HOT Magazine Issue 4.2, Volume 14

Editor’s Note

This issue, HOT Magazine arrives the way all the best guests do — slightly breathless, very well-dressed, and with excellent stories to tell.

We opened April on the beach at InterContinental Hua Hin, where the 15th Princess Pa’s Cup delivered everything a Saturday afternoon should: thundering hooves on wet sand, an international cast of polo players, a charity auction with genuine masterpieces under the gavel, and a closing performance by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra that turned a balmy Gulf Coast night into something you’d struggle to invent. England beat Thailand 4–2 in the final, and Thailand’s own Rajat R. Khatri walked away as Most Valuable Player — proof that on a good day, the home side has impeccable timing. Fifteen years in, this event doesn’t just raise funds for the Kamlangjai Project. It raises the entire notion of what a sporting afternoon & evening can be.

From the shoreline, we move to the ballroom. HOT Magazine recently marked its 13th Anniversary with the kind of Red Carpet Charity Gala that reminds you why you got dressed up in the first place. Awards were given, applause was generous, a rescue dog stole the show (as rescue dogs invariably do), and the Women Inspire Awards and Women Global Impact Awards placed the spotlight squarely where it belongs — on the extraordinary women quietly, and not so quietly, making Thailand a better, bolder, more brilliant place to be. Thirteen years is not a milestone. It’s a manifesto.

Then came the cars. The 47th Bangkok International Motor Show arrived at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani with the theme “THE ICONIC SYNCHRONICITY – The Context of Flawless Mobility,” which sounds like the name of a very good yacht and is, in practice, exactly that: a seamless collision of heritage and electric ambition. Rolls-Royce brought midnight blue gravitas. Aston Martin brought twin expressions of beauty in stealth grey and luminous white. Mercedes-AMG arrived on an artist-painted platform, which is either the future of car launches or the present of very good marketing — possibly both. Meanwhile, new EV entrants signalled that Thailand’s automotive appetite is shifting gear in real time. Over 200 custom and collector vehicles gathered after dark for the JDM & Custom Culture event, and frankly, if you weren’t there, we’re not sure what you were doing with your evening.

Three events. Three very different rooms. One consistent truth: Thailand is doing things with style, with purpose, and — in at least one case — with actual horsepower.

Enjoy the issue.

H T MAGAZINE

Edited and published by Thai Luxury Living. Although all materials are published in good faith and based on information solicited to us at the time of publication, the publisher takes no responsibility for any errors, loss or omissions that may occur. No part of this publication may be reproduced in full or in part without the previous written consent of Thai Luxury Living. All materials copyright. All rights are reserved.

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DINE DELIGHT DISCOVER

Welcome to the culinary playground of Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok. Sip on signature cocktails at BKK Social Club, crowned Asia’s number 1 spot by The World’s 50 Best Bars, or savour the flavours of Cantonese cuisine at Yu Ting Yuan. Dive into the Italian charm of Riva del Fiume or experience the Parisian chic of Palmier by Guillaume Galliot, where every bite is a work of art crafted with passion and precision.

DISCOVER THE JOURNEYS FOURSEASONS.COM/BANGKOK

Asia’s Ultimate Golfing Lifestyle Experience

Championship Golf Course • Stay & Play • Luxury Course-side Properties

Come and enjoy playing one of the most scenic championship golf courses in the whole of Asia. Voted Best Course in Thailand by Golf Digest, Black Mountain Golf Club has hosted both Asian Tour and European Tour events.

Drawn by Hua Hin’s cosmopolitan charm and ideal year-round golfing climate, an increasing number of discerning golfers are choosing to make Black Mountain their second or permanent home. We are now building luxurious new 4-bedroom

two-story course-side “Twinhouses” for just 19.9M Baht and 3 bedroom pool villas for 29.9M Baht, both accompanied by two lifetime golf club memberships, so there has never been a better time to sample the renowned Black Mountain lifestyle. Visit us to play a round, or even book into one of our luxury private pool Hotel Villas for a relaxing “Stay & Play” break.

We look forward to welcoming you here soon. More info at www.blackmountainhuahin.com

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

A New Era of Leadership at Dusit Thani Bangkok

One of Bangkok's most storied luxury addresses welcomes a seasoned hotelier as it enters its most ambitious chapter yet.

Dusit International has appointed Marc Handl as Managing Director of Dusit Thani Bangkok, its reimagined flagship overlooking Lumpini Park, along with the forthcoming branded residences — Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside — all forming part of the landmark Dusit Central Park mixed-use development in the heart of the capital.

A third-generation hotelier with more than three decades of experience across some of the world's most distinguished luxury brands — among them Park Hyatt, The Ritz-Carlton, Aman, and Rosewood — Handl arrives with a career shaped across Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. His professional roots in food and beverage have

evolved into a commanding breadth of commercial leadership, spanning sales, marketing, and multi-property management. Most recently, he oversaw a portfolio of fifteen properties across ten international brands for Abu Dhabi National Hotels, bringing formidable credentials in multi-asset operations and brand positioning to his new role.

The timing of the appointment reflects a property at the peak of its reinvention. Dusit Thani Bangkok reopened in September 2024 following a complete redevelopment that paid careful homage to the original hotel's near-five-decade heritage. The results have been swift and significant: the property now holds a Michelin Key for its accommodations and service, while its signature restaurant, Cannubi by Umberto Bombana, carries a coveted Michelin Star. The hotel also earned a

place on the extended list of The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025 — an accolade that firmly positions it among Bangkok's most prestigious addresses.

Handl's remit extends beyond the hotel itself. Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside — two distinct luxury living concepts within the same tower, one heritage-inspired, the other contemporary in spirit — are preparing to welcome their first residents, adding a remarkable new dimension to an already extraordinary development.

For those who appreciate the intersection of legacy, architectural ambition, and superlative hospitality, Dusit Central Park represents a compelling convergence. Under Handl's stewardship, the expectation is nothing less than a new benchmark for luxury living in Bangkok.

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

Ocean's Finest: A Spring Seafood Celebration at Fireplace Grill and Bar

InterContinental Bangkok's celebrated restaurant pays tribute to the season with a menu of extraordinary maritime provenance.

Since 1966, Fireplace Grill and Bar at InterContinental Bangkok has set the standard for European dining in the Thai capital. This spring, the restaurant turns its attention to the sea, presenting a refined seasonal menu that runs throughout May and June 2026 — a masterclass in sourcing, technique, and the quiet confidence of a kitchen that knows exactly what it is doing.

The menu opens with a trio of appetisers that signal the kitchen's intent. Akami tuna tartare arrives with dashi custard, wasabi, and soy jelly,

a composition that bridges Japanese precision with European elegance. A golden king crab salad follows, its sweetness tempered by melon, calamansi, and a whisper of saffron. Grilled Hokkaido scallops, plump and perfectly caramelised, rest on corn purée with pickled red onions and slivers of Iberico ham — a pairing that is as considered as it is indulgent.

The main courses sustain that sense of occasion. Char-grilled scampi is brightened with sudachi, shiso, and blood orange caramel, while pan-seared John Dory is presented with heirloom carrots and the warm, aromatic complexity of vadouvan. Perhaps most arresting is the baked toothfish in an Asian herb crust, accompanied by sautéed spinach

and earthy morel mushrooms — a dish that rewards attention with every layer of flavour.

Fireplace Grill and Bar brings a legacy of over five decades to each service. Its stone fireplace, warm tones, and unhurried atmosphere have long made it a preferred address for those who appreciate dining as an event in itself, rather than merely a meal. The spring seafood menu reinforces that reputation, drawing on the finest seasonal produce from waters across Asia and beyond.

The Spring Seafood menu is available from 1 May to 30 June 2026, served at lunch from 12:00 to 14:30 and dinner from 18:00 to 23:00. Dishes are priced from THB 750++.

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

Plan Ahead, Stay in Style at PARKROYAL Suites Bangkok

A rewarding advance purchase offer invites guests to secure their Bangkok retreat with flexibility, savings, and a suite of elevated privileges.

For those who prefer to travel with intention, PARKROYAL Suites Bangkok presents a compelling reason to plan ahead. The hotel's 30-Day Advance Purchase offer rewards early bookers with rates from THB 2,000++ per night, along with an additional 15% saving for Pan Pacific members — making it one of the more generous propositions for discerning travellers seeking both value and comfort in the capital.

Positioned at the heart of Bangkok, PARKROYAL Suites places guests within easy reach of the city's most celebrated landmarks, dining destinations,

and luxury shopping. The hotel's fully equipped suites are designed for those who expect more than a room — spacious living areas, premium Appelles amenities, and an atmosphere of understated refinement combine to create a genuinely restful urban retreat.

Booking direct unlocks a thoughtfully assembled package of benefits. Guests enjoy a complimentary late check-out until 2:00 PM, 24-hour gym access, inroom internet, and a 20% discount on food and beverage at the hotel's Spice Brasserie. The offer also carries a degree of flexibility rarely found at this price point — should plans change, guests may reschedule subject to availability, provided the hotel is contacted in advance.

Valid for stays booked at least 30 days ahead through to 31 March 2027, the offer represents an extended window for those planning business trips, city breaks, or longer sojourns in Bangkok. With full-service amenities and a prime central location, PARKROYAL Suites continues to position itself as a sophisticated base for the modern luxury traveller — one where thoughtful design and attentive hospitality are as standard as the view.

The 30-Day Advance Purchase rate at PARKROYAL Suites Bangkok starts from THB 2,000++ per night. Full prepayment is required at the time of booking. Available for stays booked through 31 March 2027.

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

La Petite Maison Brings the French Riviera to Bangkok

For two sun-soaked months this summer, one of the world's most celebrated Mediterranean restaurants touches down in the heart of the Thai capital.

Bangkok's reputation as Southeast Asia's luxury dining capital receives a glittering endorsement this summer as La Petite Maison — the internationally acclaimed French Riviera-inspired restaurant — makes its long-awaited Thailand debut. From 1 June to 31 July 2026, the beloved LPM brand takes up an exclusive residency at the iconic Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, bringing with it the effortless sophistication and sun-drenched spirit of the Côte d'Azur.

