Happenings at Dusit Thani Hua Hin

Transcription

24 The Hua Hin Sun, June/July 2011
Away & Aware in the Sun
Happy Aperitifs
& Happy Nightcaps
vices and traders, such as tailors etc., to
visit guest rooms. Also, bearing in mind
that taxis and Tuk Tuks are unregulated
and may result in unexpected disputes
over fares, plus may not be up to expected
safety standards, we also provide reasonably-priced safe, comfortable and reliable
transportation options.
It is quite understandable that beggars, especially children, and hawkers draw compassion. However, all may not be what it
seems and your generosity may in fact
contribute to the continued exploitation
of these unfortunate people by criminal
elements within the community.
A stay at Dusit Thani Hua Hin is a
time to forget your cares, relax and
enjoy our hospitality to the full in a welcoming safe and stress-free environment.
In an ideal world this environment would
extend beyond our reassuring boundaries
on to the beach and into the community.
However, the world and its people do not
always conform to such high ideals and especially when vacationing one should not
abandon the sensible precautions and level
of awareness we would normally apply
when out and about in our own familiar
surroundings.
Thailand is rightly one of the world’s
most popular holiday and travel destinations, blessed with an astonishing diver-
sity of geographic beauty and culturally
amazing and welcoming population, the
vast majority of whom proudly delight
in extending warmth with genuine care
and concern for foreign visitors to their
country. As with any population there will
always surface a few opportunist bad apples that will seek to exploit anyone that
is vulnerable or has dropped their guard,
even among other tourists one should
maintain awareness and caution to avoid
becoming a victim of such unscrupulous
people.
Non-residents and outside traders
To ensure peace of mind for our guests
we do not allow unregistered visitors to
use our pools nor encourage outside ser-
Beach and Pools
Horse riding on the shoreline may have a
romantic image, however, it is not so romantic if you end up in hospital by being
trampled or as a result of a fall. Please do
not encourage this activity and be aware
that the hotel has no connection with this
beach activity and will not accept any liability should an accident occur. The hotel
horses are well trained and may only be
at the Polo Bar
5-7P.M. & 9:30-11:30P.M.
Great discounts on
selected drinks
Dusit Thani Hua Hin Bi-Monthly News
ridden in an enclosed area under professional supervision for your safety.
With plentiful sunloungers it is our policy
that to avoid beds being left unattended for
longer than an hour, at the annoyance of
fellow guests who may wish to utilise them,
our staff are instructed to remove towels
after this period and offer the available
lounger on a first-come first-served basis.
Please do not ask members of the staff to
reserve sunloungers on your behalf as a
refusal may cause embarrassment.
Finally there is one very real danger,
even in-house at Dusit Thani Hua Hin
and that is the gorgeous climate that
we enjoy. If you are unaccustomed to a
tropical environment, please be cautious
with skin exposure to the sun and avoid
dehydration.
Pay attention to the above and you are
sure of enjoying a wonderful Aware and
Away experience.
Asarnha Bucha
& Khao Pansa:
Lent to the
monkhood for the
Rain’s Retreat
Though internationally we are now
approximately halfway through the
first year of the second decade of the
third millennium, the year 2011AD in
predominantly Buddhist Thailand will
traditionally be referred to in speech or
writing as the year 2554BE, meaning it
has been two thousand, five hundred and
fifty-four years since the passing of Lord
Buddha. The way to convert from the
Buddhist Era to Anno Domini is therefore to simply subtract 543 years.
Whichever way you prefer to look at it,
there can be no denying that Wan Asarnha
Bucha – the day preceding Khao Pansa or
the start of Buddhist Lent and the Rain’s
Retreat – will this year fall on 15th July
and mark the annual celebration of the
full moon of the eighth lunar month.
Both days are observed as religious public
holidays all around Thailand.
Wan Asarnha Bucha commemorates Lord
Buddha’s first sermon given to his five
disciples after he had attained enlightenment. During the day, worshippers will
visit temples and take part in thanksgiving
services, whilst once night falls candlelit
processions, or wian tian, take place. Even
for non-believers, these processions make
for an eyeopening spectacle and one well
worth attending no matter what your
faith, should the opportunity arise.
Khao Pansa marks the commencement
of a 3-month retreat, during which time
Buddhist monks will strictly observe their
religious duties and refrain from travelling
between temples. This longstanding tradition is due in no small part to the fact that
the wet or monsoon season coincides with
the rice-planting season and in bygone
years monks would continue to traverse
the paddy fields on foot, unintentionally
damaging crops and dykes in the process.
(continued on page 2)
June/July 2011
The Hua Hin Sun, June/July 2011
Inside Information
Dear Guests,
With half of the year already past, it is
time to start preparations for our New Year’s
Party, which as you will see in this issue is
a gala celebration of “Palace Magic”. Last
year, the “Midnight Hour” was another
resounding full-house success and I look
forward to once again welcoming all our
returnees alongside new guests, but please
book early to avoid disappointment.
Thailand is now enjoying the verdant
growing season with delightful fruits and
Thai herbs creating a mouthwatering array
of delicious temptations for your gastronomic
enjoyment. Along with our featured dining options please look out for the various
in-house and local events that make Dusit
Thani Hua Hin such a wonderful vacation
destination.
Wishing you a most pleasurable stay,
Victor Sukseree
General Manager
P.S.Your feedback, comments and
suggestions are most valuable to us. If you
have something you wish to get off your
chest, please don’t hesitate to contact us
at hhsunboxoffice@dusit.com or by your
preferred means of communication.
1349 Petchkasem Road,
Cha-am, Petchburi 76120, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 3244 2100
Fax: +66 (0) 3252 0296
E-mail: dthh@dusit.com
Endless Possibilities with Dusit International
Diary Dates
(continued from front page)
The period during and just prior to Buddhist Lent also sees a significant upsurge
in the number of Buddhists donning the
saffron robe and entering the monkhood,
a sacrifice that Thai males would customarily be expected to make at some point
in their lives. Indeed, it is accepted practice that Thai companies allow employees
three months’ leave of absence to become
monks, whilst in Siamese society a boy is
only considered to have matured into a
man once he has spent time in the temple. Very often a clergyman-to-be’s overriding reason for making this ‘sacrifice’ is
in honour of his parents – especially his
mother who is, of course, unable to become a monk herself – and he will frequently be reminded by the abbot that he
owes everything – his well-being, education, life itself, and above all the chance
to become a monk – to his parents who
have raised him with such devotion since
he was a mere twinkling in his mother’s
and father’s eye. This is seen as the ultimate opportunity to repay that tremendous debt by renouncing all worldly pleasures for a while, so bringing his beloved
parents the patiently-awaited chance to
earn themselves merit.
Ordination brings with it colourful scenes
that can be witnessed in whichever corner of the kingdom one finds oneself at
any given time and, as with so many celebratory Thai ceremonies, the occasion
is a combination of high-spirited revelry
and deeply religious spiritualism.
On the eve of his ordination, the novice monk will hold a festive party for all
of his friends and family before, the following day, changing into the instantly
distinguishable monk’s robes and saying
goodbye to the material world for however long has been deemed prudent.
The ceremony itself can vary slightly from
region to region and family to family but,
intrinsically, the first part of the ceremony
involves the man’s hair and eyebrows being shaved off. Cutting the hair is symbolic - in former times long hair was associated with royalty, thus, Siddharta, the
Lord Buddha, cut off his hair as his way
of renouncing worldly goods. The now
shaven-headed man is then dressed in a
3
Dusit International introduces ‘EI8HT’
Inspiring the world with endless possibilities
white robe and escorted to the temple,
often carried on the shoulders of one of
his close friends with family, other friends
and associates ebulliently weaving and
dancing their way along behind.
On arrival, the whole cortege will circumnavigate the temple clockwise thrice,
on foot, carrying offerings for the resident
monks. On completion of the third lap,
the novice will symbolically denounce all
materialistic possessions by ascending the
steps of the ordination hall and throwing
money and sweets to the congregation
below.
Now, the monk-to-be enters the temple,
with everyone else towing along behind,
to be met by the monks officiating the
ordination ceremony. There then follows
a lot of ritual chanting in Pali Sanskrit –
the language of the Thai temple – and
closed questions. These will include “Do
you have leprosy?”; “Are you at least 20
years old?” and Are you human?”. Presuming all the requisite answers are given,
the waiting monks and abbot are asked for
permission to accept their new member.
With the abbot’s assent forthcoming, the
now fully-fledged monk’s family will
crawl humbly on their knees to offer him
basic provisions that will be needed during his time in the monkhood.
Although inherently a solemn occasion,
Thais being Thais makes to ensure that
some lighthearted fun and much photography will be instilled into proceedings if possible. Once their loved one is
officially deemed a monk, one by one or
in groups, his family and friends will pose
to have their photos snapped with the
monkhood’s newest member with everythe young man will make offerings to the one sporting their biggest grin except the
monks, of which there are often nine for monk himself, who should not be seen
it is an auspicious number in Thailand. to smile.
From here, he will be taken to the back of Usually, there is no stipulation as to how
the temple where he will change into the long the newly-ordained monk will stay
revered saffron robes and be given an alms at the temple – often it will be just seven
bowl to be used for collecting food from to fifteen days. However, those entering
people in the community during his daily the monkhood during Buddhist Lent
are not generally allowed to leave until
morning rounds.
Next, with the newly-acquired alms completion of the 90-day Buddhist lent
bowl tied across his chest, the new nov- period, known in Thailand as Ok Pansa
ice monk will be asked a series of simple and falling this year on 12th October.
Bangkok - Dusit International,
one of Asia’s leading hotel groups,
launched the first edition of its brand
new Dusit magazine under the title
‘EI8HT’. This quarterly magazine is
aimed at building stronger relationships
with Dusit’s guests as well as extending
the Dusit lifestyle brand and inspiring the
global travel seeker with endless possibilities, by enhancing the guest experience
no matter what the journey. At the same
time it will be a vehicle in which Dusit’s
CSR programmes are brought to the fore
and grow their profiles, such as Dusit
Smiles for Operation Smile and Dusit’s
Food for Good, which will be launched
soon.
“EI8HT is a luxurious travel and lifestyle
magazine featuring a variety of stories in-
cluding insider travelogues, a repertoire
of inspiring personalities, indulgent food
and drink, a palette of fashion, and cutting edge design, architecture, and art. It is
classy, intelligent and sophisticated, with
unique, off-the-beaten-track stories to
inspire the reader to explore and experience new sights and sounds.” said Ms
Jennifer Cronin, Vice President - Sales &
Marketing, Dusit International.
“Why did we choose the title EI8HT
you may ask? Well, it has a wonderful
meaning in many ways. It is not only an
auspicious number in Asian culture, but
also the only infinite number. This makes
it special and unique in the world of hotel
branded magazines, and much like Dusit,
it offers endless possibilities. Additionally,
EI8HT reflects the imagination of having
an eighth day in the week, the day that
our readers could do anything they wish
for - whether travelling to their dream
destinations or simply being with family
and friends. We hope the magazine will
inspire them to enjoy their lives and make
the most of everyday.” Jennifer added.
In partnership with Singapore-based
INK Publishing Company, EI8HT will
be produced every three months and
will be placed in all Dusit properties:
rooms, restaurants, business units, executive lounges. Regional Sales Offices
Picture shows: Dusit International led by Mr Chanin Donavanik (right), Chief Executive Officer, Ms Jennifer Cronin (2nd from left),Vice President - Sales & Marketing, Ms Chutimaporn
Kasemsuk (2nd from right), Corporate Director of PR & Communications, together with publishing partner, Mr Gerry Ricketts (left), Managing Director of INK Publishing at the launch
event of EI8HT – the Dusit Magazine by Dusit International.
worldwide, Preferred Hotel Group offices
worldwide, airline business lounges, travel
agents, business partners, and others.
