First Wave of Star Chefs Unveiled
The 25th anniversary edition of the World Gourmet Festival kicks off with an exciting first wave of acclaimed chefs, including Denmark’s Eric Vildgaard, New Zealand’s Vaughan Mabee, and Singapore’s Janice Wong. This renowned annual event, held at Anantara Siam Bangkok, will take place from 22–28 September 2025, bringing together a stellar lineup of culinary talent from around the globe. The initial announcement features three of the world’s most respected chefs, each set to host exclusive dinners that promise to be among Bangkok’s most sought-after gastronomic experiences. Additional chefs and events will be revealed every two weeks. ━━━━━━━━━━━━👇━━━━━━━━━━━━ ERIC VILDGAARD Jordnær, Denmark (Thailand debut) 3 Michelin stars | #3 Best Chef Awards 2024 | 97.50 points La Liste | Les Grandes Tables du Monde One of Europe's most celebrated culinary figures, Eric Vildgaard is a phenomenon. The self-taught visionary behind Copenhagen’s Jordnær has redefined Nordic fine dining with a style that is deeply emotional, technically flawless, and intensely personal. His restaurant is widely considered one of the most romantic and refined dining destinations on the planet, earning global acclaim and a place on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Every dish tells a story — of resilience, transformation, and the power of love — shared with his partner Tina, who co-runs the restaurant. This is gastronomy at its most human: generous, precise, and transcendent. Gourmet Discoveries: Chef Eric Vildgaard and Chef Vaughan Mabee Date: Tuesday 23rd September 2025 THB 18,500 net per person including wine pairing ━━━━━━━━━━━━👇━━━━━━━━━━━━ VAUGHAN MABEE Amisfield, New Zealand (Thailand debut) Best Chef Awards 2024 – 3 Knives | Best Dining Experience in the World A trailblazing figure in New Zealand’s culinary renaissance, Vaughan Mabee is known for crafting edible stories of the wild. As Executive Chef of Amisfield in Queenstown, Mabee merges deep respect for terroir with theatrical presentation — from dishes hidden in river stones to references to Maori legend. He fishes, hunts, and forages his own ingredients, creating menus that feel alive with the spirit of Aotearoa. Recently named one of the most creative chefs of his generation, his Bangkok debut is nothing short of historic. Gourmet Encounters: Chef Vaughan Mabee Date: Saturday 27th September 2025 THB 14,000 net per person including wine pairing ━━━━━━━━━━━━👇━━━━━━━━━━━━ JANICE WONG Singapore Asia’s and The World’s 50 Best Pastry Chefs | Pastry Chef of the Year | Pastry Innovation Award – La Liste Janice Wong is Asia’s undisputed dessert visionary, blending art, flavour, and innovation in every creation. The Singaporean pastry chef, artist, and entrepreneur is best known for 2am:dessertbar and her groundbreaking edible art installations. Twice named Asia’s Best Pastry Chef by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Wong continues to push boundaries through her brands Janice Wong Singapore and Pure Imagination, championing creativity, sustainability, and chocolate made from bean to bar. Iconic Afternoon Tea: Chef Janice Wong Date: Friday 26th-Sunday 28th September 2025 THB 1,800 net per person Seats are extremely limited, with 15% early bird pricing available from today, limited to six seats per event per guest. Full menus and wine pairings will be announced in due course. Throughout the week, the festival will also feature chef’s table dinners, interactive masterclasses, exclusive wine pairings, pastry
The Art of Travelling
THAI’s “The New World of Tomorrow” takes the passenger to the elevated the travel experience beyond the frontier as well as marking 65th Anniversary milestones. Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) celebrated its 65th Anniversary with “THE NEW WORLDS OF TOMORROW”, the special event at World Ballroom, Centara Grand at centralwOrld, to officially launch its new tagline “GRACE TO GROWTH,” which reflects the commitment to enhance passenger experience in all dimensions while delivering a distinctive Thai touch after the accomplishment in the Rehabilitation process. By providing high-quality aviation technology, THAI not only serves passengers but also elevates its competency within the aviation industry where THAI stock is scheduled to resume trading in the Stock Exchange of Thailand this July. Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Mr. PiyasvastiAmranand, THAI Chairman of the Plan Administrators, Mr. Chansin Treenuchagron, THAI Plan Administrator, Mr. Chai Eamsiri, THAI Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Korakot Chatasingha, THAI Chief Commercial Officer, and THAI senior management elaborated THAI future plan to business partners, distinguished guests, and the members of the press in this event. “For the past 65 years, THAI remains the carrier of choice among passengers around the world. Now, it is ready to leap forward. With THE NEW WORLDS concept, THAI is prepared for serving current travel needs with seamless travel experience of passengers as its top priority,” Mr. Amranand said. . THE NEW WORLDS OF INSIGHT AND HOSPITALITY: Inflight services and innovative communication Enhancement In order to provide an unforgettable inflight experience, THAI introduces the following services: “Sawasdee” magazine through various platforms for readers' convenience The inflight magazine “Sawasdee” is reintroduced through various platforms for readers' convenience. Mr. KittiphongSansomboon, THAI Director, Customer & Marketing, as the magazine's Executive Editor and Mr. Hans Mueller, Sawasdee Executive Creative Director, revealed print edition, e-Magazine, and website of Sawasdee Magazine which is tailored for travelers of the digital era. Special amenities kit pouches by SIRIVANNAVARI THAI has collaborated with SIRIVANNAVARI, the luxury fashion brand established by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, in introducing two new designs of special amenities kit. The first design features a white-blue batik pattern from Southern Thailand, incorporating "Princess Sirivannavari’s Dokrak Motif" (bestowed upon a Thai batik group by HRH The Princess). This design is seamlessly blended with logos of an elephant, peacock, iris, and orchid, representing both SIRIVANNAVARI and THAI. The second design is a vibrant garden, bursting with iris and orchid flowers playfully surrounding the iconic S Monogram in a pink and purple color scheme. Amenities kit includes rose-scented hand cream, SIRIVANNAVARI Maison lip balm, deodorant spray, blindfolds in the pouch pattern, a bamboo toothbrush, MARVIS toothpaste, and earplugs. These special amenities kit pouches by SIRIVANNAVARI, offering absolute "Smooth as Silk" travel essentials, are available in Royal Silk Class on flights to four fashion destinations: Milan, Paris, Tokyo, and Shanghai, starting May 1, 2025. The culinary campaign bringing local ingredients to global experiences THAI also launched the “Good Taste for a Good Cause” culinary campaign in serving passengers with a locally produced high-quality ingredients to the global stage in alignment with the Thai government’s
Beat the Heat and Step into Gaysorn Village’s exclusive fashion presentation “The Sunkissed Oasis”
Gather around, fashion enthusiasts! Gaysorn Village proudly presents a special fashion presentation, "The Sunkissed Oasis", featuring top designer brands from both Thailand and abroad. This event aims to foster a Like-Minded Community for fashion lovers and celebrate vibrant colors and the fun spirit of summer here in Bangkok. Charn Srivikorn, Chairman and Director of Gaysorn Property, shared his vision “At Gaysorn Village, we adore fashion as more than just products or clothing. It is a wonderful experience that we curated for our customers to inspire them while elevating fashion designers. ‘The Sunkissed Oasis’ tells the story of summer, the season full of zestful and refreshing moments for fashion lovers. This fashion show highlights the fascinating fashion looks, conveying the diversity of styles and exclusive summer trends, curated by three of Thailand’s most renowned stylists.” The fashion presentation unfolds in three sessions, curated by three highly skilled fashion stylist: “From Runways to Real Ways” by Pannatorn Sriprasert. This session focuses on the concept of Multi-Occasion Design, allowing creative runway pieces to be adapted for everyday wear. It showcases brands ranging from legendary Thai designers to new talents, such as FLYNOW, GONGDID DESIGN, JEMMIDORIS, ROSEMAN CLUB, TRIKUL and THE SRT X SIRINTRA. “Craft Your Uniqueness” by Wannaporn Poshyanonda. This session breaks away from the ordinary and embraces individuality, and highlights the power of femininity, offering fresh interpretations of the concept. The sophisticated yet summery vibes of this session are achieved with brands like DECORUM BIBLIOTHEQUE, DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, N°21, SOPHIA WEBSTER, and THE EDITION “The Eclectic Hidden Stories” by Ston Tantraporn. This last session explores the year’s key fashion trends, making everyday dressing for fashion lovers even more fun, featuring global brands from the CLUB 21 group such as CDG, JACQUEMUS, and COMME DES GARCONS Discover the bright summer fashion at Gaysorn Village, indulge in a vivid summer shopping experience—spend THB 6,500 / THB 50,000 / THB 500,000 to receive a Gaysorn Village Gift Voucher worth up to THB 1,300 all complemented by credit card cashback offers of up to 17% from March 7 to April 27, 2025.
