The Gems Mining Pool Villas Pattaya to Open This November with Special Rates
By Lifestyle+Travel
Inspired by African gems mining, The Gems Mining Pool Villas Pattaya is a new gleaming stay with unique experience nearby Bangkok, which is set to open on 14 November 2020. The resort consists of 78 keys in five room types including Topaz Jacuzzi, Emerald One-Bedroom Pool Villa, Sapphire Two-Bedroom Pool Villa, Ruby Three-Bedroom Pool Villa and The Legacy Conceptual Residence with five bedrooms.
For facilites, Club Amethyst Wellness Centre houses fitness centre, onsen, spa, steam, sauna and The Quartz exercise studio, with 2 outlets: The Tram Restaurant Bar & Wine Cellar and The Pit Sundowner Bar offering Thai, Western and South African inspired menu.
To celebrate the opening, the resort offers an Introductory Promotion with complimentary benefits including breakfast, cocktail/mocktail, The Gems Welcome Refreshment, discount at spa and restaurant, free access to Club Amethyst wellness centre with onsen, gym, steam and sauna etc., priced at THB 3,178 per night for Topaz Jacuzzi (93 sqm.), THB 4,943 per night for Emerald One-Bedroom Pool Villa (100 sqm.), THB 10,005 per night for Sapphire Two-Bedroom Pool Villa (140 sqm.) and THB 15,066 per night for Ruby Three-Bedroom Pool Villa (207 sqm.). Prices are inclusive of service charge and VAT.
For booking 2 nights and more, guests will receive complimentary lunch or dinner for Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby villas, while guests will receive a free upgrade to Emerald One-Bedroom Pool Villa when booking Topaz Jacuzzi for stays on weekdays.
The promotion is available for booking from now until 15 December 2020 and valid for stays from 14 November 2020 until 28 February 2021, with free cancellations and date change. For more details and reservations, visit www.thegemspattaya.com. Enter promo code INTRO.
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.