Guru's Weekly Buzz: July 11-17
JOIN
Dinner collab / Chai Jia Chai / July 12-13
Join Chai Jia Chai for two dinners as they embark on an epic food journey with chef Naka Xiong from Odette, Singapore. Together with chef Tsai Shih Wei from Chai Jia Chai, the meal will traverse the varied cuisine styles in the Chinese spectrum, with rare ingredients inspired from the famed Manchu-Han banquet dining. Odette's Head sommelier Lesley Liu will also fly in to curate and wow us with the wine pairing.
Four nights, two islands / Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan and Anantara Bophut Koh Samui / July 17-21 and July 25-27
Anantara invites guests on a rare culinary journey across two of Thailand's most enchanting islands, as chef Kevin Romes from Switzerland's two Michelin-starred Skin's – The Restaurant makes his Thailand debut with an exclusive four-night residency. Taking place at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui and Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan, the series will showcase Romes' refined, globally inspired style of minimalist gastronomy. Diners can expect a six-course tasting menu featuring dishes such as beef tartar with wasabi mayonnaise, a kombu, gazpacho of wild strawberries with miso-ginger sorbet, and shrimp with jalapeño. Mains include a decadent pork cheek with lettuce and vin jaune, and Australian Wagyu with kimchi and leek, before ending with pineapple, rocket and mélange noir. To elevate the experience further, an optional wine pairing will be expertly curated by Nuch, Anantara Siam, Bangkok's head sommelier.
Burger days / 25 Degrees / July 12
July is heating up at 25 Degrees and for National French Fries Day on July 12, it will be raining fries. Dine-in customers can go wild with unlimited French fries all-day, all-night. The "Bubbles And Buns" promotion will be on for another two months and diners can pair burgers with Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Every glass, bottle or package gives diners a shot at winning a bottle to take home. Things are shaking up with new Hershey milkshakes. Choose between the Hershey Cookie & Cream Milkshake or the Hershey Cookie & Cream Boozy Shake with Baileys.
United by art / Iconsiam / July 12-16
To celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Peru and Thailand, the Embassy of Peru in Thailand is proud to present the cultural project 'Torito de Pucará: Peru and Thailand United by Art". The exhibition features six 1.5m artworks created by five Thai artists and one Peruvian artist, all inspired by the traditional Peruvian Torito de Pucará, a beloved symbol of protection, prosperity and identity. The project not only showcases the creativity of artists from both nations, but it also offers an exciting opportunity for two residents in Thailand to visit Peru: Two round-trip tickets to Peru will be raffled among participants. The exhibition will be jointly presented from July 12-16 at Iconsiam (Thara Hall, M Floor). Afterwards, the pieces will be displayed at other five locations across the city, where they will remain on view from July 20 to Nov 5. The locations are: Songwat, Wat Pho, MRT Phahon Yothin (Metro Art), Iconsiam, Siam Discovery and One Bangkok. The public are invited to visit all six Toritos, take a photo or video with each piece and upload them to their social media. Those who complete the full circuit will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win one of two round-trip tickets to Peru (one winner per ticket). Originating from the town of Pucará in southern Peru, the Torito de Pucará is a ceramic figure blending Andean and Hispanic traditions. Once used as a ritual amulet, today it serves as a symbol of protection, fertility, prosperity and cultural identity.
Flea market / Slowcombo / July 18-20
From July 18–20 July, Bangkok's indie event collective Let's Intersect brings a curated vintage flea market to Slowcombo. Expect a thoughtfully selected lineup of retro fashion, antiques, artisanal finds and upcycled treasures all in a welcoming, style-conscious setting. Alongside shopping, the event features a cosy, greenery‑filled venue with photo‑worthy corners, light refreshments and a relaxed urban atmosphere.