Botanical Grandeur
The ultra-luxury lifestyle in Phuket knows no limits. Botanica Luxury Villas unveils Botanica Grand Avenue to complete Phuket's premier ultra-luxury hub. Botanica Luxury Villas, the leader in Phuket's luxury pool villa market, is transforming the high-end real estate sector with significant progress on its premier development, Botanica Grand Avenue. This flagship project, situated in a prime location in the heart of Laguna Phuket, has already completed over 40% of construction and continues to attract strong reservation numbers. The uniqueness of this iconic project goes beyond offering luxurious residential pool villas and comprehensive facilities for sophisticated lifestyles. Botanica Grand Avenue is also home to HYTHE by Botanica, an ultra-luxurious condominium representing Botanica's first venture into the vertical segment. HYTHE features villa-style functions and designs that have already created a buzz with recently revealed project renderings. In response to exceptional demand from High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) and investors, Botanica Grand Avenue has unveiled a state-of-the-art Sales Gallery featuring plans for all projects in the area, models of every villa style, and, for the first time, three show units of the HYTHE condominium, alongside two pool villa show units – "Signature Tropical Balinese" and "Grand Forest" – now completed and ready for viewing. The Cherngtalay area, particularly in the Laguna zone, is recognized internationally as a prime location offering one of Thailand's most comprehensive luxury lifestyle ecosystems. It stands out for its world-class resorts, golf courses, renowned restaurants, and upscale beach clubs, along with premium facilities catering to both tourists and high-end residents. With continuous development, Laguna Phuket is emerging as Southeast Asia's center for luxury living. For details about HYTHE by Botanica and all projects: Tel: +66 81 324 2999 and +66 94 636 2836 Website: botanicaluxuryvilla.com
KAWS:HOLIDAY Lands in Bangkok
Collaborating with AllRightsReserved (ARR) and local partner Central Embassy, the renowned artist KAWS presents a new chapter in the “KAWS:HOLIDAY” tour in Thailand as its latest celebrated destination, following recent appearances in Le Brassus, Switzerland, and Indonesia's Prambanan temple complex. Thailand, celebrated for its profound heritage where ancient traditions gracefully intertwine with contemporary creativity, offers an exceptionally fitting backdrop for this latest iteration of the "KAWS:HOLIDAY." This exhibition not only showcases the power of contemporary art but also shines a spotlight on Thailand's expanding influence within the international art community. The collaboration between KAWS and AllRightsReserved, alongside local partner Central Embassy and the significant backing of the BMA and TAT, further solidifies Bangkok's growing reputation as a global hub for premier international events. The Governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, affirmed the city's enthusiastic support for the project, recognizing the power of art to enrich the urban landscape and inspire its people. More than just an exhibition, "KAWS:HOLIDAY THAILAND" aims to connect art enthusiasts from around the world, seamlessly fusing creativity, location, and heritage to deliver an unforgettable artistic and cultural experience. Get ready to experience the massive COMPANION sculpture this May and be part of a world-class art event at "KAWS: HOLIDAY THAILAND." The exhibition will be open to the public from May 13th with the venue to be announced soon, stay tuned!
Bangkok Welcomes Aman Nai Lert, an enduring legacy
Anticipation builds as Aman announces the grand opening of Aman Nai Lert Bangkok on April 2nd, 2025. This urban sanctuary, nestled within the lush expanse of Nai Lert Park, marks a significant homecoming for the brand, returning to its Asian roots since the legendary 1988 launch of the iconic Amanpuri in Phuket. Designed by the esteemed Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects, a long-time collaborator with Aman, the hotel seamlessly blends the historic charm of the century-old Nai Lert Park Heritage Home with contemporary elegance. The result is a harmonious fusion of past and present, creating a tranquil retreat amidst the city's dynamic energy. Promising unparalleled comfort and privacy, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok features 34 branded residences, 52 expansive suites, alongside a global Aman Club, 1,500-square-metre Aman Spa and Wellness centre. An extensive range of treatments and amenities, including a Medical Wellness by Hertitude Clinic, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, as well as hydrotherapy facilities and movement studios, caters to those who seek holistic well-being and rejuvenation. With two floors dedicated entirely to the exceptional dining scene, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok presents a diverse array of cuisine, featuring Arva's Italian artistry crafted with premium seasonal ingredients, the refined lounge ‘1872’ serving a selection of of Western and Thai delicacies, afternoon tea, and crafted cocktails, and the exclusive Aman Club for the esteemed invited members to relish elevated dining and socialising experiences. With reservations for accommodation now open, discerning travelers can secure their place in this urban oasis and fully immerse themselves in the Aman Nai Lert Bangkok experience. Aman Nai Lert Bangkok is committed to supporting those impacted following the earthquake in Myanmar on Friday 28 March. As a result, they will donate a portion of proceeds from every stay in April to charities assisting those in need. For more information or to make reservations, please visit https://www.aman.com/hotels/aman-nai-lert-bangkok Advance reservation is required for Restaurants and Spa. To make a booking, please contact +66 (0) 2 035 1111 or reserve online: Arva http://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/arvabangkok 1872 http://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/1872
Trip.com’s enhancing strategies for capturing the hearts of travellers worldwide
