This article first appeared in print and online on 14th July in the Sunday Magazine section of The New Indian Express newspaper https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/food/2024/Jul/13/diy-on-asian-griddles
Showing posts with label THAILAND. Show all posts
Showing posts with label THAILAND. Show all posts
Sunday, July 14, 2024
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Food Festivals Around The World
(This article first appeared in the 9th June 2024 issue of Deccan Herald newspaper's Sunday Herald section both in print and online here https://www.deccanherald.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/where-food-festivals-join-forces-3056962)
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Bangkok's most interesting themed restaurants
(This article first appeared online on 10th April 2024 on Live Mint, India https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/discover/bangkok-quirky-weird-restaurants-cafes-111712676400972.html)
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Recipes and Dishes From Beyond The Grave
(This article first appeared online on 3rd April 2024 on Live Mint, India https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/discover/funerary-cookbooks-recipes-gravestone-111712128302760.html)
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Corn In Desserts
(This article first appeared online on 6th September 2023 in Mint Lounge, India https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/discover/desserts-with-sweet-corn-111693928108458.html)
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Asia's Love Affair with Sweet Bean Preparations
(This article first appeared online on 28th June and in print on 29th June 2023 in Mint Lounge, India https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/discover/sweet-beans-sweets-desserts-japan-china-thailand-111687922027909.html)
Monday, April 3, 2023
8 Properties In And Around India Paying Homage to 'Biophilia'
Monday, October 31, 2022
Island Vibes (SAii Phi Phi Island Resort)
(This article first appeared in the September-October 2022 issue of Just Urbane magazine)
Idyllic Luxury (SAii Laguna Phuket)
(This article first appeared in the September-October 2022 issue of Just Urbane magazine)
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Hotel Review: SAii Laguna Phuket, Thailand
This review was first published online on 24th September 2022 in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, UK https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/travel/hotel-review-saii-laguna-phuket-bang-tao-beach-phuket-in-thailand/
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Diving with a Difference
Sunday, September 11, 2022
Beach Reset
(This article first appeared in the 11th September 2022 issue of The Hindu newspaper's Sunday Magazine section on page 8 https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/thailands-maya-bay-from-dicaprios-the-beach-is-slowly-recovering-from-the-devastating-effects-of-mass-tourism/article65844485.ece)
Monday, August 1, 2022
Restaurant Review: Black Ginger, Phuket
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Kai red ant chutney of Odisha
(This article first appeared online on 6th July 2022 on ZeeZest https://zeezest.com/preview/stories/odisha-applies-for-gi-tag-for-the-ant-chutney-zee-zest-2021)
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Holding 'suey'!
With as many iterations as its myriad components, the Burmese dish of khao suey is a well-travelled one.
By Raul Dias
'A sort of Burmese bhel' is perhaps one of the most succinct--if a tad short of being apt--descriptions for khao suey that I recently came across on a pan-Asian, Mumbai-based restaurant's menu card. None of that flowery 'tender morsels of farm-raised chicken, simmered in an unctuous coconut milk broth...' hyperbolic overdrive, menu jargon seem to veer towards these days at most other places.
For the uninitiated among us (though I highly doubt there would be many), khao suey is a much-loved, and dare-I-say, callously co-opted curried noodle dish of Burmese origin that had been shamelessly adapted and tweaked the world over and here in India in particular. But more on that later.
Bowls of Sunshine
With its soothing, yet punchy taste, khao suey can easily be classified as a comfort food dish. One that can be scarfed down at anytime of the day like they do in Myanmar and other South East Asian countries. It sees everything from chicken, beef, pork, seafood and even tofu morsels added to a spicy, (mostly) coconut milk- and turmeric-based curry. This bright orange hued curry is then ladled over thin rice noodles to form a soup-meets-stew kind of hybrid dish.
But hold on! It needs more jazzing up. The supporting acts to the main show take the form of a variety of condiments that range from crispy fried shallots and garlic to halved, boiled eggs, fresh coriander fronds and roasted, crushed peanuts. Each adding textural and flavourful heft to the dish.
As I travelled around Myanmar a few years ago, I realised, that, much like how the word ‘curry’ is misconstrued in the West that divests it of its genericness, khao suey is a similar victim. In the Burmese language, khao suey simply means rice noodles. How one treats those noodles in a dish, creates local variations of what we know commonly as khao suey, the all-in-one meal.
The name game
The dry noodle version of the dish called shwedaung khao suey, that is popular as a street-side snack in places like Yangon, is akin to a crunchy salad. And this is perhaps how the 'Burmese bhel' inference comes into play. While the coconut milk-laden, Southern Myanmarese ohn no khao suey is more in line with the iteration of khao suey we are familiar with in India.
Crossing the Myanmarese border from the town of Payathonsu into Sangkhla Buri in Northern Thailand via the Three Pagodas Pass, I noticed how easily khao suey had segued into the local cuisine. Known as khao soi Islam, the pork-bereft version (substituted by beef or chicken) is almost similar to ohn no khao suey and is prepared mostly by the Muslim community who prefer adding the locally grown mustard greens in a pickled form to the dish.
The other neighbour of Myanmar that has its own version of the dish is Laos. This Northern Laotian version also called khao soi is more of a soup made with wide rice noodles, chopped pork and has that unmistakable funky taste of fermented soy beans. All this is topped off with pork rind, coriander and bean sprouts. Interestingly, many are of the belief that the two versions of the shared Singaporean and Malaysian dish of laksa i.e assam (meaning: sour) and curry laksa owe their genesis to khao suey due to their startling similarities.