STAY
Teen packages / Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong
Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong has launched teen birthday party packages, upgraded premium room options and weekly food and drink events. The "Teen Birthday Bash" and "Family Fun" packages turn birthdays into unforgettable moments across stylish venues like the buzzing Lounge, creative Library and Plug-In space, and the open-air Outdoor Terrace with sweeping views of Bangkok. Available till Dec 23. Weekends are for the "Moxy Backyard BBQ", happening every Friday and Saturday at the Outdoor Terrace or optionally at the hotel's vibrant lounge area in case it's raining. Enjoy unlimited buffet-style BBQ with live bands and DJs.
Jurassic Explorer / Banyan Tree Krabi / Until Dec 21
The spectacular limestone cliffs and lush landscape of Krabi have returned to the silver screen as the primary film location of the blockbuster movie, "Jurassic World Rebirth". To celebrate the film, Banyan Tree Krabi has introduced a family-friendly package, offering guests the opportunity to trace the dinosaur-sized footsteps involved in the making of the movie and the spectacular film locations where scenes were filmed. Named the 'Jurassic Explorer', the new promotion includes a Jurassic World Rebirth-themed welcome drink and snack; a half-day marine excursion to Hong Island and neighbouring islands by local longtail boat; a three-hour tour to discover the natural wonder of Klong Root; a guidebook to explore the picturesque locations where Jurassic World Rebirth was filmed; a 60-minute massage treatment at Banyan Tree Spa Krabi; and special price on tickets for two persons to the "Jurassic World Experience" at Asiatique The Riverfront, Bangkok. As a gesture to the film star's spice-proof palate, Banyan Tree Krabi has introduced the 'Jurassic Laab – A Star's Wild Bite' and a 'Fossil Egg'. The mixologists at Kredkaew Bar have shaken up 'The Raptor Forest'; as well as the Campari-based 'T-Rex Rampage'.
EAT
Summer truffles / Fireplace Grill and Bar / Until Aug 31
Seasonal black truffles are back on the menu at Fireplace Grill and Bar at the InterContinental Bangkok. Until Aug 31, Fireplace Grill and Bar is serving up a selection of premium dishes that include appetisers of kohlrabi with hazelnuts and black truffle, and seared Hokkaido scallops with melted leek, apple and cucumber slaw and a black truffle dressing. Soup gets the tartufo treatment, too, with an offering of green pea and onsen egg soup with black truffle, crispy bacon and hazelnut oil. Main course dishes are grilled Stockyard beef tenderloin with shitake jam and black truffle, and delicate turbot served with black truffle celeriac, miso beurre blanc and black truffle sauce. Also highly recommended are the robust flavours of eggs tagliolini with black truffle, Porcini mushroom and Parmesan. End the meal with a cacao truffle.
Artisan pizza / Volti Tuscan Grill & Baria
Volti Tuscan Grill & Bar at Shangri-La Bangkok has launched Volti Pizzeria on the restaurant's ground floor. Volti's artisan pizzas are crafted using imported Italian flour, handcrafted dough, premium toppings sourced from Italy and baked to perfection. Executive Italian chef Bruno Ferrari has crafted a menu that features a variety of classic and innovative pizza options, including the margherita with buffalo mozzarella, the four cheese pizza with black truffle sauce, and signature creations such as the Portofino with grilled spicy prawns and lemon zest. Also on offer are imported Italian cheeses such as burrata, buffalo mozzarella and Fiordilatte, served with rocket salad and cherry tomatoes. Antipasti, salads, pastas and gourmet paninis.
Sustainable seafood / Pagoda Chinese Restaurant / Until Aug 31
Pagoda Chinese Restaurant at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park presents a new 'Sustainable Catch Seafood' menu. High-quality seafood with plentiful stocks, including grey pomfret and tiger prawns from Koh Lanta. The pomfret comes stir-fried with Sichuan chilli sauce, braised with plum and salted lemon, steamed with black bean sauce, deep-fried with sweet soy sauce, deep-fried with X.O. sauce, and steamed with Hunan chilli sauce. Tiger prawns come steamed with garlic and glass noodles, stir-fried with chilli and salt, steamed with egg white, stir-fried with black peppercorns, stir-fried with sweet and sour sauce, and deep-fried with turnip cake and X.O. sauce.
