Thailand 2011 - (Page 12)

ROMANCE, THAI-STYLE CONTINUED The Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve by the Andaman Sea offers beach weddings. The Ritz-Carlton brand. Tucked away amid a jungle-and-beach setting, Phulay Bay comes with all the trappings of a once-in-alifetime stay: a dedicated butler, 1-bedroom villas with private plunge pools, outdoor baths and gardens and numerous activities, including romantic treatments at its ESPA spa. The resort offers several Day” tour and visit Myanmar in the morning and Laos in the afternoon. The resort hosts the northern extension of the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, so guests have the added bonus of being able to learn from their trainers, ride the large beauties through the nearby forest or even help bathe them. “Thailand is a friendly and spiritual place, so why not take advantage of the local culture and include some of the local customs in a wedding ceremony, or even have an authentic Thai Buddhist wedding? You do not have to be a practicing Buddhist to partake in this amazing experience,” explains Srimoon. Indeed, many resorts incorporate at least some local rituals into their wedding offerings, including offerings to monks and blessings by respected elders. A Regal Elephant wedding package at Anantara Golden Triangle comes ready for an unforgettable event. The site is beautifully decorated and a water-pouring ceremony takes place to bond the couple together. The bride and groom ride to and from the ceremony on elephants and T12 engage in a traditional monks’ ceremony with live Lanna music throughout. They also enjoy a private candlelit dinner in the midst of rice paddies, a 45-minute massage and two nights in a suite. All-inclusive rates for this package start at approximately $4,875. Anantara also has resorts in Phuket, Koh Samui, Bangkok, Hua Hin, Phangan Island and Si Kao. At Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai (fourseasons. com), couples can exchange vows in Lanna-style pavilions surrounded by rice ﬁelds and mountain views beyond, then hold a reception in the pavilions or tropical gardens and later retreat to regal rooms with vaulted ceilings. With the Thai Lanna wedding package, a traditional procession and blessing by village elders is complemented with a wedding cake and bottle of champagne for the toast. The bride and groom and their parents will get ﬂower bouquets and corsages, and the bride will receive a manicure, pedicure and hair setting for the special day. Additionally, the couple will enjoy a candlelit dinner and their choice from several treatments at the spa, which has private herbal steam rooms and outdoor soaking tubs. Call for rates. For a different kind of romantic retreat, couples can choose the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, reachable by riverboat, and stay at one of just 15 luxurious tented accommodations with outdoor decks, handhammered copper bathtubs built for two, large beds wrapped in mosquito netting and a full living area. The resort is hidden away in the jungle, adding an air of seclusion and privacy to the getaway. A 4-night Adventure package starts at $2,501 and includes a pp spa treatment and several activities to choose from, plus all meals and beverages. SOUTHERN DELIGHTS Beachside romance is done expertly in the islands and shorelines of the south of Thailand. Couples seeking both luxury and privacy by the Andaman Sea will love Phulay Bay, A RitzCarlton Reserve (phulaybay. com) in Krabi, which combines an authentic Thai experience with the tried-and-true service of ready-made wedding packages. The Candle Light Wedding, easily its most romantic, allows couples to say “I do” as thousands of candles ﬂicker and water features and background melodies heighten the moment. With a dedicated wedding planner at their disposal, they’ll enjoy a blessing ceremony, wedding decoration, a three-tier wedding cake, photographer service, a 3-night stay at a Royal Beach Villa and more. The package also includes a private excursion to Hong Island, where they can enjoy a luxury picnic right on its picture-perfect beach. The Candle Light Wedding package is priced at $7,300. Phulay Bay can also arrange an array of exciting activities and excursions for guests, including a helicopter tour, a sunset or island-hopping sail or an elephant trek through the jungle. They can also hike to the top of Naga Mountain, which offers unparalleled panoramic views, or explore the area on a motorized tuk-tuk bike. ‘Mooners can take advantage of the Honeymoon of Romance package if they stay for at least four nights. It comes with daily breakfast, a private dinner http://fourseasons.com http://phulaybay.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Thailand 2011

Cultural Highs
Medical Tourism
Romance, Thai-Style
Think Green
Thailand Tee Times
Muay Thai
A Culinary Feast
All Aboard
Touring Thailand
Fast Facts

Thailand 2011