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The National
6 days ago
- The National
A luxury hillside escape at Vana Belle in Koh Samui
Koh Samui may have gained new attention as the backdrop for the latest season of The White Lotus, but the island has long been a favourite among travellers. Thailand 's second-largest island after Phuket welcomed about 2.78 million visitors last year – a 21 per cent increase from 2023 – a number expected to rise further with the show's global appeal. Yet, Koh Samui has always had plenty to offer, from stunning sunrises and sunsets to white-sand beaches and jungle-covered hills. Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui, is only 15 minutes from Samui Airport. Tucked away in a secluded area on Chaweng Noi Beach, which is known for its powdery sands and fringe of tropical forest, the resort also offers easy access to shops, restaurants and nightlife. The National checked in for a two-night stay to discover one of the island's luxurious five-star resorts. The welcome Koh Samui is about an hour's flight from Bangkok, with Bangkok Airways operating several daily flights to the island. After a short ride from the airport, my group and I are greeted with warm smiles by the staff, who offer us cool towels and refreshments, and put beautiful fresh flower bracelets around our wrists. The open-air lobby offers magnificent views of the watery dreamscape. The resort is located on the southern edge of Chaweng Beach. While secluded – as its rooms and suites are situated on a hillside – it is still conveniently located near Fisherman's Village and is a short 10-minute drive from Chaweng city centre. The vibrant hub is known for its beautiful beach, lively nightlife and diverse dining and shopping options. The room If there's a bad view at Vana Belle, I don't find it - and that's having slept in two rooms during my stay. The first night, I settle into a premium ocean pool one-bedroom suite that spans 86 square metres and includes a living and sitting area. This bedroom epitomises tropical luxury, blending indoor comfort with outdoor serenity. A plush king-sized bed faces a wide, floor-to-ceiling opening that leads to a private terrace with a stunning infinity pool, offering uninterrupted views of turquoise waters and villas nestled in lush greenery. This bathroom has an open-concept design and sleek finishes. It features a stylish free-standing bathtub and a separate rainfall shower. A double vanity with vessel sinks and contemporary fixtures stands at the centre, flanked by tall, elegant mirrors that subtly divide the room. And while the space feels every bit as peaceful as it was designed to be, after one night, I have an issue that becomes abundantly clear – the air conditioning is not working properly. Although the staff is quick to address the problem, I end up switching rooms. The next day, I'm moved into the grand suite, which is a one bedroom with a private pool and an ocean view. While it offers a similar bedroom layout, the bathroom is bigger (as it has a dedicated space) and the private pool is larger as it wraps around the suite. The food Later in the evening, my group attends a dinner with a special set menu at Kiree, a charming southern Thai beachside restaurant. We're seated in a private room that closes us off from other diners to offer full privacy. From the menu, we're given options of an appetiser of Thai-flavoured tuna tartare or burrata; mains of broiled lobster tail or bai mui marinated beef tenderloin and dessert with coconut creme brulee or pistachio tiramisu. I start with the burrata, which is soft and creamy, paired with fresh tomatoes and a light drizzle of olive oil that lets the quality of the ingredients shine. The bai mui-marinated beef tenderloin is rich and full of flavour, cooked to a medium rare and served with a well-balanced sauce. For dessert, the coconut creme brulee stands out, the custard is smooth and not too sweet, with a crisp, caramelised top that adds a refreshing finish to the meal. Although we had a special set menu, Kiree offers similar items on their menu such as burrata salad (690 Thai baht or Dh79), 250g Thai French Charolais beef tenderloin (1,690 baht) and lavender creme brulee (390 baht) for price point reference. The breakfast scene Breakfast is also at Kiree, which offers impressive water views. In the mornings, a buffet-style set-up is available, along with an a la carte menu. It features a mix of Thai and Western-inspired dishes, ranging from avocado toast to tori katsu kare rice (crispy breaded chicken cutlet in curry sauce and rice). I try the Thai tea and a passion fruit and ginger smoothie to feel alert for the day. The scrambled tofu – which comes with spring onion, coriander and cherry tomatoes, served on multigrain bread – can be found under the 'healthy options' section of the menu. It makes for a good, protein-filled meal to kickstart my day with. Meanwhile, the buffet set-up also includes fresh fruit, international cheeses, pastries, breads, smoked fish, seafood, Thai and Asian specialities, as well as gluten-free brownies, which are a nice touch for those who like something sweet in the morning. Hotel facilities Each of the resort's 79 suites and villas come with a private pool and spacious terrace, offering privacy and comfort. Guests also have access to a beachfront infinity-edge pool with panoramic sea