones to cater<br />

to all creature preferences. Animal lovers should<br />

not miss the Pet Farm where you’ll be greeted<br />

with endearing animals such as alpacas, sika deer,<br />

rabbits, and sheep that wander freely in the green<br />

field, surely the highlight on the farm. You can feed<br />

the sheep and other animals too.<br />

For an extra treat, head to Bird Land where<br />

you can see many kinds of birds up close. And the<br />

Animal Show will impress you with their talents.<br />

For the perfect photo, you will also want to stop by<br />

the Town of Fairy Tales for group shots or selfies.<br />

Spare a day and come for a good time here. 73/8<br />

Moo 3 Nong Plalai, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri,<br />

+66 (0) 92 321 6718, pattayasheepfarm.com<br />

106


HAPPENINGS<br />

HONG KONG / SINGAPORE MALAYSIA KUALA LUMPUR<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Gordon’s At The Peak<br />

Fish & Chips, Marrow Fat Peas and Curry Sauce<br />

– these are the quintessential British favourites<br />

that await diners at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread<br />

Street Kitchen & Bar at the Peak Galleria in Hong<br />

Kong. Offering Hong Kong diners and global<br />

travellers an authentic British dining experience<br />

at The Peak, the restaurant introduces a whole<br />

new dimension to destination dining.<br />

With a large open space and urban English<br />

feel, Bread Street Kitchen & Bar serves a<br />

selection of meticulously prepared British<br />

favourites designed for sharing with family<br />

and friends. The menu features signature and<br />

new additions including flatbreads, Foie Gras<br />

Ballantine and the appetising seasoned Smoked<br />

Steak Tartare, paired with crispy home-made<br />

tacos. Opens Monday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm,<br />

Shop G02, G/F, Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, Hong<br />

Kong, diningconcepts.com/restaurants/Bread-<br />

Street-Kitchen<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Caddy<br />

Concierge<br />

As a leading creator of exclusive experiences,<br />

Hilton Kuala Lumpur has introduced a<br />

programme specifically curated for golfers.<br />

The Caddy Concierge, a one-stop contact to all<br />

things golf, takes care of all the necessary<br />

booking arrangements according to guests’<br />

schedules and preferences. The service also<br />

entails a private chauffeur service and massage<br />

therapies at the hotel’s spa.<br />

The programme not only handles the<br />

scheduling of training slots, coaching sessions<br />

and games but also offers guests the opportunity<br />

to tee off at the city’s best golf clubs, such as the<br />

TPC Kuala Lumpur, which is a mere 15 minutes<br />

away from the property. Each golf getaway<br />

package will be curated to suit guests’ requests<br />

upon their arrival. For bookings, email kualalumpur@hilton.com,<br />

life.hiltonkl.com.<br />

RUN WILD<br />

Get closer to nature without leaving the city at the Southern<br />

Ridges. Spread over 10km of green and open spaces, this<br />

network of scenic ridges and pathways boast some of the<br />

best panoramic views of the city, harbour and the Southern<br />

Islands. A trek along the Southern Ridges brings visitors to<br />

five other parks – Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park,<br />

HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and the Labrador Nature Reserve.<br />

As part of the journey, travellers cross bridges through<br />

the Adinandra Belukar, a distinct secondary forest, and can<br />

observe a variety of birds. Henderson Waves is another<br />

highlight of the walk. Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge,<br />

it’s a marvel during nightfall when it’s illuminated with LED<br />

lights. Here, trekkers can also enjoy panoramic views of lush<br />

greenery and the sights and sounds of wildlife. Henderson<br />

Road, Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Singapore<br />

TRUE SINGAPOREAN TZE CHAR<br />

Visitors wanting to experience some<br />

authentic Singaporean tze char (street food)<br />

should pay a visit to New Ubin Zhongshan<br />

Park, located within the vibrant Balestier<br />

commune. The new outlet from the<br />

home-grown restaurant chain, New Ubin<br />

Group, serves up a variety of signature<br />

appetisers and wok-kissed classics, which<br />

will surely tantalise tastebuds.<br />

The 150-seat restaurant can be<br />

found within the four-star Ramada by<br />

Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park.<br />

Top picks on the menu include the Foie<br />

Gras Egg Special, which is a decadent<br />

spin on the traditional Singaporean<br />

breakfast of soft-boiled eggs, with chunks<br />

of foie gras and sprinkling of truffle salt.<br />

Also not to be overlooked is the Boss<br />

Bee Hoon, a three-ingredient family<br />

recipe that truly brings out the<br />

flavours and aroma of stir-frying.<br />

Opens daily from 12am to 3pm;<br />

6.30pm to 10.30pm, 16 Ah<br />

Hood Road, Singapore<br />

newubinseafood.com<br />

108


HAPPENINGS<br />

CAMBODIA / LAOS PHNOM PENH / VIENTIANE VIETNAM<br />

NHA TRANG<br />

FOR A GOOD CAUSE<br />

A social enterprise operated by nongovernmental<br />

organisation, the Tree<br />

Alliance, this restaurant trains and<br />

employs former street children and<br />

marginalised youth in a variety of<br />

sectors such as hospitality and F&B.<br />

Friends the Restaurant is located<br />

near the National Museum and has<br />

been serving up creative tapas and<br />

good vibes since 2001.<br />

The vibrant and colourful<br />

training restaurant specialises in<br />

shared plates of creative cuisine<br />

with influences from across the<br />

globe along with refreshing cocktails<br />

and beverages. Diners can not only<br />

experience the best of Cambodian<br />

cuisine here but also enjoy some of<br />

its art forms thanks to the restaurant’s<br />

ongoing collaboration with culture<br />

enterprise, Cambodian Living Arts.<br />

Opens daily, 11am to 11pm, 215,<br />

St 13, Phnom Penh, Cambodia,<br />

tree-alliance.org<br />

ACCESSIBLE STREET FOOD<br />

No trip to Cambodia would be complete without a sampling of local<br />

street food. Mr. Mab 123 aims to cater to the demands of visitors<br />

by making Khmer street food more accessible. Operated by expert<br />

chefs and caterers, this restaurant and bar not only serves classic local<br />

dishes but also an extensive variety of bites from Asia as well as Europe.<br />

A perfect place to not only savour Cambodian cuisine, the<br />

eatery is also an ideal place to kick back and relax with some<br />

refreshing beverages. Mr. Mab 123’s drinks menu includes a wide<br />

selection of beers, cocktails as well as rum and whiskey flights.<br />

If you’re visiting Phnom Penh and want to experience a slice of<br />

Cambodian life, then this place will undoubtedly satisfy your<br />

craving. Opens 11am-11pm daily, 69, Street 123, Chomkamorn,<br />

Phnom Penh, mrmab.com<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Nha Trang<br />