Mr Gerry Ricketts, Managing Director of INK Publishing said “Both Dusit
International and INK have long traditions of excellence in Asia, and EI8HT
marks a fantastic opportunity to combine
resources and produce a magazine of a
quality and scope that reflects the Dusit
brand. Expect stunning fashion shoots,
interviews with some of the world’s most
influential people and the best travel experiences in a magazine that is as beautiful as it is practical.”
EI8HT will also be available online, on Facebook to be introduced soon, and of course in guest
rooms and strategic points around the hotel.
When in Thailand
Those in the know tell us that we actually use less facial muscles breaking into a friendly smile than we
do forming a frown. If that’s truly the
case – and with Thais invariably preferring to do everything with the minimum
of effort – it probably helps explain why
Thailand, quite rightly, is blessed with the
nickname the Land of Smiles, or LOS in
modern-day lingo.
Yim literally means ‘smile’, but don’t become so totally engrossed by the big yims
all around that you let your guard drop,
only to end up cursing yourself for allowing yourself to have been too easily
fooled by a smiling face. Yes, in the majority of cases, the grin will be as totally
genuine and well meant as it appears, but
it’s only fair that you should be aware that
in this Land of Smiles there’s actually a
baker’s dozen of Thai smiles which can
radiate from a local’s face at the drop of a
hat to cover just about every eventuality.
As a rule, Thais also prefer to avoid unnecessary conflict, so our well-meaning
Yim and bear it!
advice is to keep your wits about you,
but no matter what predicament you find
yourself in, good or bad, deal with it by
covering your face with one of these yims
and bearing it for all to see.
Yim thak thaai: The polite smile for someone you have to be nice to although you
barely know them.
Yim cheun chom: The “I-admire-you”
smile that’s full of praise.
THE BAKER’S DOZEN OF THAI SMILES
Fuen yim: The stiff forced smile, someYim thang nam taa: The common-or-gar- times known as the “I-should-laugh-atden “I’m-so-happy-I could-cry” smile the joke-though-it’s-not-funny” smile.
that usually lights up a face on receipt of Yim mee lessanai: The evil smile which masks
good news.
something wicked that is in your mind.
Yim yaw: The teasing or mocking “I-toldyou-so” smile after you have been proven
right.
Yim yae yae: The “I-know-things-lookpretty-bad-but-there’s-no-point-in-crying-over-spilt-milk” smile used to get you
out of embarrassing or awkward situations.
Yim sao: The sad smile to cover your true
feelings of despondency.
Yim haeng: The dry nervy and apologetic
smirk, also known as the “I-know-I-oweyou-the-money-but-I-just-don’t-haveit” smile for when you do something you
shouldn’t.
Yim thak thaan: The attitude or “I disagree
with you” smile, also known as the “Youcan-go-ahead-and-propose-it-but-youridea’s-no-good” smile.
Yim cheua cheuan: The victorious “I-amthe-winner” smile, given to a losing competitor.
Yim soo: The hopeless “smile-in-the-faceof-an-impossible-struggle” grin.
Yim mai awk: The inappropriate “I- wantto-smile-but-shouldn’t” hidden smile
Coming up at Dusit Thani Hua Hin
Spa-light D-stress
Cooking up
eras, filming their every move around the
kingdom, and the editorial team of lifestyle magazine Lust und Genuss who will
be updating readers back home. Before
coming to our luxury Dusit Thani Hua
Hin Hotel, the contestants will spend
two eventful days exploring the many attractions in the vibrant metropolis that is
Bangkok, the City of Angels, staying at
our sister property Dusit Thani Bangkok
and also enjoying the rare opportunity to
explore the kitchens and taste the fare on
offer at the reputed Blue Elephant Restaurant.
a storm
The Cooking Cup, with its instantly
recognisable logo, is undeniably the
biggest cooking contest for all nonprofessional cooks in Germany and
Austria. This “must watch” reality TV
programme has become a national TV
institution in its homeland, with previous editions being held in such exotic
locations as South Africa, Malta, California and, just last year, on board a luxury
cruise ship. This year, Germany’s most
loved cooking match is flying to Thailand with the final being held live here
at Dusit Thani Hua Hin in the first half
of December, when the five best 2-man
(or woman) teams compete head to
head. However, lest the participants allow their dreams to
get too far ahead of themselves, all the enthusiastic
amateur cooks first have to partake
in a gruelling series of regional competitions and semi-finals to convince the
Devarana, pronounced “Te-Wa-Run”, is a ThaiSanskrit word meaning “garden in heaven” that was
inspired by ancient Thai literature “Traibhumikatha”
written by Phraya Lithai of the Sukhothai Dynasty in
1345 AD. Devarana Spa was established to offer spa
lovers “outstanding spa services” at selected fivestar hotels. With an emphasis on pampering and
wellness,“East-meets-West” Thai health and beauty
practices have been sourced from age-old therapies
and updated with modern knowledge to pamper
and revitalize guests.
For further details, please visit our website:
www.devaranaspa.com
Devarana Spa at Dusit Thani Hua Hin
Tel: +66 0 3244 2494
SOOTHING SEA FOR MEN (60 mins)
judges and jury that they meet the Cooking Cup appraisal criteria and are worthy
of the trip.
To qualify for the regional competition,
contestants have until 17th July to
come up with a recipe that will
do justice to this year’s “Tastes of
Thailand” theme. Like the dishes that
emerge from a typical Thai kitchen, the
recipe should be both a firework of flavours as well as a visual treat, a cornucopia full of exotic herbs and ingredients.
Eventually, 60 teams will be chosen and
pitted against each other in a series of 20
regional finaIs, starting in September, with
the best two dozen making it through to
the semi finals. Here, the teams compete
for one whole day in the test kitchens of
one of the major sponsors, Siemens, while
a jury under the direction of the doyen
of German cuisine, chef Rainer Mitze,
decides which five lucky finalists will
emerge and begin looking forward to an
exciting and eventful week-long trip to
Thailand, where they will experience the
whole gamut of culinary as well as cultural discoveries.
Throughout their stay in the Land of
Smiles as guests of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the amateur cooks will be
under the merciless spotlight of TV cam-
BUTTERFLY PEA & COCONUT SCRUB CAKE
Recommended for skin care that keeps men
looking healthy and handsome, here’s a refreshing facial precisely tailored using marine products formulated with plant extracts,
aromatic oil and seaweed, harvested from
France’s Brittany Coast, to deeply cleanse the
skin, enhance the moisture balance and restore natural radiance for that fresh and revitalized appearance.
During the final itself, which is planned
to be staged at our beachfront Rim Talay Bar & Grill, the teams have to cook
live to inspire the jury, amongst whom
will be celebrity chef Rainer Mitze, with
a unique self-made recipe conjured up
only from an identical basketful of local
ingredients given to them on the eve of
the final.
All information related to the Cooking Cup
can be found on www.cooking-cup.de and we
will be running regular updates in the coming
issues of the Hua Hin Sun.
This facial starts with a deep cleansing, using
a gentle cleansing milk, followed by an exfoliation to remove the rough outer layer of the
skin and refine its texture for a smooth complexion. Next, a relaxing face massage is done
to ease all facial muscles and boost circulation
before a mineral mud mask is applied to deep
cleanse the pores and remineralise the epidermis. After the mask is removed, eye cream
and moisturizer are applied to help relieve
puffiness and restore the moisture balance of
male skin. Wonderful for any skin type.
Price: Baht 2,500++
For inquiries or reservation, please contact:
Devarana Spa
Tel: 66 (0) 3244 2494
email: huahin@devaranaspa.com
Beautiful and delicate, just like butterflies, Butterfly Pea & Coconut
Scrub Cake refreshes dull summer skin with its purple-blue mixture. Commonly used as a natural food colouring, the Butterfly Pea
flowers have antioxidant properties and offer protection against
UV damage, whilst dried coconut meat makes a great grain for
dry skin. A mild, floral aroma of sun-soother oil and sweet vanilla
further helps to calm sensitive and sunburned skin, bringing summer bliss into your day. Your skin texture will be refined and left
soft and supple with a radiant summer glow.
5
Wining & Dining at Dusit Thani Hua Hin
tin in Thailand, settling in the southern
province of Surat Thani. He brought
with him five rambutan trees and when
they began producing, some of the fruit
were yellow, some red, some sweet and
some bitter; only one tree consistently
produced fruits with deep red prickly
skin and sweet, fragrant flesh. He cultivated this tree and when the miner eventually went back to Penang he left behind
a fertile fruit orchard full of these rambutan trees that was purchased by the Ministry of Education. They built a school,
or rong rian in Thai, on the site and the
rambutans become known as ngo rongrian,
meaning ‘school rambutans’. When His
Majesty the King visited the school some
years ago, they asked him to provide a
more auspicious name for the fruit but he
replied that school rambutans was quite
appropriate.With such royal approval, demand for the rambutans grew and they
bed of shaved ice or stuff a slice of pineapple in the centre of each fruit. When
added to cold chicken or seafood salads,
rambutans add a delicious sweet piquancy.
Thought to be a good gift to present to
those who are sick, the white meat of the
ngo is considered a purifier for the body
and is rich in vitamin C, calcium and
phosphorus.
Selecting and handing
When buying rambutans, look for the
very red fruits that have green on the tips
of the hair. The fruit only have a short
life after being picked and can be kept
in the refrigerator for about one week.
To cut open and extract the fruit, cut the
rambutan around the circumference with
a sharp knife and the flesh will separate
from the shell easily. To cut out the stone
which is firmly attached to the flesh, cut
into the fruit and cut the flesh in a circular motion around the stone.
Rambutans - Delicious
and we’re ngo joking!
Known to Thais as ngo, the rambutan is thought to have originated in
Malaysia with its name coming from
the Malay word for hair. The fruit
spread many centuries ago to its Southeast Asian neighbours and flourished in
Thailand. Related to the lychee, the rambutan fruit grows to a size of some four
or five centimetres in large bunches on
20-metre-high trees.
Nicknamed ‘hairy fruit’, several varieties of rambutan flourish in Thailand. The
rongrian strain is round with bright red
skin and the tips of the ‘hair’ are green
while the flesh is white and sweet. Si
chomphu is oval with pink skin, pink hair
and white flesh that is no less sweet than
the rongrian. Ants love to crawl in the
rambutan’s hair, so it is always advisable to
dust the fruit off before peeling it. One of
the rambutan’s first claims to fame came
in the 18th century when King Rama
II wrote an ode to fruit and offered the
following description “The outward appearance of the ngo is ugly, but the fruit
inside is beautiful. One should never be
deceived by appearances.”
The rambutan is a fruit that has fired
people’s imaginations, and many tales have
been written and told about it. Ngo is a
name used in common speech for a darkskinned race of people living is southern
Thailand who happen to have curly hair.
Thai people also associate it with a famous
local folktale about the Prince of the
Golden Conch Shell who was called Sang
Thong. The prince wore a magic Ngo
mask over his head making him appear
dark, hairy and ugly like both the fruit
and southern natives. The king’s youngest
daughter chose to marry him because she
felt there was a beautiful character hidden
away inside Sang Thong and he was really quite handsome. After the wedding,
Sang Thong removed his mask and indeed
was transformed into a handsome prince.
Hence the association with the fruit, for it
can be said that ‘ugliness outside disguises
beauty that lies within.’
Another legend recounts the arrival of the
fruit in Thailand. A Malaysian-Chinese
tin miner left his home in Penang to mine
7
Mango son teen,
mango my foot!