Flavours galore / Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok
Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok is offering curated menus from Sip & Co. and Anju. Enjoy premium creative Scoop Series ice creams and K-Pop inspired cocktails. Indulge in three exclusive flavours like Matcha Coco, Scarlet Scoop or Silk & Roast.
Dim sum / Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok / Until Aug 31
Greenhouse Restaurant & Terrace at Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok is offering a dim sum feast with a twist. The "All You Can Eat Dim Sum" experience features a mouth-watering line-up, from steamed crab leg dim sum, Hong Kong crispy pork belly and Sichuan mala soup to Peking duck and golden fried salted egg yolk lava buns. The offer includes a 90-minute dining session with free-flow soft drinks. Diners can also explore more than 30 Thai and international dishes from the "All You Can Eat Generic Menu". The 'Come 4, Pay 3' offer runs until Aug 31.
Black truffle / Red Sky / Limited time
Red Sky Restaurant at Centara Grand at CentralWorld invites diners to indulge in the deep, earthy decadence of black truffle, with a seasonal menu. Chef Luca Russo has curated a series of truffle-infused creations like salmon tartare with avocado and black truffle, alongside tagliolini with egg, butter and black truffle. The ravioli is filled with creamy burrata and toasted hazelnuts. For heartier appetites, guests can savour pluma Iberica served with a pumpkin purée and finished with black truffle or opt for the pigeon accompanied by salsify purée, a hazelnut lollipop leg and a rich black truffle demi-glace.
Chinese nights / Savio
"Dynasty Nights" celebrates the flavours of Chinese and Mongolian heritage. The dinner buffet invites guests to savour a sophisticated fusion of imperial delicacies and hearty barbecue, every Friday evening at Savio, Chatrium Grand Bangkok. Begin with crispy spring rolls, Mongolian beef skewers and a dim sum assortment featuring more than 15 varieties of steamed dumplings filled with shrimp, pork or vegetables. The highlight is the live station where diners can personalise their own Mongolian grill and savour freshly fried noodles.The main courses include tender slices of beef stir-fried with crisp broccoli, Kung Pao chicken, crispy pork chunks, fragrant Ma Po tofu, steamed fish with ginger and scallions, Mongolian beef stir-fry, chop suey and lamb with cumin. The Monk Jumps Over the Wall soup offers a sumptuous finish to the savoury selections. To complete the royal feast, indulge in traditional Chinese desserts such as sesame balls filled with red bean paste, creamy Mongolian milk tea pudding lightly dusted with cinnamon and Tang Yuan.
Ibaraki delights / Tsu Japanese Restaurant / Until Aug 21
Tsu Japanese Restaurant at JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok is offering dishes from Japan's fertile northeast with a limited-time menu inspired by the rich flavors of Ibaraki prefecture. In collaboration with the Ibaraki Prefectural Government, the promotion runs until Aug 31. Often referred to as the 'Kitchen Garden Of Tokyo", Ibaraki is celebrated for its agriculture, pristine waters and food traditions. The à la carte dishes use seasonal ingredients from Ibaraki like the Ryugasaki croquette, Kasama Inari baked sushi, Hitachi Wagyu beef striploin steak, Hitachi Akisoba 'Kenchin soup style' and Kasama chestnut Mont Blanc cake. To complete the experience, the salmon sashimi with salmon de shu pairs fresh-cut salmon with a specialty sake created by Ibaraki's Yoshikubo Brewery.
STUFF
Rooftop apiary / Conrad Bangkok
Conrad Bangkok has opened a rooftop apiary in collaboration with Janaroon Bee Farm, one of Thailand's leading ethical beekeeping organisations based in Phetchaburi province. Perched on the hotel's expansive 1,160m² rooftop, Conrad Bangkok's apiary spans 72m² on the east-facing terrace. The apiary houses five hives, each containing approximately 25,000-30,000 Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), a species originally native to Africa. Honey harvesting takes place every four to five months, yielding an estimated 25-30kg per cycle. As part of the next phase, the hotel will introduce exclusive guest experiences under the Conrad Moments programme, including bespoke turndown amenities for suite guests, honey-inspired culinary creations across all dining outlets and spa treatments that harness the natural benefits of honey. The honey harvested from the apiary will be featured in these offerings, while guests will also have the opportunity to participate in guided rooftop tours, honey tastings and seasonal workshops designed to bring the story of the bees to life.