Noodles<br />

With a coastline of over 3,000km,<br />

Vietnam has a sea that is a vital<br />

part of daily life. Nowhere is it<br />

more evident than the city of<br />

Nha Trang on the south central<br />

coast of Vietnam. Blessed with<br />

a beautiful bay, Nha Trang<br />

enjoys some of the most pristine<br />

beaches and an abundant bounty<br />

of sea life from which tourism<br />

and fishing play relevant roles.<br />

This is most obvious in<br />

the culinary offerings where<br />

fish is prominent. While the<br />

entire country features<br />

vermicelli noodles and<br />

their respective protein of<br />

either pork or beef, in Nha<br />

Trang, fish takes centre stage<br />

with dishes like Bun Ca and Banh<br />

Canh Cha Ca. Bun is rice vermicelli<br />

(bun) and fish (ca), while banh<br />

canh is a thicker rice noodle<br />

similar to Japanese udon as a<br />

complementary noodle to the dish<br />

of Banh Canh Cha Ca (Vietnamese<br />

udon with grilled fish).<br />

These dishes may not be served<br />

in too many dining establishments<br />

in the rest of the country, so it is<br />

here in Nha Trang that it should<br />

be enjoyed. Chopsticks may be<br />

the more popular choice but in<br />

Nha Trang, to eat banh canh cha<br />

ca, people use a spoon instead for<br />

more delicious slurping. This can<br />

be enjoyed at eateries dotting the<br />

city or a food stall at the market.<br />

For a bowl of Bun Ca, visit<br />

Xom Moi market at Vo Tru Street<br />

corner where it’s guaranteed goodness since<br />

this food stall has been in business for over two<br />

decades. It will be a tasty bowl priced at around<br />

20,000 VND per bowl, that’s less than 1 USD! Open<br />

daily from 1pm-7pm.<br />

Nocturnal snackers wishing for thicker noodles<br />

can go to Banh Canh Ba Thu<br />

at 55 Yersin Street or Dam<br />

market at night at Hai Ba<br />

Trung Street, from 5pm-<br />

3am. Again, that bowl<br />

will set you back<br />

around 1 USD.<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Vientiane Memories<br />

Make a souvenir more than just<br />

a keepsake when you use it for<br />

home décor and reminder of an<br />

adventure on the road. When<br />

in the Lao capital of Vientiane,<br />

visit FranMuan at Sihom Café<br />

for travel mementoes with<br />

their great stories to share<br />

back home. FranMuan is a<br />

local brand for Lao handicrafts<br />

made by underprivileged and<br />

handicapped Lao women across<br />

the country. At the corner of a<br />

high-ceiling and stylish café,<br />

you’ll be enticed by displays of<br />

indigo plate mats and napkins,<br />

beautiful wooden mugs and<br />

spoons and more. “FranMuan”<br />

comes from two different terms –<br />

Fran or Frangipani (Plumeria);<br />

Lao national flower, and “Muan”<br />

which means “fun” in the Lao<br />

language. Handicrafts by Lao<br />

women and the handicapped<br />

(who fantastically mastered<br />

their craftsmanship) are very<br />

unique, liberated and delicate.<br />

Appreciating the texture and<br />

uniqueness of each handiwork<br />

leads to supporting Lao women’s<br />

lives. At home, pieces of plate<br />

mat with blue, red and yellow<br />

strips could bring back good<br />

memories of hiking in Northern<br />

Laos and savouring heartwarming<br />

chicken soup made by Lahu<br />

woman. facebook.com/franmuanlaos<br />

110


HAPPENINGS<br />

MALDIVES / INDIA<br />

MALDIVES / MUMBAI<br />

MYANMAR<br />

YANGON<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Autonomous Eats<br />

& Drinks<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Ithaafushi Heaven<br />

The latest design-forward and ultra-luxury<br />

property in the Maldives is the Waldorf<br />

Astoria Hotels & Resorts, located in the heart<br />

of the South Malé Atoll at Ithaafushi Island.<br />

The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi<br />

debuted their all-villa resort in <strong>Jul</strong>y,<br />

encompassing three private islands.<br />

The property will offer a sophisticated<br />

and serene retreat just 30 minutes from<br />

Malé International Airport, reachable with<br />

the resort’s private yacht. The resort boasts<br />

122 luxuriously appointed villas, each with<br />

its own pool and uninterrupted<br />

views of the Indian Ocean in its own<br />

private enclave. Reef, beach and<br />

overwater villas will open onto an<br />

indoor and outdoor deck featuring a<br />

swinging daybed, dining gazebo, an<br />

infinity pool, in-water lounge and<br />

an outdoor shower.<br />

The Waldorf Astoria Spa<br />

comprises ten idyllic overwater<br />

and garden treatment villas, and<br />

an extensive menu of treatments<br />

with Asian-inspired therapies for<br />

relaxation and rebalance. Families<br />

can enjoy The Waldorf Astoria Young<br />

Discovery Park, a water park for<br />

young guests, and the Lagoon Pool,<br />

ideal for families looking to enjoy a<br />

variety of activities with ease.<br />

To celebrate the hotel’s opening,<br />

Hilton Honors members will earn an<br />

additional 5,000 Points per stay of<br />

three nights or more, for bookings<br />

from <strong>Jul</strong>y to September <strong>2019</strong>.<br />

waldorfastoriamaldives.com,<br />

+960 4 000300<br />

Created by PUN + PROJECTS in<br />

2014, Port Autonomy has had<br />

many incarnations since it first<br />

opening in Lanthit Jetty, from<br />

a verdant garden on Kabar Aye<br />

Pagoda Road to its highly<br />

anticipated dining pop-ups at<br />

Yangon Zay.<br />

The legendary Port Autonomy<br />

is now back in Yangon. In<br />

collaboration with 57 Below,<br />

Port Autonomy can be found at<br />

the former Union Bar and Grill<br />

building on 42 Strand Road,<br />

Botahtaung Township.<br />

Bigger and better than ever,<br />

Port Autonomy will be bringing<br />

exciting brunches, live DJ sets,<br />

signature cocktails and an Asian<br />

fusion menu along with Mexican<br />

and Western influences. From<br />

the King George of Cuba<br />

sandwich, made with Korean<br />

dijonnaise and gochujang, to<br />

Charred Kimchi Quesadilla,<br />

and Rainbow Chopped Tea Leaf<br />

Salad to Rare Australian Sirloin<br />

“Not A Steak Sandwich”, the<br />

newly-revamped bar provides<br />

refreshing and potent cocktails<br />

to cool you off at this distinctive<br />

open-air bistro. 11am-11pm, 42<br />

Strand Rd, beside the Red Cross<br />

Myanmar building, Botahtaung<br />

Township, Yangon, +95 (0) 1 392 263<br />

DANCING IN THE RAIN<br />

Mumbai’s monsoon is meant to be enjoyed thoroughly, which means stepping<br />

outside and getting drenched in the downpour! The best place to do this is<br />

at Marine Drive, a 3.6km seaside boulevard in South Mumbai flanked by Art<br />

Deco buildings on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. Walk along the<br />

promenade from Girgaon Chowpatty all the way down to what’s called Land’s<br />

End (near NCPA theatre). Grab a bhutta (roasted corn on the cob sprinkled<br />

with salt, chilli powder, and lime juice) and get soaked as the waves crash over<br />

the stone parapet onto the promenade. In the evenings, as the streetlights<br />

come on, the drive is cast in the golden glow of the “Queen’s Necklace”.<br />

Other places in the city to enjoy the monsoon are Worli Sea Face and Bandra<br />