Thought to have originated in Malaysia and called the “queen of tropical fruits”, mangosteen, or mangkhut
as it is known in Thai, has long been
cultivated in Southeast Asia. A 17th-century visitor to Thailand described it thus:
“The heart-of-beef is so called from its
size and shape; the skin is thin and within
it there is material like white cream, very
pleasant. They call it mangkhut.”
One of the most delicately flavoured
fruits, also looking attractive and exotic in
appearance, the mangosteen is extremely
popular in Thailand. The native variety
grown here is round in shape with distinctive dark purple skin and a tough green
leaf stalk on top, whilst it is delicately pink
inside when cut. Divided into any number of segments from three up, but most
commonly five or six, the flesh within is
white, sweet and scented, its flavour being likened to a cross between a peach and
a grape. In fact, you can play a guessing
game with the fruit before cutting it open
by counting the flat lobes around the stem
and on the bottom of the fruit to try to
discover how many segments are inside.
The mangosteen derives its name in both
English and Thai from the
Malay manggusta although
a fabled Bangkok story has
it differently, telling of an
old fruit seller being approached by a foreigner
who wanted to know what
the fruit was called. The
Thai fruit seller replied:
“Mangkhut.”
“Mango?”
the foreigner asked. “No,
mangkhut,...mangkhut,” the
exasperated vendor responded impatiently. The
foreigner asked once more
if it wasn’t mango. The fruit seller muttered to herself: “Mango son-teen,” which
basically means: “Mango, my foot.” After
hearing this, the foreigner cried out “Ah,
mangosteen.”
Unfortunately, mangosteen farmers have
to be a patient lot. After planting, mangosteen trees, which will eventually grow to
between six and twelve metres tall, take
six to eight years before bearing their first
crop of fruit. As an export, mangosteen is
a very popular item, especially with the
Japanese, and because it is a profitable
years, the fruit is being increasingly used
medicinally. It may be used to cure diarrhoea; the pith inside the skin is removed
and boiled in water to make a form of
medicinal tea. Alternatively, the pith may
be first baked, then soaked in water before
being ground to a puree which should be
consumed every couple of hours. Mangosteen is high in calcium, phosphorus and
vitamins B and C.
crop, more of the fruit is being cultivated.
Mangosteen are eaten raw by Thais or as a
dessert on a bed of crushed ice. Served in
the latter way, they taste cool and refreshing after a hot, spicy meal. They can be
used for tarts, added to both fruit and savoury salads, pureed to make a milkshake
drink, whipped into soufflés and added
to fish curries. The light, delicate flavour
of mangosteens particularly complements
seafood, especially squid and prawns.
With the mangosteen’s health properties
having been well documented in recent
Selecting and handing
Select mangosteens that are large and firm
but yield slightly when gently squeezed.
Avoid the smaller fruits as they will contain less flesh. To open the fruit, take a
sharp knife and run it in a circle around
the skin of the upper half of the fruit taking care not to cut the flesh within. Alternatively, cut from top to bottom on either
side of the fruit and pull apart the skin.
Mangosteens will keep for one or two
weeks in a refrigerator.
Season
From May to August or September.
Chef’s Tip
When selecting mangosteens avoid fruits
that look dry and feel hard to the touch
as they are past their prime and may have
fermented.
Throughout the months of June and July, we
will be featuring a traditional mangosteen-based
Thai favourite, ‘Mangkhut Loy Kaew’ in both
the Restaurant Coffee Shop and Ban Benjarong Thai Restaurant.
respectively, both of which will feature in a
variety of ways on dessert plates and buffets
around the hotel throughout the lifespan
of this issue of the Hua Hin Sun. In addition, we shall also be offering the aforementioned Loy Kaew - a Thai nutritional
favourite of fresh or canned fruits in syrup
served over a bed of ice – in the form of
Ngo Loy Kaew and Mangkhut Loy Kaew
to help refresh our guests and chase away
the tropical heat and humidity, as well as
any cloudy weather blues that may occur
as we traverse from the hot and into the
rainy seasons. Translated literally, Loy Kaew
means ‘Floating on Crystal Glass’ and as
you will see by ordering either of these
traditional Thai favourites, this really is a
most apt name for either the ‘Fresh Rambutan in Syrup on a Bed of Ice’ or ‘Fresh
Mangosteen in Syrup on a Bed of Ice’.
will be featuring traditional rambutan and
mangosteen-based Thai favourites, ‘Ngo Loy
Kaew’ and ‘Mangkhut Loy Kaew’, in both
the restaurant and Ban Benjarong at special
promotional prices.
Loy Kaew – floating fruity
and nice on ice
are now the most popular in Thailand. To
celebrate the good fortune that the rambutan fruit has brought to Surat Thani –
the rambutan crop is worth over $US12
million a year – School Rambutan Day is
celebrated each August.
Rambutans are not only delicious when
eaten in their raw form, as is most common in Thailand, but make superb tarts,
delicious jams and chutneys. They can
also be used to flavour sauces, make compotes and ice cream. If served on their
own, chill them first or serve them on a
Season
Grown mostly in Chantaburi and the
southern provinces, rambutans are seasonal from May to September.
Chef’s Tip
Rambutans are a natural ingredient in
tropical fruit salads, especially with a dash
of brandy or your favourite liqueur added.
will be featuring a traditional rambutan-based
Thai favourite, ‘Ngo Loy Kaew’ in both the
Restaurant and Ban Benjarong at a special
promotional price.
Food of course plays a hugely important role in the life of all Thais
and there isn’t a man, woman or
child who doesn’t consider themselves a gastronome. As a rule, most of
the population like to eat a little but often
throughout the course of the day, though
they also enjoy balanced main meals generally featuring something sweet, salty,
sour and rich in taste, rounded off nicely
with a mouthwatering desserts. Besides
breakfast, lunch, dinner and more than
likely supper, the nation’s eating habits
mean that a mid-morning or afternoon
nibble is very much part of the daily bill
of fare, in the same way that westerners
might take elevenses or afternoon tea to
fill the gap between breakfast and lunch
or lunch and dinner.These between-meal
fillers come in various guises and could
well be just a simple piece of fruit; some
kind of steamed, stewed, baked, caramelised or fried sweetmeat, often made
or served with coconut milk; or maybe
a refreshing dish known as Loy Kaew, of
which we shall speak more later.
Given Thailand’s tropical climate, Thais
and visitors alike generally look for light
reviving snack foods that will also keep
them healthy and offer protection from
tropical ailments, especially those which
are more prevalent during the long hot
and rainy seasons.
Fortunately, therefore, Thailand is blessed
with a multitude of delicious succulent
fruits throughout the year. Before one
tasty morsel’s season has ended another
has begun, meaning consumers are forever spoilt for choice. However, the abundance means that alternative ways have
to be sought to use the seasonal fruit or
else preserve its lifespan and guard against
criminal wastage from an oversupply of
uneaten fruit that has gone past its prime.
Methods put to good use include marinating or preserving in syrup, baking, drying, caramelising or of course canning the
fruit in syrup.
As you will see featured elsewhere in
this issue, two fruits in season each June
and July are rambutans and mangosteen,
known in Thailand as ‘ngo’ and ‘mangkhut’
Dip into Royal Thai Cuisine
From the grandest of palaces to the humblest of homes, a Thai meal will
invariably feature the ubiquitous Nam Prik in one of its many guises. Often
more a dish in itself than the simple dipping sauce one might be more
expectant of and familiar with, throughout June and July our Thai cooks at
Ban Benjarong recommend you try the popular Nam Prik Ong from Northern
Thailand. Easy on the eye and stimulating on the palate, Nam Prik Ong is a
delicious blend of ground tomato and minced pork in chilli paste, served with
pork crackling, pork roll and a selection of seasonal fresh vegetables.
1st June – 31st July
Baht170++
No Beefs!
Spend sultry June and July evenings beside the beach with our chef’s signature
Rim Talay Skewer.
Tantalisingly presented chunks of succulent Angus beef tenderloin, delicious
foie gras and mouthwatering lobster tails all served suspended above a bed of
grilled vegetables and confit potatoes. It’s great on the eyes and the tastebuds.
Baht1200++
Wholesome and Healthy!
In June and July, as the hot season evolves and humidity levels are cranked up
by the approaching rains, our chef recommends the fresh and cooling Dusit
Gourmet Salad.
This perfectly balanced blend of smoked duck breast and brie cheese on a
combination of seasonal salad leaves, red onion and tomato, served with a
walnut-and-raspberry dressing helps keep both the calories and heat at bay.
Baht240++
Something Fishy!
Throughout June and July, Italian chef Massimo Rossi recommends his
Mediterranean speciality Filetto Di Branzino Con Pomodori Secchi E Funghi
In Salso Leggera Di Vongole.
Succulent layers of freshly-caught pan-fried sea bass fillet complemented by
zingy sundried tomatoes and earthy shitake mushrooms are perfectly set off
by light clam sauce in this highlight fish dish.
Baht510++
Time for Tea
This is the time of the year when the calendar marks such fashionable sporting dates as Wimbledon and Royal Ascot. To celebrate these two very British
institutions, in June and July we feature Afternoon Tea for Two each day in the
Lobby Lounge. Feast on rolled prosciutto on bread sticks, foie-gras mousse on
brioche, salmon-and-egg salad sandwiches, miniature lemon rolls, forestberry mousse, chocolate tartlets, fruit pectin, pralines, macaroons, raisin
scones with Devonshire cream and strawberry jam all washed down with
your choice of tea from our tea collection.
Baht440++ per set
San Marco: What’s in a name?
There are some attractions that simply must not
be missed if you are in their neck of the woods.
For example, there’s the Taj Mahal in Agra, India;
the Great Wall of China; the Statue of Liberty in
New York; Trafalgar Square in London, the Eiffel
Tower in Paris, The Grand Palace in Bangkok,
whilst in Venice the magnet for first-time visitors is the magnificent Piazza San Marco, or in
simple English, Saint Mark’s Square.
One well-known guidebook on
Venice describes the Piazza San
Marco as “beautiful at all times of
day or night and in all seasons of
the year. It is one of the few delicate works of architecture that can
absorb a bustling vulgar crowd
without loss of dignity; a great
city square which retains a feeling
of animation when there are few people in it.”
Perhaps the same can be said of our own San
Marco Italian Restaurant, inspired as it is by
Venice’s leading landmark – though, of course,
we would in no way wish to infer that any of our
guests could ever be classed as vulgar!
Set at the foot of the dramatic staircase that sweeps
down from the lobby level, resplendent in Italian
decor and frescoes of its Venetian namesake, our
San Marco Restaurant does indeed pay homage to
Piazza San Marco, once described by Napoleon as
the most beautiful dining room in Europe. Though
that was then and this is Asia, we hope the great
Frenchman would be just as complimentary about our own offering for
Italian dining, especially as the discerning readers of Thailand Tatler magazine
have recently again voted the restaurant as one of Thailand’s best. One of
the highlights of our San Marco Italian
Restaurant, besides the food – and
more on that later – is the imported
wood-fired pizza oven, especially imported and reliant on beech wood for the authentic
taste. It sits flickering away enticingly in the corner
of the open show kitchen and allows us to offer an
extended range of genuine Italian pizza, including
the recommended Australiana topped with Tasma-
Marco is on a Wednesday, for that is the evening
when the restaurant is bedecked with the red,
white and green colours of the Italian flag as our
chefs showcase their talents with the ever-popular Pasta Factory buffet. Consistently drawing
in guests from far and wide to sit side by side
with the hotel’s residents, so vast is the choice
that it is not uncommon for diners to actually
ask what isn’t on the menu! Amazing value at
just Baht 850++, many diners like to make an
extended evening of it and so also plump for
our Bottoms Up Bonanza, which pairs the buffet
with unlimited refills from our selected wines
and weighs in at just Baht 1,400++ for a great
night of wining and dining. To be sure of a good
nian smoked salmon, tomato, avocado, brie cheese table, advanced reservations for Pasta Factory
are always strongly recommended.
and herbs.