Colonial cousins
Perhaps the greatest surprise in store for me on the khao suey front was the rather serendipitous discovery of the Memoni Muslim dish of khausa and how closely it is related to Burmese khao suey. Tasting this truly desi version of the dish at a Memoni food pop-up by a Mumbai-based home chef a few weeks ago, I couldn’t but help marvel at how well the dish had travelled and had gotten adapted along the way.
Often bearing the moniker of the 'sailor businessmen of India,' the Memons, who originally hail from Gujarat, have always had very strong ties to Myanmar since the time it was known as British-occupied Burma. Mainly involved in the pre-independence textile, oil and paper production trade, they would travel to Burma regularly. With a few even settling there permanently and trading from the British set-up port at Akyub, which is in present-day Sitwe.
Many Memons subsequently moved back to India in 1947, with a second exodus taking place in the early 1960s after the Burmese military junta regime, known to be intolerant of foreigners, came into power. Bringing back with them an edible emissary that they named khausa. Adapted to suit their tastes, khausa employs the more Italian-style wheat spaghetti in lieu of rice noodles. This is topped off with a cubed chicken curry made with yoghurt, coconut milk and gram flour. Garnishes take the form of piquant sliced green chillies, ginger juliennes, and crunchy deep-fried samosa dough strips, with a sprinkling of chaat masala giving it an unmistakably desi tadka.
Sure wins the vote for the most widely travelled and adapted dish, wouldn’t you say?
(An edited version of this article first appeared online in The Hindu Business Line newspaper's BLink section on 5th December 2020 https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/takeaway/khao-suey-is-burmas-global-dish/article33249771.ece)
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Hotel Review: Dhara Dhevi In Chiang Mai, Thailand
This article was first published online on 25th August 2020 in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, UK https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/travel/hotel-review-dhara-dhevi-in-chiang-mai-thailand/
Friday, January 3, 2020
Serene Bliss!
Offering a host of tailormade wellness solutions and world-class relaxation facilities, the luxurious Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort is a fecund, tropical paradise, all set in the heart of downtown Bangkok.
By Raul Dias
A unique urban health retreat surrounded by 1.2 acres of lush greenery, the brand new Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok by the Accor Group of hotels is one of those ultra-rare properties in that it is a proper, full-fledged resort set in the buzzing center of Bangkok. A classically elegant retreat, the property stands below tree height, shaded by the canopy of the adjacent Nai Lert Park, famed as Bangkok’s only remaining private city center park.
Within the resort a refined, minimalistic décor meets every modern convenience to take your stress away, reflecting Mövenpick’s renowned commitment to genuine comforts delivered exceptionally well. “Bangkok is a bustling and vibrant metropolis that travellers from all over the world aspire to visit at least once in their lifetime. We are delighted to bring a hotel inspired by such a unique wellness concept into the heart of the city, where our guests can relax within lush green gardens whilst enjoying convenient access to the BDMS Wellness Clinic,” says Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer of Accor for Upper Southeast & Northeast Asia and the Maldives.
Urban Oasis
The one aspect of the resort’s setting that’s truly impressive is the range of accommodation options the resort has on offer. While the Deluxe Rooms extend 42 sqm of personalised comfort, the Executive Suite is a spacious 74 sqm with separate living rooms and bedrooms. However, irrespective of room category, each offers either city views across the capital, or serene garden views from their broad balconies. And yes, in-keeping with the Mövenpick’s wonderful world-wide policy of a free mini bar for the first day of one’s stay, here too one can enjoy a range of non-alcoholic beverages on the house.
And while the signature Wellness Suites are unique to the resort, encompassing 74 sqm of therapeutic comfort, the Presidential Suite and Royal Suite are the pinnacles of Mövenpick’s renowned standards of comfort and style, stretching across a mammoth 164 sqm with private entrances.
Perfect Blend
Speaking of wellness, the resort shares its property with the BDMS Wellness Clinic which is the latest of the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services group’s centres of medical excellence. It applies world leading therapies and technologies to treat an illness’ root cause in seven specialised clinics with individually trained nurses and administrators. “With travellers placing more value on health and wellness than ever before, we are very excited to bring this innovative new concept to the market. Increasingly, wellness is moving beyond the walls of the spa and fitness areas with guests also wanting greater access to personalised programming,” says Lindsay Madden-Nadeau, Director of Well-Being, Accor. “Our new offering in Bangkok is a perfect example of how we are meeting this need and delivering sustainable, approachable wellbeing concepts to visiting guests as well as local communities.”
Taking full advantage of the wonderful Fitness Centre, guests must make sure to factor in at least an hour every day to working out on the David Health Solution System machines, designed to aid spine and orthopaedic recovery. The outdoor pool surrounded by thick vegetation that drown out all ambient noises from outside makes it almost impossible to believe that one is truly in the heart of chaotic Bangkok.
Healthy Bites!
At the resort, international dining tastes are fully catered to at a range of venues and all in-keeping with the resort’s wellness leitmotif. So, one can dine at the Tamarind all-day dining restaurant offering healthy and organic produce, generous breakfast buffets and themed buffet dinners. The Rim Klong Café serves famed Mövenpick coffees and ice creams, international breads and pastries, including gluten-free options, healthy mocktails, slow-juice selections, tea-infusions and nutritious boosters. It is a great place to simply unwind.
