Far East
THAILAND
Bangkok | Phuket | Phi Phi & Krabi | Koh Samui | Hua Hin
 For an impressive holiday experience, Thailand is an ultimate destination, offering a wide array of attractions and activities to ensure visitors' utmost pleasure. With picturesque scenery, long historical background, charming culture, as well as warm hospitality of the local, a trip to Thailand is the answer to everything her visitors, both business and leisure, ever wish for. Thailand is distinguished for its richness in tourism resources. Most visitors usually travel to the country via Bangkok, the country's capital where glorious past assimilates with modern civilization.
Beach lovers will find the enchanting islands in the South an ideal tropical paradise. Phuket, Samui or Phi Phi Islands offers the splendid seaside scenery, such entertaining activities as snorkeling, diving, and other water sports.
With a great variety of attractions and activities, visitors will never get bored spending time in Thailand; but will pack home only the greatest pleasure. Do visit the kingdom and experience for yourself how such a small country can fulfill all your expectations and interests, no matter it is in culture, history, natural beauty, or the quest for adventure.
Bangkok
If you do not want to miss any must-sees, better plan on 3-5 days in the city. Famous temples and old palaces such as the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), and Vimanmek Mansion are highly recommended for history and art enthusiasts. To experience the water-borne ways of life, try a trip along the Chao Phraya River. Should you have more time, better travel beyond Bangkok to its vicinities? Nakhon Pathom hosts the world's tallest Buddhist monument and the vibrant floating market; while Ayutthaya houses magnificent temples and palaces.
The Dusit Thani - 5 Star 
Location:
The flagship of the Dusit Hotels Group has become a city landmark over the last 30 years as it is superbly located in the centre of Bangkok, opposite Lumpini Park, next to a Skytrain station and convenient for all the major tourist attractions. The hotel is particularly popular among British visitors for it's traditional Thai hospitality and atmosphere.
Accommodation:
There are 530 tastefully decorated rooms in oriental style including 109 Landmark rooms with a separate bedroom, living area, larger bathroom and dedicated butler service. All rooms have satellite TV, hairdryer and video player.
Facilities:
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Spa
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Massage
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Sauna
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Non smoking floor
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Business centre
Dining:
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The Mayflower (Cantonese)
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Benjarong (Royal Thai cuisine)
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Thien Duong (Vietnamese)
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Hamilton's Steak House (American steakhouse)
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Tiara Restaurant (International cusine)
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Shogun (One of Bangkok's finest Japanese restaurants)
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The Pavilion (All day buffet)
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Champagne Bar
The Oriental Bangkok - 5 Star 
Location:
The historic and legendary Oriental, Bangkok, now 125 years old, is renowned for its colonial-style elegance and timeless ambience in an exotic Eastern setting. Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya "River of Kings", close to the centre of the city, it is one of the world's truly great hotels.
Accommodation:
The Oriental, Bangkok has recently completed a US$80 million renovation spanning over 4 years. All guest rooms and suites in The River, Garden and Authors' Wing have been fully renovated. The renovation includes spacious new bathrooms in the River Wing as well as state-of-the-art-in-room entertainment systems throughout, and a perfect mix of colonial and Thai furnishings, reflecting the hotel’s legendary past.
The 395 guestrooms have high-speed broadband internet access in all accommodation. Dual telephone lines and international voltage plugs are also available, while a complimentary fax machine/printer is available on request. Other facilities include, air-conditioning, colour TV with movie channels, ensuite luxurious bathroom with hairdryer, mini bar and in-room safe.
Facilities:
- Oriental Spa
- Fitness Centre
- Outdoor pool
- Tennis
- Thai cooking school
- Business Centre
Dining:
- Sala Rim Naan (Thai)
- Le Normandie (One of Asia's most renowned French restaurants)
- The China House (Chinese)
- Lord Jim's (seafood)
- Author's Lounge (Colonial style in the Author's Wing)
- Bamboo Bar
- The Verandah (Continental & Asian)
Sofitel Silom Bangkok - 4 Star 
Location:
A blend of Thai and French design located on the prestigious Silom Road in the heart of Bangkok's financial, tourist and entertainment district.