With permanent addresses in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, London and Miami, La Petite Maison has long been considered a destination in its own

right — a place where the glamour of the French Riviera is distilled into every dish and detail. Bangkok now joins that distinguished roster, offering discerning diners and regional visitors the rare opportunity to experience LPM without the journey.

Set within the elegant surroundings of Anantara Siam, the pop-up brings a menu built for the pleasure of sharing — warm prawns with olive oil and lemon juice, snails in garlic butter and parsley, and the revered marinated baby chicken all feature, alongside the iconic French toast that has become something of a trademark finale. Created exclusively for the Bangkok residency, LPM's culinary team will also unveil a limited-edition signature dish marking the brand's Thai debut — a fitting tribute to this singular occasion.

No LPM experience is complete without the legendary Tomatini. Bright, aromatic and unmistakably fresh, the cocktail has achieved cult status across the restaurant's global outposts and will be poured throughout the summer alongside a curated wine list that celebrates the rosé-led spirit of the French Riviera.

With just eight weeks in residence, this is as much a moment as it is a meal. For Bangkok's most discerning tables, La Petite Maison offers a rare summer appointment — sophisticated, seasonal, and entirely not to be missed.

La Petite Maison Bangkok runs from 1 June – 31 July 2026 at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, open for lunch and dinner.

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

A Garden Reimagined: Dee Lounge and Beer Garden Returns in Style

Tucked into Bangkok’s vibrant Sukhumvit corridor, Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok Ploenchit unveils a transformed open-air sanctuary for the city’s most discerning diners and drinkers.

Few Bangkok venues carry the easy, unhurried charm of Dee Lounge and Beer Garden — and following an extensive renovation, it returns with a sharper aesthetic, a bolder culinary vision, and an atmosphere that feels both fresh and familiar. Positioned just steps from BTS Ploenchit, this reimagined outdoor retreat at Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok Ploenchit once again stakes its claim as one of the city’s most inviting open-air destinations.

The renovation has breathed new life into the venue’s signature garden setting, introducing enhanced landscaping, refined furnishings, and carefully considered lighting that shifts effortlessly from a tranquil afternoon escape

to a warmly atmospheric evening venue. Every element has been considered with the same convivial spirit that has made Dee Lounge a favourite among global travellers and Bangkok residents for years.

At the heart of the beverage experience is Best Brew on Tap — the signature local craft beer that defines the Four Points by Sheraton identity worldwide, and the ideal companion to Bangkok’s warm tropical evenings. The newly conceived all-day menu, served from 7:00 AM until midnight, builds outward from that same ethos: approachable, quality-driven, and genuinely satisfying. Six distinct sections span from elegant Light & Lush starters — including a standout “Larb” Tuna Tartare and freshly shucked Fine de Claire Oysters — to the fire-driven mains of Steak Frites and the indulgent Meat Feast. A dedicated Local Flavors section celebrates authentic Thai cui-

sine with Crying Tiger Beef, Tom Yum Goong, and Pad Thai, while the Bun & Stack section delivers the celebrated Beer Burger: a juicy beef patty layered with beer cheese sauce and smoked bacon that is the quintessential beer garden pairing.

What completes the experience is the atmosphere after dark. From Monday through Saturday, nightly live band performances spanning genres for an international crowd transform a casual visit into something genuinely memorable. For those seeking a beautifully appointed open-air retreat where great food, live music, and locally crafted beer converge in the heart of Bangkok, Dee Lounge and Beer Garden has returned with precisely the right combination. Dee Lounge and Beer Garden

Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok Ploenchit Tel: +66 02 305 6000; Ext 1631

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

Seven Hours of Indulgence: The Sunday Marathon Returns at Zeta Café

Every Sunday at Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit’s acclaimed Zeta Café, Bangkok’s most ambitious buffet event invites food lovers to an extraordinary afternoon and evening of unlimited feasting.

For those who believe Sunday dining should be an occasion rather than a meal, Zeta Café at Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit delivers precisely that. The Sunday Marathon — running a remarkable seven hours from 14:00 to 21:00 — is the restaurant’s most spectacular weekly event, a sweeping, theatrical spread that has earned a devoted following among Bangkok families, food enthusiasts, and hotel guests alike. Priced at THB 1,150 net per person, with children under six dining complimentary, it represents one of the city’s most generous hotel dining propositions.

The centrepiece of every Sunday Marathon is a breathtaking seafood on

ice display, sourced fresh and presented with dramatic flair. Rock lobster takes pride of place alongside blue crab, Korean oysters on the shell, baby octopus, Babylonia Areolata sea snails, black mussels, and boiled white prawns — a spread that draws guests back to the station time and again. Four live carving stations anchor the savoury offerings, attended by chefs throughout the event, while a grill station fires river prawns, beef, chicken, and pork to order. A Chinese station, pasta station, and pizza station ensure there is always something new to explore.

The kitchen’s rotating selection of Thai and Western hot dishes is prepared in small, frequent batches to guarantee freshness, while a comprehensive salad bar — featuring five artisan cheeses, a live Caesar station, three Thai salads, and a Japanese corner with fresh sashimi and sushi maki — provides a world of flavour in a single room. The

dessert finale is equally ambitious: eleven pastry cakes, six flavours of ice cream, a dramatic chocolate fountain with fresh fruit skewers, and two traditional Thai desserts bring the afternoon to a fittingly indulgent close.

Free-flow premium drinks, available from 14:00 to 18:00, and a “Come 4, Pay 3” promotion reducing the effective price to THB 863 net per person add exceptional value to an already compelling offer. Located on the 8th floor of Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit — just 650 metres from BTS Phrom Phong and steps from EmSphere — Zeta Café offers indoor dining and al fresco seating beside the hotel pool, making it an ideal destination for any Sunday gathering.

Tel: +66 2 683 4888 | +66 2 683 4721

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

In Pursuit of the Firefly: A New Cocktail Journey at Sindhorn Kempinski Bangkok

Firefly Bar's most imaginative menu yet honours a creature of light, rarity, and myth — one carefully crafted cocktail at a time.

Firefly Bar at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has unveiled its newest cocktail menu, "In Pursuit of the Firefly" — a playful yet deeply considered collection that places the bar's namesake creature at the very centre of the story. Where previous menus traced the firefly's travels across the globe, this new chapter turns inward, exploring the science, symbolism, and mythology of one of nature's most quietly extraordinary beings.

The menu unfolds across four chapters: Etymology, Ecosystem, Luminescence, and Mythology. Each cocktail is given its own illustrated page, complete with flavour notes, glassware detail,

and a visual axis that helps guests navigate from Fruity & Light to Complex & Bitter before they order. It is as much an object of beauty as a drinks list.

Standout creations include Where Is The Cricket? — a clarified milk punch built on Stranger and Sons Gin, cricket protein, chocolate, banana, and kaffir lime, representing the three parts of a firefly working in harmony. Blue Moon captures the moment fireflies illuminate a dusk sky, combining Michter's American Whiskey with Sri Sindhorn tea, peach, and blue spirulina. Journey to Amphawa pays homage to the riverside town celebrated for its floating market and nocturnal firefly displays, while Gorgeous Lady in Red — a striking hibiscus, pomegranate, and gin creation topped with a decorative bubble — mirrors the firefly's ability to captivate without a single sound.

For guests seeking something beyond the extraordinary, three ultra-luxury cocktails feature The Macallan, Clase Azul Reposado, and LOUIS XIII. A zero-proof selection — described as "all buzz, no booze" — rounds out the menu with equal craft and intention, built around local fruits, teas, and spices.

The full experience extends to a Tipple Trolley offering tableside classics, a Build Your Own Gin & Tonic journey, and access to a spirits collection spanning more than 370 bottles — all within the intimate, jazz-filled surrounds of one of Bangkok's most distinctive bars.

"In Pursuit of the Firefly" is now available at Firefly Bar, Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

A World of Flavours by the River at Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok

Every Sunday, the Chao Phraya becomes the backdrop for one of Bangkok's most indulgent brunch experiences.

Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok has launched its World Flavours Sunday Brunch at Feast, the hotel's all-day dining destination, offering a sweeping culinary journey against one of the city's most iconic riverfront settings. Available each Sunday from noon until 3:00 PM, the brunch brings together premium global ingredients, live culinary theatre, and the unhurried atmosphere that a Sunday afternoon by the Chao Phraya deserves.

The seafood selection is among the most impressive in the city — Alaskan King Crab and Boston Lobster on ice anchor a spread that also features freshly prepared river prawns and a

rotating oyster selection sourced from three continents, including Fine de Claire from France, Hammersley Inlet from the USA, Sentinelle from Ireland, and Korean varieties. For those drawn to the grill, a premium smoked BBQ station showcases Australian prime cuts: grass-fed striploin and tenderloin, grain-fed short ribs, Wagyu brisket, and picanha, each prepared to highlight its distinct character.

What sets this brunch apart is the live culinary stations drawn from the hotel's own signature restaurants. Contemporary fusion dishes arrive from Siam Yacht Club, authentic Royal Thai specialties from Thara Thong, and classic Italian flavours from Giorgio's Trattoria — a rare opportunity to sample three distinct dining concepts in a single sitting. The spread continues with Mediterranean specialties, premium

cold cuts, artisanal cheeses, sustainable chocolate creations, and Italian gelato.

A live band performs throughout the afternoon, lending the occasion a warmth and rhythm that complements the riverside setting perfectly. At THB 2,500 net per person inclusive of soft drinks, the World Flavours Sunday Brunch positions itself as a genuinely exceptional weekend proposition — leisurely, luxurious, and anchored in culinary craftsmanship.

World Flavours Sunday Brunch at Feast, Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok runs every Sunday, 12:00–15:00 hrs, priced at THB 2,500 net per person.