The Sala pool bar is perfect for refreshments of local and imported beers, fresh smoothies and original cocktails under cooling tree shade. For live music, soothing daytime tunes or an evening aperitif, head to the Cinnamon Lobby Bar. Serving juices and coffees and with a complimentary chocolate hour for guests, it’s a daytime family favourite.
Fact File
Getting There
There are a number of daily direct flights from most major Indian cities to Bangkok. The easy to procure Thai visa can either be obtained in advance online or at the various Thailand consular missions across India or on arrival (free till 30th April 2020) at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Stay
Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok, 2 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan,
Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Telephone: +66 (2) 666 3333, E-mail: resort.bdms.sales@movenpick.com
www. movenpick.com
Things to do
The resort’s city center location places guests at the heart of shopping and entertainment with a host of things to see and do:
* The Ratchaprasong retail district is packed with designer boutiques and shopping centres.
* The nearby Erawan Shrine is a serene place of pilgrimage for many Asian travellers just five minutes away.
* The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, opposite the MBK Mall, offers quiet galleries of ancient and contemporary art as a refreshing respite from the bustling markets.
* The city’s famed nightlife welcomes visitors just ten minutes from the hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 11 and Soi 8.
By Raul Dias
A unique urban health retreat surrounded by 1.2 acres of lush greenery, the brand new Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok by the Accor Group of hotels is one of those ultra-rare properties in that it is a proper, full-fledged resort set in the buzzing center of Bangkok. A classically elegant retreat, the property stands below tree height, shaded by the canopy of the adjacent Nai Lert Park, famed as Bangkok’s only remaining private city center park.
Within the resort a refined, minimalistic décor meets every modern convenience to take your stress away, reflecting Mövenpick’s renowned commitment to genuine comforts delivered exceptionally well. “Bangkok is a bustling and vibrant metropolis that travellers from all over the world aspire to visit at least once in their lifetime. We are delighted to bring a hotel inspired by such a unique wellness concept into the heart of the city, where our guests can relax within lush green gardens whilst enjoying convenient access to the BDMS Wellness Clinic,” says Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer of Accor for Upper Southeast & Northeast Asia and the Maldives.
Urban Oasis
The one aspect of the resort’s setting that’s truly impressive is the range of accommodation options the resort has on offer. While the Deluxe Rooms extend 42 sqm of personalised comfort, the Executive Suite is a spacious 74 sqm with separate living rooms and bedrooms. However, irrespective of room category, each offers either city views across the capital, or serene garden views from their broad balconies. And yes, in-keeping with the Mövenpick’s wonderful world-wide policy of a free mini bar for the first day of one’s stay, here too one can enjoy a range of non-alcoholic beverages on the house.
And while the signature Wellness Suites are unique to the resort, encompassing 74 sqm of therapeutic comfort, the Presidential Suite and Royal Suite are the pinnacles of Mövenpick’s renowned standards of comfort and style, stretching across a mammoth 164 sqm with private entrances.
Perfect Blend
Speaking of wellness, the resort shares its property with the BDMS Wellness Clinic which is the latest of the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services group’s centres of medical excellence. It applies world leading therapies and technologies to treat an illness’ root cause in seven specialised clinics with individually trained nurses and administrators. “With travellers placing more value on health and wellness than ever before, we are very excited to bring this innovative new concept to the market. Increasingly, wellness is moving beyond the walls of the spa and fitness areas with guests also wanting greater access to personalised programming,” says Lindsay Madden-Nadeau, Director of Well-Being, Accor. “Our new offering in Bangkok is a perfect example of how we are meeting this need and delivering sustainable, approachable wellbeing concepts to visiting guests as well as local communities.”
Taking full advantage of the wonderful Fitness Centre, guests must make sure to factor in at least an hour every day to working out on the David Health Solution System machines, designed to aid spine and orthopaedic recovery. The outdoor pool surrounded by thick vegetation that drown out all ambient noises from outside makes it almost impossible to believe that one is truly in the heart of chaotic Bangkok.
Healthy Bites!
At the resort, international dining tastes are fully catered to at a range of venues and all in-keeping with the resort’s wellness leitmotif. So, one can dine at the Tamarind all-day dining restaurant offering healthy and organic produce, generous breakfast buffets and themed buffet dinners. The Rim Klong Café serves famed Mövenpick coffees and ice creams, international breads and pastries, including gluten-free options, healthy mocktails, slow-juice selections, tea-infusions and nutritious boosters. It is a great place to simply unwind.
The Sala pool bar is perfect for refreshments of local and imported beers, fresh smoothies and original cocktails under cooling tree shade. For live music, soothing daytime tunes or an evening aperitif, head to the Cinnamon Lobby Bar. Serving juices and coffees and with a complimentary chocolate hour for guests, it’s a daytime family favourite.
Fact File
Getting There
There are a number of daily direct flights from most major Indian cities to Bangkok. The easy to procure Thai visa can either be obtained in advance online or at the various Thailand consular missions across India or on arrival (free till 30th April 2020) at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Stay
Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok, 2 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan,
Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Telephone: +66 (2) 666 3333, E-mail: resort.bdms.sales@movenpick.com
www. movenpick.com
Things to do
The resort’s city center location places guests at the heart of shopping and entertainment with a host of things to see and do:
* The Ratchaprasong retail district is packed with designer boutiques and shopping centres.
* The nearby Erawan Shrine is a serene place of pilgrimage for many Asian travellers just five minutes away.
* The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, opposite the MBK Mall, offers quiet galleries of ancient and contemporary art as a refreshing respite from the bustling markets.