views, along with direct entry to a private stretch of Chaweng Noi Beach, often regarded as one of Koh Samui's most beautiful. The resort has a 24-hour fitness centre, while Vana Spa provides a peaceful retreat with traditional Thai therapies, steam rooms and wellness activities such as yoga. Guests can also choose from a variety of rejuvenating treatments and massages. Dining options include two signature restaurants – Kiree, which serves refined international cuisine, and Panali, offering authentic Southern Thai and Asian dishes in a beachfront setting. Guests can also enjoy drinks at the poolside bar or lobby lounge, with 24-hour in-room dining available. Accessibility and sustainability The resort is easy to get around, with smooth pathways, step-free entrances and accessible suites and facilities that make it convenient for wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility to move around on their own. For those who need help getting to places such as the beach, which is down a hill, there's a complimentary buggy service. Vana Belle has also taken steps to reduce its environmental impact. The resort recycles its food waste and manages water use through recycling and reuse systems. Energy-saving measures such as LED lighting and solar panels help cut down on electricity use, while single-use plastics have been replaced with more sustainable options. The property also uses 100 per cent certified natural and organic in-room amenities, making it the only Marriott resort in the world with that certification. The service Staff are attentive and helpful, particularly with the air conditioning issue. I alert the personal butler assigned to me that the unit isn't cooling properly, and within 30 minutes, a maintenance worker arrives at my door. While the issue isn't fully resolved, the team quickly arranges for me to move to another room, transferring all of my belongings for me. On our final day, my group and I check out at the usual time, though our flight isn't until the evening. Thankfully, we're allowed to use the spa facilities to shower before heading to the airport, a much-needed relief in the humid Thai weather. Value for money Pricing is dependent on the dates and the season, with deluxe rooms starting at about 11,400 baht (Dh1,290) per night. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is at noon.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Airbus eyes making Thailand Asia-Pacific aviation hub with new operations centre
BANGKOK: Anand Stanley (pic), President of Airbus for the Asia-Pacific region, announced that Thailand is emerging as a global leader in aviation, with rapid growth in the aviation industry, aviation technology, and aircraft orders. Airbus sees Thailand not just as a hub for Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services but as a significant centRE for advanced technology and engineering within the region's aviation sector. Stanley pointed out that the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing aviation market in the world, and Airbus forecasts a demand for about 20,000 new aircraft in the region over the next 20 years, accounting for half of the global aircraft demand. Thailand is identified as one of the largest markets within this growth, he said. 'This year, we expect to deliver a total of 820 aircraft globally, with the majority of orders coming from the Asia-Pacific region,' he said. 'In Thailand, Airbus aircraft are operated by Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, and Thai VietJet. Soon, Thai Airways will be launching its A321neo aircraft, featuring a new business-class seating configuration by the end of this year.' Stanley further emphasised that Airbus is committed to supporting Thailand's aviation industry, contributing to the country's economic development. The aviation sector in Thailand plays a key role in employment, with over 130,000 jobs and contributing over seven per cent to the country's GDP before the Covid-19 pandemic. Thailand is also recognised as a leader in sustainability in the region. Additionally, Airbus believes Thailand has the potential to produce more than five million tonnes of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) annually. The country's agricultural sector, which can provide excellent raw materials for SAF production—such as molasses, rice straw, corn stalks, and animal waste—aligns with Airbus's commitment to working with the Thai government and SAF producers to promote sustainable aviation fuel production. To further underscore its commitment to Thailand, Airbus has invested in a new 1,200-square-metre office in the country, which also houses NAVBLUE, Airbus's digital aviation operations unit. The new office will serve as a testing and verification centre for software solutions before delivery to global airline customers. It will also function as a regional operations hub to support and assist aircraft customers across the Asia-Pacific region in real time. - The Nation/ANN
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Thailand authorities end search operation at Bangkok skyscraper after earthquake