Bandstand; the latter has the added advantage of a fantastic view of the<br />

Bandra-Worli Sea Link, an iconic cable-stayed bridge that connects South<br />

Mumbai to the suburbs.<br />

DAY TRIPPING<br />

As monsoon sets in, almost every Mumbaiite plans a day trip to Lonavala,<br />

a popular hill station in the Western Ghats that is less than 2 hours’ drive<br />

from the city. Whizz on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and follow the<br />

signs for Lonavala. The hill station is surrounded by verdant hills dotted<br />

with waterfalls in the monsoons. There are plenty of hiking opportunities<br />

here such as to Rajmachi Point, Lohagad Fort, and Duke’s Nose. Then head<br />

over to the Bushi Dam waterfall to join monsoon revellers. Next stop is<br />

Karla Caves, a complex of Buddhist cave shrines that date to 3rd century<br />

BC. Don’t forget to buy a packet of Lonavala chikki, a candy made with<br />

jaggery & peanuts from several shops in and en route Lonavala.<br />

112


BANGKOK AIRWAYS NEWS 116 / ROUTE MAP 126 / AIRCRAFT INFO 128<br />

115


BANGKOK AIRWAYS NEWS<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS RECEIVES<br />

AWARD AS MOST PUNCTUAL AIRLINE<br />

Bangkok Airways is the only <strong>Thai</strong><br />

carrier that ranks in the Top 20 airlines<br />

– based on its On-Time Performance<br />

(OTP) of 87.16 per cent in 2018. In<br />

addition to ranking fifth overall<br />

in an impressive leap from 32nd<br />

place in 2017, the airline is also<br />

ranked second among airlines in<br />

the Asia Pacific region. This<br />

recognition means a great deal<br />

and encouragement for everyone at<br />

Bangkok Airways. With this recognition,<br />

the goal continues to maintain<br />

quality on punctuality performances<br />

with the highest safety standards.<br />

OAG is the world’s leading<br />

provider of annual travel data and<br />

insight ranking of OTP for the<br />

world’s largest airlines and airports.<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์สเป็นสายการบิน<br />

เดียวของประเทศไทยที่ติดอันดับท็อป 20<br />

ด้านความตรงต่อเวลา จากการจัดอันดับ<br />

ของสายการบินจากทั่วโลก (Top 20<br />

Airlines by On-Time Performance) จาก<br />

โอเอจี (OAG) ด้วยสถิติความตรงต่อเวลา<br />

87.16% ในปี 2561 เป็นอันดับที่ 2 ใน<br />

ภูมิภาคเอเชียแปซิฟิก และเป็นอันดับที่ 5<br />

ของโลก เลื่อนขึ้นมาจากอันดับที่ 32 ของ<br />

โลก ในปี 2560 ทั้งนี้ สายการบินฯ ไม่เพียง<br />

แต่ให้ความสำคัญในระดับความตรงต่อ<br />

เวลา (On-Time Performance: OTP)<br />

เท่านั้น แต่ยังคงมุ่งมั่นปฏิบัติตามขั้นตอน<br />

เพื่อให้เกิดความตรงต่อเวลาอย่างแท้จริง<br />

โอเอจี (OAG) เป็นบริษัทชั้นนำในการ<br />

วิเคราะห์ข้อมูลด้านอุตสาหกรรมการบิน<br />

ระดับโลก ที่เปิดเผยข้อมูลรายงานเกี่ยวกับ<br />

สถิติความตรงต่อเวลาของสายการบินเเละ<br />

ท่าอากาศยานทั่วโลกเป็นประจำทุกปี<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS WINS “TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARDS –<br />

REGIONAL AIRLINE ASIA <strong>2019</strong>” FROM TRIPADVISOR<br />

Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited<br />

has been awarded the “Travelers’ Choice<br />

Awards – Regional Airline Asia <strong>2019</strong>” by<br />

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site.<br />

TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards<br />

are based on reviews by global travellers<br />

that focus on service, quality and value.<br />

TripAdvisor, through using an algorithm,<br />

accounts for the quantity and quality<br />

of airline reviews and ratings over a<br />

12-month period (January - December<br />

2018) to determine the award recipients.<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS<br />

AWARDED SUPERBRANDS<br />

THAILAND 2018<br />

Bangkok Airways President Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-<br />

Osoth (left) recently received the Superbrands <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

2018 Award from Mr. Preecha Kaenprom, Country<br />

Director, Superbrands <strong>Thai</strong>land (right). The award<br />

presentation took place at the airline headquarters.<br />

The award bestows a distinguished accolade to<br />

organisations with the strongest brands in <strong>Thai</strong>land. <strong>Thai</strong><br />

consumers, marketers and journalists give their votes and<br />

final results are determined by the Superbrands council of<br />

judges from over 500 leading organisations in <strong>Thai</strong>land.<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส โดย นายพุฒิพงศ์ ปราสาททองโอสถ<br />

กรรมการผู้อำนวยการใหญ่ (ซ้าย) รับมอบรางวัลสุดยอดแบรนด์<br />

แห่งปี 2561 จาก นายปรีชา แก่นพรม ผู้อำนวยการซุปเปอร์แบรนด์<br />

ประเทศไทย (ขวา) ณ สำนักงานใหญ่ สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส<br />

รางวัลสุดยอดแบรนด์แห่งปี 2561 ถือเป็นรางวัลทรงเกียรติ<br />

สำหรับองค์กรที่มีความเป็นเลิศในการสร้างแบรนด์ให้แข็งแกร่งเป็นที่<br />

ยอมรับในระดับสากล ซึ่งได้รับการโหวตจากผู้บริโภค ผู้ทรงคุณวุฒิ<br />

ด้านการตลาด สื่อมวลชน และได้รับคะแนนโหวตสูงสุดจากคณะ<br />

กรรมการอิสระจากองค์กรชั้นนำกว่า 500 แห่งทั่วประเทศไทย<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส ได้รับรางวัล<br />

“ทราเวลเลอร์ส ช้อยส์ แอร์ไลน์ อวอร์ดส์ –<br />

สายการบินยอดเยี่ยมในภูมิภาคเอเชีย ประจำปี<br />

2562” จากทริปแอดไวเซอร์ (TripAdvisor)<br />

เว็บไซต์ด้านการท่องเที่ยวชั้นนำของโลกที่มีการ<br />

จัดอันดับความพึงพอใจในการใช้บริการสายการบิน<br />

ทั่วโลกตลอดระยะเวลา 12 เดือน (มกราคม -<br />

ธันวาคม 2561) การรีวิวและคะแนนที่ได้รับล้วน<br />

แสดงถึงคุณภาพและความโดดเด่นในการให้<br />

บริการของสายการบินที่ลูกค้าชื่นชอบ ซึ่งเป็น<br />

ส่วนสำคัญที่ทำให้นักเดินทางมีความเชื่อมั่นและ<br />

เลือกใช้บริการกับสายการบินฯ<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE<br />