* The city’s famed nightlife welcomes visitors just ten minutes from the hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 11 and Soi 8.
(A differently edited version of this piece was first published in the January 2020 issue of The Week's Smart Life magazine)
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Urban Oasis
Set in the heart of downtown Bangkok, the Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort is a fecund, tropical paradise with a lot on offer. Raul Dias checks in for some much-needed R&R!
By Raul Dias
A great fan of both my home city of Mumbai and that of my ‘adopted’ second home aka. Bangkok, I always find myself drawing several parallels between the two. Yes, both are equally chaotic, traffic-saturated and supremely exhausting! But both also have an indomitable spirit that cannot be defined or quantified. A spirit that keeps drawing me back to Bangkok’s urban charms time and again…
It is also a well-known fact that I will never refuse an opportunity to head to the Thai capital, even if it means a short, three-day trip. So, when I was very kindly invited to join in on GoAir’s inaugural daily, direct flight from Mumbai to Bangkok (check out our Travel Bytes section below for more details) on a trip they had jointly curated with AccorHotels to experience both the new flight as well as one Accor’s newest properties, the Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok, I jumped at the opportunity.
Plush Living
A unique urban health retreat surrounded by 1.2 acres of lush greenery, the Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok is one of those ultra-rare properties in that it is a proper, full-fledged resort set in the buzzing center of Bangkok. A classically elegant retreat, the property stands below tree height, shaded by the canopy of the adjacent Nai Lert Park, famed as Bangkok’s only remaining private city center park. Within the resort a refined, minimalistic décor meets every modern convenience to take your stress away, reflecting Mövenpick’s renowned commitment to genuine comforts delivered exceptionally well.
Another aspect of its setting that literally took my breath away was the range of accommodation options the resort has on offer. While the Deluxe Rooms extend 42 sqm of personalised comfort, the Executive Suite where I was staying is a spacious 74 sqm with separate living rooms and bedrooms. However, irrespective of room category, each offers either city views across the capital, or serene garden views from their broad balconies. And yes, in-keeping with the Mövenpick’s wonderful world-wide policy of a free mini bar for the first day of one’s stay, here too one can enjoy a range of non-alcoholic beverages on the house. I sure did!
And while the signature Wellness Suites are unique to the resort, encompassing 74 sqm of therapeutic comfort, the Presidential Suite and Royal Suite are the pinnacles of Mövenpick’s renowned standards of comfort and style, stretching across a mammoth 164 sqm with private entrances.
Where Serenity meets Bliss…
Speaking of wellness, the resort shares its property with the BDMS Wellness Clinic which is the latest of the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services group’s centres of medical excellence. It applies world leading therapies and technologies to treat an illness’ root cause in seven specialised clinics with individually trained nurses and administrators.
Taking full advantage of the wonderful Fitness Centre, I made sure to factor in at least an hour every day to working out on the David Health Solution System machines, designed to aid spine and orthopaedic recovery and thus perfect for my chronic lower back pain. The outdoor pool surrounded by thick vegetation that drown out all ambient noises from outside makes it almost impossible to believe that one is truly in the heart of chaotic Bangkok.
Sips and Bites
At the resort, international dining tastes are fully catered at a range of venues and all in-keeping with the resort’s wellness leitmotif. So, one can dine at the Tamarind all-day dining restaurant offering healthy and organic produce, generous breakfast buffets and themed buffet dinners. The Rim Klong Café serves famed Mövenpick coffees and ice creams, international breads and pastries, including gluten-free options, healthy mocktails, slow-juice selections, tea-infusions and nutritious boosters. It is a great place to simply unwind.
The Sala pool bar is perfect for refreshments of local and imported beers, fresh smoothies and original cocktails under cooling tree shade. For live music, soothing dayime tunes or an evening aperitif, head to the Cinnamon Lobby Bar. Serving juices and coffees and with a complimentary chocolate hour for guests, it’s a daytime family (and my personal!) favourite.
Things to do around the resort
Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok’s city center location places guests at the heart of shopping and entertainment with a host of things to see and do:
* The Ratchaprasong retail district is packed with designer boutiques and shopping centres.
* The nearby Erawan Shrine is a serene place of pilgrimage for many Asian travellers just five minutes away.
* The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, opposite the MBK Mall, offers quiet galleries of ancient and contemporary art as a refreshing respite from the bustling markets.
* The city’s famed nightlife welcomes visitors just ten minutes from the hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 11 and Soi 8.
Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok
2 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan,
Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Telephone: +66 (2) 666 3333 | Fax: +66 (2) 666 3334
E-mail: resort.bdms.sales@movenpick.com
www. movenpick.com
(An edited version of this article first appeared in the 17th August 2019 issue of The Free Press Journal newspaper's Saturday Great Escapes section on page 21 https://www.freepressjournal.in/travel/this-bangkok-resort-is-a-tropical-paradise)
By Raul Dias
A great fan of both my home city of Mumbai and that of my ‘adopted’ second home aka. Bangkok, I always find myself drawing several parallels between the two. Yes, both are equally chaotic, traffic-saturated and supremely exhausting! But both also have an indomitable spirit that cannot be defined or quantified. A spirit that keeps drawing me back to Bangkok’s urban charms time and again…
It is also a well-known fact that I will never refuse an opportunity to head to the Thai capital, even if it means a short, three-day trip. So, when I was very kindly invited to join in on GoAir’s inaugural daily, direct flight from Mumbai to Bangkok (check out our Travel Bytes section below for more details) on a trip they had jointly curated with AccorHotels to experience both the new flight as well as one Accor’s newest properties, the Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok, I jumped at the opportunity.
