Travel News for March 2015

Hua Hin — Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin (www.centarahotelsresorts.com) recently hosted the successful “Fin Free Thailand” campaign to raise awareness on the serious health risks associated with consuming shark fin as well as the environmental impact of shark fin harvesting. The hotel has stopped serving sharks fin many years ago. It has stopped serving shark fin soup from every menu at its restaurants and banqueting events. The “Fin Free Thailand” pledging ceremony was presided by Pramote Sampao-ngern (8th right), vice governor of Prachuab Khirikhan. Also in attendance were: Pornchai Thomkrachang (6th right), chief district officer of Hua Hin; Orasa Arwutkom, director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Prachuab Khirikhan Office; and Miguel Jaun (7th right), resident manager of Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin. Sirinya Bichop (6th left), brand ambassador of Fin Free Thailand presented the Fin Free pledges to 10 hotel’s representatives in Hua Hin and Cha-am.

Bangkok — A new travel website – www.9journeythailand.com— was officially launched in Bangkok recently. The website, which announced that it will mainly review hotels, restaurants and attractions in Thailand, is the latest travel website with all contents in English, although it targets both Thais and foreigners who love to discover Thailand. For a peek at the website, visit
www.9journeythailand.com.

Chiang Mai – Sireeampan Boutique Resort & Spa (www.sireeampan.com), the intimate 11-suite luxury resort in the heart of Chiang Mai, has successfully defended its title as “Asia’s Top Emerging Hotel” for the 2014 NOW Travel Asia Awards. This recognition was recently celebrated at the prestigious award gala ceremony held in Bangkok. “We are very honored to receive this respected award from the NOW Travel Asia Awards – in our first year of opening,” said Gino Lim-Pakornkul, general manager of Sireeampan Boutique Resort & Spa. “Our entire team strives to provide a seamless service experience so that all guests can enjoy the enchanted setting of this resort, combined with world-class amenities and dining. This recognition acknowledges that we’re on the right track.” Sireeampan Boutique Resort & Spa is a pioneer in personalized and customized guest offerings, from its lavish, bespoke Anytime, Anywhere breakfast experience to spacious guestrooms outfitted with state-of-the-art Apple TV/iPad entertainment systems and plush beds with 600 thread count linen.

Bangkok — Chaophaya Park Hotel Bangkok has a new general manager (GM): Viranat Silananda, a Thai-American with proven track record in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining Chaophaya Park Hotel Bangkok in December, Viranat was GM for the Oriental Residence Bangkok. He has also previously worked in the same capacity at Amari Atrium Bangkok, Holiday Inn Chiangmai, and Amari Palm Reef Resort on Koh Samui. He started his career in California, USA, as guest service manager at Holiday Inn Brentwood and quickly rose to top positions. In 1993, he contacted by the Westin group for the pre-opening of Westin Chiangmai before moving to Holiday Inn Greenhills Chiangmai, and then, Holiday Inn Resort Phuket. The 45-year-old Viranat studied Business Management at the University of California, Los Angeles. He also holds certificates in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the Ecole Hotelier de Lausanne, Switzerland, among several other credentials.

Phuket – Anantara Vacation Club (www.anantaravacationclub.com), Asia’s leading luxury shared ownership concept for discerning travelers, recently announced the promotion of Melanie Smith to vice president of club operations. The promotion follows Melanie’s role as group director of club operations, which she has held for the past year and a half. Melanie brings more than 30 years of experience in the service and hospitality industry, ranging from roles at remote luxury resorts to casino properties.

Bangkok – The Thai island of Ko Kut was recently voted among the top 10 places to spend Valentine’s Day by the influential website The Huffington Post. The eastern island in the province of Trat was named alongside global destinations; such as the Amazon, Nepal, and Peru. Koh Kut was singled out for being an intimate island hideaway, which despite its size, is less populated than other Thai islands and offers privacy for couples seeking a romantic break. The island’s palm-fringed beaches, lush rainforest and charming fishing villages are among the romantic attractions that make it a perfect romantic destination. Suggested activities for courting couples include exploring underwater dives sites and taking a sunset cocktail cruise. Other romantic destinations named alongside Koh Kut were the Seychelles, Tanzania’s South Serengeti, South Africa’s Garden Route, the Northern Amazon in Peru, Norway’s Lyngen Alps, Bagan in Myanmar, Patagonia in Argentina, and Dhulikhel in Tibet.

Bangkok — Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers (ROSH) adds another honor to their already impressive record of awards and recognitions by winning the “Luxury Hotel of the Year 2014” in the recently concluded World Luxury Awards. The award was received by Nicolas Gonzalez (5th from left), rooms division manager, shown here sharing the hotel’s triumph with his associates. “Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers is pleased to be awarded ‘Luxury Hotel of the year 2014’ by the World Luxury Award,” says Gonzalez. “The award recognizes our 30 years of expertise and the world-class service we have been delivering to our guests.” The team of the five-star riverside hotel, one the most popular hotels in Thailand, says they will continue to strive to maintain the hotel’s reputatiaon for excellence and great service in the years to come.

Hua Hin — All roads led to the Banyan The Resort Hua Hin – at least for the Mercedes Benz Club Thailand (MBCT) –where the “Banyan Mercedes Benz Road Cruise 2015” was held recently. The resort was represented by Sirirat Murphy, general manager, while the MBCT was represented by its president Sayam Sethaputra. The event featured a full day of celebrations, starting with the parade of Mercedes Benz luxury sports car by their owners; a display of a Mercedes Benz SLS sport car; an on-site inspection of a showcase residential suite at Banyan; and a visit to the Dog Shelter Foundation under the Royal Patronage of H.M. King Bhumibhol, which received some donations from MBCT. The event was highlighted by a charity dinner, topbilled by actress Napakpapha Nakprasitte and the ever-popular duo, Byrd and Heart. It was followed by a fashion show and auction of paintings. Monies raised will go to the Hua Hin Hospital to purchase needed beds for the in-patients. The “Banyan Mercedes Benz Road Cruise 2015” was held with the support of the Hua Hin Municipality, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and other sponsors.