Nisara Khamphong (MarCom Director, Amari Watergate Bangkok & Oriental Residence Bangkok), Wim N.M. Fagel (General Manager, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok) and Kellynne Liong tell us their favorite place.
Name: Nisara Khamphong
Age: 42
Country: Thailand
Job/Profession: MarCom Director, Amari Watergate Bangkok & Oriental Residence Bangkok
My favorite place: Ubon Ratchathani, a beautiful province in the northeastern part of the country.
Bring there: Money.
Must-do: Ubon Ratchathani has lots of temples, so make merit as much as you can if you are a Buddhist and believe in giving to others to get good things in your life, like I do.
Must-see: Phu Phrao Temple at Amphur Sirindhorn is highly recommended. You should be there around 5 p.m., if you are to see the magnificent view from the top of the Sirindhorn dam in the evening. Stay until dark and you will see the fluorescent tree light up at the back of a Buddhist temple – very impressive!
Must-buy: Fabrics from the local weavers, who are noted for weaving only one piece of fabric at a time, you always get something unique.
Eat at: The night market in Ubon city where you can enjoy excellent dining, from local to international food.
Drink at: Lae Khong Restaurant. Chill-out and sip your favorite drink while enjoying the view of the Khong River, best done when the weather is good.
Sleep at: Na Na Ha Ni Boutique Hotel at Muang Ubon Ratchathani – impressive!
Name: Wim N.M. Fagel
Age: 54
From: The Netherlands
Job/Profession: General Manager, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok
My favorite place: Baannoi, close to Pichet-Sak Lek. It’s a great place to go back in history and to be among the mango farms, rice fields, and other gracious, authentic and natural scenery.
Bring there: Your spirit. Your sense of adventure…
Must-do: Be yourself at any restaurant. Drink and eat whatever you like.
Must-see: For me it’s the protected national parks in eastern Thailand. So much to see and experience!
Must-buy: The local O.T.O.P. products, which are available all over Thailand. These products are creataed by the grassroots and not only are they creatively made, they are also supporting the local economy.
Eat at: At any place; Thai food is amazing anywhere. It can sometimes be a bit spicy, but the Thais like it hot – and so do I.
Drink: (and eat at) the Blue Sky Rooftop Bar – with amazing views over the skyline of Bangkok.
Sleep at: In Bangkok, that would be Centara Grand @ Central Plaza Ladprao where else? Of course, Centara has several hotels — for different categories of tourists — in Thailand, so there is a choice for every taste and budget wherever you are!
Name: Kellynne Liong
Age: 27
Country: Singapore
Job/Profession: Chef
My favorite place: This country is my favorite place.
Bring there: I want to bring here all my family members from Singapore. It is something they would really enjoy; it would be an amazing family trip.
Must-do: Shopping, shopping and shopping! Be it at Platinum or Siam Square, clothes are abundant and with a bit of haggling on the price, you can walk away with quite a few successful purchases. And then, of course, there is Chatuchak Market, and afterwards, Khaosarn Road.
Must-see: The Grand Palace, the floating markets, and Chinatown, among others, are definitely “must-see.” Also, Amphawa where you can see fireflies at night. To rund up, a Chao Phraya River cruise takes the experience to an entirely different level.
Must-buy: Clothes that have come from somewhere special, souvenirs from night markets, or trinkets and cute gifts for the young ones back home.
Eat at: Near my friend’s place in Silom Soi 9 is a simple sidestreet stall with very affordable and delicious food.
Drink at: Thonglor, Route 66, Central World, and Silom and Khaosarn roads.
Sleep at: Nonsi Residence is a great place with very friendly staff.