Trip.com, which is currently at the forefront of its market, provides a one-stop-shop for all of your travel needs, including flights, hotels, auto rentals, and travel insurance, giving a seamless experience that is more convenient than booking across several platforms. According to Mr. Boon Sian Chai, Managing Director and Vice President of International Markets at Trip.com Group, "Personalization is essential. Trip.com can provide highly personalized travel experiences by leveraging big data and AI. Trip Genie, an AI vacation planning helper, exhibits this by offering personalized recommendations, special bargains, and tailored itineraries." While client happiness is a key satisfaction of Trip.com's strategy, the company also emphasizes strong supplier partnerships to build mutually advantageous arrangements that improve the customer experience. "This requires a sophisticated understanding and integration into the local travel ecosystem, allowing us to provide more personalized and relevant travel experiences. By integrating local data, we improve our capacity to fulfill the unique demands of each market. We invested in launching our branding project with AOT (Airport of Thailand) to gain impressions, which contributed to a very strong MoM uplift, bringing Trip.com search volume to a new level with Pre-Launch vs Post-Launch: +93% and Lifetime Thailand average search volume: +134% YOY," said Mr. Boon Sian Chai. In terms of sustainability, Mr Boon Sian Chai notes that "The platform also emphasizes low-carbon travel options, which aligns with the preferences of approximately 85% of business travelers who prioritize sustainable choices." Trip.com has also added a feature that showcases sustainable hotels certified by GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies, promoting eco-friendly bookings and strengthening its aim to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
King Khalid University Partners with Leading Five-Star Hotels and Hospitality Organizations for a Hospitality Training Program in Thailand
King Khalid University (KKU) has announced a significant partnership with leading five-star hotels in Thailand to initiate an inaugural internship program for tourism and hospitality management students. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to attract 100 million tourists annually by 2030 and position the Kingdom as a major global tourism hub. This partnership is part of The Apprenticeship Program for Training in the Tourism Sector, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia to enhance the skills and expertise of individuals in the tourism and hospitality industry. The program provides participants with hands-on training opportunities through collaborations with leading global hospitality institutions. Its objective is to equip trainees with practical experience and international exposure, enabling them to contribute effectively to the growth and development of the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Reham Mashat, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism at KKU, revealed that 14 students pursuing degrees in International Hospitality Management and Mountain Resort Management will embark on a two-month internship program in Thailand. The initiative, supported by the Saudi Arabian government and the Ministry of Tourism, focuses on providing hands-on hospitality management experience in Thailand—a globally recognized tourism leader. The program also aims to foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between the two nations within the tourism sector. The selected students will gain practical experience at prominent destinations, including Bangkok and Phuket. Their placements include the Al Meroz Hotel in Bangkok, the leading halal-certified hotel catering to Muslim travelers, and the Amatara Welleisure™ Resort in Phuket, a multi-award-winning wellness resort known for combining luxury with holistic well-being. The program is designed to equip students with valuable industry experience, preparing them to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious tourism goals upon their return. A key component of this program is its collaboration with Siam Senses, a leading Thai hospitality management brand under World Reward Solutions. With extensive expertise in managing luxury and mid-range hospitality properties, Siam Senses is committed to promoting exceptional service standards and operational excellence. The brand will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the training program by offering students practical exposure to core hospitality functions, guest services, and cultural sensitivity training within the Thai tourism context. Additionally, the program highlights the importance of Aseer, a rapidly developing region in Saudi Arabia that is central to the Kingdom’s tourism growth strategy. Nestled amidst scenic mountains, Aseer is set to become a global year-round tourism destination through substantial government investments aimed at enhancing infrastructure, eco-tourism, and cultural offerings. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, pleasant climate, and rich heritage, Aseer is poised to attract international visitors seeking nature, adventure, and cultural experiences. Looking ahead, King Khalid University and the Saudi government plan to expand this internship program, targeting the placement of over 400 students in Thailand by 2026. This collaboration is expected to strengthen bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and Thailand, as both nations work toward establishing themselves as prominent players in the global tourism industry. The logistics and coordination of the internship program in Thailand are managed
100 ULTRA LUXURY THAILAND 2025 UNVEILED
Lifestyle and Travel Media and Silver Voyage Club recently joined hands to introduce "100 ULTRA LUXURY THAILAND 2025," for the first time among the friends in the top hospitality industry in Thailand at EKKALUCK Bangkok, Madi Paidi Bangkok, Autograph Collection. This special collaboration project: "100 ULTRA LUXURY THAILAND 2025" will, for the first time, compile a list of the top 100 ultra-luxurious high-end tourism offerings in Thailand including hotels, resorts, restaurants, spas, and other lifestyle services such as limousines, yachts, and private jets. This special publication will be available in executive lounges of five-star hotels in Thailand and the Middle East.