#stayhome and See the World!
By Lifestyle+Travel
Even though travel plans of some of us may not come through during the past months, thanks to technology, we still get to see wonders from all over the world. Agoda, the globally renowned digital travel platform, takes the traveler’s favourite destinations throughout 2019, combined with top travel motivations from its Usage & Attitude Survey (U&A), and pick some of interesting ways to discover new amazing places.
According to Agoda’s U&A survey, Nature/Countryside; Beaches; Food & Dining; Landmarks; and Culture are the top five reasons cited to travel globally. Here are some ideas of virtual exploration to make your stay-at-home days more stimulating!
CULTURE
Pop stars and singers might not be able to fill stadiums right now, but they are doing their best to perform for you at home. So, whether you like to rock to Bruce Springsteen, sing along with Gary Barlow and a selection go world wide artists during his Crooner Sessions, or want to bust a move to chart-topping Columbia Records artists like Diplo and John Mayer, you can catch them on live stream or their social accounts.
BEACH / ISLAND
Dating back 10,000 years, the Buck Island Reef National Park houses many unique corals and sea life. Take National Geographics’ guided dive with marine life photographer Brian Skerry and drift into the spectacular details of the gem colors and textures of this unique and protected barrier reef, watch sea turtle hatchlings make their way into the ocean at night.
NATURE / SCENERY / CITY
UK ranks 16 on the Agoda traveler list London its capital city is pure magic. With 2000 years of history, London is one of the worlds most visited cities and has something for everyone. Walk through iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge, London Eye and Carnaby Street.
ALSO, TRY THIS OTHERWORLDLY EXPERIENCE…
Check out the views from NASA’s International Space Station which takes sixteen orbits around the Earth in 24 hours. It sees either a sunset or a sunrise every 45 minutes. What better time to view Earth on NASA’s Space Station live stream than right now?
Source: Agoda
By LIFESTYLE+TRAVEL
The World of Flavours Awaits
Bangkok’s premier culinary showcase returns to Anantara Siam, promising an extraordinary week of Michelin-starred talent, global collaborations, and a brand-new award celebrating emerging chefs. The celebrated World Gourmet Festival is making its highly anticipated return to the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel from 29 September to 4 October. Inviting food connoisseurs and epicureans from around the globe to embark on an extraordinary culinary journey, this year’s festival centers around a vibrant and timely theme: “The World of Flavours.” Renowned as one of Asia’s premier gastronomic events, the festival follows a triumphant 25th edition that redefined the capital’s dining scene by bringing together nearly 30 Michelin stars. This year’s program promises to elevate that momentum, uniting a spectacular collective of internationally acclaimed chefs, regional visionaries, and leading local culinary figures. Together with Anantara Siam’s own master chefs, they will curate an array of exclusive experiences highlighting unique techniques and rich cultural influences. Guests can look forward to a meticulously designed calendar featuring exclusive solo dining events, multi-chef collaborative tasting menus, and interactive live culinary showcases. The festivities will also include elegant afternoon teas, dynamic bar takeovers, and thought-provoking panel discussions led by industry pioneers, all culminating in an indulgent weekend brunch closing ceremony. In an exciting first for the festival, this edition introduces the Young Chef’s Award. This brand-new competition is dedicated to fostering local talent, providing emerging chefs a prestigious stage to present their creativity and vision to a distinguished panel of local and international judges. Save the date for Bangkok’s ultimate celebration of global gastronomy. For more information www.anantara.com/en/siam-bangkok
By LIFESTYLE+TRAVEL
The Diamond Decade: ONYX Hospitality Group Plots a THB 10.33 Billion Future