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

Sunday Best: Ginger at Holiday Inn Bangkok Elevates the Family Lunch

Where Bangkok families gather to slow down, indulge, and savour the finer moments of the weekend.

There is a particular pleasure in a Sunday afternoon spent well — and Ginger, the all-day dining restaurant at Holiday Inn Bangkok, has crafted a weekly ritual that makes the most of it.

The Sunday Family & Friends Lunch Buffet transforms the hotel's bright, welcoming dining space into a convivial gathering point for families and social circles seeking relaxed, generous hospitality without compromise.

The spread is a confident tour of global flavour. A live barbecue station positioned poolside anchors the afternoon, turning out freshly grilled selections in the open air, while a live pasta station delivers made-to-order dishes with satisfying immediacy. Beyond these

centrepieces, the buffet ranges across Japanese sushi and maki rolls, chilled fresh seafood on ice, vibrant salad selections, and a broad international menu spanning Thai, Western, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisines — a culinary landscape that accommodates every palate at the table.

Ginger adds a distinctly local flourish with a live Thai crispy pancake station, where the delicate khanom buang is prepared fresh throughout the service — a charming reminder of Bangkok's street-food heritage translated into a refined dining setting. The dessert counter rounds out the experience with both classic patisserie and beloved Thai sweets, offering an indulgent close to the meal.

Families with younger guests will find Ginger particularly well consid-

ered. A dedicated popcorn station keeps children entertained, while access to both indoor and outdoor playground areas means little ones have space to roam freely — giving parents the rare luxury of a genuinely unhurried lunch.

The Sunday Family & Friends Lunch Buffet is available every Sunday from noon until 14.30, priced at THB 899++ per adult. Children aged six to twelve are welcomed at half price, and those aged five and under dine as guests of the house when accompanied by a paying adult. Ginger is located on the Lobby level of Holiday Inn Bangkok — an accessible and elegant address for a Sunday afternoon that rewards those who know how to take their time.

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

Grand Nikko Bangkok Sathorn: Japanese Hospitality Arrives in the Capital

The first Grand Nikko hotel in Thailand opens its doors on South Sathorn Road, bringing the art of omotenashi to Bangkok's most prestigious district.

Bangkok's luxury hospitality landscape gains a compelling new address with the opening of Grand Nikko Bangkok Sathorn, which welcomed its first guests on 10 April 2026. Positioned on South Sathorn Road — one of the city's most prestigious corridors of business and lifestyle — the property introduces a refined interpretation of Japanese hospitality to Thailand for the first time, blending timeless elegance with contemporary sophistication across 405 guestrooms, suites, and extended-stay residences.

The interiors reflect a considered harmony of Japanese aesthetics and modern comfort. Each room commands

sweeping views of Bangkok's skyline and is appointed with premium amenities including a TOTO WASHLET, smart TV, and Nespresso coffee machine — details that speak to a brand where precision is a matter of principle.

The dining programme is equally considered. SANUK — its name drawn from the Thai concept of joy — anchors the all-day dining experience with a menu spanning international favourites, Thai classics, and Mediterranean influences in a warm, contemporary setting. ICHO brings the theatre of teppanyaki to the table, with seasonal ingredients from Japan and Thailand prepared with exacting technique on an iron plate before the guest. TENKU 33, the hotel's rooftop bar, pairs elegantly crafted cocktails with panoramic city views at an elevation that makes arrival itself an occasion. LA-MUN rounds out the offering as a refined coffee and pa-

tisserie destination, its daily creations shaped by Thai and Japanese flavour sensibilities.

At ground level, a serene outdoor swimming pool with sun deck offers a calm counterpoint to the city below, while a fully equipped fitness centre and dedicated yoga studio complete the wellness offering. Signature facilities including Benkay — the hotel's innovative Japanese fine dining restaurant — the TENKU 33 outdoor garden, divana Spa, and the Nikko Club Lounge will open in phases in the months ahead.

To mark the opening, a Commemorative Package is available for stays from 10 April 2026, including daily breakfast, dining credit of up to THB 1,500 per room per night, and late checkout until 4:00 pm.

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

Coastal Flavours of Thailand Arrives at Bistro M, Bangkok

A thoughtfully curated seasonal menu at Marriott Executive Apartments Sukhumvit Park traces the length of Thailand's coastline, one exceptional dish at a time.

Nestled in the heart of Sukhumvit, Bistro M at Marriott Executive Apartments Sukhumvit Park turns its culinary gaze to the sea this season. Running from April through June 2026, Coastal Flavours of Thailand is a limited-time menu that celebrates the breadth and brilliance of Thailand's coastal culinary heritage — bringing the country's most vivid seafood traditions to the heart of the capital.

The menu is designed to be shared and savoured. It opens with Pla Kapong Tod Nam Pla, crispy-fried sea bass with

a sharp fish sauce glaze and green mango salad — a dish of clean, confident acidity. Khao Pad Plathu, a fragrant union of fish and rice, follows with quiet authority, earning its place through layered texture and a depth of flavour rooted in memory. For those drawn to richer territory, Talay Ruam Pad Khai Khem delivers mixed seafood bathed in a golden salted egg sauce — indulgent, complex, and best enjoyed at the table with good company.

Hoi Lai Pad Cha brings the full aromatic force of the Thai coast to a single wok: clams alive with lemongrass, galangal and wild pepper leaves. The menu's quiet standout, Pu Ja, returns seasoned crab meat to its shell — peppery and bold on the surface, sweet and delicate within. A final, lighter note

arrives with Pla Muek Nueng Manao, steamed squid in a bright lime and chilli dressing that is precise, clean, and perfectly balanced.

The philosophy behind the menu is one of authenticity without compromise. Chef Tom, whose deep respect for Thai culinary heritage informs every dish that leaves the kitchen, sought to bring the spirit of the coast to Bangkok with nothing lost in translation — fresh, vibrant, and firmly rooted in tradition.

Bistro M provides an unhurried and quietly refined setting for the experience, suited equally to a relaxed midweek lunch or a long, leisurely dinner. Coastal Flavours of Thailand is available daily from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM through June 2026.

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

The Luxury Duo: A Seasonal Ode to Exceptional Indulgence

At Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai's The Market@5, two of the culinary world's most coveted ingredients take centre stage.

Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai has unveiled "The Luxury Duo," a seasonal dining experience at its celebrated restaurant, The Market@5, centred on two of gastronomy's most revered ingredients — Olive Wagyu beef from Japan and premium foie gras — available across Saturday Grand Dinner Buffets and Sunday Brunches through February 2026.

The cornerstone of the promotion is the Olive Wagyu Steak, sourced from Shodoshima Island and raised on a specialised diet incorporating roasted and dried olives. The result is a cut of remarkable distinction: a naturally elevated oleic acid content lends the beef an unusually delicate aroma, superior

marbling, and a texture of extraordinary tenderness. Recognised internationally as one of the world's most sought-after specialty wagyu varieties, it arrives at the table as a study in refined, melt-inthe-mouth luxury.

The kitchen extends the same premium ingredient into the Torched Olive Wagyu Sushi, where thin slices of marbled beef are placed atop seasoned sushi rice and finished tataki-style, allowing the fat to soften and release a natural sweetness with each bite. Completing the trio is the Seared Foie Gras with Mango Purée — the liver's buttery richness set against silky mango sauce and a sharp berry compote, creating a balance of flavour that is as elegant as it is satisfying.

Sunday Brunch guests are treated to an additional exclusive: Wagyu Khao Soi, in which chef-selected wagyu

elevates a deeply aromatic Northern Thai curry broth — served with soft egg noodles, crispy noodles, and all the warmth of a regional classic reimagined through a luxury lens.

The Market@5 itself embodies a spirited approach to international buffet dining, its offering spanning premium seafood, sushi and sashimi, teppanyaki, braised abalone, and an indulgent dessert spread that includes chocolate fondue and a selection of premium ice creams. A signature food truck, a luxurious bar, and handcrafted cocktails complete the atmosphere.

Saturday Grand Dinner Buffet runs every Saturday from 18:00 to 22:00, priced at THB 1,990 net per person. The Splendid Sunday Brunch is held on the 1st and 4th Sunday of each month from 12:00 to 16:00, priced at THB 2,900 net per person.

HOT AROUND BANGKOK

A Feast of Firsts at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park

Two of the world’s most coveted ingredients take centre stage at the capital’s grandest address this May and June.

Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, the city’s landmark luxury hotel on Sukhumvit Road, invites discerning diners to explore a pair of exceptional culinary promotions running throughout May and June 2026. Centred on two of the most prized ingredients in the world — Kagoshima A5 wagyu beef from Japan and sustainably raised Ora King salmon from New Zealand — the promotions bring together the artistry of two acclaimed restaurant teams under one extraordinary roof.

At Pagoda Chinese Restaurant, the hotel’s sophisticated contemporary Cantonese dining destination, Executive Chef Oscar Pun has curated four signature wagyu creations that celebrate the legendary marbling and melt-

in-the-mouth tenderness of Kagoshima A5 beef. Guests may indulge in a Sichuan-style braised preparation, a delicate Hong Kong-style clear broth, a vibrant stir-fry of three-colour peppers and red chilli, or an indulgent wagyu and abalone pie — each dish a refined meditation on one of Japan’s most coveted exports, interpreted through the prism of Cantonese culinary heritage.

On the top floor of the hotel, Akira Back Bangkok turns its creative attention to Ora King salmon — a variety renowned for its vivid orange hue, exceptional natural marbling and commitment to responsible aquaculture. The “Essence of Ora King Salmon” menu brings the ingredient to life across four imaginative preparations: a signature pizza elevated with umami aioli and white truffle oil; a tartare blended with nine carefully chosen condiments and served with salmon roe and brioche toast; a kombu-cured

selection of sashimi, nigiri and hosomaki; and a robata-grilled skewer finished with citrus-miso glaze and yuzu kosho aioli — a dish that speaks to Chef Akira Back’s signature East-meets-West sensibility.