Of course, as Executive Sous Chef, Massimo Rossi, To complement and wash down your meal,
would be the first to tell you, there is much more there’s also our extensive wine and drinks lists,
to Italian food than pizza and the restaurant’s featuring a number of Italian specialities, such
menu features an extensive range of meat and as grappa, sambuca, amaretto and always a
fish dishes. Chef Massimo, who is the son of a baker special ‘Italian Wine of the Night’ alongside a
and hails from Rimini in Italy, has also singled out a number of speciality coffees.
few signature dishes, skillfully prepared just like his Open daily for dinner from 6.00 – 10.30P.M. and
own mama taught him to make in the family kitch- also for lunch from Midday – 2.30P.M. at weeken, for those who might wish to savour something ends, you can reserve your favourite table by callspecial at any stage of their meal. Why not start ing San Marco during opening hours on extension
with the San Marco Antipasti? An eclectic banquet 2699, our Food & Beverage Office on extension
of flavours from the selection of Parma ham, sa- 2013 during the daytime, or our Duty Managers
lami, duck liver, cheese, vegetables, prawn, shitake on extension 2071 at any time.
and carpaccio all add up to make it a mouthwatering appetizer that’s just perfect for sharing. If it’s
an east-meets-Latino pasta dish that tickles your
fancy then Massimo suggests the rich and gently
fiery dish of Angel-hair pasta with garlic, sundried
tomatoes, baby clams, chilli and hot basil might
be right up your street. If you want a break from
the Italian standards of pizza and pasta, then how
about the succulent and zingy signature fish main
course of pan-fried sea bass fillet with sundried
tomatoes and shiitake mushrooms in light clam
sauce to set you up for one of the irresistible desserts or ice creams?
Besides the extensive a-la-carte menu, San Marco
offers excellent-value 3-course set menus for one
or two people, but perhaps the best day to visit San
9
BOTTOMS UP BONANZA!
Deli Delights from Dusit Gourmet
June : LE MANGOUSTAN
Jellied mangosteen mousse on almond cheesecake,
presented in a chocolate dome.
“Water you drinking, sir?”
If it’s health you care about then mineral water is a proven winner.
Make sure you try our range of bottled Thai and imported mineral water.
Water selection! What a selection! It’s your choice. Don’t bottle it!
Available at all Food & Beverage Outlets around the hotel.
before your supper
... and before your dinner
Happy Aperitifs & Happy Nightcaps
at the POLO BAR
5.00 – 7.00P.M. and 9.30 – 11.30P.M.
Unlimited Singha Draught Beer
BAHT 250 NET
PALACE MAGIC COCKTAIL AND MOCKTAIL OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE AND JULY
Restaurants & Bars
The Restaurant
Unlimited Selected Wines &
Singha Draught Beer at Every Buffet
550 BAHT++
Cheers!
SINGHA
11
July : MANGO AND COCONUT TART
Coconut mousse and mango jelly,
on coconut-flavoured sable.
Snuggle up and
snoqualmie naked!
Open daily 6 A.M.-11 P.M. / Extension: 2499
‘The Restaurant’ is our exciting all-day international fine-dining venue featuring the Dusit Gourmet–totally spoiling you for choice.
Saturdays – ‘Barbecue Buffet Dinner’ and the finest local seafood and imported meats chargrilled to perfection with salad bar and dessert buffet, all
for 990 Baht (children maximum 50% discount) / 1,540 Baht with freeflow
wine buffet.
Sundays – ‘Sunday Lunch Buffet’.
For only 600 Baht (children maximum 50% discount) / 1,150 Baht with
freeflow wine buffet, you can enjoy a delicious leisurely buffet of local and
international dishes.
Mondays – ‘Carvery Buffet Dinner’.
Selection of imported and local meats carved to your liking, with all the
trimmings, assorted fresh salads, terrines, imported oysters and smoked
Norwegian salmon priced at 850 Baht (children maximum 50% discount) /
1,400 Baht with freeflow wine buffet.
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
San Marco
Open daily 6-10:30 P.M. / Extension: 2699
Enjoy Italian favourites in the delightful alfresco ambience of San Marco.
Wednesdays - are ‘Pasta Factory Buffet Dinner’ nights – Our ever-popular
Italian buffet, with a design-your-own-pasta station, antipasto buffet and
a range of mouth-watering desserts and Italian ice creams, all for just 850
Baht (children maximum 50% discount) / 1,400 Baht with freeflow wine
buffet.
Grapes used in the Naked wine series are farmed as “au
naturel” as possible. “Naked” is made with certified organically-grown grapes in a certified organic facility. Very true
to the varietal, these wines fit in perfectly with the winemaker’s philosophy that it is best to leave Mother Nature
alone – let nature take her course and then try to capture
the natural essence of the vineyard in the bottle.
Ban Benjarong
Open daily 6-10:30 P.M. / Extension: 2799
(Closed on Wednesdays & Thursdays)
The unique cuisine of Thailand served overlooking the lagoon, either in airconditioned comfort or outdoors on the terrace.
Fridays - ‘Thai Market Night’, traditional buffet and range of foodstalls,
with a great selection of regional and local Thai cuisine, accompanied by
graceful Thai dance performances, priced at 850 Baht (children maximum
50% discount)/ 1,400 Baht with freeflow wine buffet.
ORGANIC NAKED SNOQUALMIE CHARDONNAY 2008
ORGANIC NAKED SNOQUALMIE MERLOT 2008
From Columbia Valley, Washington, USA
Available by the glass or the bottle
Rim Talay Bar & Grill
Bar & Grill open daily, weather permitting, from 6-10.30 P.M.
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
International fine dining in a wonderful beachside setting.
The Polo Bar
Paleis Het Loo
Paleis Het Loo was built over three hundred
years ago in the heart of the Netherlands,
close to the town of Apeldoorn. The former
royal residence has been open to the public
since undergoing substantial restoration
work in 1984.
The sumptuously furnished interiors give
an impression of life for the Dutch royal
family over three centuries. The reconstructed
gardens emanate the ambience of their
seventeenth century origin with their
fountains and elegantly box-lined parterres.
The palace’s setting in one of Holland’s most
beautiful nature areas makes a visit a real
delight at any time of year.
Dreamt up by our leading barman and featuring the Netherlands favourite liqueur, we
guarantee you’ll be skipping (not rushing) to
the loo and certainly won’t be blue unlike this
perfectly balanced mix of:
Soestdijk Palace
Replacing an old farmhouse, Soestdijk Palace
was built in the 17th century as a hunting
lodge for King William III, although the building’s striking white wings and pavilions were
not added until the 19th century.
Lying between Baarn and Soestdijk, in the
woodlands of Het Gooi, the friendly white
house was for many decades the residence of
Her Majesty the Queen, and latterly Princess
Juliana and Prince Bernhard. However, in
recent years the palace has been empty.
No matter what time of day, don’t leave yourself feeling empty, but feel the goodly warmth
of our Dutch mixologist, William’s fresh, tangy
and juicy orange blend of:
1½ ½
1½
½
ounces of Vodka
an ounce of Blue Curacao
ounces of Lime Juice
an ounce of Syrup
Baht220++ at all restaurants and bars around the hotel
3
3
1
ounces of Fresh Tangerine Juice
ounces of Fresh Carrot Juice
ounce of Lime Juice
Baht160++ at all restaurants and bars around the hotel
Open daily 5 P.M.-1 A.M. (Closed on Tuesdays)
Pre-dinner drinks or after-dinner cocktails, the Polo Bar is a relaxed and
elegant place to get together. Our resident quartet entertains nightly. Try
our speciality coffees.
Happy Aperitifs 5-7 P.M. Happy Nightcaps 9.30-11.30 P.M.
Hydro health by Singha
In case you hadn’t noticed, it is our proud boast that just about
everywhere you dine or imbibe at Dusit Thani Hua Hin you will
have a water view.
However, we also go to great lengths to ensure that the line
from Samuel Coleridge ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner ‘ which
states ‘Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink’ does
not hold true.
Fully realising that the Dusit Thani, Hua Hin is the ideal location to unwind, it comes as no surprise that many of our guests
enjoy relaxing by our swimming pools or on the beach.
Since we are located in a tropical climate, with temperatures
sometimes climbing into the high thirties, it is important to
make sure you drink enough water, especially if you are ex-
posed to the sun for extended periods of time. Therefore, in the
Thai spirit of ‘nam jai’ literally meaning ‘water from the heart’
or simply ‘generosity’, we like to offer complimentary drinking
water twice a day, at 11A.M. and then again at 2.30P.M.
Whether you are relaxing on the beach or around the pool,
watch out for the people in the white T-shirts who will be
happy to provide bottles of water sponsored by Singha.
Dusit Mineral Water is available throughout the day at 25 Baht
per bottle and please feel free to choose from a variety of soft
drinks, cocktails, wines and beers from our poolside service
outlets.
The hotel of course continues to provide 2 complimentary
bottles of drinking water in each guest room daily as usual.
Lobby Lounge
Open daily 10 A.M.- Midnight
A relaxing place to watch the world go by, enjoy the great views. Traditional
afternoon tea is served daily.
Happy Aperitifs 5-7 P.M. Happy Nightcaps 9.30-11.30 P.M. (Only on Tuesdays)
Sala Thip
Open daily 10 A.M.-7 P.M.
A great poolside location to relax, play and enjoy your preferred choice of
drinks and light refreshments.
Room Service
24 hours daily
Please refer to the Room Service Menu in your in-room Directory of
Services for a delicious selection of food at any time of the day or night.
Golfing on the Gulf
Golfing on the Gulf
Birds of a feather golf together!
Dusit Thani Hua Hin is the ideal base to try out your golfing skills on some of the finest fairways
in Thailand. With seven splendid courses within thirty minutes of the resort you are spoilt for
choice and variety. Just ask at reception and they will make all the necessary arrangements
for booking and transport to the course of your preference. For further information and reservation ring #2071
Sea Pine Army Golf Course (Army Golf Club II)
The new kid on the block and still not fully complete
and operational, this seaside course 7 kilometres
south of central Hua Hin was constructed on land
formerly owned by the Royal Forestry Department.
Now in the hands of the Royal Thai Army the 7,444yard, par-72 course comprises bracken and pine enriched by the beauty of the ocean and mountains.
15 kilometres
Weekday Green Fee
Baht2,850 including
caddy and golf cart
Weekend Green Fee
Baht2,850 including
caddy and golf cart
Distance from the Hotel
15 kilometres
Golf Lessons
Looking to improve your game?
Private lessons are available at some of the local
courses. Please ask for details at the reception.
Weekday Green Fee
Baht2,000
Weekday Green Fee
Baht2,500
Weekend Green Fee
Baht2,800
Weekend Green Fee
Baht2,500
Club Hire
(Graphite Shaft)
Baht800
Club Hire
(Graphite Shaft)
Baht900
Club Hire (Graphite
Shaft)
Baht1,000
Need a Golf Partner?
If you are looking for someone to play golf with,
register at our reception, and where possible
we’ll put you in touch with each other.
Shoe Hire
Baht 500
Shoe Hire
Baht100
Shoe Hire
Baht200
Caddy’s Fee
Baht250
Caddy’s Fee
Baht250
Caddy’s Fee
Golf Cart for 18 Holes
Baht600
Baht750
Not available
Transfer from the Hotel
Baht800 by our
Bangkok Limousine
Service
Transfer back to the
Hotel
Baht800 by our
Bangkok Limousine
Service
Hotel
Course Designer
Major General
Weerayudth
Phetbuasak
Course Designer
Golf Booking
Contact our Duty Team at reception
or call #2071
Sun, sand, sea and X-factor
at Suan Son
of Papsalum and Tifeagle grass, consists
of not one but four signature holes, all
on the back nine and including the final
three holes, as follows:
Hole 12
This 600-yard-plus dogleg par 5 is one of
the most remarkable holes at the Army
Golf Club II. Heavily protected by fairway bunkers and water hazards along the
right edge, the twelfth is also among the
most demanding holes. A small bunker
located in the middle of the fairway will
give players second thoughts as to whether they should go for a driver on the
tee-shot or play a safe “lay-up” approach.