Hospitality movie / Mandarin Oriental
The Mandarin Oriental has launched "Inside The Dream", a film that offers an intimate, cinematic journey into the artistry and precision behind Mandarin Oriental's legendary hospitality. The documentary is available on Prime Video, Canal+ and Tencent worldwide. It offers viewers a glimpse into the orchestration behind three extraordinary events hosted across Europe and Asia, capturing the essence of the guest-centric philosophy.
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Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Chinese arrivals to dip below 5m
Despite flight subsidies and incentive group stimulus, the number of Chinese tourist arrivals this year is expected to plunge below 5 million, significantly lower than the 6.7 million recorded last year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, deputy governor of international marketing for Asia and South Pacific at TAT, said the government's stimulus package worth 750 million baht should help drive Chinese arrivals to 5 million. She said travel agents have started to submit plans to operate chartered flights, which should start in August. "We're examining both tour prices and itineraries to ensure they are high-quality," said Ms Pattaraanong. Chuwit Sirivejkul, executive director of the East Asia region at TAT, said the agency is working directly with the provincial governments in China to promote tourism between the two countries. "Chinese tourists want sincerity from the Thai government, not a boast that all places are safe. They love Thailand, but they want to be warned or recommended about activities or incidents," said Mr Chuwit. Lertchai Wangtrakuldee, director of the Shanghai office, said all five TAT offices in China are less reliant on social media influencers and are pivoting to user-generated content about Thailand, encouraging tourists to submit their content to the TAT in exchange for gifts supported by tourism operators. Mr Lertchai said the decline of the Chinese market this year can be attributed to more intense competition from Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam, which have invested heavily in an effort to attract Chinese tourists. Vietnamese packages sold to the Chinese only cost 999 yuan (4,522 baht) in recent months, he said. As of July 20, Thailand has recorded more than 2.53 million Chinese tourists. The best-case scenario for this market in 2026 is 6.9 million, noted the TAT. The agency said daily Chinese arrivals only tally 15,000, while their average spending is 52,000 baht per trip. Mr Lertchai said room remains to attract tour groups from six regions under the TAT's Shanghai office, including Anhui, Shandong and Jiangsu, areas where tour groups accounted for 90%, 40% and 35% of total arrivals, respectively. This trend is similar to other regions, such as Hainan and Jiangxi in southern China, and Liaoning and Shanxi in northern China, which all have tour groups as a major segment. According to Dragon Trail International, 31% of Chinese travellers used travel agents or tour guides to find tourism information. Many large agents use live-streaming to sell packages, said Mr Lertchai. Ruedee Cheawsamoot, director of TAT's Kunming office, said the agency is tapping niche markets that are willing to spend, such as seniors. The agency is also planning to host a dance competition and a party in Thailand, which are their favourite activities. In addition, the TAT is promoting Thailand via campaigns targeting Chinese university students learning the Thai language in Yunnan and nearby provinces.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Chinese travel agents call for clarity
Chinese travel agents have already quizzed Thai tour operators about the clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border over concerns the situation may impact their clients' travel plans, says the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), while Thai AirAsia has observed a surge in Thai passengers on its flights serving Cambodian cities. Following clashes on Thursday, which caused at least 13 Thai civilian fatalities, some countries, including the United Kingdom (UK) and the US, issued a warning to their citizens to avoid border areas in the provinces of Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) issued a statement assuring the safety and security of tourists as the top priority of relevant government authorities. The statement advised travellers to avoid certain areas in seven provinces in the East and Northeast, including the provinces of Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat. Atta president Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn said the incident would undeniably hamper tourism for the remainder of this year, but the scale of the impact would depend on how long the conflict persists. 