FIRST QUARTER OF <strong>2019</strong> TOTAL REVENUE 7,789.9 MILLION BAHT;<br />

NET PROFIT 510.8 MILLION BAHT<br />

Bangkok Airways Public Company<br />

Limited announces its operating<br />

results for the first quarter of<br />

<strong>2019</strong> which has achieved a total<br />

revenue amounting to 7,789.9<br />

million baht. The net profit was<br />

reported at 510.8 million baht.<br />

Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-<br />

Osoth, President of Bangkok<br />

Airways Public Company Limited<br />

commented that, “In the first<br />

quarter, total revenue of the company<br />

was 7,789.9 million baht. The net<br />

profit was reported at the amount<br />

of 510.8 million baht in which the<br />

profit attributable to the equity<br />

holder of the company was 504.3<br />

million baht. Earnings per share<br />

equal to 0.24 baht. The total<br />

number of passengers in the first<br />

quarter of <strong>2019</strong> was 1.73 million<br />

passengers and the passenger<br />

load factor was at 74.6 per cent.<br />

For this quarter, the majority of<br />

passengers were from point-ofsale<br />

in Europe at 25 per cent, in<br />

<strong>Thai</strong>land at 23 per cent and in<br />

Asia, excluding <strong>Thai</strong>land, at 20<br />

per cent respectively.”<br />

“In February, the Civil Aviation<br />

Authority of <strong>Thai</strong>land approved<br />

the renewal of the company’s<br />

Airport Operator License (AOL);<br />

the license is valid for 10 years. In<br />

March <strong>2019</strong>, Bangkok Air Aviation<br />

Training Center Company Limited<br />

(BATC), a subsidiary of Bangkok<br />

Airways Public Company Limited<br />

signed a partnership agreement<br />

with International Air Transport<br />

Association (IATA) on the<br />

establishment of IATA Regional<br />

Aviation Training Partner in Bangkok.<br />

Additionally, the company has<br />

joined hands with BTS Group<br />

Holding Public Company Limited<br />

and Sino-<strong>Thai</strong> Engineering &<br />

Construction Public Company<br />

Limited, submitting the proposal<br />

under the name of “BBS Joint<br />

Venture” for the bidding of U-Tapao<br />

International Airport and Eastern<br />

Aviation City Development project<br />

to the Royal <strong>Thai</strong> Navy, which is<br />

under the public private partnership.”<br />

In the first quarter of <strong>2019</strong>,<br />

Bangkok Airways launched new<br />

non-stop flight services between<br />

Bangkok-Cam Ranh (Vietnam)<br />

with 4 flights per week and<br />

Chiang Mai-Krabi (one way) with<br />

3 flights per week. Additionally,<br />

the airline increased its flight<br />

frequency on various routes such<br />

as Bangkok-Danang (Vietnam)<br />

route from 7 flights per week to<br />

14 flights per week, Bangkok-<br />

Mandalay (Myanmar) from 11<br />

flights per week to 14 flights per<br />

week to facilitate its passengers<br />

and code-share partners,”<br />

Mr. Puttipong confirmed.<br />

นายพุฒิพงศ์ ปราสาททองโอสถ กรรมการผู้อำนวยการใหญ่<br />

บริษัท การบินกรุงเทพ จำกัด (มหาชน) เปิดเผยว่า “ผลการ<br />

ดำเนินงานในไตรมาสที่ 1 ของปี 2562 บริษัทฯ มีรายได้รวม<br />

7,789.9 ล้านบาท มีกำไรสุทธิเท่ากับ 510.8 ล้านบาท โดย<br />

เป็นกำไรสุทธิที่เป็นส่วนของผู้ถือหุ้นของบริษัทฯ เท่ากับ 504.3<br />

ล้านบาท กำไรต่อหุ้นเท่ากับ 0.24 บาทต่อหุ้น มีจำนวนผู้<br />

โดยสารรวม 1.73 ล้านคน และมีอัตราส่วนการขนส่งผู้โดยสาร<br />

เฉลี่ย (Load Factor) ร้อยละ 74.6 ซึ่งสัดส่วนผู้โดยสารจากจุด<br />

จำหน่ายบัตรโดยสาร (Point-of-Sale) 3 อันดับแรก มาจาก<br />

ภูมิภาคยุโรปร้อยละ 25.0 ในประเทศไทยร้อยละ 23.0 และใน<br />

ภูมิภาคเอเชียไม่รวมประเทศไทยร้อยละ 20.0”<br />

“ในเดือนกุมภาพันธ์ที่ผ่านมา บริษัทฯ ได้รับการต่อใบอนุญาต<br />

ประกอบกิจการค้าขายในการเดินอากาศ (Airport Operator<br />

License หรือ AOL) จากสำนักงานการบินพลเรือนแห่ง<br />

ประเทศไทย โดยใบอนุญาตมีอายุ 10 ปี และในเดือนมีนาคม บริษัท<br />

บางกอกแอร์ เอวิเอชั่น เทรนนิ่ง เซ็นเตอร์ จ ำกัด ซึ่งเป็นบริษัทในเครือ<br />

ได้ลงนามสัญญากับสมาคมขนส่งทางอากาศระหว่างประเทศ<br />

(IATA) เพื่อจัดตั้งศูนย์ฝึกอบรมด้านการบินของ IATA ระดับภูมิภาค<br />

และนอกจากนี ้บริษัทฯ ได้ร่วมกับ บริษัท บีทีเอส กรุ๊ป โฮลดิ้งส์<br />

จำกัด (มหาชน) และ บริษัท ซิโน-ไทย เอ็นจิเนียริ่ง แอนด์ คอน<br />

สตรัคชั่น จำกัด (มหาชน) ในนามของ “กิจการร่วมค้าบีบีเอส”<br />

ในการยื่นข้อเสนอเข้าร่วมลงทุนในโครงการพัฒนาสนามบิน<br />

อู่ตะเภาและเมืองการบินภาคตะวันออกต่อกองทัพเรือ”<br />

“สำหรับการขยายเส้นทางบินและการเพิ่มเที่ยวบินของ<br />

บริษัทฯ ในไตรมาสแรกปี 2562 บริษัทฯ ได้เปิดให้บริการเส้น<br />

ทางบินใหม่ระหว่างกรุงเทพฯ-คัมรัน (เวียดนาม) เมื่อเดือน<br />

มกราคมที่ผ่านมา โดยให้บริการสัปดาห์ละ 4 เที่ยวบิน ด้วย<br />

เครื่องบินแบบแอร์บัส เอ319 ขนาด 144 ที่นั่ง และเส้นทาง<br />

เชียงใหม่-กระบี่ (เที่ยวเดียว) ให้บริการ 3 เที่ยวบินต่อสัปดาห์<br />

ด้วยเครื่องบินแบบแอร์บัส เอ319 ขนาด 144 ที่นั่ง ในเดือน<br />

มีนาคม และได้เพิ่มความถี่ของเที่ยวบินในเส้นทางบินระหว่าง<br />

ประเทศที่ได้รับความนิยม ได้แก่ กรุงเทพฯ-ดานัง (เวียดนาม)<br />

จากสัปดาห์ละ 7 เที่ยวบิน เพิ่มเป็นสัปดาห์ละ 14 เที่ยวบิน<br />

กรุงเทพฯ-มัณฑะเลย์ (เมียนมาร์) จากสัปดาห์ละ 11 เที่ยวบิน<br />

เพิ่มเป็นสัปดาห์ละ 14 เที่ยวบิน เพื่ออำนวยความสะดวกให้แก่<br />

ผู้โดยสารและสายการบินพันธมิตร” นายพุฒิพงศ์กล่าวปิดท้าย<br />

116 117


BANGKOK AIRWAYS NEWS<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS WELCOMES ITS LATEST ATR 72-600 AIRCRAFT<br />