Majestic Creek
Situated southwest of the hotel, Majestic Creek is a
championship golf course with unique undulating
carpet-like grass fairways and some lovely water
holes. Highly recommended. Other golfing facilities
include a top-drawer locker room, driving range
and Pro shop.
Weekday Green Fee
Weekend Green Fee
elevated green guarded by bunkers on tiful signature hole encompasses a spectacular ocean-view background.
both sides.
From the back tee, both fairway bunkers
and water hazards are in play. Players will
have to be decisive about whether to cut
across the fairway bunker or place the
ball safely on the fairway. Two good shots
should set up a short approach to a deep
15 kilometres
1
Hole 16
Another par-5 dogleg, the 580-yard 16th
offers a panoramic view of the ocean and
the mountains. The hole may also be a
risk/reward hole depending on the pin
and shot placement. A player has to decide whether to cut over the water / bunker onto the sloping green or take a safe
route to the left side of the fairway.
Hole 17
The seemingly simple par-3 17th will become more demanding when the wind
comes into play. This exceptionally beau-
Lake View
Not too far from the hotel, this 36-hole, 440-acre
championship golf course features 9-hole links,
desert, lakes and mountain courses set against a
backdrop of rolling hills and is widely acclaimed by
top golfers. Designed by Roger Packard, the course
was completed in January 1993 and has many interesting water features.
The Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin
The Banyan Tree Golf Club Hua Hin, just south of
central Hua Hin is tucked between a small mountain and a large mountain range that serves as a
backdrop to this 7030-yard par-72 course with
four sets of tees. The course has many dramatic
and panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand, the
lush mountains and Hua Hin town. Khun Pirapon
Namatra designed the course to be one of the best
in Thailand and since he has a vast experience of
working on the best, his thoughts and ideas are
well respected, not to mention eagerly sought after.
1
After a hiatus of a couple of years,
there is finally a new kid on the golfing block or, if you prefer, a new
club in the golfing bag in Hua Hin.
For many years, the secluded and uncrowded stretch of beach at Suan Son,
often literally signposted in English along
the main road as Sea Pine Garden –
though it still remains thankfully largely
undiscovered by tourists – has been acclaimed as one of the sandiest and most
unspoilt within the provinces of Petchburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Located around 10 kilometres south of
central Hua Hin, palm-fringed Suan Son
Pradiphat to use its full name is in an
area under the control of the Royal Thai
Army. There is no need to be alarmed
however, for the area is perfectly safe
and open to the general public. Indeed,
the land was actually originally acquired
from the Royal Forestry Department as a
peaceful retreat for soldiers and veterans.
Now, adding extra charm to the area,
comes the Army Golf Club II at the Royal Thai Army Sports Centre. Unofficially
opened in September of last year, the
course has been receiving rave reviews
and is now just about fully operational.
Designed by Major General Weerayudh Phetbuasak, the 7,444-yard, par-72
course, with four tee options and a mix
13
Hole 18
The finishing hole is one of the strongest
and most challenging par 4s on the course.
From the back tee, a canal is definitely in
play as the tee shot must carry over 220
yards across the hazard to reach the fairway. A safe “lay-up” approach with a fairway wood is also an option for a solid par.
Although no scheduled transportation service to
the course is available as yet, our reception staff
will of course be delighted to arrange transport
for you if you would like to experience this new
golfing challenge in the area.
31 kilometres
Baht2,500
Baht2,500
Club Hire
(Graphite Shaft)
Baht900
Shoe Hire
Baht100
Caddy’s Fee
Baht250
Baht700
Baht350
15 kilometres
Weekday Green Fee
Baht2,500
Weekend Green Fee
Baht2,500
Included in green fee
Club Hire
(Graphite Shaft)
Baht1,250
Included in green fee
Shoe Hire
Baht250
Baht380
Not available
Caddy’s Fee
Baht250
Complimentary at
6.50A.M.; 8.25A.M.;
9.55A.M.; 11.25A.M.
Complimentary at
6.25A.M.; 7.55A.M.;
9.35A.M.; 11.25A.M.
Baht750
Baht375
Complimentary at
12.30P.M.; 1.30P.M.;
2.30P.M.; 3.30P.M.;
4.30P.M.; 5.30P.M.
Hotel
Complimentary at
7.10A.M; 9.40A.M.;
12.10P.M.
Hotel
Complimentary at
1.00P.M.; 3.30P.M.;
4.00P.M.; 6.30P.M.
Course Designer
Jack Nicklaus
Roger Packard
Course Designer
Royal Hua Hin
Situated west of central Hua Hin, this was Thailand’s first golf course, established some 90 years
ago. Although not too demanding, it has a great
atmosphere, with mature forests, temples and sea
views. The caddies are considered to be some of
Thailand’s best.
Complimentary at
12.30P.M; 1.30P.M.;
2.30P.M.; 3.30P.M.;
4.30P.M.; 5.30P.M.;
6.30P.M.
Pirapon Namatra
Black Mountain Golf Club
This world-class golf courses linked to a hotel-andspa resort boasts high-standard surroundings and
a relaxed atmosphere. Tee-time intervals of 15
minutes will give you the feeling that you have the
first tee and the opening hole to yourself, allowing
you to relax and enjoy the golf course and the fine
scenery.
Palm Hills
The closest course to the hotel, this course designed
by Max Wexler is one of the most open and enjoyable courses in the area, particularly for the high
handicapper. With lovely rolling scenery and sea
views, it often has cooling sea breezes, particularly
in the afternoons.
2 kilometres
Baht2,000
15 kilometres
Weekday Green Fee
Baht1,800
Baht2,000
Weekday Green Fee
Baht2,500
Weekend Green Fee
Baht1,800
Club Hire
(Graphite Shaft)
Baht500
Weekend Green Fee
Baht2,500
Baht1,000
Club Hire
(Graphite Shaft)
Baht1,000
Shoe Hire
Baht100
Club Hire
(Graphite Shaft)
Shoe Hire
Baht100
Baht250
Shoe Hire
Not available
Caddy’s Fee
Baht250
Baht750
Caddy’s Fee
Baht300
Baht650
Baht380
Baht600
Baht400
Complimentary at
7.30A.M.; 9.30A.M.;
12.30P.M.
Not available
By arrangement
with the Golf Course
Complimentary by
arrangement with
the Golf Course
Hotel
By arrangement
with the Golf Course
Hotel
Course Designer
Phil Ryan
12.00noon;
1.00P.M.; 2.00P.M.;
3.00P.M.; 4.00P.M.;
5.00P.M.; 6.00P.M.
Course Designer
Max Wexler
Distance from the Hotel 10 Kilometres
Weekday Green Fee
Weekend Green Fee
Caddy’s Fee
Complimentary at
7.30A.M.; 9.30A.M.;
12.00noon
Hotel
Complimentary by
arrangement with
the Golf Course
Hotel
Complimentary by
arrangement with
the Golf Course
Course Designer
Dr. Sakitti Klangwisai
Course Designer
Mr. A. Robin
Pick-up from the Hotel
Springfield
Tee off in the shadow of the mountains. Beautifully
maintained, Springfield presents the golfer with a
spectacular, beautifully-designed, landscaped 27
holes, including the nine-hole Valley Course. Each
hole challenges your sense of aesthetics as well
as your golfing skills. It is a true Jack Nicklaus-designed masterpiece, constructed by Schmidt-Curley. A championship course in every way with five
sets of tees to play from, the course offers varying
degrees of difficulty that accentuate the dramatic
lush landscape. Be prepared for some long carries if
you are brave enough to play from the back tees. It
is one of the best courses you will ever play! In addition to their PGA professional teaching staff they
also have a fully-equipped Pro shop, chipping and
putting greens and a driving range.
15
Facing up to the online
social media revolution Half a billion people can’t
be wrong
It’s ‘wicket’ and all in the name of cricket
Whilst the Kingdom of Thailand
went water crazy during the annual
Songkran festival, a number of crazy
souls from around the globe descended on Dusit Thani Hua Hin not to get
soaked with water but with sweat as they
tirelessly chased a small red leather cricket ball around the hotel’s cricket ground
during the 16th Hua Hin Cricket Sixes
Tournament from 10th – 15th April.
The event is very much seen as a social
gathering with the overriding essence, as
always, being on that worthy Olympian
spirit of taking part far outweighing the
winning amongst this year’s sixteen participating teams, many returning for the
umpteenth time. Consequently, throughout the six days of action, many an old
friendship was renewed and anecdote
swapped over a bevy or six both during
matches and after the close of each day’s
play.
Though cricket is still at the fledgling
stage in Thailand and much of Southeast
Asia, significant strides are being made as
countries aspire to match the achievements of newly-crowned champions and
co-hosts India, runners-up Sri Lanka and
beaten semi-finalists Pakistan, as well as
the other World Cup co-hosts Bangladesh. It was therefore encouraging to see
Thailand well represented amongst the
teams taking part in the Hua Hin Cricket
Sixes this year and it augurs well for the
future of the sport in the Land of Smiles.
Dusit Thani Hua Hin as the annual hosts
of the tournament - and only cricketing venue in the area – proudly laid on
a lavish welcome cocktail and dinner for
all of the teams and their numerous supporters, whilst the first five days of league
competition were spent with the competing teams jostling for positions in the
respective Spoon, Bowl, Masters and Cup
finals. Several notable feats were achieved
along the way, however, with a rare tie
being played out between the local Hua
Hin Hopalongs and the Australian team
Lardna Follies. This match also saw the
first two wickets of a hat-trick, spread
over two days, taken by Bruce Woodbury
of the Follies. A further highlight of the
opening days was a challenge match between the Hua Hin Honeys, a team of
local and visiting ladies, who combined
to embarrass their spouses, partners and
siblings in an entertaining encounter.
After all the sparring, followed by semi
finals early on the final day of competition, the tournament all boiled down to
the four finals with Australian side Euroa,
from Victoria, ably assisted by Australian
A, Victoria State and English county allrounder Mark Cleary, downing compatriots Melbourne CC by 12 runs in
the Cup Final. Significantly and impressively, two Thai teams, Thai Colts and
Thai Thevada finished third and fourth
respectively. In the Master’s Final, Lardna
Follies ran down the challenging total of
69 posted by Cluden CC, another Aussie
outfit, without losing a wicket. The tightly contested Bowl Final pitted the team
of International cavaliers, Willsmere Wanderers, against the Thai Masters, the former prevailing by just 2 runs, while in the
day’s first final, a local derby battle for the
Wooden Spoon, Sivana Masters took the
dubious honour with a humbling defeat
to cross-town rivals Hua Hin Hopalongs.
When the action was all over, a Gala Presentation Dinner was jointly hosted by
Dusit Thani Hua Hin and the Tourism
Authority of Thailand with trophies for
all winners, including individual awards
to former Australian Test cricketer Mick
Lewis, who turned out over the six days
Player of the Tournament John “Big Daddy” Bennett, a former Australian Football
League player for St. Kilda who played for
Cluden CC.
If you are a cricketer past or present, no
matter what your level or age – indeed,
in the Masters division allows each team
to field only one player aged under the
age of 35 – and fancy taking part in next
year’s 17th Hua Hin Cricket Sixes, either
as an individual or a team, don’t hesitate
to get in touch with us before the end of
2011 and we will be more than happy to
put you in touch with the tournament’s
organiser Thanasak “Tom” Karnasuta.