Together, these two promotions offer a compelling portrait of luxury dining in Bangkok at its most inventive: ingredient-led, chef-driven, and rooted in a genuine reverence for quality. For HOT’s readers seeking a culinary experience that rewards curiosity as much as appetite, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park has set a compelling table for the season ahead.

The “Kagoshima A5 Wagyu Signatures” and “Essence of Ora King Salmon” promotions are available at Pagoda Chinese Restaurant and Akira Back Bangkok respectively, from 1 May to 30 June 2026.

HOT AROUND HUA HIN

Museo Auto Classica: Where Automotive Heritage Meets the Art of Living

Hua Hin's most captivating new destination invites visitors to step inside the golden eras of motoring — and experience them in all their glory.

Museo Auto Classica Presented by Bangchak has opened its doors on the second floor of Bluport Hua Hin, bringing to Thailand's most refined coastal city an experiential destination unlike anything the region has seen before. Far more than a traditional exhibition, it has been conceived as a complete immersive journey — one that seamlessly weaves together classic automobiles, fine art, and lifestyle in a setting where every carefully considered detail exists to evoke wonder.

At the heart of the collection are more than 40 rare and iconic classic cars spanning from the 1950s to the present day, each selected for its contribution to the story of automotive excellence.

Among the most extraordinary highlights is the complete Mercedes-Benz SL Legacy Collection, presenting all seven generations of the iconic roadster — from the legendary 190SL of 1955 to the current SL 55 AMG. Alongside it, the Mercedes-Benz High Performance Trilogy brings together three of the marque's most celebrated machines: the SLR McLaren, the gullwing-door SLS AMG, and the ferocious SL 65 AMG Black Series.

Classic GT icons hold their own in distinguished company. A Ferrari Dino 246 GT, Jaguar XJS V12, and Aston Martin DB9 represent the purest expression of grand touring, while the Rolls-Royce Classic Collection transports visitors back to the effortless elegance of the 1960s, with models including the Silver Shadow I and II, Phantom VI, and a Park Ward Limousine. Cultural mythology

enriches the collection further: a 1957 Cadillac Fleetwood — famously associated with Elvis Presley — and the BMW Z8 featured in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough lend the space an undeniable cinematic glamour.

Complementing the automotive collection are remarkable artworks by Thailand's National Artists and renowned senior painters, creating a harmonious dialogue between fine art and classic motoring. Visitors receive a professional photo experience with selected vehicles, a printed keepsake, exclusive collectible automotive posters, and a THB 50 cash voucher — ensuring every visit leaves a tangible memory.

Museo Auto Classica is open daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Admission is THB 400 for adults and THB 300 for children aged 3–12.

Golf in Hua Hin

Tee Off in Paradise

Hua Hin’s reputation as Thailand’s premier golfing destination is beautifully captured in Golf in Hua Hin: Tee Off in Paradise, a new coffee table book by photographer Patrick Jacobs and golf writer Stuart Daly. This 168-page, full-colour edition, presented in A4 landscape format and printed on 160g luxury semi-gloss paper with a stitched hardcover, offers a refined journey through the region’s eight leading golf courses.

Daly’s insightful text is complemented by Jacobs’ atmospheric photography, showcasing the unique blend of world-class golf, natural beauty, and relaxed lifestyle that defines Hua Hin.

Now available at Asia Books, Kinokuniya, and the pro shops of Hua Hin’s major golf courses, the book is priced at 1,700 THB. For enquiries and orders: Patrickhasselt@hotmail.be WhatsApp: +66 93 3210511 Shipping available nationwide and internationally

A Gulf Coast Getaway Made Even More Rewarding at Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa

Thailand’s beloved beachfront resort introduces a new package that turns every indulgence into genuine added value.

Nestled along the golden sands of Hua Hin Beach and just 2.5 hours from Bangkok, Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa has long been one of the Gulf Coast’s most cherished escapes — a place where five shimmering pools are set amid lush tropical gardens, and the soft light of the Gulf of Thailand drifts across the horizon each evening. For 2026, the resort introduces its “Stay, Spend, Savor” package, a Marriott Bonvoy offer thoughtfully designed to reward guests for embracing all that this exceptional property has to offer. The premise is pleasingly elegant. Each stay includes daily breakfast at Amber Kitchen, the resort’s vibrant

all-day dining destination, alongside a resort credit scheme that works seamlessly in the background. For every THB 3,500 spent on food, drinks, or spa treatments, guests receive THB 1,000 in resort credit — up to THB 2,000 per stay — creating a natural incentive to explore rather than hold back.

The resort’s culinary landscape alone makes the proposition compelling. Big Fish & Bar, the sophisticated beachside seafood restaurant, brings the finest fresh catch to the table with the Gulf as a backdrop. Siam Bakery offers artisanal pastries and premium coffee for unhurried mornings, while the Pool Bar and Lobby Lounge provide effortless refreshment at any hour. For those seeking deeper restoration, the credit extends to the acclaimed Quan Spa, where a carefully curated menu of body

therapies — from signature Thai treatments to more contemporary wellness rituals — offers the kind of renewal that only genuine luxury can provide.

Set across more than 22 rai of manicured beachfront, the resort’s architecture draws on a graceful fusion of contemporary design and Thai colonial character, lending the property a grandeur that never feels imposing. Whether the occasion is a long weekend away from the capital or an extended coastal retreat, Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa delivers an experience that is distinctly and beautifully Thai. The “Stay, Spend, Savor” package is available for bookings and stays through 30 September 2026, bookable at huahinmarriott.com using code E6770.

HOT AROUND PATTAYA

Sailing into Serenity: Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa Sets Wellness Adrift

A single golden evening on the Gulf of Thailand, where yoga, ritual, and the open sea converge.

Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa has long been regarded as one of the Gulf Coast's most refined retreats, and a new collaboration with wellness club Jojai Club and Thai luxury beauty house HARNN raises that reputation further still. On the evening of 25 April 2026, the resort presents Sailing of Summer: The Ocean Rituals — Sunset Yoga on a Yacht, an intimate, single-evening experience designed to restore equilibrium to body and mind against one of Thailand's most spectacular natural backdrops.

Guests embark on a scenic cruise along the Jomtien coastline as the after-

noon light softens and the sky begins its nightly transformation. At the heart of the experience is a guided yoga session led by Kru Poy of Bangkok Yoga Diary, held aboard the yacht as the sun descends in deep amber and rose across the Gulf. Complementing the movement practice, HARNN introduces its Summer Glow Ritual — a signature body oil ceremony that draws on natural botanical extracts to nourish the skin and engage the senses, embodying the brand's philosophy of wellness through scent and touch.

As the evening deepens, a Sunset Reception curated by the resort's dining team offers an elegant spread of premium small bites: spicy tuna and mango avocado uramaki rolls from Torien Rooftop and Bar — Pattaya's

elevated Japanese izakaya — alongside watermelon with feta and guacamole with corn tortilla chips from Goji Kitchen Grill & Bar, and sourdough focaccia with cherry tomato from La Familiare, the resort's authentic Italian ristorante.

For those who wish to extend their sense of renewal, Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa offers the full complement of a world-class wellness destination: the Quan Spa, a modern fitness centre, mat pilates, pickleball, and sunset kayaking along the shore. Positioned just two hours from Bangkok on the golden sands of Jomtien Beach, the resort remains one of the region's most compelling escapes — and this exclusive evening on the water is, quite simply, not to be missed.

37 - 41 - 48 - 54

EXPERIENCE REMARKABLE JOURNEYS.

The Swift Trawler 54 is a spacious family home on the water, perfect for long-range cruising. It offers exceptional outdoor space, ample storage, and innovations like Sleipner Vector Gen 3 fins for stability and 360-degree control. Enjoy the journey and the destination.

Is More Than a Label

La Felice Exclusive – Where Luxury

In Hua Hin, many projects claim luxury, but La Felice Exclusive truly delivers With only 22 villas and more than half already sold, it is the address of choice for those who value genuine quality

Featuring open-plan living, private pools, landscaped gardens, and solar systems, each home is crafted with uncompromising detail all in a prime location just minutes from Bluport, Pineapple Valley Golf Club, and Khao Takiab Beach

Multi Award Winner

Best Developer (Hua Hin) Best Housing / Villa Development (Hua Hin)

This commitment to true luxury has not gone unnoticed. La Felice Exclusive was honored at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards 2025 with two prestigious titles Best Developer (Hua Hin) and Best Housing/Villa Development (Hua Hin) These accolades highlight the company’s unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and the creation of exceptional homes that redefine luxury living in Thailand.

A Legend Reborn:

Dusit Thani Claims the 2026 Signature Award for Best Luxury City Hotel Bangkok

For more than half a century, the name Dusit Thani has been synonymous with the finest in Thai hospitality. The original Dusit Thani Bangkok — which opened in 1970 at the iconic intersection of Silom Road and Rama IV — was not merely a hotel but a landmark and a social institution: Bangkok’s defining expression of luxury for a generation of travellers. When its doors closed in January 2019 to make way for an ambitious redevelopment, the city held its breath.

The wait proved more than worthwhile. In September 2024, Dusit Thani Bangkok made a triumphant return as the crown jewel of Dusit Central Park, a landmark mixed-use development created in partnership with Central Pattana. It is a hotel that honours its storied past while setting an entirely new standard for luxury city hospitality in Southeast Asia — an achievement recognised by HOT Magazine with the 2026 Signature Award for Best Luxury City Hotel Bangkok, presented at the 13th Annual HOT Magazine Charity Gala Dinner in the grand ballroom of the Princess Chulabhorn International Conference Centre, Hua Hin.

The new Dusit Thani Bangkok is a masterwork of design, drawing on the graceful traditions of Thai architecture while embracing the refined materials and clean lines of contemporary luxury. Its 257 rooms and suites — many commanding sweeping views over Lumpini Park and the Bangkok skyline — are appointed to a standard that places the hotel firmly among the finest addresses in Asia, with every detail reflecting an uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship and comfort.