Thai authorities on Tuesday officially ended the search operation at the building under construction in the capital, Bangkok, that collapsed following an earthquake that killed dozens over a month ago. The 7.7 magnitude quake on March 28 centred in Myanmar, more than 800 miles (1,200 kilometres) away, killed at least 96 people in Bangkok, mostly at the collapsed site. More than 3,000 were killed in Myanmar. Also Read: From 'White Lotus' to white sands: Bangkok Airways expands for tourist influx Eighty-nine bodies have been retrieved from the rubble while seven people remain unaccounted for at the site, officials said. They said they would continue to test hundreds of pieces of human remains to identify those still missing. The collapse sparked questions about the enforcement of construction safety and corruption. The high-rise building, meant to be the new office of the State Audit Office, was the only building that suffered a total collapse that day. Also Read: Bangkok skyscraper collapse probe takes major turn as Thailand officials find 'something suspicious' The police on Tuesday said they are still investigating and will continue to collect evidence from the collapse site until the end of this month. Authorities are probing several companies and individuals for any wrongdoing in relation to the collapse, including the state-run Chinese contractor, China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group. The investigation has led to the arrest of its Chinese executive in Thailand, identified as Zhang, and three Thai shareholders on suspicion of operating the business through the use of nominees. Also Read: Delay, sub-standard steel: Concerns raised on Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed Foreigners can operate a business in Thailand, but it must be a joint venture with a Thai partner, and they cannot own more than 49 per cent to protect local competitiveness. Another Thai-Chinese company, Xin Ke Yuan Steel, also came under scrutiny over the quality of the steel rods provided for the building. Industry Minister Akanat Promphan said two types of steel rods found at the collapse site did not pass safety standards and that Xin Ke Yuan supplied both. The company has denied any wrongdoing.
Daily Tribune
05-03-2025
- Daily Tribune
Thai airline halts some domestic flights because of air pollution
Thailand's Bangkok Airways has announced the suspension of flights between Bangkok and Mae Hong Son in the north due to hazardous air pollution and poor visibility. The disruption will last for more than a month, from March 15 to April 20, as smog levels in the region are expected to make landings unsafe. The suspension comes as air pollution spikes across northern Thailand during the dry season, particularly between December and April, when farmers burn crop stubble in preparation for the next planting season. Bangkok Airways confirmed that the pollution, which caused similar issues last year, was too severe to allow safe flight operations. An airline official from Mae Hong Son airport explained that the thick smog would impair visibility, making it dangerous for planes to land. The Mae Hong Son airport authority posted on Facebook, warning that smog was affecting both visibility and safety. According to IQ Air data, the air quality index in Mae Hong Son was 7.9 times worse than the recommended limits set by the World Health Organization. Air pollution in Thailand has become an increasing concern, causing millions to seek medical treatment each year. The Thai government recently implemented a ban on crop burning, with violators facing fines and legal action, though the impact of these measures remains unclear. In response to the suspension, the Department of National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has been ordered to provide updates on the situation to help restore confidence among business operators.
Al Arabiya
05-03-2025
- Al Arabiya
Thai airline halts some domestic flights due to air pollution
One of Thailand's main airlines is suspending flights between Bangkok and a northern province for more than a month because of poor visibility caused by air pollution, the carrier confirmed on Wednesday. Air pollution spikes in Thailand, especially in the north, between December and April as farmers burn stubble to prepare land for the next crop season. Domestic carrier Bangkok Airways is halting flights from Bangkok to the northwestern town of Mae Hong Son because smog was expected to make visibility too poor to land, an airline official told AFP. 'We experienced the same problem last year when smog levels were extremely high,' the Bangkok Airways official at Mae Hong Son airport said. The airport authority in Mae Hong Son, a popular stop on the backpacker trail in northern Thailand, announced on Facebook last week that flights would be suspended from March 15 to April 20. 'Smog affects vision and safety of the airlines,' the post said. The air quality index for Mae Hong Son was 7.9 times greater than World Health Organization guidelines, according to IQ Air data, which measures global air pollution. Thailand has become increasingly alarmed about the effects of air pollution, which causes millions of people to need medical treatment each year. The government banned crop burning early this year, with violators facing fines and legal action, although it is not yet clear what impact the measures are having. The Department of National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation was ordered to 'update the actual situation to restore confidence among business operators', the government said in a statement after the Bangkok Airways flight suspension.