The affable Tom, who has been the face
of the competition since the outset, is
a great friend and staunch supporter of
Dusit Thani Hua Hin, working tirelessly
throughout the year, combining his day
for Melbourne, picked up the highest job with the onerous task of bringing the
number of wickets, seven and was deserv- Hua Hin Cricket Sixes to fruition. We
edly adjudged best bowler, while the best sincerely thank Tom for his efforts and all
batsman award went to Gary Putland, a at the hotel look forward to welcoming
South Australian Sheffield Shield player. him back to the hotel before too long,
The highlight of the awards presentation, together with all players and spectators
however, was a standing ovation for the old and new in April 2012, if not before.
It is impossible not to have noticed
the phenomenal rise of social media
on the internet, due in no small part to
the Facebook website. Created by Mark
Zuckerberg, Facebook is worth an estimated $50bn (£32.3bn) making it worth
more than Time Warner, ebay or Yahoo.
Mr. Zuckerberg was also voted Time
Magazine Person of the Year 2010 to add
to his list of impressive credentials.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook website
now connects more than half a billion
people from around the world, allowing
them to exchange information in real
time and changing the way many people
and companies interact with one another.
Dusit International has certainly noticed
the power of this social media platform,
and Dusit Thani Hua Hin has its very own
dedicated Facebook page up and running.
Updated on a daily basis, the Dusit Thani
Hua Hin Facebook page will be this hotel’s social media portal on the internet
connecting our many ‘fans’ around the
world - and there are currently around
3,000 of you who are fans of the Dusit
Thani Hua Hin Facebook page - with the
latest news and goings on at the resort.We
do recommend if you get a moment to
visit and take a look at Dusit Thani Hua
Hin’s Facebook page at the following web
address:
www.facebook.com/dusitthani.huahin
There’s not another one that
could take your place, Babyface
Following on from the success of
the 2009 Divas in the Park concert
which attracted over four thousand revellers to our cricket ground
and featured Salena Jones, on Saturday 28th May we did it all again – except even bigger and better – with the
Shoot the Music with Pen-Ek concert...
and just in case you didn’t know, Pen-Ek
Ratanaruang is one of Thailand’s leading
film directors and screenwriters.
A more detailed report will appear in the
next edition of the Hua Hin Sun but suffice to say that alongside a veritable who’s
who of Thai talent, including such notables as Ben Chalatit, Boyd Trai Bhumiratna,Yokee Playboy, Tor Saksit Too Poptorn,
Lipta, Monotone. Sqweez Animal. Tong
Save da last pice, Tul Khunpa Apartment,
came a truly global superstar in the form
of Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds to top the
bill.
Anyone closely examining the annals of
modern pop history would surely reach
the conclusion that few creative forces
had been more seminal than the icon
who is to his fans simply known as Babyface. A poignant tunesmith, prolific hit
maker and producer, superstar record-
ing artist and revolutionary record label
owner amongst other things, Kenny Edmonds has scooped 10 Grammy Awards
and boasts 11 solo albums to his name,
not to mention almost 60 chart number
ones, with single and album sales in excess of 500million worldwide.
No lesser vocalists than Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Eric Clapton and Michael Jackson have applied
their talents to Babyface’s music, whilst
he followed the late Michael Jackson and
Whitney Houston in scooping a BET
Walk of Fame Award in 1997, just one
of a host of prestigious accolades to his
name.
Besides his achievements in music, Kenny
Edmonds has earned deserved plaudits
for his tireless charitable work culminating in his being honoured with a Noble
Award for his contribution to Stand Up
To Cancer an Entertainment Industry
Foundation programme.
It was a great pleasure having Kenny
Babyface Edmonds staying with us and
we are sure there wasn’t one soul in the
audience who did not enjoy having the
chance to see a true music master ply his
trade in live action on his Thailand debut.
Meet the Maestro
Classical Music Society of Hua Hin
strike the right note
Tuesday May 17, 2011 was an auspicious day for lovers of classical music in the Hua Hin/Cha Am area, for
it was on that date the “Classical Music
Society of Hua Hin” was launched from
its base in the appropriately classical surroundings of Dusit Thani Hua Hin.
With the next meeting set for 29th June
and subsequently on the third Wednesday
of every month, the plan is to incorporate
a buffet lunch at the hotel and a classical
music performance from visiting artists.
Initially, performers will be high-quality
aspiring amateurs, but as the society grows
professional musicians will be invited to
perform.
At the well-attended inaugural meeting, it
was decided that membership of the society would be set at 1,000 Baht annually.
On top of this, while sponsors were being
sought, members would be asked to pay
for their lunch at the hotel and for the
performers.
Initially, the management of Dusit Thani
Hua Hin have willingly agreed to arrange
for free performers at the next two meetings, with the society being responsible
only for lunch and the artists’ travelling
expenses.
Dusit Thani Hua Hin have also graciously
undertaken to show its support for the
society by providing them with rooms
for the meetings and performances on a
gratis basis.
A committee was selected at the inaugural meeting and comprised of Mona de
Brot as Secretary, Niels Henrik Seeberg as
Treasurer, the society’s driving force Jerry
McMenamin as Chairman, with our very
own Victor Sukseree agreeing to take the
post of Publicity Officer.
Jerry McMenamin stated that the society’s long-term plans for the Classical
Music Society of Hua Hin were to create
a venue where foreigners and Thais resident in the Hua Hin/Cha Am area could
be assured of hearing classical music on a
regular basis. It was believed, to the best
of the chairman’s knowledge, that Dusit
Thani Hua Hin was the only venue in
this area which had offered classical music performances in the past. So it became
the natural choice for the founders of the
society to host the society’s meetings here.
It is true! Over the past few years, we have
presented magnificent concerts on an annual basis. The most recent was Gustav
Mahler’s 1st Symphony. This was a glorious performance by the students and
teachers from Silpakorn University Summer Music School of the Titan symphony
which was first performed at the Hungarian Royal Opera House in 1889.
Another objective of the society is to
encourage young Thai musicians to pursue their career in classical music and to
provide a platform where these budding
young musicians can perform in front of
an appreciative audience.
There will be no lack of ambition by the
society’s committee and members. With
the assistance of sponsors, it is hoped in
the future to attract not only professional
musicians from around Asia but also to be
in a position to attract international maestros who happen to be visiting Thailand.
It’s not hard to imagine the dream coming to fruition given that it will hardly be
17
a difficult sell to attract visiting musicians
to perform in front of an appreciative audience at a venue that has been voted the
best five-star resort hotel in the world.
So please, get in at the beginning of what
we hope will be a great future for classical
music lovers in the locality.
We hope that our readers might be interested in joining the society and if you are,
please don’t hesitate to contact us here at
the Hua Hin Sun on hhsunboxoffice@
dusit.com or contact Jerry Mc Menamin, Chairman of Hua Hin Society of
Classical Music at jerry@swissinvestcenter.net . Otherwise, simply come along to
the society’s next meetings at the hotel
on 29th June or 20th July.
For the past seven years, Dusit Thani
Hua Hin has played host to the Silpakorn Summer Music School, each
year putting on two free chamber music concerts in the lobby, followed by a
grand finale concert in one of our meeting rooms.
This year, for the second successive year,
the concert was conducted by Hikotaro Yazaki, an internationally-renowned
maestro of the baton. During his weeklong stay at Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Hikotaro granted an interview to Liz Smailes
of the Bangkok Post and her article, first
published on 6th April, is reprinted below,
courtesy and with the kind permission of
the Bangkok Post.
“It’s a very funny job,” explains Maestro
Hikotaro Yazaki when asked what he
thinks most audiences get wrong about
his profession. Highly in demand for
guest conducting engagements around
the world, he divides his time between
Paris and Tokyo, where he is the resident
conductor for some of the leading orchestras of the world. The first week of
April he is in Thailand preparing a music
student orchestra for concerts in Hua Hin
and Bangkok.
“The conductor is the only one who
shows his back or hips to the audience
throughout the performance. He has no
instrument, just the baton. We take centre
stage, move a lot and the audience thinks
this is a big dancing show. Each conductor
has his own way of how to show his will,
his vision to the public. I don’t criticise
other people. Everyone should do only
what is necessary. It isn’t to make people
excited by physical movement – in that
case they should go to a cabaret.”
Yazaki has returned to the Silpakorn
Summer Music School for the second
year running. Over the course of a week,
he rehearses with 90 music students from
across the country for a performance of
Mahler’s Symphony No.1 and Mozart’s
Piano Concerto in A Major, featuring the
7th SSMS Piano Concerto competition
winner.
“Mahler’s first symphony is a great work,
and there is a vibrant, young feeling in
these students ... they are eager and hungry to learn. We can train the orchestra
well, but I will probably shout,” he says,
with a playful glint shining through.
The next day Yazaki entered the room
with the same impish energy that he had
exuded during our interview the evening
before. The 90 music students react with
anticipation mixed with some trepidation,
admiration and expectation to the task at
hand – the second rehearsal of Mahler’s
challenging Symphony No.1.
“Difficult music is difficult for everyone
and Mahler 1 is difficult!” says Yazaki.
“Professional orchestras know where the
difficulties and problems lie, how to react to accidents if they happen. Students
are naive. They concentrate on their page
from the beginning to end; they don’t
know how to manage the difficult passages by themselves or what is the problem.
“For example, a clarinet part might struggle with a passage and concentrate only
on getting the notes out in the right order at the right time, but the player just
fumbles through without listening to the
other guys.
“Probably they don’t know that if they
listen to the pizzicato going on in the
cellos on the other side of the group, it
will help guide them through what seems
an impossible passage. The students have
no orientation to help them, no way to
avoid the problems or accidents and that
is the difference between a music-student
orchestra and a professional orchestra. We
must guide each one of them, and I still
expect the same results as I do from a
professional orchestra, but the way to get
there is a little different.”
Yazaki has more than 40 years’ experience
as a conductor, working with some of the
best orchestras in the world, so the students couldn’t wish for a better person to
guide them. In conversation at meal times
between rehearsals, it’s evident that the
students know this rare opportunity is not
to be taken for granted.
The experience of a music camp is unlike that of a music school and for many
it gives an indication as to what life as a
professional musician might be like.While
still being a learning experience, the aim
is to engage with experts in the field and
meet musicians of a similar age and high
standard from across the country, each
bringing with them the same passion to
the music and ambition to perform the
results at the end of the week.
Throughout the campus there is a unique
buzz and hive of energy. Ensembles form
to rehearse chamber music outside of the
full orchestra rehearsals; the enjoyment
is evident in students and staff. Maestro
Yazaki is also feeding off the buzz.
“The staff are very friendly, it’s extremely well organised and the students have
come here with the right approach. Some
were here last year, some are new, so each
year the quality is different but the young
people come with such intention and
such passion – it’s amazing to see that in
this country.
“I remember at last year’s camp we performed a piano concerto and the young
pianist was spectacular. I am sure he will
become famous if he goes on to study, I
am sure of it! This year we are performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto in A Major;
we haven’t had the rehearsal yet, but I am
eager to hear this year’s pianist.”
Aware of the classical traditions we are noted
for, we at Dusit Thani Hua Hin are proud of
our burgeoning reputation as the home of classical music for the provinces of Petchburi and
Prachuap Khiri Khan. This has been further
enhanced recently with the establishment of the
Hua Hin Classical Music Society who will use
the hotel as their base and we have featured the
society elsewhere in this issue.
Even envy’s turning green
at Dusit Thani Hua Hin
Like so many, Dusit Thani Hua Hin
shares the deep concerns at the way
global warming and climate change
are impacting on our lives. Standing
idly by not being an option, the resort is
actively committed to benchmarking local environmental and social issues.