Plush Living
A unique urban health retreat surrounded by 1.2 acres of lush greenery, the Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok is one of those ultra-rare properties in that it is a proper, full-fledged resort set in the buzzing center of Bangkok. A classically elegant retreat, the property stands below tree height, shaded by the canopy of the adjacent Nai Lert Park, famed as Bangkok’s only remaining private city center park. Within the resort a refined, minimalistic décor meets every modern convenience to take your stress away, reflecting Mövenpick’s renowned commitment to genuine comforts delivered exceptionally well.
Another aspect of its setting that literally took my breath away was the range of accommodation options the resort has on offer. While the Deluxe Rooms extend 42 sqm of personalised comfort, the Executive Suite where I was staying is a spacious 74 sqm with separate living rooms and bedrooms. However, irrespective of room category, each offers either city views across the capital, or serene garden views from their broad balconies. And yes, in-keeping with the Mövenpick’s wonderful world-wide policy of a free mini bar for the first day of one’s stay, here too one can enjoy a range of non-alcoholic beverages on the house. I sure did!
And while the signature Wellness Suites are unique to the resort, encompassing 74 sqm of therapeutic comfort, the Presidential Suite and Royal Suite are the pinnacles of Mövenpick’s renowned standards of comfort and style, stretching across a mammoth 164 sqm with private entrances.
Where Serenity meets Bliss…
Speaking of wellness, the resort shares its property with the BDMS Wellness Clinic which is the latest of the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services group’s centres of medical excellence. It applies world leading therapies and technologies to treat an illness’ root cause in seven specialised clinics with individually trained nurses and administrators.
Taking full advantage of the wonderful Fitness Centre, I made sure to factor in at least an hour every day to working out on the David Health Solution System machines, designed to aid spine and orthopaedic recovery and thus perfect for my chronic lower back pain. The outdoor pool surrounded by thick vegetation that drown out all ambient noises from outside makes it almost impossible to believe that one is truly in the heart of chaotic Bangkok.
Sips and Bites
At the resort, international dining tastes are fully catered at a range of venues and all in-keeping with the resort’s wellness leitmotif. So, one can dine at the Tamarind all-day dining restaurant offering healthy and organic produce, generous breakfast buffets and themed buffet dinners. The Rim Klong Café serves famed Mövenpick coffees and ice creams, international breads and pastries, including gluten-free options, healthy mocktails, slow-juice selections, tea-infusions and nutritious boosters. It is a great place to simply unwind.
The Sala pool bar is perfect for refreshments of local and imported beers, fresh smoothies and original cocktails under cooling tree shade. For live music, soothing dayime tunes or an evening aperitif, head to the Cinnamon Lobby Bar. Serving juices and coffees and with a complimentary chocolate hour for guests, it’s a daytime family (and my personal!) favourite.
Things to do around the resort
Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok’s city center location places guests at the heart of shopping and entertainment with a host of things to see and do:
* The Ratchaprasong retail district is packed with designer boutiques and shopping centres.
* The nearby Erawan Shrine is a serene place of pilgrimage for many Asian travellers just five minutes away.
* The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, opposite the MBK Mall, offers quiet galleries of ancient and contemporary art as a refreshing respite from the bustling markets.
* The city’s famed nightlife welcomes visitors just ten minutes from the hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 11 and Soi 8.
Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok
2 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan,
Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Telephone: +66 (2) 666 3333 | Fax: +66 (2) 666 3334
E-mail: resort.bdms.sales@movenpick.com
www. movenpick.com
(An edited version of this article first appeared in the 17th August 2019 issue of The Free Press Journal newspaper's Saturday Great Escapes section on page 21 https://www.freepressjournal.in/travel/this-bangkok-resort-is-a-tropical-paradise)
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Conscious Coupling
The opulent Dhara Dhevi resort in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand is the perfect place to host a luxurious destination wedding. Raul Dias you on a journey through this breathtaking getaway.
By Raul Dias
The wind rustles through the emerald-hued paddy fields, lush and verdant after the previous night’s rain. The heady fragrance of frangipani permeates every nook and cranny, as the chirruping of cicadas provides the ambient sound track, competing with the gentle gurgling of a nearby brook. The sky is a shade of deep purple, speckled with golden bursts of light. You stop. You ponder. “Could this be really happening to me?” seems to be a question your mind asks no one in particular on a repeated loop. Then, suddenly, it all begins to sink in, every piece of this mind-boggling puzzle fitting in perfectly with each other…
Now, imagine this very same place as the venue for that dream destination wedding. Nestled in the fecund valley of Chiang Mai, in the Northern Thailand region of Lanna, this is one getaway where breathtaking beauty and opulent luxury are a way of life. A picture postcard perfect setting to exchange those lifelong vows.
Wedding wows!
With its expansive lawns overlooked by the sacred Bo trees and a delightful Lanna prayer hall set among verdant gardens, the location of the resort offers unparalleled advantages for weddings. As a wedding venue, you can choose from a variety of wedding receptions: the elegance of a European-style white wedding or the magnificence of a Lanna nuptial ceremony, rich in ancient traditions. Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai will take great care to make the moment unique. Weddings at Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai blend ceremonial pomp with traditional Lanna rituals, bringing together Thailand’s gentle charms with the expertise of well trained staff. In the grounds, the couple can ride away on a horse-drawn carriage or drift into the sky in a hot air balloon. Banquet menus are prepared using only the freshest ingredients, while the wine and champagne list caters for the most expert palates. Floral arrangements make use of northern Thailand’s abundant roses, jasmine and strelitzia, as well as exotic orchids, for which the country is famous.