At the table, the hotel is equally compelling. Their signature restaurant, Cannubi by Umberto Bombana, carries a coveted Michelin Star — a distinction that immediately elevated Dusit Thani Bangkok into the rarefied compa-

ny of the world’s great dining hotels. The Pavilion all-day dining and Thien Duong Vietnamese restaurant further cement the hotel's culinary credentials, while the Spire Rooftop Bar offers one of the city's most spectacular settings for an evening cocktail. Together, they ensure that food and beverage are as central to the Dusit Thani experience as the rooms themselves. The legendary Devarana Spa, with its philosophy of holistic Thai wellness, completes a proposition that has long set the benchmark for hotel wellbeing in Thailand.

Positioned at the historic intersection of Silom and Rama IV with direct BTS connectivity and immediate proximity to Bangkok’s central business district, Dusit Thani Bangkok serves the discerning leisure traveller and global business community with equal ease and elegance. In every sense, it is a hotel that has not merely reclaimed its place at the pinnacle of Bangkok luxury — it has redefined it.

“For a legendary rebirth that has reclaimed the city’s heart, our Best Luxury City Hotel Signature Award goes to the Dusit Thani Bangkok.”

Patrick Jacobs,

An Artist With A Lens

Omaha Beach, France

PALM AVENUE 4 & 5

Discover Palm Avenue 4 & 5, an exclusive residential gem nestled in a tranquil location just a short 10-minute drive from Hua Hin`s vibrant center, a 3-minute drive to one of the most scenic championship golf courses in whole Asia, the Black Mountain Golf Course. With meticulous attention to detail and uncompromising quality, these exceptional residences offer an unrivaled lifestyle experience. Palm Avenue boats 7 distinct villa design, all energy efficient, featuring large, covered terraces, along with amenities that would expect in a development of this stature.

Sport, Society & The Sea

The 15th Princess Pa’s Cup Delivers a Masterclass in Coastal Elegance at InterContinental Hua Hin

There are few sporting occasions in Thailand that manage to unite the grace of equestrian competition, the ease of a seaside afternoon, and the weight of royal charitable purpose quite as effortlessly as the Princess Pa’s Cup InterContinental – B.Grimm Beach Polo Hua Hin. On Saturday, April 4, 2026, the fifteenth edition of this iconic event unfolded across the sundrenched beachfront of InterContinental Hua Hin Resort — and it did not disappoint. What began as an ambitious vision to bring beach polo to Thai shores has, over a decade and a half, matured into one of Southeast Asia’s most anticipated dates on the luxury lifestyle calendar.

Held under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the tournament is far more than a sporting spectacle. Organised by B.Grimm in collaboration with Proud Group, InterContinental Hua Hin Resort and Bluport Hua Hin, its enduring mission is the support of the Kamlangjai Project — an initiative dedicated to rehabilitation, vocational training and the reintegration of inmates into society. The convergence of sporting excellence and social purpose gives the event a depth that sets it apart from comparable gatherings in the region.

Dr Harald Link, chairman of B.Grimm and president of the Thailand Equestrian Federation under Royal Patronage, has long championed beach polo as a discipline that demands both skill and an acute reading of nature itself. Tidal conditions dictate the quality of play, with matches requiring sand firm enough to allow the horses to perform at their best. “It reflects both the precision and spirit of the sport,” he observed — a sentiment that encapsulates the particular romance of watching polo unfold against the backdrop of the Gulf of Thailand. Hua Hin’s wide, enduring stretch of shoreline and its distinguished equestrian heritage make it one of a handful of locations in the world capable of hosting the sport at this level.

This year’s field was genuinely international in character, with teams representing Thailand, Belgium, England and the United States competing across a programme of fast-paced, closely contested matches. The afternoon’s action built to an absorbing conclusion: Belgium defeating the United States 7–6 in a tightly fought final, while England overcame Thailand 4–2. The final standings saw England take first place, Thailand second, Belgium third and the United States fourth. The Most Valuable Player award was presented to Rajat R. Khatri of the Thailand team — a recognition that drew considerable warmth from a partisan but sporting crowd.

Between and beyond the matches, the event demonstrated the organisers’ understanding that great occasions are never about the sport alone. Horse racing and a fashion show on horseback offered a rare and visually arresting spectacle, while sponsor showcases and a parade of players and horses along the shoreline lent the afternoon a festive, almost theatrical quality. The crowd — drawing business leaders, polo enthusiasts, diplomats, locals and tastemakers from across Thailand and beyond — reflected the calibre and reach that the Princess Pa’s Cup has attained over fifteen years.

Proudputh Liptapanlop, executive director of Proud Group, spoke of the event’s role within a broader vision for Hua Hin as a destination. “Proud Group is committed to introducing world-class lifestyle experiences that enhance Hua Hin’s appeal across sports, music, arts and gastronomy. Beach polo is one of the signature events that reflects the character and identity of the city.” Her words ring true: in an era where resort towns compete fiercely for international attention, Hua Hin’s ability to stage an event of this stature is an asset that extends well beyond a single afternoon.

As the afternoon light softened into dusk, the beachfront gave way to an equally compelling scene on the lawn of InterContinental Hua Hin Resort. Beneath a canopy of warm string lights and with the hotel’s distinctive colonial façade as a backdrop, round tables dressed in white gathered a crowd that spanned nationalities, industries and generations — united, it seemed, by a shared appreciation for an occasion done properly. The “Celestial Blue & Pearl Summer Elegance Dinner” was precisely that: unhurried, gracious and beautifully staged, with the lawn and gardens of the InterContinental transformed into an open-air dining room that felt at once grand and intimate. The setting rewarded those who paused to take it in — the soft pink of the fading sky above the roofline, the candlelight catching on glassware, the gentle hum of conversation from guests who had no particular desire to be anywhere else.

A charity auction in support of the Kamlangjai Project provided the evening’s most charged moments, with two works of considerable resonance going under the gavel: a museum-quality reproduction of George Stubbs’ celebrated 1762 masterpiece “Whistlejacket” — secured by Khun Shasha Shi — alongside “Evening (ยามเย็น)” by revered Thai artist Tawee Kesa-ngam, won by Khun Ithichai Poolvaraluck. The choice of lots, one drawn from the Western canon and one from the Thai tradition, felt entirely in keeping with an event that has always looked outward as much as it looks inward.

The evening drew to a close with a performance by select artists from the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra — an intimate coda that proved all the more affecting for its scale. A handful of soloists and string players, formally dressed against the warm night air, brought a quiet elegance to the lawn that a grander production might easily have overwhelmed. It was the right ending: understated, cultured, and entirely in keeping with the spirit of the day.

After fifteen years, the Princess Pa’s Cup has earned its place as one of Thailand’s defining luxury lifestyle events — not merely for what it offers in spectacle, but for the consistency of its ambition. Sport, society, art, music, cuisine and charity coexist here with a naturalness that is genuinely rare. In a season increasingly defined by global competition for the attention of the world’s most discerning travellers, Hua Hin — and events like this — continue to make a compelling case.

ZENSIRI LAKESIDE

Mabprachan

21 Pool Villas

Zensiri is an established property developer known for delivering distinctive residential communities in Pattaya and Koh Chang. With a commitment to design, quality, and longterm value, the group has completed more than 300 pool villas and condominiums across nine signature projects. Each development blends elegant architecture with practical comfort, creating exceptional homes that stand the test of time. Whether by the lake, in the heart of the city, or beside the beach, Zensiri continues to shape communities that reflect modern lifestyles while embracing natural surroundings.

ZENSIRI RESIDENCES JOMTIEN

Central Jomtien

126 Condos / 2 Low Rise Buildings ZENSIRI VILLAS

ZENSIRI ESTATE JOMTIEN

Central Jomtien

26 Pool Villas

When The Stay Becomes The Story

Across continents and cultures, Fairmont is leaning into a new era of luxury travel — one where the destination matters, certainly, but the memory is shaped just as much by what happens after check-in.

Luxury hospitality has been moving in an unmistakable direction for some time now. Bigger suites still matter. Heritage still matters. Flawless service always will. But increasingly, what truly distinguishes a great stay from a merely beautiful one is the experience wrapped around it — the moment that cannot be replicated, the setting that belongs to one place alone, and the sense that the hotel has become not just where the journey begins, but the reason for taking it in the first place.

That shift sits at the heart of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ latest evolution of its “Special Happens…” series, a global collection of experiences designed to transform a stay into something more cinematic, more place-specific, and more emotionally resonant. Rather than offering luxury in the old, static sense, Fairmont’s newest portfolio leans into immersion: the wild, the nocturnal, the cultural, and the deeply sensory. It is a philosophy that understands today’s affluent traveller is not simply collecting destinations, but curating stories.

The new experiences unfold across four thematic worlds — After Dark, In the Wild, Around the Table, and In the Spotlight — and what makes them compelling is not their extravagance alone, but the way they are rooted in the identity of each destination. This is luxury with a local accent. In Beijing, that means seeing one of the planet’s most legendary landmarks from the air, then returning to a world of polished urban hospitality, private mixology, and dinner as performance. At Fairmont Beijing, guests can pair a helicopter journey over the Great Wall with a stay in Fairmont Gold accommodation, lounge privileges, a bespoke cocktail masterclass, and a curated dining experience at CUT by Chef Peter Kang. The effect is one of layered indulgence: history, altitude, privacy, and culinary theatre delivered in a single seamless arc.

Elsewhere, the brand’s “In the Wild” experiences reveal how powerfully luxury can connect with landscape when it is handled with restraint and imagination. At Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Canada, an Indigenous-led helicopter and culinary journey brings guests into the grandeur of the Rockies with local Knowledge Keeper Lauren Moberly, blending flight, foraging, and a chef-prepared dinner shaped by the day’s discoveries. In Kenya, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club takes a quieter but no less compelling approach. There, a guided walk through the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy leads to a secluded acacia deck where wildlife gathers against a dramatic highland backdrop, culminating in an elegant dining moment that feels as though it has emerged from the landscape itself. These are not safari clichés or wilderness theatrics. They are carefully composed encounters with place, elevated by the confidence to let nature remain the star.

