INTRODUCING THAILAND CHIC – THE VERY LATEST GUIDE TO THAILAND’S MOST STYLISH HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, SHOPS AND SPAS TAKE a journey around Thailand through the pages of Thailand Chic, the brand-new guide to the country by international publishers Editions Didier Millet. Alongside thoughtful insights into why Thailand has become one of the world’s top holiday destinations and the contrasting attractions of different regions, the book provides a comprehensive guide to the nation’s most alluring hotels and spas. a spirit house, built to provide shelter for the spirits of the landAll the retreats featured – whether an urban boutique hotel in bustling Bangkok or a secluded beach resort on the Andaman coast – have been specifically selected for their unique charms. And no one is more qualified to write about these than the book’s authors, leading Bangkok-based lifestyle writer Chami Jotisalikorn and passionate Singaporean food writer Annette Tan. Illustrated throughout with beautiful photography, Thailand Chic provides an ideal reference for today’s discerning traveller who wants a real taste of Thailand. The various chapters offer an ideal way for readers to familiarise themselves with the country’s history and landscapes before they arrive – or a perfect souvenir of their visit to the Land of Smiles. WELCOME TO THAILAND What is it that makes Thailand one of the most vibrant, energetic, and creative nations in the world? Put more simply, why is Thailand so special? Here are just eight reasons… THE THAI SMILE The same famous Thai smile that gave the country its nickname, the Land of Smiles, characterises its friendly, good-natured people. One of their distinctive traits is their sense of fun, a characteristic that they call sanuk – and that, even at work, can be seen in their behaviour and attitudes towards each other. The culture is a social one, with a tradition of extended family and community, and one where extreme importance is placed on manners – particularly in treating religion, the monarchy, elders and the family with respect. FESTIVALS AND FUN Sanuk is apparent in the numerous festivals and pageants all year long throughout the country. In fact, there’s at least one, and sometimes two, public holidays almost every month in Thailand, the only exceptions being June and September. The favourite and biggest festival is Songkran, the water-throwing event celebrating the Thai New Year in mid-April, during the most scorching week of the year. There’s no religious signifi-cance – it’s just a fun, cooling way to usher in the New Year that the whole country can join in with. SPIRITUALITY: THE CENTRE OF LIFE The Thai calendar is peppered with religious holidays honouring all the major events in the life of Buddha, with reverence for the Buddhist faith pervading all aspects of behaviour and thought. This is evident in the sheer number of temples in every city and village. Th e Thai people’s peaceful disposition is also thought to stem from their strong ties to the faith, which places emphasis on mindfulness, non-violence and compassion. SPIRIT HOUSES A feature unique to Thai culture is the “spirit house”, which is surrounded by offerings of flowers, incense and food, and is visible in many homes and ordination into the monkhood is a rite of passage for every Buddhist Thai male. offce buildings. They are usually elaborate little structures resembling miniature wooden houses, or in the case of offce buildings, cement constructions imitating Khmer temples. Spirit houses should not be neglected, otherwise the disgruntled spirits may decide to stir up mischief or bring bad luck to the premises! FOOD FUSION At the heart of Thai culture is food, glorious food. It is no mystery why the Thai nation is so obsessed with good eating when the cuisine – from humble country fare to unique royal gastronomy – is brimming with variety and flavour. Thai food has absorbed influences from India and China while preserving the distinctive cuisines of its own regions. It famously features the fresh ingredients of lemongrass, lime, coriander and chillis, and the powerful Thai fish sauce. LASTING DESIGN TRADITIONS With its profusion of exotic blooms, it is only natural that floral decor features prominently in the country’s design tradition, with aspects like the art of threading flower garlands passed down through generations of Thai women. Floral arrangement is an intrinsic part of the decorative arts, evident in the jasmine garlands and puangmalai sold on the streets and in temples as religious offerings. CONTEMPORARY ASIAN STYLE In food, fashion, art and decor, it could be argued that Thailand is leading the wave of contemporary Asian style. The Thai nation has always been able to assimilate external influences while protecting its cultural identity. Artisans experiment with foreign inspirations and can produce something singularly Thai with a twist – or something blatantly foreign with a dash of Thai. BLOSSOMING ARTS SCENE The Thailand arts focus is shift ing from traditional to contemporary, and Thai artists are beginning to gain international visibility. In Bangkok, aside from the many galleries specialising in modern Asian artists, there is now a trend towards art restaurants and pubs that showcase the work of local painters both as part of the decor and for sale. BANGKOK So how did Bangkok get to be considered by so many as South-East Asia’s capital of chic? The bustling, dusty metropolis will never win prizes for Most Beautiful City, but the City of Angels has no rival when it comes to charisma, energy, history, food, fashion, funk, quirk and adventure. In Bangkok, all these elements are meshed together in a dizzying melee, so that ancient traditions merge with cutting-edge attitudes and old-world charm is alive and dressed in the latest international fashions. STAY CHIC Boutique hotels are the current trend on the chic Bangkok travel scene, with an emphasis on individuality, exclusivity and glamour. Among Thailand Chic’s recommendations is the Baan Thai Wellness Retreat, which offers a dozen suites and 10 rooms in several traditional teak wood houses from Ayutthaya. Th ough retaining original structures, the homes have been fitted with modern luxuries and stylish decor that combines both contemporary and traditional elements. Baan Thai Wellness Retreat, tel +66 (0)2 258-5408, www.thebaanthai.com The best of the rest: Conrad Bangkok, The Dusit Th ani, Emporium Suites, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, The Mayfair Marriott Executive Apartments, The Oriental Hotel, Siri Sathorn, Swissotel Nai Lert Park Bangkok, The Sukhothai Bangkok, i.sawan Residential Spa and Club. EASTERN SEABOARD The Gulf of Thailand on the country’s eastern shores has always been the local escape for city folk. Recently, new airports and regular flights from Bangkok to places such as Hua Hin and Pattaya have made it even easier to jet off for a quick weekend getaway. The best beaches in Pattaya are located on the many small islands in Pattaya bay, where a boat trip will transport you to a world of tranquil blue waters and plenty of privacy.

