the kingdom and I
Whether it’s an adventure, wellness or the call of the big city, there’s a perfect escape for every traveller to Thailand
from gilded shrines to towering glass skyscrapers, sprawling mangrove forests to mega metropolises, Thailand’s beguiling contradictions have captured the imaginations of intrepid explorers for centuries. A crucible of culture and commerce, to experience the country is to step back into history while at the same time living on the cutting edge of tomorrow.
There is an adventure waiting for every type of discerning traveller – from an electric culinary and nightlife scene for the urban globetrotter, to awe-inspiring temples and monuments to appease the culturalist, unspoiled forests and coastlines to beckon the adventurous spirit, and quiet sanctuaries where mindfulness and meditation offer an unrivalled escape from the world.
When the return to travel has become the ultimate luxury, Thailand offers a unique and unforgettable experience: a journey to paradise.
From bustling Bangkok to the historic capital, Ayutthaya, and, of course, the famous islands of the Gulf of Thailand, these high-design hotels offer luxury, comfort and style across Asia’s most exciting country. 8 thailandsa.co.za
To Stay
137 Pillars Suites & Residences, Bangkok
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more Instagram-ready hotel in the city, from the impossible views over the skyline from the rooftop infinity pool to the cocooning glamour of Nimitr, its blue-and-gold clad Michelin-star restaurant. Every detail of 137 Pillars Suites & Residences has been designed with luxury in mind, offering guests a sophisticated, urban experience in the heart of the capital. 137pillarsbangkok.com
Thann Wellness Destination, ayutthaya
When the time comes to leave the city behind, Thann Wellness Destination offers a reprieve from the frenetic. Here, visitors can rejuvenate thanks to the riverside spa’s many restorative activities, including healing massage and skincare treatments, yoga and
Crystal waters welcome visitors to the tiny island of Ko Lan
cooking classes, to name a few. thannwellness.com
Paradee Resort, Koh Samet No trip to Thailand is complete without a stay at one of the legendary islands, and Paradee Resort certainly lives up to its name: a paradise without equal. Booking a beachside villa is essential, as are days spent island hopping and evenings sipping cocktails at the hotel bar and restaurant. samedresorts.com
WHERE To EAT
Taan
What They Say
Named after the Thai ‘to have a meal’, Taan focuses on farm-to-table fare with an emphasis on small plates and big – often unexpected – flavours.
Located on the 25th floor of the Siam@siam Design Hotel in the kingdom’s capital, dinner at Taan is as much a visual feast as a literal one.
What We Say
The eight-course season-led menu is a tour de force of modern Thai cuisine, perfectly balancing the classics with ever-inventive takes on local ingredients. The view over Bangkok is matched only by the infallible service. Don’t skip the marinated fish roe
– a local delicacy. taanbangkok.com
Jim Thompson House What They Say
The former home of ‘Thai silk king’ Jim Thompson (an architectural marvel in its own right – construction started in 1959 entirely from timber, not a single nail was used) is today a museum to his design achievements – and also home to one of the city’s most low-key, high-brow restaurants.
What We Say
The feeling of calm at the
Jim Thompson House restaurant, considering its location, is almost unimaginable. Take a short walk past the museum, past Thai weavers at their silk looms producing the fabric that built this legendary house, and step into the cool, airy eatery.
The menu focuses on traditional favourites. jimthompsonrestaurant.com
Blue Elephant
What They Say
A decade ago, acclaimed chef Nooror finally expanded her growing empire to her home country with the opening of Blue Elephant Bangkok and Phuket, in a sense completing her journey as an arbiter of Thai culinary sensibilities. What We Say
Of the two storied Blue Elephant outposts, Phuket offers a truly transporting experience. Housed in a restored governor’s house, in the Sino-portuguese architectural tradition, in the island’s biggest town.
The kitchen specialises in traditional southern Thai fare with a modern edge. It also offers cooking classes to more scholastically included diners. blueelephant.com
WHERE To SHOP
Siwilai
What They Say
The retail experience doesn’t get edgier than the multi-brand offering at Siwilai – roughly translated from Thai as ‘civilized’, its offering focuses on progressive, identity-based fashion and homeware.
A bridge between tradition and trends, Siwilai offers a high-luxe antidote to the frenetic pace of the capital.
What We Say
Riffing on the idea of a ‘modern marketplace’, Siwilai brings the latest in Asian style to discerning consumers looking for a not-your-average offering of culture and couture for both the self and the home. The space is kitted out in dim lighting and natural timber, making it the perfect reprieve for weary shoppers. siwilaibkk.com
The object Room
What They Say
Founded in Auckland in 2011, The Object Room owners
Luke Mccarthy and Timond Chu relocated to Bangkok six years later to establish one of the city’s most exciting retail spaces, which offers a mix of international and local Thai homeware design brands. What We Say
Minimalist white spaces, a global-meets-local aesthetic and friendly service are the hallmarks of The Object Room. A must-visit on any trip to the country, the store’s selection of must-haves in decor is unmatched. theobjectroom.com