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Beyond Samui
Samui Scene
Coming to Koh Samui?
Book your hotel in
advance here and benefit from special internet rates
FREE INFORMATION & ARTICLES
Samui Property Online Guide from Siam Map Co. Ltd.
Impartial information, articles and stories on the Koh Samui Property
and Real Estate Market - Magazine Online Updated Monthly.
 Everybody
needs it from time to time. Some space to escape and enjoy what life has
to offer. At
Ban Sabai Sunset Beach Spa and Resort at Taling
Ngam Beach on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand,
life has seldom offered so much.
Book a room at Ban Sabai Sunset online now, safe
and fully secure
 Sala
Samui
A number of new top class resorts have opened around the island this year, and
Sala Samui is certainly one of the best both in terms of its location and
facilities. The resort has no less than fifty-five swimming pools, fifty-three
of them attached to their luxurious private ‘pool-villas’, as well two large
guest pools overlooking the gentle sands of Choeng Mon beach. There is also a
first rate beachside al fresco restaurant serving succulent imported steaks,
fresh daily seafood, timeless pasta creations and other international favorites,
as well as the best of traditional Thai cuisine with spicy soups and salads,
classic regional entrees, and sweet Thai desserts. The comfortably cushioned bar
area has a cool, relaxed atmosphere, and features a live music duo every
Saturday. There is even a stylish, fully stocked and air-conditioned walk-in
wine cellar with a view of the sea. Meanwhile, the Mandara Spa at Sala Samui
features two luxurious spa suites and two double deluxe rooms with a full
service hair and beauty salon.
 A
sanctuary of privacy and peace, this Spa offers a vast array of treatments from
rejuvenating facials, natural body scrubs and massage therapies to manicures and
pedicures. Traditional Thai massage can also be enjoyed outdoors in one of the
poolside ‘salas’ from which the resort takes its name. Like its sister resort
the Sila Evason Hideaway, Sala Samui marks a step forward in both accommodation
and hospitality on Samui, hopefully a step in which others will follow.
 Siam
Classic Dance
Chatupol Chaipakdee, or Jack to his friends, is a professional dancer and
choreographer. Born in Rayong, he graduated with a bachelor degree in Thai
Drama, and later went on to perform in productions with the Thai National
Theatre. Jack has also composed and written a number of Thai classical sound and
light shows, and has even worked on video and stage productions for famous Thai
pop stars ‘Itt and Ying’. Working with food and beverage professional Colin Guy
from the UK, Jack recently established ‘The Siam Classic Dance troupe’, who
perform nightly at a specially designed theatre restaurant in Bophut. The daily
sunset and dinner shows include both traditional Thai dances such as the ‘Klong
Yau’ drum dance, which is often features in a Thai wedding procession, as well
as more contemporary interpretations like the ‘Four Elelments’ dance, in which
earth, air, fire and water compete against each other to show their powers. The
performance begins with a short demonstration of the main Thai classical dance
movements, and dinner shows include a generous menu of Thai dishes and fruit.
Dance has been an important part of Thai culture for centuries, and at Siam
Classic, visitors to Samui have the opportunity to experience all the art and
drama first hand. For reservations call 077 430 065 or 07 1111646. Advanced
booking is advised.
General Business Service
If your thinking of starting a business on Samui, or want better understanding
of one you already run, the NAT group of companies specializes in professional
business services, accounting and consultancy. The firm is the exclusive Thai
licensee for GBS, the biggest business counselling franchise in the US, and
offers a wide range of accounting services and advice to both small and medium
sized businesses. The company has branches in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and now
also on Koh Samui, and already enjoys a strong reputation, particularly amongst
property companies. NAT is also the sole distributor for two best selling
accountancy software packages- ‘Quickbooks’, which is a US programme suitable
for use in small businesses involved in a range of trade and service sectors,
and ‘Sage’, which is the UK’s most popular accountancy programme. In March this
year, the company led a seminar in English on Corporate Income Tax changes in
Thailand, and their trained consultants also offer management and Thai tax
courses for foreigners that cover everything from VAT returns to non-deductible
expenses. NAT’s Managing Director, Khun Sirirat Chotivechkarn holds an MBA from
Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, and writes regular business and finance
articles for both the Thai and English language press. Network Advisory Team
Ltd. is located on the main Samui Ring road in Chaweng. Tel. 077230831 or visit
the website at www.thaiaccounting.com.
 Face
of the Month
Gregg Montanez is the new Executive Chef at Poppies, and the man chosen to take
Samui’s most popular restaurant to the next stage in their culinary journey.