Then there is night — that endlessly seductive canvas for hotels that understand mood. Fairmont’s newest After Dark offerings tap into the romance, mystery, and intimacy that only evening can provide. In Wuhan, guests are invited into the poetry of the city through a night tour of the Yellow Crane Tower while dressed in traditional Hanfu, complete with chauffeured arrival, immersive light and sound, and a personal photographer to capture the occasion. It is heritage, but staged with glamour. In Tangier, a single date — August 12 — becomes the focal point for an eclipse evening on the terrace at Fairmont Tazi Palace, with jazz, celestial cocktails, and the Moroccan sky itself providing the drama. Meanwhile, in St Andrews, Scotland’s east coast turns skyward through a celestial overnight centred around a secluded observation dome, telescope-led stargazing, a private chef experience, rare whisky, and late-night indulgence back at the hotel. Each experience understands something essential: darkness can be as luxurious as daylight, especially when paired with ritual, atmosphere, and a little sense of occasion.

Fairmont has also wisely resisted the temptation to confine “special” to spectacle alone. Some of the most enduring experiences in the collection are intimate, cultural, and quietly transporting. Under the In the Spotlight umbrella, guests can step into the private chalet of Montreux Jazz Festival founder Claude Nobs at Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, a rare invitation into music history ordinarily closed to the public. In Jaipur, a village-centred journey offers artisan workshops, walks, camel rides, and meaningful community connection, while in Marrakech, sunrise begins in a hot-air balloon before the day descends into the souks and workshops of the Medina. These are the sorts of experiences that affluent travellers increasingly seek out: access, yes, but also texture, humanity, and the feeling of having brushed against the authentic pulse of a destination rather than merely admired it from behind glass.

Food, naturally, remains one of luxury travel’s most irresistible languages, and Fairmont’s Around the Table experiences recognize just how emotionally charged dining can be when it is woven into setting and ceremony. In Seoul, romance is shaped into a K-culture-inspired proposal over a six-course dinner at Mariposa, where floral design and the soundtrack of beloved Korean love stories create a highly stylised sense of occasion. In Hawai‘i, the Ali‘i Imu Experience at Fairmont Kea Lani blends garden foraging, a sunset canoe voyage, and a torchlit beachfront feast animated by hula and ancestral tradition. Nearby at Fairmont Orchid, chocolate is turned into a full-bodied narrative, tracing its path from local cacao farms to custom creation before concluding in a spa treatment that feels more decadent than dessert. What ties these experiences together is not simply gastronomy, but hospitality’s ability to turn a meal into memory.

There are, too, quieter expressions of the same philosophy. At Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, an after-hours immersion in geothermal waters under the night sky reframes wellness as intimacy and seclusion. At Fairmont Mumbai, advanced recovery technologies such as cryotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen are balanced with older healing traditions, addressing one of modern luxury travel’s most valuable currencies: restoration. Increasingly, travellers are not only asking where they can go, but how they will feel when they return. Fairmont seems to understand that rejuvenation, like celebration, is now part of the premium equation.

What emerges from the collection as a whole is a portrait of a brand evolving intelligently rather than theatrically. Fairmont is not abandoning grandeur; it is refining it. The company’s long heritage — spanning back to 1907 and today expressed across a portfolio of 97 hotels worldwide — gives it the confidence to move beyond traditional luxury codes and toward something more experiential, more emotional, and more attuned to the traveller who values rarity over routine. The room still matters. The setting still matters. But increasingly, the defining luxury is the story that unfolds between the two.

Each High-Quality Villa Comes Standard With;

» Just 2KM’s From the Black Mountain Golf Course and International School

» Furniture package

» 10 X 4m Swimming Pool with Overflow

» UPVC Doors and Windows with Double Glazing

» Inverter Air Conditioners

» Hot Water Boiler Heated from Air Conditioner

» X Shield Heat Reflecting Roof Tiles

» Electronic Stainless-Steel Gate

» Fully Landscaped

» Full Chanot Land Title

» No Maintenance fees

» 10-meter-wide road

Highland Villas 3 Final Opportunity

With only 4 plots remaining, this established phase is now in its last chapter. For those who want to secure land in a proven community with a strong track record, Highland Villas 3 represents a rare, ready-now opportunity.

Highland Villas 4 New Release — Now Selling

Highland Villas 4 launched with 20 plots, thoughtfully planned for elegant villa living in a low-density setting. Plot sizes range from 566 m² to 993 m², with prices starting from 9.45 Million Baht.

Opportunity is narrowing at Highland Villas 4, with only 7 exclusive plots remaining on the market.

MEE DEE Homes

From the renowned developer of Avenue 88, Avenue 88 Executive, and The Lees & Gold Series

Exceptional Value:

3-Bedroom Haven: 195 sqm living space on a 500 sqm plot from 6.95 Million THB*

4-Bedroom Retreat: 245 sqm living space on a 650 sqm plot from 9.3 Million THB*

5-Bedroom Estate: 275 sqm living space on a 650 sqm plot from 12 Million THB*

HOT MAGAZINE'S 13TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

Thirteen Years of Glamour, Giving, and Grace

From the red carpet to the awards stage, HOT Magazine's 13th Anniversary Charity Gala Dinner proved once again that luxury and purpose are the most powerful of pairings

On Saturday evening, 28 March 2026, the Ballroom of the Princess Chulabhorn International Conference Centre, transformed into one of the most dazzling venues the Royal Coast has witnessed in recent memory. HOT Magazine's 13th Anniversary Red Carpet Charity Gala Dinner drew the crème de la crème of Thailand social, hospitality, and business communities for an evening that blended haute couture, heartfelt philanthropy, and the kind of radiant energy that only a thirteen-year legacy can generate.

An Evening of Distinction

From the moment guests arrived on the red carpet — where the HOT Magazine 13th Anniversary backdrop provided the evening's arresting centrepiece — the night exuded an unmistakable sense of occasion. Attendees, dressed in everything from sweeping jewelled gowns to striking Thai silk ensembles, gathered beneath the ballroom's lights in a glittering assembly of ambition, talent, and elegance. Sponsors including InterContinental Hua Hin Resort, The Anantara Hua Hin, AVANI Hua Hin, 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok, Hotel Muse Bangkok, Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, and many others lent their prestige to an already resplendent affair.

The evening's host Lalinlalinphatara “Tanya” Nakawatjidapa, Editor of HOT Magazine, commanded the room with assured authority, guiding proceedings from the podium against a backdrop of golden light and the HOT Magazine branding that has come to signify thirteen years of editorial excellence.

The Women Inspire Awards: Local Heroines Celebrated

The Women Inspire Awards returned to shine a light on the exceptional women who drive change, inspire their communities, and lead by extraordinary example. This year's recipients were:

Sudaphorn Khamsaen · Saowarin Deenan · Patthanan Khamhoy · Nittaya Niwongsa · Parichat Meuengchanthaburi · Sutthida Sucharitkul · Aurapin Kittipittaya, M.D. · Nantikarn Khuntaubol · Lamai Jampaburi · Rachaneerom Birrer

As each name was announced, the ballroom erupted in applause — a vivid expression of the regard in which these women are held by their peers and communities.

The Women Global Impact Awards: Visionaries Without Borders

The Women Global Impact Awards recognised those whose influence extends far beyond borders — women of vision, compassion, and international standing whose work touches lives across the region and the world. This year's honourees were:

Dr. Sirikorn Nortim · Pikulkan Kitkian · Bonny Bao · Mimi Tao · Kamonrat Ladseeta · Wanthida Saengputtha · Chananchida Kitkasem · Parichat Khunjai · Neeva Thitaree Thirajareontad

The calibre of this year's recipients speaks directly to the extraordinary talent and impact of women shaping Southeast Asia's future.

The HOT Magazine Signature Awards: The Hospitality Industry's Mark of Excellence

One of the most anticipated elements of this year's Gala was the presentation of the HOT Magazine Signature Awards — an independent recognition programme that employs a unique methodology combining artificial intelligence with human expertise, delivering a level of accuracy and insight unmatched in the industry. Nominees are drawn from establishments reviewed across HOT Magazine's curated pages, and those achieving the highest scores receive the coveted Signature Award.

This year's winners represent the finest in Thai hospitality across Bangkok Hua Hin & Koh Samui:

Bangkok

Best Luxury City Hotel: Dusit Thani Hotel Bangkok Best Luxury Riverfront Hotel: Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River Best Ultra Luxury Riverfront Hotel: Capella Bangkok Best Luxury Serviced Apartment: 137 Pillars Bangkok Best Steakhouse Restaurant: Fireplace Grill & Bar Best Hotel Dining Destination: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Best Event Hotel: InterContinental Bangkok

Hua Hin

Best Luxury Resort Hotel: InterContinental Hua Hin Resort Best Ultra Luxury Hotel: V Villas Hua Hin Best Beachfront Restaurant: Big Fish & Bar Best Event Hotel: Sheraton Hua Hin Resort Best Family Resort Hotel: Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin Resort Best Heritage Resort: Anantara Hua Hin Resort Best Hotel Dining Destination: InterContinental Hua Hin Best Thai Restaurant: Jaras Koh Samui

Best Island Resort: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

Each Signature Award represents the confidence of HOT Magazine's readership and editorial team — a seal of approval carried with considerable weight by properties that have earned it. Rescue PAWS: Where Glamour Meets Compassion

No HOT Magazine Gala would be complete without giving generously, and this year's event once again shone a spotlight on Rescue PAWS, the magazine’s charity partner from day one. This Hua Hin-based organisation is dedicated to building better lives for Thailand's stray dogs through sterilisation, adoption, education, and community outreach. The Rescue PAWS team took to the stage accompanied by one of their beloved rescues, drawing one of the evening's most enthusiastic rounds of applause. All proceeds from the raffle went to support their vital ongoing mission — proof that the most glamorous rooms in the world are made lovelier still by the presence of compassion.

