Radchadaporn Imyoo (E-Business Manager, Siam@Siam Design Hotels & Resorts), Melvin Quah (Area Manager, Ascott International Management Thailand Ltd.) and Archiel A. Gaspillo (Tour Operation Manager) tell us their favorite place.
THE LOCAL
Name: Radchadaporn Imyoo
Age: 39
Country: Thailand
Job/Profession: E-Business Manager, Siam@Siam Design Hotels & Resorts
My favorite place: Chiang Rai
Bring there: Guidebook, camera, and your best shoes for all-day walking
Must-do: Rent a car and drive to see the views of nature along the way.
Must-see: Doi Tung (Mae Fah Laung Foundation), Wat Rong Khun by famous Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the Choui Fong Tea Plantation, and Boonrawd Farm (Singha Park)
Must-buy: I love rose tea and always buy this tea when I am in the area because it is original, organic, and comes directly from the manufacturer. Also buy some tribal handicrafts at the night market.
Eat at: Rai Saeng Arun — they use a lot of fresh organic vegetables here, which comes from their own organic farm inside resort.
Drink at: Green tea frappe and green tea roll at Choui Fong Shop — they’re tasty!
Sleep at: Rai Saeng Arun near the Klong River opposite Laos. This resort was inspired by the agricultural and resort tourism concept and is thus perfect for a green, healthy stay. You will enjoy the view of the large open field from sunrise to sunset!
THE EXPAT
Name: Melvin Quah
Age: 42
From: Johor, Malaysia
Job: Area Manager, Ascott International Management (Thailand) Ltd.
My favorite place: I’ve been working and living in many countries, and especially so with The Ascott Ltd., which is a large international serviced residence owner-operator with more than 250 properties in over 90 cities in more than 25 countries. But, Thailand is my favorite place to stay. There are plenty of things to discover, to learn, to try and to enjoy here. As much as I love spending my time exploring the big, bustling Bangkok, I also love to travel to the Eastern Seaboard areas, such as the seaside city of Sri Racha for a weekend getaway.
Bring there: An empty stomach because Thai food is so great!
Must-do: I would recommend Siam Niramit. If you would like to see Thai cultural performances with the world-class standard production, this is the place.
Don’t-do: There’s nothing much “not to do” in Thailand .
Must-buy: Traditional Thai attires
Eat at: Secret Garden Restaurant, a no-frills restaurant within the vicinity of the Ascott properties.
Drink at: M Pub, the gastro-pub on the ground floor of Ascott Sathorn Bangkok.
Sleep at: Somerset Park Suanplu Bangkok – one of the leading serviced apartments in Thailand, as guaranteed by the “2014 World Travel Awards.”
THE TOURIST
Name: Archiel A. Gaspillo
Age: 34
Country: Philippines/Thailand
Job/Profession: Tour Operation Manager
My favorite place: Phuket and Koh Phi Phi
Bring there: Sense of adventure, but specifically, Go Pro Hero, snorkeling gear, and aqua pack, just to name a few
Must-do: The Phi-Phi Island Tour, the Phi Phi Cruiser, snorkeling, parasailing, bar-hopping, and a wild tuk-tuk ride.
Must-see: Phuket City viewpoint and Patong Beach. You must definitely visit Phuket’s charming Old town and enjoy Patong Beach’s exotic walking street. In Phi Phi, don’t skip Maya Bay.
Must-buy: A Phi Phi Island souvenir shirt – to remind you of your trip in paradise….
Eat at: Eleven Two and Co. at the Phuket old town, but I also enjoyed the Phi Phi hotel buffet lunch during my visit.
Drink at: Solemio Bar and Restaurant at Patong
Sleep at: Blue Monkey Hotel Phuket town, an affordable, value-for-money hotel with great service.