Recently, Bangkok Airways led by<br />

Air Marshall Dechit Chareonwong,<br />

Vice President of Flight Operations<br />

(3th from right) together with<br />

airline pilots welcomed a brandnew<br />

ATR 72-600 aircraft at<br />

Suvarnabhumi Airport.<br />

The new ATR 72-600 was<br />

delivered from the ATR manufacturer<br />

in Toulouse, France. This new<br />

generation ATR-600 is equipped<br />

with a state-of-the-art, full-glass<br />

cockpit monitoring and control<br />

systems. It also features high<br />

comfort layout seating for 70<br />

passengers with larger overhead<br />

bins to enhance travel convenience<br />

and satisfaction. The recently<br />

delivered ATR 72-600 will be<br />

part of added services on domestic<br />

flights such as Sukhothai, Trat,<br />

Lampang, Samui (Surat Thani),<br />

Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai (Songkhla).<br />

Currently, the Bangkok Airways<br />

fleet consists of 40 aircrafts; 2<br />

ATR72-500s, 13 ATR72-600s,<br />

16 A319s, and 9 A320s.<br />

เมื่อเร็วๆ นี้ สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส นำโดย<br />

กัปตัน พล.อ.ท. เดชิศร์ เจริญวงศ์ รองกรรมการ<br />

ผู้อำนวยการใหญ่ ฝ่ายปฏิบัติการบิน (ที่ 3 จากขวา)<br />

และผู้บริหารของสายการบินฯ ร่วมกับทีมนักบิน ให้การ<br />

ต้อนรับเครื่องบินแบบเอทีอาร์ รุ่น 72-600 ลำล่าสุด<br />

ณ ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ<br />

เครื่องบินโดยสารแบบเอทีอาร์ รุ่น 72-600 ลำนี้<br />

มาจากโรงงานเอทีอาร์ เมืองตูลูส ประเทศฝรั่งเศส<br />

ประกอบไปด้วยที่นั่งจำนวน 70 ที่นั่ง มีระบบควบคุม<br />

การบินที่มีความทันสมัยซึ่งแสดงผลเป็นระบบดิจิตัล<br />

ทั้งหมด มีที่นั่งโดยสารที่กว้างขวางสะดวกสบาย<br />

และช่องใส่สัมภาระเหนือศีรษะที่มีขนาดใหญ่ขึ้นกว่าเดิม<br />

โดยเครื่องบินเอทีอาร์รุ่น 72-600 ลำใหม่นี้จะให้<br />

บริการสำหรับเส้นทางบินในประเทศของบางกอก<br />

แอร์เวย์ส อาทิ สุโขทัย ตราด ลำปาง สมุย (จังหวัด<br />

สุราษฎร์ธานี) ภูเก็ต กระบี่ และหาดใหญ่ (จังหวัด<br />

สงขลา) เป็นต้น<br />

ปัจจุบัน สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์สมีเครื่องบิน<br />

ประจำฝูงบินทั้งหมด 40 ลำ ประกอบไปด้วยเครื่องบิน<br />

แบบเอทีอาร์ 72-500 จำนวน 2 ลำ เอทีอาร์ 72-600<br />

จำนวน 13 ลำ แอร์บัส เอ 319 จำนวน 16 ลำ และ<br />

แอร์บัส เอ 320 จำนวน 9 ลำ<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS CONGRATULATES<br />

THAI AIRWAYS ON ITS 59TH ANNIVERSARY<br />

Recently, Bangkok Airways represented by Mr.<br />

Songkrot Palakawong Na Ayuthaya, Director<br />

– Corporate Communications, (3rd from left)<br />

made a visit to the <strong>Thai</strong> Airways International<br />

(THAI) Head Office to congratulate the national<br />

carrier on its 59th anniversary and to donate<br />

funds for their “Rak Khun Tao <strong>Fah</strong>” charity<br />

campaign. The donation was received by Mr.<br />

Sumeth Damrongchaitham (2nd from right),<br />

President of <strong>Thai</strong> Airways International.<br />

เมื่อเร็วๆ นี้ สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส โดยนาย<br />

ทรงกรต ปาลกะวงศ์ ณ อยุธยา ผู้อำนวยการส่วน<br />

ประชาสัมพันธ์องค์กร (ที่ 3 จากซ้าย) ร่วมแสดง<br />

ความยินดีและมอบเงินบริจาคเข้ากองทุนเพื่อการ<br />

กุศล “รักคุณเท่าฟ้า” เนื่องในโอกาสวันคล้ายวัน<br />

ก่อตั้งครบรอบ 59 ปีของบริษัท การบินไทย จำกัด<br />

(มหาชน) โดยมีนายสุเมธ ดำรงชัยธรรม กรรมการ<br />

ผู้อำนวยการใหญ่ (ที่ 2 จากขวา) เป็นผู้รับมอบ ณ<br />

สำนักงานใหญ่ บริษัท การบินไทย จำกัด (มหาชน)<br />

118


BANGKOK AIRWAYS NEWS<br />

FRENCH CUISINE WORKSHOP BY BANGKOK AIRWAYS<br />

An exclusive cooking workshop<br />

for members of the media to<br />

learn about French cuisine was<br />

recently organised by Bangkok<br />

Airways. Led by airline president<br />

Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth<br />

(3rd from left) and Gourmet Primo<br />

Co. General Manager Mr. Gerhard<br />

Engleitner (2nd from right), the<br />

workshop was held at Brassie 9<br />

restaurant also with members of the<br />

Bangkok Airways management team.<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS INTRODUCES<br />

A “SURF ON BOARD” CAMPAIGN<br />

To support a healthy lifestyle and<br />

sports tourism, Bangkok Airways<br />

launches the special “Surf On Board”<br />

campaign, waving the usual service<br />

fees when passengers check in their<br />

surfboards for all flights (conditions<br />

apply). The offer will be valid from 1<br />

May until the end of December <strong>2019</strong>.<br />

Surfers who travel on Bangkok<br />

Airways flights (except for ATR aircraft)<br />

will be able to load their surfboards (1<br />

per passenger) for free in addition to the<br />

regular baggage allowance (limited space<br />

per each aircraft). The surfboard should<br />

be properly packed. Additionally, this<br />

service is applied for travel purpose only<br />

and not for commercial.<br />

To take advantage of this service,<br />

passengers are requested to contact<br />

Bangkok Airways Call Centre at 1771, or<br />

at email: reservation@bangkokair.com to<br />

book space, as there may be limitations<br />

in some aircraft.<br />

For worry-free travel, the airline highly<br />

Gourmet Primo Co., is a business<br />

unit of Bangkok Air Catering Co.,<br />

(BAC), offering the highest quality<br />

food products for a wide range<br />

of customer tastes. The company<br />

also provides semi-prepared<br />

products, specialty dish ingredients,<br />

as well as fully-prepared cooked,<br />

chilled, or frozen meals. In addition,<br />

the company manages three<br />

dining establishments: Brasserie 9<br />

restaurant, offering their finest in<br />

authentic French cuisine located<br />

on Sathorn Soi 6, and two branches<br />

of the Al Saray restaurant, serving<br />

the best of Lebanese and Indian<br />

cuisine. In the fourth quarter of<br />

<strong>2019</strong>, the company also plans<br />

to introduce another restaurant,<br />

“Ruen Noppakao,” to offer the<br />

best in <strong>Thai</strong> royal cuisine.<br />

recommends passengers travelling with<br />

surfboards to consider purchasing “Protective<br />

Wing,” a travel insurance that will ensure<br />

their travels go smoothly by avoiding any<br />

potential damage that may occur. To<br />

purchase the Protective Wing policy,<br />

please visit insurance.bangkokair.com or<br />

call 02 305 8457 for more information.<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส จัดแคมเปญ “Surf<br />