What began as a single hotel venture during the dawn of Thai travel has evolved into a regional powerhouse. Sixty years on, ONYX is proving that heritage and high-growth strategy go hand-in-hand. The evolution of Thai tourism is inextricably linked to the story of Amari. Decades ago, as the first waves of international travelers began exploring the kingdom’s coastlines and cityscapes, a single hotel stood at the forefront of the movement. Amari didn’t just provide a place to sleep; it helped define the very essence of "Thai Hospitality"—that rare blend of genuine warmth, local intuition, and international standards. As Thailand transformed into a global travel titan, Amari was right there, scaling alongside the industry and turning local charm into a sophisticated regional export. Today, ONYX Hospitality Group is celebrating its 60th anniversary not with a glance in the rearview mirror, but with a foot firmly on the accelerator. The group has announced an ambitious target of THB 10.33 billion in revenue by 2026—a 14% year-on-year jump—fueled by a THB 5.5 billion investment plan dedicated to upgrading its most iconic properties. CEO Yuthachai Charanachitta isn’t just chasing numbers; he’s refining the "ONYX Universe." The strategy focuses on sharpening the identities of its core brands to meet the quirks and cravings of the modern traveler. Amari is leaning further into its upper-upscale roots, offering "Brighten Your World" moments enriched by local culture. OZO has transitioned into a lifestyle-first brand for the traveler who wants a seamless, high-energy stay, while Shama continues to dominate the serviced apartment scene by fostering a sense of community for long-stay guests. At the pinnacle, Oriental Residence offers a quiet, understated luxury that prioritizes privacy and personalization. With a pipeline that includes new launches in Bangkok, Malaysia, and China, the group is on track to manage over 75 properties by 2030. From the major transformation of Amari Phuket to the boutique allure of Amari Resort & Villas in Samui, ONYX is proving that while they may have 60 years of history, their journey is only just getting started. It’s a bold vision for a "medium-sized" player that clearly has its sights set on big-league impact. More information: www.onyx-hospitality.com
By Lifestyle+Travel
Spanish-Thai Chamber of Commerce Gastronomic Awards 2026
The Spanish-Thai Chamber of Commerce (STCC), joined by the Embassy of Spain in Thailand, turned the rooftop of UNO MÁS at Centara Grand at CentralWorld into a hub of Mediterranean excellence for the first-ever Spanish-Thai Chamber of Commerce Gastronomic Awards. As the first dedicated initiative recognising excellence in Spanish cuisine in Thailand, the event was a celebration of the chefs, restaurateurs, importers, and visionaries, honouring both established names and rising talents for their outstanding contributions across four categories. The 2026 award recipients were: Innovation Award – Chef Álvaro “Palanca” Ramos (Vaso) Professional Career Award – Chef Kannika (Taburete) Gastronomic Ambassador Award – El Willy New Project Award – Chef Ricardo “Ricky” Laferia (Bar Sociedad Laferia) The evening was gracefully guided by MC and current Mrs. World, Mrs. Chanita Craythorne, and opened with welcoming remarks from H.E. Mr. Felipe de la Morena Casado, Ambassador of Spain to Thailand, setting the tone with an inspiring opening address. “This inaugural Gastronomic Awards marks an important milestone in strengthening the cultural and culinary ties between Spain and Thailand. It is inspiring to see the passion, creativity, and dedication of the chefs and professionals who continue to elevate Spanish cuisine and bring it closer to audiences in Thailand,” noted H.E. Felipe de la Morena Casado, Ambassador of Spain to Thailand. The highlight of the evening was the exclusive “18-Hand Dinner,” a rare gastronomic collaboration that brought together leading talented Spanish chefs based in Thailand alongside the Michelin-starred guest chef Manuel Alonso. Guests enjoyed a multi-course journey that paired inventive dishes with premium Spanish wines. The collaborative effort showcased the collective brilliance of chefs representing renowned establishments such as Luma, Cento, Willy, Vaso, Fuego, Luz, Uno Más, and Bar Sociedad Laferia. The awards ceremony acted as the anchor for the broader “Flavours of Spain” campaign, an initiative between the STCC and the Spanish Embassy, along with partner restaurants and bars across Bangkok. Designed to prime the scene for the upcoming Eat Spain Drink Spain campaign, the Gastronomic Awards is set to become an annual platform, continuing to bring together the culinary community and reinforcing the cultural and gastronomic ties between Spain and Thailand to be stronger—and more delicious—than ever.