Accommodation:
The hotel has 422 rooms and 32 suites. 4 non-smoking floors. The club lounge is a sanctuary and meeting place, 5 meeting rooms for up to 250 people. Room facilities include, Air conditioning, mini bar, radio, voicemail, high speed transmission line, wireless internet access, smoke alarm, en-suite bathroom with separate shower and bath tub and hairdryer.
Facilities:
- 24 Hour room service
- Fitness centre
- Jacuzzi
- Massage
- Outdoor unheated pool
- Sauna
- Outdoor tennis courts
- Business centre
- Dry cleaning
- Bureau de Change
Dining:
- Silom 188 (Hotel Mezzanine Lounge Bar)
- V9 (Wine bar & restaurant on 37th floor)
- Delice (Delicatessen)
- Shanghai 38 (Elegant Chinese restaurant)
- Mistral (Contemporary Mediterranean cusine)
- Nika-i (Japanese dining)
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Beaches & Islands
 Relax on the beach beside the warm, turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand, or enjoy some of the world's most fantastic scuba adventures among the islands of the Andaman Sea. Thailand is one of the best, most reasonably priced places for a seaside vacation. There are hundreds of beaches to choose from. From the tropical paradise of a bungalow on Ko Samet off the
coast of Rayong province, only a few hours from Bangkok by comfortable air conditioned bus, to the luxurious resort developments on Phuket Island, just a short flight from Bangkok, you can have the best vacation of your life. More remote venues, such as the lovely and unspoiled Ko Ngai in the Andaman off the coast of Trang, make it possible to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life without spending a fortune.
Most visitors choose to come after the rainy season ends in late October and before the hot season starts in April. But even during the peak of the monsoon season in September it usually only rains for an hour or so in the afternoon, and the rest of the time you can indulge in the water sport of your choice, or just lay in a hammock and chill out.
Phuket
Phuket is Thailand ’s largest island, approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand’s Indian Ocean coastline 862 kilometres south of Bangkok. Phuket is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, powdery, palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, sincerely hospitable people, superb accommodations and seafood, delightful turn-of-the-century Sino-Portuguese architecture; numerous sporting and leisure opportunities; a lush tropical landscape – all of which combine to create a delightful ambience for truly memorable holidays.
Cape Panwa Hotel - 4 Star 
Location:
Set on a hilltop, tucked within a sheltered cove with a secluded beach frontage at the southernmost tip of Phuket's east coast. Cape Panwa is about one hours drive from the airport. It's location means that the sea here is usually calm even in the monsoon season (although it is often not possible to swim at low tide because of the offshore coral reefs.) The secluded beach is sandy and given natural shade by the surrounding coconut grove.
Accommodation:
There 245 guestrooms in several accommodation blocks and 14 suites and 2-bed bungalows. All rooms have a large private balcony overlooking the sea, private bathroom , air –conditioning , TV, with in house movies and hairdryer.
Facilities:
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Watersports
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Two swimming pools
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Tennis court
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Exercise room
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Childrens corner
Dining:
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Cafe Andaman (All day dining)
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Top of the Reef (International)
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Panwa House (Traditional Thai cuisine)
The Chedi - 4 Star 
Location:
The Chedi, Phuket is located on the island's west coast, on
Pansea Bay. The resort is a scenic 25-minute drive from the airport while the nightlife centre of Patong Beach is 30 minutes away. Phuket's position in the Andaman Sea means that literally hundreds of small islands that lie in this part of the Indian Ocean are accessible by scheduled and private boat charters. The turquoise waters around the pearl-shaped island are home to multi-coloured reef formations and breathtaking dive-sites.
Accommodation:
All 89 one-bedroom and 19 two-bedroom cottages have
private verandahs with spacious sun-decks. The interiors feature hand-crafted teak floors and restful bedrooms leading to spacious dressing areas. The one-bedroom cottages include a king-size bed and a sofa bed and can accommodate up to two adults or two adults with one child.
The two-bedroom cottages feature a master bedroom with a king-size bed and a sofa bed and a connecting room with twin beds. They are suitable for four adults or two adults with up to three children. All rooms include a mini-bar, individually-controlled air-conditioning, satellite TV, IDD telephone, room safe and complimentary coffee and tea making facilities.