On Board” เพื่อส่งเสริมการออกกำลังกายและ<br />

สนับสนุนการท่องเที่ยวเชิงกีฬา โดยมอบสิทธิพิเศษ<br />

แก่ผู้โดยสารของสายการบินฯ ในการโหลดกระดาน<br />

โต้คลื่นในเที่ยวบินโดยไม่มีค่าใช้จ่าย ทั้งนี้อยู่<br />

ภายใต้เงื่อนไขที ่บริษัทฯ กำหนด เริ่มตั้งแต่วันที่<br />

1 พฤษภาคม ถึงวันที่ 31 ธันวาคม 2562 นี้<br />

ผู้โดยสารที่เดินทางกับสายการบินบางกอก<br />

แอร์เวย์สและมีความประสงค์ที่จะโหลดกระดานโต้คลื่น<br />

สามารถโหลดขึ้นเครื่องได้ 1 ท่านต่อ 1 ชิ้น นอกเหนือ<br />

จากสัมภาระปกติ (น้ำหนักสัมภาระรวมของผู้โดยสาร<br />

จะไม่ถูกนับในสิทธิพิเศษนี้) โดยผู้โดยสารจะต้องจัด<br />

เก็บกระดานโต้คลื่นในถุงอุปกรณ์ให้เรียบร้อย ทั้งนี้<br />

การให้บริการจะยกเว้นเที่ยวบินที่ให้บริการด้วย<br />

เครื่องบินแบบเอทีอาร์ และมีจำกัดจำนวนกระดาน<br />

เมื่อเร็วๆ นี้ สายการบินบางกอก<br />

แอร์เวย์ส โดยนายพุฒิพงศ์<br />

ปราสาททองโอสถ กรรมการ<br />

ผู้อำนวยการใหญ่ (ที่ 3 จากซ้าย)<br />

ร่วมกับบริษัท กรูเมท์พรีโม่ จำกัด<br />

โดย มร. แกร์ฮาร์ด อิงลิชเนอร์<br />

ผู้จัดการทั่วไป (ที่ 2 จากขวา) จัด<br />

กิจกรรมเวิร์กช็อปทำเมนูอาหาร<br />

ฝรั่งเศสแบบดั้งเดิม โดยมีสื่อมวลชน<br />

และผู้บริหารของสายการบินฯ เข้า<br />

ร่วม ณ ร้านอาหารบราซารี่ไนน์<br />

(Brasserie 9) ถนนสาธร ซอย 6<br />

บริษัท กรูเมท์พรีโม่ จำกัด เป็น<br />

บริษัทในเครือบริษัท บางกอกแอร์<br />

เคเทอริ่ง จำกัด (BAC) ให้บริการ<br />

อาหารแปรรูปเพื่อจัดจำหน่าย<br />

รวมถึงให้บริการจัดเลี้ยงและให้<br />

บริการให้คำปรึกษาเกี่ยวกับเรื่อง<br />

อาหาร นอกจากนี้ ยังมีธุรกิจร้าน<br />

อาหารในเครืออีก 3 แห่ง ได้แก่<br />

ร้านอาหารบราซารี่ไนน์<br />

(Brasserie 9) เป็นร้านอาหารฝรั่งเศส<br />

แบบดั้งเดิม ร้านอาหาร Al Saray<br />

เป็นร้านอาหารเลบานีสและอาหาร<br />

อินเดีย ซึ่งปัจจุบันมีอยู่ 2 สาขา<br />

คือ สาขาซอยศูนย์วิจัยและสาขา<br />

สีลม และภายในปี 2562 บริษัทฯ<br />

มีแผนจะเปิดให้บริการร้านเรือน<br />

นพเก้า ซึ่งเป็นร้านอาหารไทย<br />

ตำรับชาววังเพิ่มเติมอีก 1 แห่ง<br />

โต้คลื ่นต่อเที่ยวบิน การใช้สิทธิ์ดังกล่าวเพื่อจุด<br />

ประสงค์ในการท่องเที่ยวเท่านั้น ไม่สามารถใช้<br />

ขนย้ายอุปกรณ์กระดานโต้คลื่นในเชิงพาณิชย์ได้<br />

ผู้โดยสารต้องติดต่อแจ้งความประสงค์ก่อนเดิน<br />

ทางล่วงหน้า เพื่อตรวจสอบสถานะการใช้สิทธิ์ได้ที่<br />

ศูนย์บริการข้อมูลลูกค้าโทร 1771 (ค่าบริการครั้งละ<br />

3 บาททั่วไทย เฉพาะโทรศัพท์พื้นฐาน) หรือที่อีเมล<br />

reservation@bangkokair.com และทางสายการ<br />

บินฯ แนะนำผู้โดยสารที่มีความประสงค์ซื้อประกัน<br />

การเดินทาง Protective Wing เพื่อคุ้มครองการเดิน<br />

ทางและอุปกรณ์ที่จะนำขึ้นโหลด สามารถซื้อพร้อม<br />

บัตรโดยสาร หรือผ่านทาง http://insurance.<br />

bangkokair.com ล่วงหน้า 3 ชั่วโมงก่อนเวลา<br />

เดินทาง สอบถามข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับประกันภัย<br />

การเดินทางได้ที่ โทร. 02 305 8457<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS AND TAT<br />

LAUNCH “BANGKOK AIRWAYS<br />

HAPPY WEEKDAYS” CAMPAIGN<br />

Bangkok Airways Public Company<br />

led by Ms. Plernpis Kosolutasarn,<br />

Director – Marketing Promotion<br />

(2nd from right), in collaboration<br />

with the Tourism Authority of<br />

<strong>Thai</strong>land (TAT) led by Mr. Noppadon<br />

Pakprot, Deputy Governor for<br />

Domestic Marketing (2nd from<br />

left) and Mr. Wiboon Nimitrwanich,<br />

Executive Director of the Eastern<br />

Region (1st from left ) organised<br />

the official launch of “ Bangkok<br />

Airways Happy Weekdays”<br />

campaign. Bangkok Airways<br />

passengers who purchase a<br />

domestic ticket for travel on the<br />

weekdays of Monday, Tuesday,<br />

Wednesday, and Thursday<br />

during 15 May - 31 <strong>Jul</strong>y <strong>2019</strong><br />

will receive a chance to win<br />

Bangkok Airways prizes. The<br />

launch was announced at the<br />

Bangkok Airways head office on<br />

Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.<br />

The “Bangkok Airways Happy<br />

Weekdays” campaign is aimed at<br />

boosting tourism and travel before<br />

the weekend arrives. Bangkok Airways<br />

passengers who purchase a domestic<br />

ticket during 15 May - 31 <strong>Jul</strong>y <strong>2019</strong><br />

will be eligible to win one of the 50<br />

prizes of 2 round trip tickets to<br />

various domestic destinations such<br />

as Bangkok-Samui (10 prizes), Bangkok-<br />

Chiang Rai (10 prizes), Bangkok-Krabi<br />

(10 prizes), Bangkok-Lampang (10<br />

prizes) and Bangkok-Trat (10 prizes).<br />

Bangkok Airways passengers<br />

can register at www.bangkokair.com<br />

/weekdayspecial from 15 May - 2<br />

<strong>Aug</strong>ust <strong>2019</strong> to participate and<br />

take advantage of this offer. The<br />

drawing of ticket prizes will take<br />

place on 8 <strong>Aug</strong>ust <strong>2019</strong>. The<br />

lucky winners will be announced<br />

on 15 <strong>Aug</strong>ust <strong>2019</strong> via www.<br />

bangkokair.com/weekdayspecial and<br />

www.facebook.com/flybangkokair<br />

เมื่อเร็วๆ นี้ สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส น ำโดย นางสาวเพลินพิศ<br />