Fashion Forward

The fashion element of the evening dazzled throughout, with young rising talents from Hua Hin's next generation of models gracing the red carpet in looks that ranged from floor-sweeping sequinned and feathered couture to a boldly modern pairing of traditional Thai silk with wide-leg denim — an unexpectedly brilliant styling choice that generated considerable admiration and perhaps a trend or two for the seasons ahead.

Thirteen Years and Counting

As the evening drew to a luminous close, with glasses raised, awards presented, and a community united in its generosity of spirit, HOT Magazine's 13th Anniversary Gala stood as a vivid reminder of everything this publication has built since its founding in 2013. A trusted voice in Thailand's luxury landscape. A platform that celebrates exceptional people and places. A convener of the region's most discerning community. Thirteen years in, the appetite for excellence has never been stronger.

HOT Magazine extends its deepest gratitude to every sponsor, award recipient, guest, and supporter whose generosity and spirit made this magnificent evening possible.

Where The Road Meets The Future

The 47th Bangkok International Motor Show raises the bar once more, presenting a dazzling convergence of automotive artistry, electric ambition, and sheer mechanical theatre at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

There are certain events that define the cultural tempo of a city, and for Bangkok, the annual International Motor Show is unequivocally one of them. The 47th edition, which ran from March 25 to April 5, 2026, at IMPACT Challenger Halls 1 through 3, was nothing short of a masterclass in automotive vision. Under the arresting theme “THE ICONIC SYNCHRONICITY – The Context of Flawless Mobility,” this year’s show arrived at a pivotal moment for the industry – one defined by the seamless collision of heritage craftsmanship and electric innovation.

Forty-five automotive and motorcycle marques occupied the vast, climate-cooled halls, with 37 car manufacturers and 8 motorcycle companies each vying for the attention of Thailand’s increasingly discerning motoring audience. More than ten new model launches punctuated the event’s opening days, spanning both electric vehicles and refined internal combustion masterpieces, making clear that the future of driving is not a singular path but a beautifully forked road.

At the pinnacle of prestige, the RollsRoyce stand drew quiet reverence from all who passed. Bathed in a composed, gallery-like setting of white and silver, the Ghost – presented in a commanding deep midnight blue – commanded its space with the effortless authority that only a century of bespoke engineering can bestow. Accompanied by the Spectre coupé, Rolls-Royce’s first fully electric motor car, the stand was a study in contrasts: the thunder of tradition set alongside the near-silent promise of tomorrow.

Aston Martin, occupying one of the show’s most visually arresting corners, presented its DB12 in both a brooding stealth grey and a luminous white – twin expressions of a marque that has always understood beauty as performance. The emerald-toned stand, aglow beneath dramatic exhibition lighting, reminded visitors that there is still something irreplaceable about the grand tourer: a car built not simply to transport, but to transform every journey into an occasion.

Mercedes-Benz arrived in characteristically comprehensive fashion. The iconic G-Class – finished in a rich burgundy that somehow made it feel less rugged and altogether more covetable – anchored a stand that also showcased the GLS and a forthcoming EQ variant. Nearby, the Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster was displayed on a vivid, artist-painted platform that elevated the car from mere automobile to sculptural object. It is, after all, the automotive equivalent of couture.

Audi’s contribution was impossible to overlook – quite literally. A brilliant aerial view of their hall space revealed a full chromatic spectrum of the four-ring brand’s current lineup, arranged with the precision of a colour-blocked fashion runway. From TT coupés in vivid yellow and racing green to the quietly imposing e-tron SUV range, it was a statement that luxury electrification need not arrive in shades of grey. Mazda, meanwhile, offered a glimpse of a red concept sports car alongside a sophisticated new sedan, framed by an immersive interior display of the brand’s next-generation cockpit design – a presentation that reinforced Japan’s enduring claim on the idea of ‘driving joy.’

The show’s most significant narrative, however, belonged to the electric insurgency reshaping the Thai automotive landscape. For the first time, brands including CHERY, LEPAS, FIREFLY, FORTHING, and TESLA joined the Motor Show fold, their presence a clear signal of confidence in Thailand’s appetite for modern mobility. GAC presented its dramatic HYPER MPV – a bold, angular vision of the premium people-carrier reimagined for a new generation – while Isuzu unveiled a commanding new SUV that hinted strongly at a brand repositioning toward younger, style-conscious buyers.

Away from the main halls, the outdoor JDM & Custom Culture event lent the show an exhilarating after-dark energy. The Loading Area behind Challenger 1 to 3 transformed across two evenings into a cathedral of car culture, with over 200 of Thailand’s finest custom and collector vehicles lining up beneath the elevated expressway, their owners and admirers drifting through in the warm March air. It was a reminder that the love of automobiles transcends market segments and price points.

Across its twelve days, the 47th Bangkok International Motor Show attracted in excess of 3,000 registered media, influencers, and content creators – a figure that underscores the event’s role not merely as a sales platform, but as one of Southeast Asia’s most powerful media moments. Organisers projected a ten percent increase in revenue over the previous year, a reflection of both consumer confidence and the automotive industry’s quiet but determined momentum.

The Bangkok International Motor Show has long been a barometer of the Thai economy’s ambitions and its people’s passions. In 2026, it felt like something more: a declaration that this city, and this country, are ready to drive into whatever comes next – with style, with confidence, and with exceptional taste.

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The Penthouse On The Water Sunseeker's 90 Ocean

From the shores of Dorset to the bays of Phuket — Britain's finest flybridge yacht has arrived in Thailand

There are moments in the evolution of any great brand when a single vessel redefines what is thought possible. For Sunseeker, that moment arrived when the 90 Ocean was unveiled at the Cannes Boat Show in 2021 — and the yachting world collectively reconsidered its expectations of what a 90-foot production yacht could be. Four years on, with a brand-new 2025 example now available in Phuket, Thailand's most discerning buyers have the opportunity to acquire one of the most celebrated motor yachts of its generation without a transatlantic delivery to arrange.

A Legacy Earned on the Water

Sunseeker's story is one of the great British industrial romances. Founded in 1969 by brothers Robert and John Braithwaite on the harbour shores of Poole, Dorset — where the English Channel sharpens the mind and salt air is a permanent condition of life — the company set out with a conviction that luxury and performance need not be mutually exclusive. From that first open-cockpit speedboat, through decades of relentless refinement and no fewer than eleven James Bond film appearances, Sunseeker grew into the global benchmark for luxury motor yachts.

The Ocean range represents the summit of that journey: flybridge yachts conceived not merely for passage-making, but for living. The 90 Ocean, which made its Asia-Pacific debut at the Singapore Yachting Festival in 2025, is the flagship of that philosophy — a yacht that delivers what Sunseeker's own designers describe as a penthouse on the water, and means every word of it.

Volume as a Design Principle

At 27.1 metres and with a beam of over seven metres, the 90 Ocean's proportions are immediately arresting. The upright stem bow — a deliberate departure from the raked profiles of conventional production yachts — brings interior volume forward, achieving a 20 percent increase in overall space and nearly 30 percent more deck area compared to competitors of equivalent length. In practical terms, this is a yacht that lives and moves like something considerably larger than its 90 feet suggest.

The Beach Club at the stern is the 90 Ocean's most celebrated innovation, and rightly so. Measuring over six metres by four metres, it is defined by the revolutionary X-TEND™ sunbed system — a hydraulic platform that transforms into expansive chaise longue sunbeds at the touch of a button, bridging the space between deck and waterline with an elegance that feels genuinely novel. A built-in barbecue, dedicated watersports storage, an oversize rain shower, and a Bezenzoni gangway ladder complete an al fresco entertaining environment that rivals the pool decks of Thailand's finest resorts.

The flybridge, 25 percent larger than those found on comparable yachts, offers its own world entirely. An optional infinity spa pool anchors the space, surrounded by generous seating and dining areas beneath a retractable carbon fibre canopy. A wet bar with ice maker, drawer refrigerators, and a glass-topped counter ensures that sundowner rituals are conducted with appropriate ceremony.

An Interior of Considered Restraint

Step inside and the 90 Ocean's saloon confirms everything the exterior promises. Measuring a remarkable 8.8 metres in length by 5.6 metres in width, it is flooded with natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides — windows that slide open to dissolve the boundary between interior and sea air when Thailand's warm evenings demand it. A 65inch QLED television with customisable art display occupies one wall; lacquered deckhead panels and perimeter LED ambient lighting define the mood. Modular lounge seating, a dining table for eight, and a forward galley fully appointed with Miele appliances and a dedicated wine cooler make the saloon as functional as it is refined.

Below deck, four guest cabins — including a full-beam master suite of genuine superyacht proportions, complete with a dressing area and generous natural light — accommodate up to eight guests with the sense of space and privacy that the 90 Ocean's volume makes possible. Two dedicated crew cabins with en suite facilities ensure that professional service operates from a position of comfort rather than compromise.

Intelligence at the Helm

The 90 Ocean's electronics architecture is built around twin Garmin GPSMAP multi-function displays paired with Sunseeker's proprietary CM8 integrated power management and boat monitoring system — a single touchscreen interface that commands every pump, system, and access point aboard. A Garmin Fantom open-array radar, autopilot, and CCTV docking cameras with infrared engine room and aft-platform views complete a helm station that is as confidence-inspiring on a moonlit Phang Nga approach as it is navigating the busy corridors of Phuket Yacht Haven. Starlink satellite connectivity, dual-colour underwater LED lighting, and CMC active fin stabilisers — for exceptional comfort both underway and at anchor — round out a technical package that leaves nothing to desire.

Twin MAN V12-1900 engines deliver a top speed of 26 knots and a relaxed cruising speed of 24 — sufficient to cover the 48 nautical miles from Chalong Bay to the Similan Islands in approximately two hours, arriving composed and in style.