Gregg, from California, comes from the Six Senses Resort in Hua Hin where he was
Executive Chef for 2 years following many years in senior positions with leading
hotels and restaurants around the world. His first contribution has been to
create an extensive new lunch menu that is sure to make Poppies as popular
during the day as it already is in the evenings. A truly international selection
boasts new dishes such as quesadillas, Vietnamese style ‘wraps’ and a range of
speciality sandwiches, including ‘classic pannini’ on freshly baked ciabatta
served with green salad or chilled gazpacho soup. There is also a wide choice of
appetizers, grilled pizzas, burgers, pasta dishes and desserts, as well as
Poppies famous Thai cuisine. A new chef and a new lunch menu, combined with
renowned warm and friendly service and spectacular beachside views promise to
make Poppies one of the most desirable lunch venues in Chaweng.
 Vietnamese
Food at CSBR
Vietnamese cuisine is famous worldwide for its fresh flavors and creative
ingredients. Abundant fresh herbs, delicate soups and rich stir fries combine
with grilled meat and seafood often served with rice or noodles. The dishes
rarely have added fats, and sweets are often based on fresh fruit served with
sweetened rice or tapioca. While traditional Vietnamese cuisine relies on fresh
vegetables, subtle
seasonings and rice, modern cooking reflects its Chinese and French influences
and also has
numerous regional differences; in the South of the
country you find plentiful fresh seafood, while in the cooler climates of the
North there are heartier meals with beef and abundant greens. In Central
Vietnam, around the ancient Royal Capital Hue, the food is still influenced by
of the former cooks to the Royal court. Vietnamese Master Chef Nguyen Phuong Mai
from the Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok’s ‘Le Danang’ Restaurant visited Samui
recently to create a superb Vietnamese Buffet Menu that is soon to become a
weekly theme at the Palm Grove restaurant.
Her maestro touch produces French fusion dishes such as the delightful ‘spring
rolls with smoked salmon’ and an exquisite ‘avocado with crabmeat.’ She manages
to take what is already a popular Asian fare to even greater heights. The
sumptuous buffet is also very kind on the pocket, and this month will be
available at the Central Samui Village from May 11 – 26. For more information or
reservations, please call the Central Samui village Tel. 0-7742-4020 or Central
Samui Beach Resort, Tel. 0-7723-0500.
 Light up your Life
Lighting
is now considered an essential part of furnishing a home, and a newly opened
retail outlet called ‘The Lightbox’ in Mae Nam now offers a range of stylish
lamps and fixtures, many of them imported from Europe. The owner of the shop is
Alison Webber from Scotland who can also advise and what kind of lighting best
suits a particular space, and where certain fittings work best. She is an
interior designer who noticed the lack of lighting services while having her own
house built on Koh Samui. She now offers what she calls a ‘bespoke’ lighting
service, and all the lamps in the shop are changed and updated on a regular
basis. The shop is located in the large, recently constructed commercial and
residential complex just south of Maenam. The Lightbox. Tel. 077 332 038.
 Samui
Regatta Schedule
At the end of this month the annual Samui Tropical Island Regatta promises a
week of fun-filled racing action on the water, and a week of parties and revelry
on dry land in the evenings. The atmosphere of the event is always laid back,
island-style, the food showcases the worldwide realm of cuisine to be found on
this very Thai island and the attitude is easy-going and fun. Forget your
blazers, dig out your best tropical shorts and print shirts, and enjoy what the
Samui yachting fraternity has laid on for you. Below is a guide to one of the
island’s biggest and best weeks:
Monday 23rd May. Race Day One -
10.30am Coastal passage race. Afternoon - get together in the Regatta Tavern on
the beach at the Race HQ; Central Samui Beach Resort - everyone is welcome!
Evening - hit the town and check out our Sponsors Participating Outlets.
Tuesday 24th May. Race Day Two - 10.30am Race ‘around the cans’ in Chaweng bay.
Afternoon - get together in the Regatta Tavern - on the beach at the Race HQ;
Central Samui Beach Resort - everyone is welcome! Evening - hit the town and
check out our Sponsors Participating Outlets
Wednesday 25th May. Race Day Three - 10.30am Coastal passage race. Afternoon -
get together in the Regatta Tavern - on the beach at the Race HQ; Central Samui
Beach Resort - everyone is welcome! Evening til late; Regatta Festival - Bo Phut
Fishermen’s’ Village. Live music, entertainment, food stalls, and fun.
Thursday 26th May. Lay Day and Regatta Golf Day at the Santiburi Samui Country
Club
Friday 27th May. Race Day Four 10.00am Coastal passage race. Afternoon - get
together in the Regatta Tavern - on the beach at the Race HQ; Central Samui
Beach Resort - everyone welcome! Evening; hit the town and check out our
Sponsors Participating Outlets
Saturday 28th May. Race Day Five 11.00 Final race ‘around the cans’ in Chaweng
bay. Evening - 19.00 Awards Ceremony and Closing Party - Gala Dinner at Central
Samui Beach Resort. |