โกศลยุทธสาร ผู้อำนวยการส่วนส่งเสริมการตลาด (ที่ 2 จากขวา)<br />

ร่วมกับ การท่องเที่ยวแห่งประเทศไทย (ททท.) โดยนายนพดล<br />

ภาคพรต รองผู้ว่าการด้านตลาดในประเทศ (ที่ 2 จากซ้าย) และนาย<br />

วิบูลย์ นิมิตรวานิช ผู้อำนวยการภูมิภาคตะวันออก (ซ้าย) เปิดตัว<br />

แคมเปญ “บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส ชวนบินวันธรรมดา ลุ้นฟินแบบไม่<br />

ธรรมดา” มอบสิทธิ์ในการลุ้นรางวัลบัตรโดยสารเครื่องบินแก่ผู้<br />

โดยสารของบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส เมื่อซื้อบัตรโดยสารเส้นทางภายใน<br />

ประเทศระหว่างวันที่ 15 พฤษภาคม - 31 กรกฎาคม 2562 เพื่อเดิน<br />

ทางท่องเที่ยวในวันธรรมดา (จันทร์ อังคาร พุธ พฤหัสบดี) ณ<br />

สำนักงานใหญ่ สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส<br />

แคมเปญ “บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส ชวนบินวันธรรมดา ลุ้นฟินแบบไม่<br />

ธรรมดา” จัดขึ้นเพื่อกระตุ้นการเดินทางท่องเที่ยวในวันธรรมดาให้<br />

มากขึ้น โดยผู้โดยสารของสายการบินฯ ที่ซื้อบัตรโดยสารเส้นทาง<br />

ภายในประเทศระหว่างวันที่ 15 พฤษภาคม - 31 กรกฎาคม 2562<br />

เพื่อเดินทางท่องเที่ยวในวันธรรมดา (จันทร์ อังคาร พุธ พฤหัสบดี)<br />

จะได้รับสิทธิ์ลุ้นรางวัล บัตรโดยสาร ไป-กลับ เส้นทางบินภายใน<br />

ประเทศจำนวน 50 รางวัลๆ ละ 2 ที่นั่ง ได้แก่ กรุงเทพฯ-สมุย 10<br />

รางวัล กรุงเทพฯ-เชียงราย 10 รางวัล กรุงเทพฯ-ลำปาง 10 รางวัล<br />

กรุงเทพฯ-กระบี่ 10 รางวัล และ กรุงเทพฯ-ตราด 10 รางวัล<br />

ผู้โดยสารที่สนใจสามารถลงทะเบียนร่วมกิจกรรมได้ที่ www.<br />

bangkokair.com/weekdayspecial ตั้งแต่วันที่ 15 พฤษภาคม -<br />

2 สิงหาคม 2562 ทั้งนี้แคมเปญดังกล่าวมีกำหนดจับรางวัลในวันที่<br />

8 สิงหาคม 2562 และจะประกาศรายชื่อผู้โชคดีที่ได้รับรางวัลในวันที่<br />

15 สิงหาคม 2562 ผ่านทางเว็บไซต์ที่ www.bangkokair.com/<br />

weekdayspecial และทางเฟสบุ๊คที่ www.facebook.com/<br />

flybangkokair<br />

120 121


BANGKOK AIRWAYS NEWS<br />

“BANGKOK AIRWAYS KRABI HALF MARATHON” MARKS AIRLINE’S<br />

BOUTIQUE SERIES <strong>2019</strong><br />

The “Bangkok Airways Krabi Half<br />

Marathon” at Thara Park in Krabi<br />

province was recently organised<br />

by the airline, led by Mr. Nijjapat<br />

Piyapant, Vice President – Ground<br />

Operations. The event was attended<br />

by Mr. Somkuan Khanngern, Vice<br />

Governor of Krabi and joined by<br />

more than 3,500 running enthusiasts<br />

from around the world.<br />

Bangkok Airways organised<br />

the half marathon to promote<br />

Krabi tourism and to ensure<br />

that participants recognise the<br />

importance of a healthy lifestyle.<br />

Divided into 3 categories, the fun<br />

runs on offer included 5 kilometres,<br />

a mini marathon of 10 kilometres<br />

and a half marathon of 21 kilometres.<br />

Along the route, runners had an<br />

opportunity to experience the<br />

vibrant lifestyle of Krabi city and<br />

the natural beauty of the Paknam<br />

Krabi area. This year’s participants<br />

also experienced Bangkok Airways’<br />

signature boutique touches<br />

from the collaboration with<br />

stupidnoobmacc, a renowned <strong>Thai</strong><br />

illustrator behind “BabyBoy” who<br />

designed a special collection just<br />

for “Bangkok Airways Boutique<br />

Series <strong>2019</strong>”. The unique designs<br />

highlighted each province’s<br />

uniqueness thus themes created<br />

by BabyBoy are featured on the<br />

running series’ shirts, medals and<br />

trophies in each destination.<br />

Bangkok Airways Krabi Half-<br />

Marathon is the first event out of<br />

six planned programmes of the<br />

Bangkok Airways Boutique Series<br />

<strong>2019</strong>. The remaining programmes<br />

are the “Samui Half Marathon”<br />

on 2 June <strong>2019</strong>, “Lampang Half<br />

Marathon” on 7 <strong>Jul</strong>y <strong>2019</strong>, “Phuket<br />

Half Marathon” on 4 <strong>Aug</strong>ust <strong>2019</strong>,<br />

“Chiang Rai Marathon” on 15<br />

September <strong>2019</strong> and “Lanna Half<br />

Marathon” on 3 November <strong>2019</strong>.<br />

For more information, please<br />

visit www.facebook.com/Bangkok<br />

Airways.Run or register to participate<br />

at www.bangkokairwaysrun.com<br />

เมื่อเร็วๆ นี้ สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส โดย นายนิจพัฒน์<br />

ปิยะพันธ์ รองกรรมการผู้อำนวยการใหญ่ ฝ่ายปฏิบัติการ<br />

ภาคพื้น จัดงาน “บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส กระบี่ฮาล์ฟมาราธอน”<br />

รายการวิ่งรายการแรกของ “บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส บูทีค ซีรีส์<br />

<strong>2019</strong>” (Bangkok Airways Boutique Series <strong>2019</strong>) ณ<br />

สวนสาธารณะธารา จังหวัดกระบี่ โดยมีนายสมควร ขันเงิน<br />

รองผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัดกระบี่ เป็นประธานในพิธีเปิด และมี<br />

นักวิ่งทั้งชาวไทยและชาวต่างชาติร่วมงานกว่า 3,500 คน<br />

การแข่งขัน “บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส กระบี่ฮาล์ฟมาราธอน” จัดขึ้น<br />

เพื่อส่งเสริมการท่องเที่ยวและการกีฬาในจังหวัดกระบี่ โดยแบ่ง<br />

การแข่งขันออกเป็นประเภทฟันรัน 5 กิโลเมตร มินิมาราธอน 10<br />

กิโลเมตร และฮาล์ฟมาราธอน 21 กิโลเมตร โดยเส้นทางวิ่งผ่านตัว<br />

เมืองทำให้นักวิ่งมีโอกาสได้สัมผัสวิถีชีวิตผู้คนยามเช้า และความ<br />

งดงามทางธรรมชาติบริเวณปากน้ำกระบี่ ผสมผสานความเป็น<br />

บูทีคในแบบฉบับของบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส โดยเสื้อวิ่งที่ใช้ในการแข่งขัน<br />