'Even though most Chinese agents are still confident that major tourism cities remain robust, the problem is with Chinese tourists' perception following media reports and whether they will delay their trips' said Mr Thanapol. At Atta's roadshow scheduled to visit Chongqing, Lanzhou and Hangzhou next week, the association plans to use the opportunity to clear up any misinformation and reassure the Chinese that Thailand is safe to visit. Another focus is informing tour agents they stand to benefit from joining the Thai government's stimulus programme. Mr Thanapol said the dispute will require the government to work much harder to secure 5 million Chinese tourist arrivals this year, which is the state's minimum target. Sarawadee Thiamprasert, managing director of At Ubon Travel, a tour operator based in Ubon Ratchathani, said a tour group of more than 20 domestic tourists maintained their bookings scheduled for next week, but they did ask the company for clarification of the situation. Mrs Sarawadee said popular attractions were not located near the Cambodian border, but the Mun River and Pha Taem National Park were quite close to the border with Laos. She said the risky areas were mainly located within agricultural zones and neighbourhoods, where the authorities already helped Thais to evacuate to safe areas. In addition, Ubon Ratchathani airport is operating as normal. Last year Ubon Ratchathani received 3.8 million visitors generating 9.1 billion baht in revenue. If the conflict persists, tourism revenue might contract from last year, attributed to weak travel confidence, slow economic growth stemming from the conflict, and sluggish border trade, said Mrs Sarawadee. As of July 24, Cambodian arrivals had plunged by 27% year-on-year to 229,240. Meanwhile, Thai AirAsia reported its routes serving Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, each operating two flights a day, had an average load factor of 80% and 90%, respectively, during the first half of 2025. During July 21-25, the airline secured a high load factor, with the number of Thai passengers surging, prompting it to use Airbus A321neos with 236 seats rather than Airbus A320s to accommodate more passengers.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Tourism confidence dives
The tourism confidence index in the second quarter plunged year-on-year, as tourism contracted since the beginning of the year due to safety concerns and cautious tourism spending following the US's decision to implement a reciprocal tariff policy, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT). The TCT also predicted that Thailand would gain only 33.3 million foreign arrivals this year, which is even fewer visitors than last year, and secure 1.75 trillion baht revenue. TCT president Chai Arunanondchai said the tourism industry has been facing even greater challenges than last year due to a string of negative factors. According to the TCT, the tourism confidence index for the second quarter stood at only 70, below a benchmark of 100 recorded prior to the pandemic. It also plunged from 79 recorded in the corresponding period last year, and 83 recorded in the first quarter. The council surveyed 740 tourism operators nationwide from May 25 to June 10. The kidnapping of a Chinese actor into a border scam centre in Myanmar and the March 28 earthquake hampered foreign tourist arrivals, causing the Chinese-speaking market to drop by over 50%. World economic growth is expected to grow at the slowest rate in 16 years, mainly attributed to the US's reciprocal tariff policy, causing tourists to feel insecure about their income, prompting them to opt for trips to closer destinations instead. The emerging challenges include the ongoing Thailand-Cambodia border spat, which is expected to hamper tourism in the border provinces during this low season, while the high level of household debt among Thais also persists. The tourism confidence index across all six regions also dipped year-on-year. The Eastern and Western regions still recorded a better index than others at 78 and 73, respectively, as they are able to share tourists travelling there from Bangkok. In terms of business sectors, the confidence index for entertainment businesses dropped to the lowest level of only 60, down from 73 last year. In the second quarter, tourism operators reported having only a 45% recovery in terms of revenue compared to the level recorded in 2019. Hotels also recorded a 48% average occupancy rate, dipping from 55% recorded in the corresponding period last year. Even though the labour shortage is not a critical issue for the tourism industry at the moment, it would be a problem if more businesses decide to permanently close down, he said. In the second quarter, 94% of businesses were still operating as usual, down from 97% in the first quarter. The TCT forecasts that the confidence index will dip further to 65 in the third quarter.