Luxe unlimited
Offering some of the world’s most spacious and exclusive accommodation for you and your wedding guests, Dhara Dhevi’s 123 luxurious villas, colonial suites and signature residences have been crafted in keeping with traditional Lanna architectural styles. They feature extensive museum-quality artifacts, sumptuous Thai silks and local hill-tribe textiles, spacious terraces, some of which incorporate private plunge pools or swimming pools. The exquisitely designed interiors seamlessly blend age-old tradition with modern convenience and high technology. The resort’s unique design draws from the region’s rich architectural and cultural heritage that flourished during the Lanna period, which lasted from the mid-13th century until the mid-16th century and enjoyed a further resurgence in the last 200 years. It is these essential elements that contribute to an overall atmosphere of unparalleled luxury and serenity.
Suite surprise
For your wedding night, the piece de resistance has simply got to be The Royal Residence. Located in a self-contained area, the Royal Residence is a small ‘private retreat’ and is ideal for guests who seek exclusivity and privacy. It comprises six bedrooms, three with a king bed and three with twin beds. The ancient palace style architecture epitomises a grandeur and opulence of a bygone age, whilst every modern convenience and facilities have been incorporated into the unit - spacious bathrooms, generous living room space, large dining room and pantry, all connected by a walkway. Three private pools and three Jacuzzis complete the picture of ultimate luxury.
Dine (and wine!) like a royal
For the other smaller pre- and post-wedding functions, take your pick from a whole cornucopia of restaurants, bars and cafes that can be found sprawled about the extensive property. Set in a cluster of traditional Lanna style buildings, Le Grand Lanna—the specialty Thai restaurant serves regional cuisine from both Northern and Central Thailand.
Serving imperial Chinese cuisine along with dim sum in an elegant two-storey Sino-Portuguese style mansion, Fujian is another great dining option. Highlighting ‘French Progressive Cuisine’ Farang Ses is an opulent French restaurant serving modern French cuisine. For your cocktail evening, the Horn Bar featuring masks from different regions of Myanmar, depicting mythological characters is THE place to unwind.
Spa time
Speaking of unwinding, no destination wedding experience in Thailand can be complete without a soothing spa session. And the Dhara Dhevi’s Dheva Spa and Wellness Centre takes care of all your pre-wedding beauty and grooming needs to the hilt. Spread out over 3,100 square metres, this spa is a destination in itself and features signature ceremonies adapted from traditional practices from Northern Thai, Burmese and Indian cultures. Key treatments include The Royal Thai ceremony, Lanna ceremony, Mandalay ceremony and yes, even a typically Indian Ayurvedic ceremony.
Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai
51/4 Chiang Mai-Sankampaeng Road, Moo 1,
T. Tasala, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand
Telephone: +66 (53) 888 888
www.dharadhevi.com
By Raul Dias
The wind rustles through the emerald-hued paddy fields, lush and verdant after the previous night’s rain. The heady fragrance of frangipani permeates every nook and cranny, as the chirruping of cicadas provides the ambient sound track, competing with the gentle gurgling of a nearby brook. The sky is a shade of deep purple, speckled with golden bursts of light. You stop. You ponder. “Could this be really happening to me?” seems to be a question your mind asks no one in particular on a repeated loop. Then, suddenly, it all begins to sink in, every piece of this mind-boggling puzzle fitting in perfectly with each other…
Now, imagine this very same place as the venue for that dream destination wedding. Nestled in the fecund valley of Chiang Mai, in the Northern Thailand region of Lanna, this is one getaway where breathtaking beauty and opulent luxury are a way of life. A picture postcard perfect setting to exchange those lifelong vows.
Wedding wows!
With its expansive lawns overlooked by the sacred Bo trees and a delightful Lanna prayer hall set among verdant gardens, the location of the resort offers unparalleled advantages for weddings. As a wedding venue, you can choose from a variety of wedding receptions: the elegance of a European-style white wedding or the magnificence of a Lanna nuptial ceremony, rich in ancient traditions. Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai will take great care to make the moment unique. Weddings at Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai blend ceremonial pomp with traditional Lanna rituals, bringing together Thailand’s gentle charms with the expertise of well trained staff. In the grounds, the couple can ride away on a horse-drawn carriage or drift into the sky in a hot air balloon. Banquet menus are prepared using only the freshest ingredients, while the wine and champagne list caters for the most expert palates. Floral arrangements make use of northern Thailand’s abundant roses, jasmine and strelitzia, as well as exotic orchids, for which the country is famous.
Luxe unlimited
Offering some of the world’s most spacious and exclusive accommodation for you and your wedding guests, Dhara Dhevi’s 123 luxurious villas, colonial suites and signature residences have been crafted in keeping with traditional Lanna architectural styles. They feature extensive museum-quality artifacts, sumptuous Thai silks and local hill-tribe textiles, spacious terraces, some of which incorporate private plunge pools or swimming pools. The exquisitely designed interiors seamlessly blend age-old tradition with modern convenience and high technology. The resort’s unique design draws from the region’s rich architectural and cultural heritage that flourished during the Lanna period, which lasted from the mid-13th century until the mid-16th century and enjoyed a further resurgence in the last 200 years. It is these essential elements that contribute to an overall atmosphere of unparalleled luxury and serenity.