ได้รับการออกแบบโดย stupidnoobmacc ศิลปินอิลลัสเตรเตอร์<br />

ชื่อดังชาวไทย ในการนำคาแรคเตอร์ “เบบี้บอย (BabyBoy)” มาใช้<br />

ในเสื้อ เหรียญรางวัล และถ้วยรางวัล ให้มีเอกลักษณ์ไม่ซ้ำกันใน<br />

แต่ละรายการวิ่งของ บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส บูทีค ซีรีส์ <strong>2019</strong><br />

รายการวิ่ง “บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส กระบี่ ฮาล์ฟมาราธอน” เป็น<br />

รายการแรก จากทั้งหมด 6 รายการของ “บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส บูทีค<br />

ซีรีส์ <strong>2019</strong>” ที่จัดขึ้นใน 6 จุดหมายปลายทางของสายการบินฯ<br />

ตลอดปี 2562 โดยรายการวิ่งที่เหลืออีก 5 รายการ ได้แก่ รายการ<br />

วิ่ง “สมุยฮาล์ฟมาราธอน” ที่อำเภอเกาะสมุย จังหวัดสุราษฎ์ธานี<br />

ในวันที่ 2 มิถุนายน 2562 รายการวิ่ง “ลำปางฮาล์ฟมาราธอน”<br />

ที่จังหวัดลำปาง ในวันที่ 7 กรกฎาคม 2562 รายการวิ่ง “ภูเก็ต<br />

ฮาล์ฟมาราธอน” ที่จังหวัดภูเก็ต ในวันที่ 4 สิงหาคม 2562 รายการ<br />

วิ่ง “เชียงรายฮาล์ฟมาราธอน” ที่จังหวัดเชียงราย ในวันที่ 15<br />

กันยายน 2562 และรายการวิ่ง “ล้านนาฮาล์ฟมาราธอน” ที่จังหวัด<br />

เชียงใหม่ วันที่ 3 พฤศจิกายน 2562<br />

สำหรับผู้ที่สนใจสามารถสอบถามและดูรายละเอียดเพิ่มเติม<br />

ได้ที่ www.facebook.com/BangkokAirways.Run และสมัครเข้า<br />

ร่วมแข่งขันได้ที่ www.bangkokairwaysrun.com<br />

122


126 127


AIRCRAFT INFO<br />

AIRBUS A319<br />

NUMBER OF FLEET : 16<br />

LENGTH : 33.84 m<br />

WINGSPAN : 34.1 m<br />

HEIGHT : 12.17 m<br />

ENGINE : IAE V2500<br />

CRUISING SPEED :<br />

920 km/h<br />

MAX OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE :<br />

39,800 ft<br />

PASSENGER CAPACITY :<br />

12 seats & 108 seats / 144 seats / 138 seats<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS OPERATES FOUR TYPES OF AIRCRAFT<br />

TAKE ME<br />

HOME<br />

READ<br />

<strong>Fah</strong> <strong>Thai</strong> is the inflight magazine<br />

of Bangkok Airways. It is YOUR<br />

MAGAZINE. It is distributed with our<br />

compliments on all Bangkok Airways<br />

flights. We hope you enjoy it.<br />

TOO MUCH BAGGAGE?<br />

ONLINE!<br />

AIRBUS A320<br />

NUMBER OF FLEET : 9<br />

LENGTH : 37.57 m<br />

WINGSPAN : 34.1 m<br />

HEIGHT : 12.17 m<br />

ENGINE : IAE V2500<br />

CRUISING SPEED :<br />

870 km/h<br />

MAX OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE :<br />

39,800 ft<br />

PASSENGER CAPACITY :<br />

162 seats<br />

•••••<br />

We also come in a digital format. You can read us at:<br />

FAHTHAIMAG.COM<br />

And feel free to send us your feedback.<br />

Your voice is our inspiration!<br />

ATR 72-500<br />

NUMBER OF FLEET : 2<br />

LENGTH : 27.17 m<br />

WINGSPAN : 27.06 m<br />

HEIGHT : 7.65 m<br />

ENGINE : 2 x 2,750 hp<br />

Pratt & Whitney<br />

Canada PW127F<br />

CRUISING SPEED :<br />

509 km/h<br />

MAX OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE :<br />

25,000 ft<br />

PASSENGER CAPACITY :<br />

70 seats<br />

Read more<br />

ATR 72-600<br />

NUMBER OF FLEET : 13<br />

LENGTH : 27.166 m<br />

WINGSPAN : 27.050 m<br />

HEIGHT : 7.72 m<br />

ENGINE : 2 x 2,750 hp<br />

Pratt & Whitney<br />

Canada PW127M<br />

CRUISING SPEED :<br />

509 km/h<br />

MAX OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE :<br />

25,000 ft<br />

PASSENGER CAPACITY :<br />

70 seats<br />

OUR SCHEDULE FLIGHTS AND FREQUENCY<br />

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS<br />

Bangkok, Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai :<br />

Numerous flights every day from a variety of destinations<br />

Chiang Mai : 1 flight per day from Koh Samui<br />

Chiang Rai : 2 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Hat Yai :<br />

1 flight per day from Phuket<br />

Koh Chang/Trat : 3 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Krabi : 3 flights per day from Bangkok ;<br />

1 flight per day from Koh Samui ;<br />

1 flight per day from Chiang Mai<br />

Lampang : 3 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Mae Hong Son : 1 flight per day from Chiang Mai<br />

Pattaya : 1 flight per day from Phuket ;<br />

1 flight per day from Koh Samui<br />

Sukhothai : 2 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS<br />

Chengdu : 4 flights per week from Koh Samui<br />

Chongqing : 3 flights per week from Koh Samui<br />

Da Nang : 2 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Hanoi :<br />

1 flight per day from Chiang Mai<br />

Hong Kong : 2 flights per day from Koh Samui<br />

Kuala Lumpur : 1 flight per day from Koh Samui<br />

Luang Prabang : 2 flights per day from Bangkok ;<br />

3 flights per week from Chiang Mai<br />

Malé :<br />

1 flight per day from Bangkok<br />

Mandalay : 11 flights per week from Bangkok ;<br />

4 flights per week from Chiang Mai<br />

Mumbai : 1 flight per day from Bangkok<br />

Nay Pyi Taw : 6 flights per week from Bangkok<br />

Nha Trang : 4 flights per week from Bangkok<br />

Phnom Penh : 6 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Phu Quoc : 1 flight per day from Bangkok<br />

Siem Reap : 5 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Singapore : 2 flights per day from Koh Samui<br />

Vientiane : 2 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Yangon : 4 flights per day from Bangkok ;<br />

1 flight per day from Chiang Mai<br />

MOST<br />

EFFECTIVE IN<br />

TRAVEL AND<br />

LEISURE<br />

BEST USE OF<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

BEST<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

128


CHECKING OUT<br />

Maldivian<br />

Encounters<br />

In the incredible<br />

underwater world<br />

of the Maldives,<br />

expect a drop in<br />

from a friendly<br />

whale shark.<br />

130

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