We are therefore proud and delighted
that our efforts and environmental practices have
been recognised by the
world’s leading sustainable travel and tourism
certification
organisation, EarthCheck, who
awarded Dusit Thani Hua
Hin EarthCheck Bronze
Benchmarked Status after
putting us through a year
of rigorous independent
inspection and assessment.
Widely recognised as the world’s most
scientifically demanding environmental management programme, designed
specifically for the travel and tourism
industry, EarthCheck looks at key environmental indicators such as energy and
water consumption, total waste production, and community commitment to
determine an operator’s
standard of performance. Of
particular note on receiving
the recognition, were our
Best Practice achievements
for water consumption and
cleaning products rating.
Never content to simply
rest on our laurels, it is now
our avowed intention to go
on and achieve Silver certification, eventually leading
to the ultimate accolade of
Gold Benchmarking, status that can only
be successfully attained by building on
existing standards for a prerequisite period of time.
The use of the EarthCheck Programme
will ensure that our systems and technology remain in keeping with all the latest
advances in climate change science and
measurement of greenhouse gas emissions.
Dusit Thani Hua Hin very much feels
that the proof of the green pudding is in
the eating. We firmly believe that our desire to have our performance constantly
monitored and measured, coupled with
our willingness to submit data for independent assessment provides our guests
with complete assurance that transparent
actions really do speak louder than words
in terms of our environmental credentials.
We recognise there are many companies
you could choose to support and thank
you for considering putting your trust in
ours. In so doing, you are helping care
for the planet and can sleep easy knowing that we are doing everything possible
to minimise the environmental footprint
resulting from your travels.
Should you require any further information about our commitment to sustainable tourism or the EarthCheck Programme, please feel free to contact Mr.
Willem Hagedoorn, the Dusit Thani Hua
Hin EarthCheck Coordinator.
NEW YEAR GALA PARTY 2011
✸ SUMPTUOUS FOOD ✸ SCINTILLATING ENTERTAINMENT ✸ SPECTACULAR COUNTDOWN ✸ SIMPLY MAGICAL!
Seven...Six...Five months and counting...PALACE MAGIC
New Year’s Eve Gala Extravaganza brings all the enchantment
of a fairytale end to 2011 – nonstop entertainment and a huge
international gourmet buffet plus the astonishing dreamlike
countdown on the lake. Fireworks, fantasy, fun and fabulous
food await at the Jester’s Hua Hin Court of Royal Delights.
Why not conjure up your own “A Touch of Magic” fancy dress
Phone +66 (0) 3244 2100
costume to cast a spell over our judges and win fabulous prizes?
You could be a Court Jester, Merlin, Harry Potter or Tinkerbelle
or anyone else you ever dreamt of being. Bring your best wand
and join in Thailand’s most famous New Year’s Party.
If you would like us to help arrange your fancy dress costume,
just drop a line to us at hhsunboxoffice@dusit.com and we’ll
see what we can do.
Fax +66 (0) 3252 0296
19
E-mail: hhsunboxoffice@dusit.com
Year-end wind up no wind up
for Khun Siriporn
more details, but was still sceptical until
I checked their Facebook profiles. Even
then, I did not reply since I was still wondering why I was the only one to get a
prize. Eventually, I only got back to them
when I received the final reminder that
the deadline for claiming the prize was
fast approaching and if I didn’t get in
touch quickly I would be disqualified.
How did you feel when you arrived yesterday?
My friends were still calling me and asking if I really had won the free room? My
daughter also said she thought it might
be some kind of scam that I was falling
To wind up a successful year in 2010, for. Personally, I was in two minds, but the
the year in which Dusit Thani Hua more information I found out, the more I
Hin celebrated the launch of our believed it could be true.
own Facebook page, we decided to On setting out, I was excited but still
reach out to our loyal fanbase and tempt afraid that it was all a hoax and the whole
each and every one of them with the offer trip would be a damp squib, but when I
of a complimentary night at Dusit Thani arrived, sure enough, there at reception
Hua Hin simply by becoming a Facebook was a registration card, already completFriend.
ed with my name on it. My family and
Recently, the lucky winner, Mrs Siriporn I were so delighted, because believe it or
Pongjetpong and her lovely family spent not this really is the first time that I have
a wonderful Friday and Saturday with us, won a lucky draw prize!
enjoying the hotel’s Club room, the facili- Is it true that you and your family love travelling?
ties, breakfast and our weekly Thai Mar- Where are your favourite destinations?
ket Night buffet. She also answered a few Yes, we are great travellers. We take a trip
questions for us.
somewhere almost every week. Where do
Khun Siriporn, thank you for coming and welcome we go? Everywhere! We don’t have any
back. How did you feel when you first found out one special place but our most regular
that you were the winner of a room at Dusit Thani destination is probably Hua Hin. We norHua Hin?
mally come about 4 or 5 times a year on
I couldn’t actually believe it and thought weekdays during the school holidays.
someone must be pulling my leg when I Could you compare this visit to your previous stays
first got the news. After receiving a few at Dusit Thani Hua Hin?
messages from both Khun Andrew and It’s probably over a year since we were last
Khun Chananant (Senior Assistant Man- here and to be honest I can’t really reager and e-Commerce Executive here at member too many details. The thing that
the hotel respectively), I tried to find out sticks in our minds is how impressed we
everyone.You are so lucky at Dusit Thani
Hua Hin to be able to easily host any size
of group from just ten people right up to
a thousand. The cost of everything was a
What about your dinner last night, you went to Thai lot less than I expected too.
Are there any parting comments that you might like
Market Night at Ban Benjarong didn’t you?
We loved it. When I walked around the to add before we say our farewells?
buffet the first time, I wondered why We are so very delighted to have won this
there was so little food in each of the prize. I would recommend my friends to
dishes and how there would be enough ‘like’ Dusit Thani Hua Hin’s Facebook
for all the guests there. But, when I went page and become fans, so they too can
up for seconds, I was surprised they were get a chance to win other prizes. I would
all full to the same level as they had been also like to see more updates on the Dusit
the first time I had gone up. Then it Thani Hua Hin page. We have been very
dawned on me that the reason the food impressed with our stay this time. Every
was so hot, fresh and tasty was that almost member of staff has delivered good service
every time someone helped themselves and the food was great...but then it always
to something, some more was cooked is at Dusit Thani Hua Hin.
fresh to fill up the dish again.
Thank you to Khun Siriporn for takIt turns out your husband is looking for a venue for a ing the time to answer our questions and
seminar. What does he think of the facilities here at share her thoughts with us. We hope you
too will follow her lead by ‘liking’ us and
Dusit Thani Hua Hin?
That’s right and we have been shown becoming ‘fans’ of our Dusit Thani Hua
around the meeting rooms and ballrooms Hin Facebook page. Who knows you
here by Khun Niti Mokapan and Khun could find yourself following in Khun SiChananant.Very impressive. This venue is riporn’s footsteps and enjoying your own
just perfect, since there is something for stay on us at Dusit Thani Hua Hin.
were with the service, there’s no doubt
here is the best. Also our room seems
much better than the one we had last
time.
A taste of Thailand
We know that it’s all too easy to become a couch
potato while ensconced in a beautiful environment
so conducive to rest – and that is just how we’d
like it to be, if you are so inclined, or should we say
reclined! However, we know that there are many
more who prefer R&R, a balanced blend of rest and
recreation, for their break.
We believe that here at Dusit Thani Hua Hin, we are
well equipped to offer something for everyone and
our ever-willing members of the Sports & Guest Activities team are always prepared to go that extra
yard to make sure you get the most from your precious time in our care. So, to help you know what’s
going on, activity-wise, at a glance, here is a page of
things for people of all ages to do around the resort.
It wouldn’t seem right to come to Thailand, the Land of Smiles, and leave without seeing up close or trying your hand at some of the exquisite arts and crafts
that might have tickled your fancy during your stay with us. Every day from
2.00 – 3.00 P.M., except Sundays, and on weekend mornings from 10.00 A.M.
to midday we give you the chance to gain some firsthand experience at some
of these tropical skills.
Day
Mondays
Tuesdays
9.00 A.M. –6.00 P.M.
Paramount care is taken to ensure the wellbeing of
all our guests and our carefully selected choice of
watersports’ equipment operates with full insurance and a strict set of safety and usage instructions that users are requested to strictly adhere to
for the enjoyment and safety of all our holidaymakers.
Baht 500/15 mins
(Maximum 1 Person)
Banana Boat
Baht 500/15 mins
(Maximum 5 People)
Viper
Baht 200/Person/Trip
(Maximum 3 People)
Day
Time
Tuesday
Decorating stone paperweights
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
4.00 - 5.00 P.M.
Let’s make mobiles
Fancy balloons
(Available daily unless otherwise stated)
Whether they be around the pool, in our sports Pavilion, D-FiT gymnasium, at
the stable, or wherever, the following facilities and activities are there to provide you with proven healthful way of spending your time under the supervision of our trained staff.
Activity/Facility Day/ Time
Price
Tai Chi
6.30 A.M. – 7.00 A.M.
Free of charge
Thai Boxing
7.00 A.M. - 9.00 P.M.
400/hour (Advanced booking)
Takraw
7.00 A.M. – 6.00 P.M.
Free of charge (Advanced booking)
Massage
10.00 A.M. - 7.00 P.M.
Baht 400/50 mins (At the Garden Pool)
Swimming Pools
Sundays – Thursdays
7.00 A.M. – 7.00 P.M.
Fridays, Saturdays and
Public Holidays
6.00 A.M – 8.00 P.M.
Free of charge
Fitness Centre
7:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Free of charge
Aerobic Dancing
4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.
Free of charge
Jacuzzi , Sauna
& Steam Room
(Mondays – Fridays)
11:00 A.M. - 8.00 P.M.
(Saturdays – Sundays)
10:00 A.M. - 8.00 P.M.
Baht 100/visit
Table Tennis
7:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Free of charge
Snooker
7.00 A.M. - 9.00 P.M.
Baht 100/hour
Tennis
7:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Free of charge
Baht 400/hour
(With playing partner, excluding balls)
Baht 500/hour
(With instructor, including balls)
Saturday
Kite-flying
Sunday
Balloon painting
FROM/TO
Dusit Thani, Hua Hin / Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok
VEHICLE
Mercedes Sprinter (12-seater minibus)
Departure Arrival
SCHEDULE
Dusit Thani, Hua Hin
Dusit Thani, Bangkok
11:15 Hours
14:00 Hours
Departure
Arrival
Dusit Thani, Bangkok
Dusit Thani, Hua Hin
15:00 Hours
17:30 Hours
RATE
Adult - one way / Baht.600.Child under 12 - one way / Baht.300.Advance reservation is required.
Open from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. (closed on Wednesdays)
Shampoo & Blow Dry
Baht 350
Shampoo / Cut/ Blow Dry
Baht 600 (Man)/Baht 1,000 (Woman)
Hair Setting
Baht 600 /Baht 450 (Child)
Hair Steam Treatment
Baht 600
Permanent Wave (Perming) Baht 4,000
Manicure or Pedicure
Baht 450
Paraffin Wax Spa
Baht 450
Waxing / Beehive
Baht 900
Hair Beading
Baht 60/120 (Per string)
Split-second Memories
2.00 – 3.00 P.M. Thai Dessert Demonstration @ Ban Benjarong.
Rotates weekly with one of the following each week:
1. Gluay Khai Chuam (Whole banana in syrup with
coconut cream)
2. Bua Loy (Taro, pumkin and rice flour balls in syrup
with coconut ice cream)
Fridays
2.00 – 3.00 P.M. Fruit-Carving Class @ Ban Benjarong.