Suite surprise
For your wedding night, the piece de resistance has simply got to be The Royal Residence. Located in a self-contained area, the Royal Residence is a small ‘private retreat’ and is ideal for guests who seek exclusivity and privacy. It comprises six bedrooms, three with a king bed and three with twin beds. The ancient palace style architecture epitomises a grandeur and opulence of a bygone age, whilst every modern convenience and facilities have been incorporated into the unit - spacious bathrooms, generous living room space, large dining room and pantry, all connected by a walkway. Three private pools and three Jacuzzis complete the picture of ultimate luxury.
Dine (and wine!) like a royal
For the other smaller pre- and post-wedding functions, take your pick from a whole cornucopia of restaurants, bars and cafes that can be found sprawled about the extensive property. Set in a cluster of traditional Lanna style buildings, Le Grand Lanna—the specialty Thai restaurant serves regional cuisine from both Northern and Central Thailand.
Serving imperial Chinese cuisine along with dim sum in an elegant two-storey Sino-Portuguese style mansion, Fujian is another great dining option. Highlighting ‘French Progressive Cuisine’ Farang Ses is an opulent French restaurant serving modern French cuisine. For your cocktail evening, the Horn Bar featuring masks from different regions of Myanmar, depicting mythological characters is THE place to unwind.
Spa time
Speaking of unwinding, no destination wedding experience in Thailand can be complete without a soothing spa session. And the Dhara Dhevi’s Dheva Spa and Wellness Centre takes care of all your pre-wedding beauty and grooming needs to the hilt. Spread out over 3,100 square metres, this spa is a destination in itself and features signature ceremonies adapted from traditional practices from Northern Thai, Burmese and Indian cultures. Key treatments include The Royal Thai ceremony, Lanna ceremony, Mandalay ceremony and yes, even a typically Indian Ayurvedic ceremony.
Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai
51/4 Chiang Mai-Sankampaeng Road, Moo 1,
T. Tasala, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand
Telephone: +66 (53) 888 888
www.dharadhevi.com
(An edited version of this article first appeared in the 13th June 2019 issue of The Free Press Journal newspaper's Saturday Great Escapes section on page 21 http://epaper.freepressjournal.in/m5/2239923/Free-Press-Mumbai-Edition/13-Jul-2019#page/21/1)
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Starry, Starry Bites!
A food safari taking in Bangkok’s ultra-humble and low-key Michelin starred eateries is the perfect way to get a taste of the Thai capital.
By Raul Dias
‘Sister Mole’ seems a lot grumpier since the last time I saw her which was almost a year ago. Her trademark ski goggles—that have earned her the aforementioned moniker—shield 73-year-old Supinya Junsuta’s eyes that blaze with the same intensity as the flames that emanate from the propane-fueled stove she commands. Over this, she deftly coaxes together the egg and crab meat slurry in a huge wok filled with smoking oil. Legendary for its deep-fried crab omelet, her tiny street side, dinner-only stall Raan Jay Fai that’s located at Mahachai Road in the Phra Nakhon area of Bangkok is the only Thai street food eatery awarded 1-Michelin star. A feat that it accomplished in late 2017.
It was last year in August while tucking into a plate of the fluffy, generously ‘crabby’ omelet (800 Baht) and a side of her equally scrumptious jumbo prawn-redolent drunken noodles (400 Baht), that I got my very first taste of her edible brilliance. And that’s also perhaps why Junsuta—who’s known by all simply as ‘Jai Fai’—finds herself toplining the new Netflix show Street Food which is a spin off of the popular Chef’s Table series. This time too I find myself in culinary ecstasy as I wolf down my omelet, spiced with Jai Fai’s acerbic sarcasm as she smirks at my non-existent chopstick skills.
Mission Michelin
I’m on a mission on my current trip as I try to navigate my way through a handful of Bangkok’s 217 Michelin starred eateries that have more than a few things in common—from easy, no-reservations-needed access to that all-important factor being affordability. Speaking of which, the next day I find myself standing in line with my Thai friend Patchanee waiting for a table (that we end up sharing with a Taiwanese couple) at the iconic Go Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice on the busy Phetchaburi Road in Pratunam where a plate of khao man gai will set you back by a mere Rs 90 (40 Baht).
This signature chicken rice dish is a simple preparation of quivering, almost gelatinous slices of chicken breast meat set atop a bed of moist, garlic-flavoured rice and served with rounds of cucumber and a bowl of thin chicken broth. Started in 1960 as a nameless pushcart stall manned by a Hainanese immigrant to Bangkok, the brick and mortar eatery has today earned its first Michelin star. But that seems to have made scarce difference to the infamous brusque service. Though the serpentine lines for a table seem to say otherwise.
Meat Jaccuzi!
It’s very hard to miss the 1-Michelin starred Wattana Panich, which is where I find myself seated—amidst assorted restaurant detritus like sacks of onions and crates of beer—for an early dinner. And I’m not just alluding to the sweet Chinese spice mixture aroma that permeates almost the entire Ekkamai Soi 18 neighbourhood in Sukhumvit where this modest sized, old-school Chinese shophouse can be found. It is the sight of the almost pool sized, Jacuzzi-like cauldron of its famous kuay teow neua Thai beef noodle stew (100 Baht a bowl) that will serve as a shock to your senses.