Facilities:
Dining:
Dusit Laguna Resort - 5 Star 
Location:
The hotel is part of the fully integrated Laguna resorts complex on a 2.5km stretch of sandy beach on Bang Tao Bay, about 20 minutes drive from the airport. The Laguna complex offers the facilities of five deluxe hotels, a golf course and spas all interconnected by shuttle bus and water taxi. The hotel's buildings are designed in traditional Thai style and are set in large
grounds shaded by Casuarina trees. Due to seasonal conditions during May-October the stretch of beach in front of the hotel is subject to erosion by the sea.
Accommodation:
213 Deluxe rooms have recently been renovated and all have private balcony overlooking either the lagoon or ocean and with a bath, shower, satellite TV, with in-house videos, hairdryer and bathrobes. There are also 12 Landmark Suites with a separate living room and a bigger balcony.
Facilities:
Dining:
- The Laguna Cafe (Alfresco dining)
- Ruen Thai
- Casuarina Hut (seafood by the beach)
- La Trattoria (Italian cuisine)
- Horizon Lounge
- Pool cafe
Banyan Tree - 5 Star Deluxe 
Location:
The banyan Tree is part of the Laguna complex of resorts and
facilities on Bang Tao Bay, a 20 minute drive from the airport. It has a tranquil atmosphere, a fabulous spa and is designed for those seeking an escape from the outside world. You can expect a beautifully appointed villa, superb facilities and and pampering service.
Accommodation:
The 109 luxurious villas are each set in their own private
garden. All villas have a king size bed, open air sunken bath, satellite TV , hairdryer, tea/coffee making facilities, video, CD player and in-room safe. Jacuzzi villas have private outdoor Jacuzzi set within a walled garden and a spacious lounge. Pool villas have a 9x3 metre pool, an attractive garden and a typically Thai Sala for Alfresco dining.
Facilities:
Dining:
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Saffron (Fine Thai restaurant)
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Watercourt (Australan & Mediterranean cuisine)
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Sala Terrace (Alfresco seafood)
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Tamarind Spa Restaurant (Thai & International)
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Banyan Cafe
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Lagoon Dining Boat (Romantic dinners served aboard Banyan Tree's traditional Thai boat)
Phi Phi & Krabi
Acclaimed worldwide, the Phi Phi Islands form part of a protected maritime park and are known for their white sandy palm fringed beaches and stunning limestone monoliths that rise from the Andaman Sea. The Islands are located some 48 kms east of Phuket and 42 kms south of Krabi and consist of the larger inhabited Phi Phi Don, and the smaller Phi Phi Lei, which obtained repute from the blockbuster movie THE BEACH. Access to the islands is by ferry or speedboat from either Phuket or Krabi.
Holiday Inn Resort - 4 Star 
Location:
The resort is set on a fabulous beach surrounded by coconut trees and tropical gardens on the island of Phi Phi Don. It is located well away from the main town and bakpacker area of the island.
Accommodation:
Holiday Inn Resort accommodation is private and comfortable. The bungalows, each with their own private terrace, are dotted discreetly through 20 acres of landscaped gardens. Air-conditioned and each with a king-size bed, a separate dressing room adjoining the bathroom and writing desk. Rooms also contain minibar, in-room safe, hairdryer, telephone, and tea/coffee making facilities.
Facilities:
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Swimming pool
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Jacuzzi
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Watersports
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Padi Dive School
Dining:
Rayavadee Resort Krabi - 5 Star 
Location:
Situated on a long gentle arc of picture postcard soft ivory white coral sand, backed by protective soaring limestone cliffs covered with lush tropical vegetation, over which sea eagles soar, this stunning beach is bathed by the warm crystal waters of the Andaman Sea.
This outstanding property offers magnificent views of uninhabited islands and unbelievable sunsets. The four acres strip of coconut grove into which the ten villas are to be blended in perfection with the beautiful natural environment is a true paradise retreat, forever.