Rotates
weekly with one of the following each week:
1. Roses from tomatoes
2. Leaves from cucumbers
3. Flowers from turnips
Saturdays
10.00 A.M. –
12.00 Noon
Making Gel Candles @ the Children’s Sandpit.
Choose from:
1. Small glass/Baht 100
2. Medium glass/Baht 150
3. Large glass/Baht 200
2.00 – 3.00 P.M. Batik Painting & Acrylic Painting @ Beachfront Sala Nok.
Choose from:
1. T Shirt/Baht 350
2. Apron/Baht 300 (Available only for batik painting)
3. Napkin/ Baht 250 (Available only for batik painting)
Sundays
10.00 A.M. –
Noon
Decorating Hair Clips, Headbands, Bracelets
and Painting Glasses @ the Children’s Sandpit.
Choose from:
1. 2 Hair Clips/Baht 50
2. Headband/Baht 50
3. Small Glass /Baht 100
4. Medium Glass/Baht 150
5. Large Glass/Baht 200
If you have stayed with us and have some snapshots of your time at Dusit Thani Hua Hin or from one of your excursions, we would like to show your pictures
to the world. Simply send the photos by e-mail to hhsunboxoffice@dusit.com and if one is published in our next issue we will treat you to dinner for two
at any one of our regular buffets. Photographs should be of at least 2 MB in resolution.
VIP JETS are at your service for private jet flights to/from Hua Hin
to Bangkok or anywhere else in Asia.
Contact us for specific offers travelling in our new Cessna Citation Mustang twin-jet
with two pilots and up to four passengers in air-conditioned, pressurized comfort.
Note: Floodlighting charge after 6:00 P.M.,
Baht 150/hour
Squash
7:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Baht 300/hour
Baht 4 00/hour
(Playing partner or instructor)
Basketball
7:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Free of charge
Horse Riding
7:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.
4:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Baht 400/half an hour
Let’s make a mask
Making greetings cards
2.00 – 3.00 P.M. Thai Cooking Demonstration @ Ban Benjarong.
1. Tom Yum Kung (Spicy prawn soup with lime,
lemongrass and chilli)
2. Pad Thai (Fried rice noodles with river prawns)
3. Por Pia Savoey (Spring rolls stuffed with pork and
vegetables)
4. Kaeng Phet Pet Yang (Red curry with roast duck)
Thursdays
R&R activities and facilities
Activity (Complimentary)
Monday
2.00 – 3.00 P.M. Floral Decoration Class @ Ban Benjarong.
1. Orchid garlands
2. Garlands from rose petals
3. Making “Kratongs”
Daily Dusit Sprinter
Wednesdays 2.00 – 3.00 P.M. Ice Carving Demonstration @ Ban Benjarong
It’s for kids (and for kids at heart)
There’s no denying that young children can at times
be demanding with their seemingly boundless
supply of energy, especially when mum and dad
just want to put their feet up with the paper and a
drink for a well-earned 5 minutes’ peace and quiet.
That’s why we have our specially trained and caring
sports staff to help out at the sandpit and keep the
littl’uns busy with a range of complimentary daily
late-afternoon activities. Even when there’s nothing happening, children are welcome to amuse
themselves with the buckets and spades in our
seaside sandpit.
Activity
(Complimentary unless otherwise stated)
Life on the ocean waves
Jet Scooter
Time
Getting Around
Beauty Salon
VIP Jets Ltd.
1/109 Soi Mahadlek Luang 3, Rajdamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
T. +66 (0) 2 6262121, F. +66 (0) 2 6518110, E-mail: matzig@vip-jets.net, www.vip-jets.net
21
Timeless Fashion
@ Dusit Shop
Hua Hin’s select & only
Fashionarium
You and tube
Tube Gallery has been one of Thailand’s
leading fashion houses for well over
a decade and Dusit Thani Hua Hin is
delighted to join hands with them in
launching our own ‘Dusit by Tube Gallery’ collection for men and women.
Designed by Saksit Pisalasupongs and
Phisit Jongnarangsin, both in their thirties and whose cutting-edge works have
lit up catwalks at fashion shows not just
in Thailand but around the world, we
feel sure that if you strut your own stuff
to our Dusit Shop on our Lobby level
you’ll find something there to suit you
down to the ground or dress you up to
the nines.
Local attraction
Local attraction
A palace of many names:
Ban Peun gunning
for former glories
Continuing the build up to our
Palace Magic theme at this year’s
New Year’s Gala Party, we move just
a stone’s throw further east from Phra
Nakhon Khiri, the summer palace of
King Mongkut, King Rama IV, to Phra
Ram Ratchaniwet Palace which was to
have been the retreat of his heir and successor, King Chulalongkorn.
Phra Ram Ratchaniwet Palace is also
known to the proud residents of Petchburi as Phra Rachawang Ban Peun or
Ban Peun Palace, though in former times
it was christened Sorn Phet Prasart. Peun
in Thai can be translated to ‘guns’ and so
Ban Peun is a most befitting name for
reasons which will become apparent later
in the story.
Situated over an area of about 560,000
square metres just 50 metres west of
Petchburi River in Tambon Khlong Krachang, Ban Peun was built and funded
at the behest of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, King Rama V, towards the
end of his reign in 1910. The palace was
originally to serve as an alternative country retreat to Phra Nakhon Khiri during
the rainy season for the beloved monarch
who loved visiting Petchburi Province.
The official laying of the foundation
stone and inaugural blessing of the plot
took place at the auspicious hour of seven
minutes and eleven seconds past nine on
the morning of 19th August, 1910. Despite this, it sadly did not bring good fortune to the kingdom’s ruler since Phra
Ram Ratchaniwet Palace was not fully
completed before King Chulalongkorn’s
untimely demise in October, 1910. However, the completed road and some temporary wooden structures were able to
offer the monarch some welcome sanctuary in his final days.
King Chulalongkorn’s successor, King
Vajiravudh, Rama VI, continued the construction of the palace which would finally be completed in 1916, six years after
it had begun, and it was originally bestowed the name Sorn Phet Prasart.
The south-facing two-storey Phra Ram
Ratchaniwet Palace with its eyecatching dome and brown tiled Chinese roof
was designed in a modern European architectural style by Mr. Karl Dohring, a
prominent German architect and engineer commissioned to supervise many
Siamese projects of that era. In fact the
Deutsch connection reflects in the fact
that the grand and imposing palace in
many ways resembles that of the then
23
Mermaid caring for the mermaids
German Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm.
One of King Chulalongkorn’s sons,
His Royal Highness Prince Paripatra
Sukhumbhand, Prince of Nakorn Sawan,
was charged with overseeing installation of the electrical and water supply
systems whilst one of King Mongkut’s
children, His Royal Highness Prince
Disuankumaan, Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, was assigned the task of ensuring
that the palace was built according to the
specifications. Assistance in Bangkok was
forthcoming from Phraya Srisahathep
(Thong Pheng) with Phra Surinthararuchai (Thet Bunnag) offering similar help
at the Petchburi end. In total, the cost of
constructing and fitting out Ban Peun
Palace amounted to Baht1,347,158, a not
inconsiderable sum a century ago.
The aesthetic palace pleases both from
an architectural and interior-design point
of view. Lending themselves to the name
Ban Peun Palace are the four magnificent individually-named and inscribed
bronze-cast cannons – peun yai in Thai
– whilst also standing in the beautifully manicured grounds stands the first
known badminton court in Thailand.
Meanwhile, the resplendent internal
furnishings include collections of statues, sculptures, oil paintings, stained-glass
windows, lamps and lanterns.
Phra Ratchaniwet Palace is easily reachable by bus and car. It is open daily from
8.00 A.M. – 4.00 P.M., and further information on visiting or getting there can be
obtained from our reception staff.
In the next issue we will remain in the province of Petchburi, but move 50 kilometres further south to Mrigadayavan Palace, the former
summer home of King Rama VI, King Vajiravudh.
Elsewhere in this issue you will be
able to find details of Dusit Thani
Hua Hin’s ever-increasing commitment to the environment and
our delight at receiving an EarthCheck
award. We are therefore always on the
lookout for more environmentallyfriendly activities or services that we can
offer for the enjoyment of our guests
during their stay.
Though not a designated eco venture,
regular readers may well recall that in
previous issues this year we have sung the
praises of Thailiving Ferry’s high-speed
catamaran service linking the Pattaya
and Hua Hin areas in less than 4 hours.
On this western side of the Gulf of
Thailand, the service operates out of the
Mermaid Cruises Marina about 35 kilometres south of Dusit Thani Hua Hin.
The marina is owned by Barry Stone,
a well travelled and educated 55-yearold Irishman hailing from a small fishing
village in West Cork, who set up Mermaid Crises & Shipping Company Co.
Ltd in late 2004 and based the company
in the fishing port of Pak Nam Pran, an
area renowned for its natural beauty.
The Hua Hin Sun recently had an opportunity to catch up with Barry and
learn about some of his and Mermaid
Cruises’ past efforts and future plans to
maintain the eco-balance in the seas and
waterways around their base.
After at first trying with limited success
to run river trips using a conventional
speedboat with outboard petrol engine,
the company decided that the noise and
smell, coupled with the pollution caused,
was not an ideal combination or a pleas-
ant experience for passengers wishing to
observe nature and wildlife.
Barry decided that he wanted a silent and
more pleasant boat so plumped for the
Kingfisher, at the time the first electric
tour boat in Thailand. Wanting the boat
to look like a traditional Thai long-tail
riverboat, but at the same time wishing
it to be state-of-the-art, made from fibre
glass and driven by an electric motor,
meant a fruitless search around the kingdom for anyone with the necessary boatbuilding experience and qualifications.
Eventually however, a small company
was found in Pattaya that had extensive
expertise in building golf buggies using
the same requisite electrical technology.
They were able to construct the boat according to Mermaid Cruises specifications. Completed in three months, eight
metres long and able to seat twelve, plus
a crew of two, the Kingfisher has been
regularly plying its trade to delighted
tourists since 2007.
Now, almost five years on, Barry has another first, and this time it’s an international coup. SunCat 1 is Mermaid Cruises’ new solar and wind-powered luxury
catamaran, the first boat of its kind in the
world. Powered by both solar panels and
wind turbines, the fully-charged lithium
ion batteries can provide five or six hours
of constant cruising whilst anchoring allows the batteries to charge and extend
sailing time to eight hours. Designed for
shallow-water coastal cruising, it steadily
and silently ploughs its furrow whilst
those on board enjoy the scenery and
wildlife undisturbed by noise or fumes.
With an exclusivity aimed at upmarket private parties, weddings, corporate
events, teambuilding, fashion shoots, etc,
the boat is equipped with lounge seating,
its own bar, jacuzzi, water slide, diving
board, top-quality sound system, back-toback LCD TV screens, karaoke and onboard computer for presentations, etc.
Being the aristocratic resort of choice on
the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand,
Barry sees Dusit Thani Hua Hin as providing exactly the right clientele for SunCat 1 and has very kindly agreed to make
the boat available to our guests for private
charter allowing a maximum of 25 people
to enjoy up to 5 hours of cruising up the
estuary, along the coast to the beautiful
white sandy cove of Hat Sai Noi beach
and into the mangrove swamps of Pranburi Forest Park. Departure time is flexible but late afternoon is recommended
to allow passengers to enjoy the beautiful
sunset over the Tanaosri range of moun-
tains that separate Thailand and Myanmar.
The cruise includes use of all on-board
facilities as well as a buffet and bar. If you
would like further details please feel free
to contact our receptionists or in-house
sales team.
In our next August/September edition we hope
to be able to bring you details of our own personal experience of cruising on board SunCat 1.

Happenings at Dusit Thani Hua Hin

Transcription

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