Using a master stock that has been in the family for the last 70 years using unique Chinese ingredients like goji berries, and astragalus root along with the ubiquitous star anise and cinnamon, the dish can be customised to one’s taste. You could order a bowl of kuay teow neua stew with my favourite sen yai (thicker rice noodles) or sen mee (thin, almost vermicelli-like noodles), either with less broth or more for a soup-y consistency.
Hidden Gem
Ruean Panya is perhaps one of those few places that not many local Bangkok residents had ever heard of until a few months ago. It was only when the latest 2019 Michelin guide book to Bangkok bestowed upon it a single star did people sit up and notice this seafood haven. Located in the Bangkok suburb of Samut Sakhon, about an hour’s drive from the center of the city, this family run restaurant, expertly blends food and art—both of which will stun you silent.
Spread across a cluster of four quaint little cottages, the relaxed mood gives one the impression of dining at friends, while the painting-filled interiors add a gallery-like feel. Owner Pannee does all the cooking herself, which means that you can expect a hugely staggered meal service. But it is Pannee’s attention to detail and the complexity of flavours make her dishes like the sublime lhon pu mud crab dip (300 Baht) and the toasted giant prawns with salt (price varies as per catch) worth the wait and their weight in gold!
(A shorter, differently edited version of this article appeared in the 6th July 2019 issue of the Mint Lounge newspaper, India on page 16 https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/starry-starry-bites-1562408294747.html)
By Raul Dias
‘Sister Mole’ seems a lot grumpier since the last time I saw her which was almost a year ago. Her trademark ski goggles—that have earned her the aforementioned moniker—shield 73-year-old Supinya Junsuta’s eyes that blaze with the same intensity as the flames that emanate from the propane-fueled stove she commands. Over this, she deftly coaxes together the egg and crab meat slurry in a huge wok filled with smoking oil. Legendary for its deep-fried crab omelet, her tiny street side, dinner-only stall Raan Jay Fai that’s located at Mahachai Road in the Phra Nakhon area of Bangkok is the only Thai street food eatery awarded 1-Michelin star. A feat that it accomplished in late 2017.
It was last year in August while tucking into a plate of the fluffy, generously ‘crabby’ omelet (800 Baht) and a side of her equally scrumptious jumbo prawn-redolent drunken noodles (400 Baht), that I got my very first taste of her edible brilliance. And that’s also perhaps why Junsuta—who’s known by all simply as ‘Jai Fai’—finds herself toplining the new Netflix show Street Food which is a spin off of the popular Chef’s Table series. This time too I find myself in culinary ecstasy as I wolf down my omelet, spiced with Jai Fai’s acerbic sarcasm as she smirks at my non-existent chopstick skills.
Mission Michelin
I’m on a mission on my current trip as I try to navigate my way through a handful of Bangkok’s 217 Michelin starred eateries that have more than a few things in common—from easy, no-reservations-needed access to that all-important factor being affordability. Speaking of which, the next day I find myself standing in line with my Thai friend Patchanee waiting for a table (that we end up sharing with a Taiwanese couple) at the iconic Go Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice on the busy Phetchaburi Road in Pratunam where a plate of khao man gai will set you back by a mere Rs 90 (40 Baht).
This signature chicken rice dish is a simple preparation of quivering, almost gelatinous slices of chicken breast meat set atop a bed of moist, garlic-flavoured rice and served with rounds of cucumber and a bowl of thin chicken broth. Started in 1960 as a nameless pushcart stall manned by a Hainanese immigrant to Bangkok, the brick and mortar eatery has today earned its first Michelin star. But that seems to have made scarce difference to the infamous brusque service. Though the serpentine lines for a table seem to say otherwise.
Meat Jaccuzi!
It’s very hard to miss the 1-Michelin starred Wattana Panich, which is where I find myself seated—amidst assorted restaurant detritus like sacks of onions and crates of beer—for an early dinner. And I’m not just alluding to the sweet Chinese spice mixture aroma that permeates almost the entire Ekkamai Soi 18 neighbourhood in Sukhumvit where this modest sized, old-school Chinese shophouse can be found. It is the sight of the almost pool sized, Jacuzzi-like cauldron of its famous kuay teow neua Thai beef noodle stew (100 Baht a bowl) that will serve as a shock to your senses.
Using a master stock that has been in the family for the last 70 years using unique Chinese ingredients like goji berries, and astragalus root along with the ubiquitous star anise and cinnamon, the dish can be customised to one’s taste. You could order a bowl of kuay teow neua stew with my favourite sen yai (thicker rice noodles) or sen mee (thin, almost vermicelli-like noodles), either with less broth or more for a soup-y consistency.
Hidden Gem
Ruean Panya is perhaps one of those few places that not many local Bangkok residents had ever heard of until a few months ago. It was only when the latest 2019 Michelin guide book to Bangkok bestowed upon it a single star did people sit up and notice this seafood haven. Located in the Bangkok suburb of Samut Sakhon, about an hour’s drive from the center of the city, this family run restaurant, expertly blends food and art—both of which will stun you silent.
Spread across a cluster of four quaint little cottages, the relaxed mood gives one the impression of dining at friends, while the painting-filled interiors add a gallery-like feel. Owner Pannee does all the cooking herself, which means that you can expect a hugely staggered meal service. But it is Pannee’s attention to detail and the complexity of flavours make her dishes like the sublime lhon pu mud crab dip (300 Baht) and the toasted giant prawns with salt (price varies as per catch) worth the wait and their weight in gold!
(A shorter, differently edited version of this article appeared in the 6th July 2019 issue of the Mint Lounge newspaper, India on page 16 https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/starry-starry-bites-1562408294747.html)
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