Accommodation:
There are just 100 luxurious two storey pavilions built and furnished in a tropical Thai style. All have an upstairs bedroom and a downstairs living area , a bathroom with oversized tub, satellite TV with video player , fridge, safe, IDD telephone and a mini stereo. Village pavilions
overlook the pool and spa pavilions have an outdoor Jacuzzi and enhanced facilities and amenities.
Facilities:
Dining:
Koh Samui
 Surat Thani encompasses some of the most charming tropical islands in the Gulf of Thailand with their fabulous beaches, transparent waters and numerous coral beds to explore. Fringed with tantalizing white sands and coconut palm trees, the most renowned is Samui Island which offers adventure and natural attractions of unparalleled beauty. Beach and diving fans can explore many lovely islands like Ko Phangan, Ko Tao and Angthong National Marine Park. The lush interior of mountains and plateau on the mainland has several fascinating national parks worth visiting. As the former seat of the Srivichaiya Empire and Dharma centers, its culture and traditions also provide additional delight and a feast of archaeological and religious sites.
Muang Kulaypan Resort - 4 Star
Location:
A touch of nature, situated on Koh Samui's north Chaweng Beach, renowned as the most picturesque in Thailand with its powder-fine white sand and crystal clear waters, Muang Kulaypan Hotel harbors a 100-meter beach frontage, revealing a fabulous view of the sea and offshore islands.
Accommodation:
41 rooms are completed in an exquisite fashion combining Thai style comfort and modern amenities, embellished with a touch of art. All accommodations excepting a few rooms enjoy a panoramic view of the sea. Ground floor rooms include a private garden in the back while upstairs rooms enjoy a private balcony. Bathrooms are equipped with the highest quality fixtures and designer beds reflect a blending of Asian culture with contemporary design. Every room has a air-conditioning, shower, IDD telephone, TV, and a mini-bar. Honeymoon Deluxe rooms are furnished with a king-size bed enclosed in a black mosquito net, a tradition of the Leu people in northern Thailand.
Deluxe room
Facilities:
- Beachside swimming pool (black tiles)
- Open-air gym
- Internet access
- Room service
Dining:
- Open-air restaurant
- OPen-air bar
Hua Hin
 Hua Hin is in fact the oldest beach resort of the country and is still as popular as ever. The construction of a railway station here in the reign of King Rama VI (1910-1925) and a summer palace of King Rama VII in 1926 transformed a quiet fishing village into the resort town popular among those from high society. When Hua Hin is booming, Cha-am was just unknown to the outsiders. But when people of high ranks sought for a new place for relaxation, Cha-am's beauty was discovered and the place was quickly developed. Today Hua Hin and Cha-am are still among Thailand's favorite attractions of tourists.
Chiva Som International Health Resort - 5 Star Deluxe
Location:
For a lasting sense of inner peace, contentment and fulfillment visit Chiva-Som International Health Resort in Thailand. Located on the beachfront of the royal resort of Hua Hin, Chiva-Som, meaning Haven of Life, is a beautiful secluded world of its own hidden within 7 acres of lush tropical gardens.
With a real sense of privacy, luxury and exclusivity Chiva-Som takes a holistic approach to your wellbeing, combining ancient eastern therapies with the latest Western techniques to encompass mind, body and spirit. The Resort offers treatments for everyone from weight loss and stress reduction to total relaxation and pure pampering. The property has been voted Best Overseas Spa by Conde Nast for 2002 and 2003.
Accommodation:
 Chiva-Som rooms offer luxury and comfort with fittings and features providing a perfect balance between Thai beauty and Western standards. From the marble bathrooms to the Thai sculptures to the individual DVD players in each room your creature comforts are taken care of.
The Ocean View rooms in the main building all face the Gulf of Thailand and Chiva-Som outside pool. Each offer private balconies or terraces for drinking in the fresh air and relaxing atmosphere of Chiva-Som. For double or twin occupancy the Ocean View rooms are ideal for listening to the soft lapping of the sea.
Facilities:
- Outdoor swimming pool
- World class Holistic Spa
- Sauna
- Steam room
- Jacuzzi
- Therapy Suite
- Health & Wellness consultation
- Fitness centre
- Tai Chi
- Spa cooking classes
Dining:
- Chiva Som restaurant
- Piano Lounge
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