The Thai Proposition

A brand-new 2025 Sunseeker 90 Ocean is currently available in Phuket — tropically specified, fully equipped, and priced at approximately USD 12 million. For a buyer seeking a vessel that performs equally as a private family yacht and an exceptional entertainment platform, with superyacht-grade volume at a fraction of the operational complexity, the timing and the location could hardly be more propitious.

Thailand's waters have never rewarded ambition more generously. The 90 Ocean is the vessel with which to explore them.

The Sunseeker 90 Ocean is available in Phuket through DCH Marine. For enquiries, visit sunseeker.com

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Bangkok Unrivalled

For the third consecutive year, Thailand's extraordinary capital has been crowned Asia's finest city — and this time, the accolade feels less like a surprise and more like an inevitability. There are cities that impress, and there are cities that seduce. Bangkok has always belonged firmly to the second category — a metropolis that wraps its contradictions in silk, presents its chaos as theatre, and delivers its luxury with an effortlessness that more selfconscious destinations can only aspire to. Now, the world's most discerning travellers have confirmed what those fortunate enough to call this city home have long understood: Bangkok is, quite simply, the finest city in Asia.

In March 2026, DestinAsian — the Asia-Pacific's foremost luxury travel and lifestyle publication — announced the results of its prestigious annual Readers' Choice Awards, polling over 45,000 travellers who cast more than one million votes across 38 categories. Bangkok claimed the title of Best City in Asia for the third year running, surpassing formidable competition from Tokyo and Singapore, which placed second and third respectively. It is a triumph that speaks not merely to the Thai capital's enduring appeal, but to a profound reinvention that has been quietly unfolding across its skyline, its kitchens, its hotel lobbies, and its cultural institutions.

The award's judges and readers cited four defining pillars behind Bangkok's dominance. The first is the city's remarkable capacity to hold tradition and modernity in elegant tension. Ancient temples — the gilded spires of Wat Phra Kaew, the dramatic silhouette of Wat Arun at dusk — share the skyline with gleaming luxury towers and some of the most architecturally arresting new hotels on the continent. It is a city that has never needed to choose between its soul and its ambitions, and that rare integrity resonates deeply with the sophisticated traveller seeking authenticity alongside opulence.

The second pillar is culinary, and here Bangkok's credentials have reached an entirely new elevation. The 2026 Michelin Guide Thailand awarded the city's celebrated restaurant Sühring its third star — making it only the second establishment in Thailand to reach the guide's pinnacle, and Asia's first three-Michelin-starred German restaurant. The iconic Le Normandie at the Mandarin Oriental, helmed by the legendary Anne-Sophie Pic in partnership with Japanese head chef Tamaki Kobayashi, ascended to two stars. Across the city, an extraordinary generation of chefs — Thai and international, classically trained and self-taught — continues to transform Bangkok's dining landscape into something that the world's greatest food cities now regard with genuine reverence. DestinAsian's readers recognised what HOT's readership has understood for years: that a dinner in Bangkok can be among the finest experiences available anywhere on earth.

The third strength identified by the awards is the sheer breadth and quality of Bangkok's hospitality offering. The Thai capital's hotel pipeline has rarely been more exciting. The Grand Nikko Sathorn, which opened its doors in April 2026 as the Japanese luxury brand's debut in Thailand, brings 369 exquisitely appointed rooms and a rooftop commanding panoramic views across the financial district. The Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit joins the cityscape in June, its three-floor rooftop and immersive dining concept already generating considerable anticipation. And on the horizon — in what may prove to be the most significant hospitality story Bangkok has seen in a generation — The Langham is meticulously restoring the historic Customs House on the Chao Phraya River into a 75-room sanctuary, with the Michelin-pedigreed T'ang Court restaurant as its centrepiece.

Meanwhile, the transformative One Bangkok development is reshaping the Wireless Road corridor into a new luxury quarter entirely, with the Andaz Bangkok already welcoming guests and further ultra-luxury properties to follow. For the affluent resident or repeat visitor, Bangkok in 2026 is a city that continues to exceed its own previous heights — an achievement in itself for a destination already operating at the summit of global hospitality.

The fourth and perhaps most ineffable quality behind Bangkok's enduring supremacy is hospitality in its purest, most human sense. The city's celebrated warmth — that quality that has earned Thailand its identity as the Land of Smiles — permeates every encounter, from the immaculate service of a Riverside suite to the gracious informality of a neighbourhood restaurant. It is not a performance; it is a disposition, and no amount of architectural investment or Michelin recognition can manufacture what Bangkok offers instinctively. Discerning travellers feel it immediately, and they do not forget it.

What distinguishes this latest accolade from those that preceded it is the broader context in which it arrives. Bangkok was simultaneously named the world's number one city for international arrivals, welcoming 30.3 million visitors in the past year alone, according to Euromonitor International. This is a city operating at the absolute apex of global travel, and yet it retains the intimate pleasures — the discovery of a hidden rooftop bar, the private dining room behind an unmarked door, the dawn light on a temple garden — that define genuine luxury rather than mere spectacle.

Rising on Sukhumvit 38 in the heart of the Thonglor district, the Porsche Design Tower Bangkok represents perhaps the most audacious residential statement the city has ever seen. A collaboration between Porsche Design and Ananda Development, this 21-storey architectural masterpiece will house just 22 exclusive Sky Villas — stacked quadplex and duplex residences spanning up to 1,135 square metres — each conceived not merely as a home, but as a three-dimensional expression of its owner's passions. At the building's core, a sculptural spiral ramp known as The Loop carries residents directly to their private Passion Spaces: bespoke underground sanctuaries capable of housing up to 18 vehicles, customisable as automotive museums, private entertaining venues, or simply the world's most extraordinary personal retreats. Suede ceilings that evoke a Porsche headliner, hand-stitched private elevator interiors, and a crown of light at the building's apex — inspired by the iconic Porsche light signature — ensure that the design philosophy permeates every surface and every moment of the living experience. Priced from US$15 million to US$40 million, at one million baht per square metre the most expensive residential offering in Thailand, and with completion scheduled for December 2028, the Porsche Design Tower Bangkok is already redefining what ultra-luxury vertical living means in Southeast Asia.

Bangkok has been declared Asia's finest city. But for those who truly know it — who have watched its sunsets from a rooftop suite, savoured a tasting menu that moved them to silence, or felt the warm pull of its streets at night — the award merely confirms what was never really in doubt. This is a city that does not simply welcome the world. It captivates it.

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Where The Gulf Meets

The Good Life

LIVING AREA: 720 M 2

LAND AREA: 6,664 M 2

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 6

150,000,000 THB

A rare oceanfront estate in Ao Noi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, redefines the art of coastal living with 720 square meters of contemporary architecture set against an unbroken Gulf horizon.

There is a particular quality of light that belongs exclusively to the Gulf of Thailand at first morning — cerulean, weightless, arriving without announcement across an unimpeded horizon. It is this light that greets the fortunate occupant of what may be the most compelling private estate to come to market along Thailand's western coastline in recent memory. Positioned on a rare freehold beachfront plot in Ao Noi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, this five-bedroom villa represents something that affluent buyers are increasingly in pursuit of: genuine remoteness, executed without compromise.

The arrival sets the tone with quiet authority. The villa's two-storey facade — a masterwork of dark-framed floor-to-ceiling glazing and clean concrete geometry — rises against a broad sky, its horizontal lines drawn taut by the immensity of ocean beyond. Nothing here is accidental. The architecture does not compete with its setting; it frames it, turning the sea and the luminous sky into living art that shifts with every passing hour. A sculpted pool runs the length of the south-facing terrace, its edge dissolving into lawn and then, seamlessly, into the Gulf itself.

Inside, the interiors reward with a refined material palette that balances warmth against restraint. The open-plan living and dining volume is anchored by a sweeping live-edge dining table in deepgrained timber — a single, sculptural object capable of gathering a dozen guests beneath pendant lights of smoke-grey glass. The kitchen, finished in lacquered white and rich walnut cabinetry, is a professional proposition with nothing left to desire, its island workspace presiding over an unobstructed view of the water beyond the terrace. Throughout the ground floor, floor-to-ceiling glass renders the distinction between inside and outside a matter of choice rather than fact.

The leisure programme is quietly extraordinary. A games room — flooded with ocean light on three sides — accommodates a full-size billiards table alongside a generous seating arrangement. Elsewhere within the 720-square-metre interior, a glass-walled private gym offers the discipline of a boutique fitness studio, and a fully appointed home cinema — with tiered leather recliner seating and a cinematic projection screen — provides a counterpoint for cooler evenings. The staircase connecting the two levels is itself a minor architectural statement: a floating cantilevered flight of stone steps, set beside a glass balustrade and presided over by a spiraling crystal chandelier of considerable drama.

Outdoors, the 6,664-square-metre freehold grounds offer everything one might hope to find at a private resort — and then some. The covered alfresco terrace, clad in dark stone, hosts a built-in barbecue bar and generous rattan seating with the sea as its immovable centerpiece. The infinity pool meanders at water's edge alongside a manicured lawn, while a private putting green speaks to the particular pleasures of unhurried country living. The five bedrooms and six bathrooms — each finished to an exacting contemporary standard with freestanding bathtubs, walk-in showers, and refined stone surfaces — are delivered fully furnished and in immediate-occupation condition.

Prachuap Khiri Khan has long been the preferred coastal escape of discerning Bangkok families who value authenticity over spectacle — a province where the fishing boats still outnumber the tourists and the pace of the Gulf remains unhurried. It is precisely this quality, combined with the extreme rarity of freehold beachfront land of this scale, that elevates this estate well beyond the category of a holiday retreat. At ฿150 million, it is offered through Thai Luxury Living — Property as one of the most persuasive propositions on the Gulf's northern coast: a sanctuary, completely realized, and ready to receive its next chapter.

Viewings are by appointment only. For further details or to arrange a private viewing, please visit https:// thailuxuryliving-property.com, with reference #209851, or contact us directly at +66 (0)84 387 5699 or info@ thailuxuryliving-property.com.