Introduction Tabel of Content owadays, when someone asks what luxury is, there is never an identical answer. NIt’s indulging in an extravagant hotel with personal butler service, some say. Chiang Rai 04 Krabi-Lanta 20 Or browsing a private gallery, its walls lined with stunning artworks only a select few can enjoy. BEYOND GOLDEN TRIANGLE THE ANDAMAN ESCAPE Others will disagree. It’s exploring pristine jungles alongside elephants and their • Stay 12 • Stay 28 decades-trained mahouts through jungles, and getting eye-to-eye with one of the • Dine 14 • Spa 30 largest land creatures in Asia. Or it’s hovering in a helicopter, hundreds of meters above a vineyard at dawn, with a bottle of chilled champagne awaiting below. • Tea & Coffee Plantations 16 • Arts & Culture 32 What’s certain is luxury is as individual as the different shades in a rich tapestry... • Arts & Culture 18 • Dine 34 and each shade is beautifully represented in Thailand’s array of top-notch offerings. In the past few decades, thanks to governmental efforts, the Kingdom of Thailand has developed its luxury offerings even further. A bevy of rare experiences is on offer. Whether you yearn for the exclusivity of Bangkok 36 a yacht or private jet-only destination, an unforgettable cultural experience, or the PLAYGROUND OF THE WORLD FINEST CULINARY MINDS most scrumptious haute cuisine - it’s available here, and in spades. • Dine 42 Inside this volume are carefully curated lists of luxury accommodations and restaurants, insider tips on getting the most out of this journey, and inspiring • Sky Bar 44 itineraries to get you off on the right foot. • Spa 45 By your journey’s end, you’ll have cherished the way Thailand’s regional cuisines play with the principles of its four flavors. You’ll travelled from artisanal workshops • Stay 46 in forest retreats to high-tech urban spa treatments. You’ll have taken a dip at your • Shopping 48 private beach at twilight and touched the dawn sky from a hot air balloon. • Cruise & Sightseeing 49 What are you waiting for? Your luxe Thailand journey begins here. • Arts & Culture 50 or some, the quest for a haven F of pure natural surroundings away from bustling metropolis is CHIANG RAI classified as critical. For many fortunate ones, the search ends here at the northernmost corner of Thailand. Beyond Golden Triangle Established as the first capital of Lanna Kingdom in 1262, Chiang Rai, even after the capital was moved to Chiang Mai, has never lost its charm and remained one of Thailand’s most fascinating cities of heritage and antiquities until today. NEW SHADE OF LUX NEW SHADE OF LUX 4 5 Chiang Rai Located right at the famous Golden where the country’s top billionaires Triangle, the confluence of Thailand, spend their valuable leisure hours. Laos and Burma, Chiang Rai shines As for visitors with high spirit of astoundingly with its natural beauty that adventure, leading options include no worldly-admired tropical beaches can jungle trekking, river rafting and compare. Embraced by misty mountain touring over borders which can be ranges from the north and the south, the arranged and privately guided. A visit city blooms throughout the year with the to an elephant sanctuary — above helps from rich jungles which cradle the all options — is well regarded as a city as its atmosphere purifiers, deep golden must. Among unforgettable veined rivers as its flowing bloodlines, outdoor activities which will show you and freely protected wildlife as its how precious it is to become one with beating heart. nature, it is here where many global Small in size, yet breathtakingly visitors have discovered as the most moving in vibration, Chiang Rai never touching. fails to enchant its visitors. Obviously With the right hospitality hosts, an enough, the reason lies in the city’s itinerary thoroughly tailored to meet unparalleled remote serenity. This your personal interests and preferences humble attraction has led to ultra can be coordinated and prepared upon deluxe hotels and resorts being built your arrival. among Chiang Rai’s raw and lush Last but not least, a bona fide Chiang- forests, ready to welcome guests who Rai experience cannot be complete value life spent among the wild greens without its magical feasts. Chiang- and underneath the stars. Rai is known for its authentic Lanna Experiencing Chiang Rai can be gastronomic delights. Influenced by a sophisticatedly executed up to varied touch of Yunnan cuisine as well as tribal pacing desires. recipes, delectable and distinct dishes With natural calmness of the city, served on this highland particularly restoration of self-balance through involve a generous variety of fresh wellness retreats is considered pure gold. local vegetables and are aromatically Meanwhile, ideally in