‘‘The recently opened Sarojin in Khao

Lak will impress anyone with a boutique taste‘‘ STAY CHIC Thailand Chic describes the Dusit Resort, set on its own private beach at the exclusive northern end of Thailand’s Pattaya Bay, as “the best the city has to offer”. This includes the heaven-inspired Devarana Spa and The Peak, widely known as the finest and most stylish Chinese restaurant in town. Dusit Resort, tel +66 (0)38 425-6117, www.dusit.com The best of the rest: Amari Emerald Cove Resort (Koh Chang). SOUTH THAILAND Thailand is shaped like an elephant’s head, with the country’s southern region lying on the animal’s trunk extending towards Malaysia. Pretty islands like Phuket and Koh Samui existed only as sleepy fishing villages for centuries, until the travel boom of the 1970s and 1980s turned them into the exciting and international resort playgrounds they are today. And from Phuket, visitors can travel south to enjoy the charms of Krabi or north to Khao Lak and the stunning Similan Islands. STAY CHIC The recently opened Sarojin in the beautiful area of Khao Lak in Phang Nga is sure to impress anyone with a boutique taste, described as feeling “much like a friend’s plush private estate” rather than a resort. Among the attractions are the resort’s own 12m luxury boat for exclusive use by its guests, and the Cellar, an al fresco long bar stocked with the best international wine labels. The Sarojin, tel +66 (0)76 427906, www.sarojin.com The best of the rest: The Paradise Koh Yao Beach Resort and Spa, Banyan Tree Phuket, Evason Phuket Resort and Six Senses Spa, Trisara, Twinpalms Phuket and Rayavadee. NORTH THAILAND North Thailand offers a completely different experience from the cities and beaches of the central and southern regions of the country, with its cool mountain scenery, misty hills, tribespeople and magnificent temples. Aside from the main city of Chiang Mai, filled with a bounty of shopping and dining options, the surrounding area provides plenty to see – orchid farms, butterfly parks, elephant camps, botanical gardens, and antique and handicraft shops. STAY CHIC Thailand Chic dedicates eight pages to the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai, and with good cause. Built to serve as a “living museum” that recreates the Lanna kingdom (1296–1558), the hotel represents the most ambitious resort in Asia. Its owners have spared no expense, and its young architect, Rachen Intawong, worked tirelessly to achieve true authenticity. This approach extends to the hotel’s Dheva spa, which is housed within a 19th-century Burmese Palace. Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, tel +66 (0)53 888888, www.mandarinoriental.com The best of the rest: The Chedi Chiang Mai, D2hotel chiang mai, Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Rachamankha Hotel.

Bangkok Airways flies daily between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Samui and Trat; four times a week between Hong Kong and Samui; and six times a week between Singapore and Samui. For more information, visit www.bangkokair.com

Available from all good book stores ISBN: 981-4155-03-9 Published by Editions Didier Millet www.edmbooks.com

EDITIONS DIDIER MILLET

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