sedate velocity are full-flavored. Some would see them as activities including excursions to arabica exotic while many would score them as coffee and tea plantations which reward divinely incomparable. greater appreciation of local traditions It is laid back, pure and honest. It is in addition to grand cups of organic an irreplaceable city; a soul-searching relaxation, and trips to sacred temples, paradise. Chiang Rai speaks to you mystic museums and pottery houses in silence, makes gestures you don’t which await to inspire visiting cultural see, touches you not on the outside and art aesthetes with unique moments of but within, and somehow helps make awe. Moreover, the city is home to some you peacefully whole just how you are of Thailand’s best designed golf courses supposed to be. NEW SHADE OF LUX NEW SHADE OF LUX 6 7 Day 1 Next, travel for about an hour to Chiang Rai’s tallest mount Doi Tung where Wat Phra That Doi Tung is located. Pay respect to a twin Lanna- style stupas; one of which is believed to contain the left collarbone of Lord Buddha, and enjoy breath- taking panoramic views overlooking Laos and Burma at sunset. As another option, you may make a visit to Doi Tung Royal Villa, the rise early for an excursion to enjoy a private cooking class at Melt in former residence of HRH Princess A Your Mouth, a charming and refreshing restaurant nearby Kok river Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother where traditional northern Thai cuisines are cooked by the recipes of the of the late King Rama IX. Here was owner’s great grandmother who was a royal cook of Princess Dara Rasmi of the base for her work with the Doi Chiang Mai, one of the princess consorts of King Rama V. Here, enjoy your Tung Development Project, which lunch while being enchanted by the river. she founded to reforest the land and Travel for roughly 40 minutes to Baan Dam museum (Black house), a helped to improve the local ethnic place consisting of around 40 buildings which exhibit Balinese and Burmese minorities’ lives. architecture dating back to Ayutthaya period and collections of paintings, Sip a nice cold cocktail by sunset sculptures and items created and collected by the builder, Thawan Duchanee, while enjoying stunning views of the late National Thai Artist in Fine art and Visual art. Chiang Rai city before celebrating the evening with the finest Thai, Laotian and Burmese cuisines. NEW SHADE OF LUX NEW SHADE OF LUX 8 9 Day 2 Day 3 ake up to quietness at sunrise. Treat yourself with private yoga session ise early to a privately guided trip to Wat Phra That Pha Ngao, a well- W instructed by a guru while watching the mist burn off over Myanmar R preserved ancient temple where you will find peace and blessing. It is from your private grand suite. known that if any sick person come to worship Phra That of the Buddha relics here, he or she will soon be free from the illness. At this sacred temple you can also enjoy the panoramic view of Mekon river. Then it’s time to relax with outdoor spa treatments exclusively offered at discreet pavilions in the middle of jungles. Finish your day with authentic northern Thailand’s recipes paired with stunning Thai wines, a fine dining experience with spectacular three≠≠ country views. Visit an elephant sanctuary to learn about their stories and get personally inspired. At the camp, have lunch prepared exclusively for you. Get changed then travel south to Doy Din Dang Pottery where you could learn to create your very own pottery with Chiang Rai’s traditional clay, colors and textures. Here is also a good place to shop some souvenirs for friends and family at home. After a long day, enjoy a private refined gourmet experience exclusively tailor-made for you and your special one. NEW SHADE OF LUX NEW SHADE OF LUX 10 11 LE MERIDIEN CHIANG RAI RESORT ocated along Kok L river just nearby Chiang Rai’s town center, Le Meridien brings exceptional décor in Lanna STAY style to rustic natural landscapes. Surrounded by misty mountain scen- ery and historical ruins and antiquities, the re- sort effortlessly provides charming hospitality and one-of-a-kind experiences. Address: 221 / 2 Moo 20 Kwaewai Road Tambon Robwieng, Amphur Muang Tambon Robwieng, Chiang Rai 57000 Phone: +66 53 603 333 www.lemeridienchiangrai.com ANANTARA GOLDEN TRIANGLE FOUR SEASONS TENTED CAMP ELEPHANT CAMP AND RESORT GOLDEN TRIANGLE ocated in the fabled n authentic natural L Golden Triangle A and cultural adven- region of northern ture could be crafted Thailand, this world- to meet your personal class luxurious jungle preference here at this wonderland is a haven luxury resort where a for jetsetters who adore gaze over three countries being outdoor and under could be done at once the sun, and getting up from your bed.