thailand

Audemars Piguet Watches And The Rare Sport Of Elephant Polo

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Sports

Team-based elephant polo doesn't just sound like a weird sport, it is a real weird sport. First I heard about it was today when learning that luxury watch maker Audemars Piguet is one of the sponsors. Like the equestrian based polo we all know (and some love), elephant based polo utilizes the same concept - just longer mallets, more jockeys, and bigger animals.

The specific event I am talking about is known as the 2009 King's Cup Elephant Polo game, held annually in the Golden Triangle region of Thailand at the Anantara Resort. We are talking about a lifestyle and world where the term "trumpet" is still used as a noun, and the sport, is still a local high-society favorite. Elephant polo is like a big pachyderm free for all - 12 teams compete for the coveted King's Cup (video after the jump). One of the 12 teams will of course be the Audemars Piguet team, complete with elephant and two riders. One for the controls (elephant) and one with the mallet (mostly bamboo). In addition to having a team, Audemars Piguet is a co-sponsor of the event. So, 'hear ye, hear ye, at the end of March, Audermars Piguet and Anantara Resorts trumpet the 2009 King's Cup Elephant Polo challenge in Thailand.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: Anantara, audemars piguet, AudemarsPiguet, elephant, polo, sport, thailand, watch

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The World's Top Luxury Houses

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Estates, Books

The latest volume in teNeues' tantalizing Luxury series is entitled Luxury Houses: Top of the World. As we've noted before, the luxe publisher's Top of the World titles reflect the very best the globe has to offer. This book is not simply a showcase of the world's most extravagant estates, however; rather, it showcases the dwellings of those who have the luxury to build exactly what and where they want. All of the residences pictured feature "stunning settings, sumptuous materials, and sophisticated architectural detailing and interiors," and each "offers a unique perspective on what's possible if both money and taste abound." The cover, above, features the Samsara villa in Phuket, Thailand, designed around an infinity pool with incredible ocean views.

Gallery: World Class Luxury Houses

Cape Schank House, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Beuth Residence, West Hollywood, California

Tags: Architecture, teNeues, Thailand

Ritz-Carlton Launches Reserve Brand

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Ritz-Carlton is betting on the luxury hotel business to continue to be strong with the launch of the new brand extension, The Reserve. Next March the new brand will open Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, Southern Thailand. The 54-villa and pavilion boutique hotel is set on the shores of the Andaman Sea and surrounded by a national forest with rugged rock formations and hidden waterfalls. Rooms offer tropical garden or cean views, private plunge pools and sheltered outdoor baths and showers and verandahs with out-door lounge beds. the resort has an infinity swimming pool featuring comfortable oversized day beds, cabanas and pool chairs, a gym, spa with ten treatment rooms, retail shop, personal butlers and the Living Room, a club house with a library with a wide range of international books in numerous genres and audio and video materials, board games and entertainment programs tailor-made as the guests' requests. The resort was designed by Thai architect Lek Bunnag to combine modern styling and architecture with accents of Thai culture and design.

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Tags: andaman sea, AndamanSea, phulay bay, PhulayBay, ritz-carlton, thailand

Queen of England Far Behind UAE on Richest Royals List

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

More bad news for the Queen of England - she has fallen to 12th place on Forbes' list of the world's richest royals. Earlier this month we reported that the value of her London residence, Buckingham Palace, had fallen by a whopping $100 million thanks to declining property values.

Now Elizabeth II is suffering the added indignity of languishing on the rich list, as her measly $650 million fortune puts her well behind the UAE's oil-rich rulers. In the No. 1 spot for the first time is King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, with a net worth of $35 billion, who apparently shot up the list as a result of admitting he was richer than previously thought.

At No. 2 is Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE and hereditary ruler of Abu Dhabi, with a net worth of $23 billion. No. 3 is King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, worth $21 billion. And Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, ruler of Dubai, clocks in at No. 5 with $18 billion. See the complete list here.

Tags: abu dhabi, AbuDhabi, buckingham palace, BuckinghamPalace, Dubai, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, KingAbdullahBinAbdulAziz, KingBhumibolAdulyadej, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of England, QueenElizabethIi, QueenOfEngland, Royalty, Saudi Arabia, SaudiArabia, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, SheikhKhalifaBinZayedAlNahyan, SheikhMohammedBinRashid, Thailand, UAE, united arab emirates, UnitedArabEmirates

Veranda Chiang Mai Opens In Northern Thailand

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

High in the mountains of Thailand a new luxury resort has been born. The sister to Veranda Resort Hua Hin, the new Veranda Chiang Mai is a getaway in paradise affording serenity, peace, color, culture and relaxation for its guests. Featuring terraced gardens, a hillside infinity pool, feng shui landscaping and a zen-like essence throughout, it is also near the northern capital, Chiang Mai, where culture and nightlife abound. Each of the sixty-nine rooms creates an atmosphere where you can rest, restore and experience the best of Thailand...don't forget your elephant trek through the jungle while you're visiting.

[via Travmedia]

Gallery: Veranda Chiang Mai

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Tags: chiang-mai, thailand, travmedia, veranda-chiang-mai, veranda-resort-hua-hin

King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events, Sports

We've seen polo in the snow before but perhaps the most unique type of polo match in the world is elephant polo. The 2008 King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament is currently going on in Thailand. The event is sponsored by Audemars Piguet watchmakers and takes place on the grounds of the Anantara Resort Golden Triangle. This year seven teams from 15 countries are competing for the King's Cup trophy with a total of 28 elephants.

The opening match begun with a blessing ceremony and the animals were given a buffet of fruits and vegetables. The festive event raises money for the National Elephant Institute, which provides medical care and sustenance to Thailand's elephant population. It is estimated that Thailand has around 2,500 domesticated elephants and 1,500 wild elephants.

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Tags: elephants, polo, thailand

Cape Yamu, Another Ambitious Project In Thailand

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Another luxury project that bears the unique stamp of Philippe Starck is Cape Yamu on Phuket's East Coast in Thailand. The project includes both villa residences and a five-star boutique hotel, the Yamu. The project has some serious design clout, both Adrian Zecha of GHM Hotels and Aman Resorts and architect Jean-Michel Gathy are also involved. The Yamu will have 63 hotel rooms as well as a large swimming pool, spa and restaurants. There are also twelve villa estates and 15 club villas for sale. Just two estate lots are left for purchase. The style is Thai-modern, clean, spare and yet tropical. Starck adds his own touch of whimsy but seems to have gone for elegant over wacky in this particular design using a more muted color scheme. The Yuma complex includes a restaurant and five other "glass cubes" around the hotel grounds that are host to a wine room with a wine cave, a cigar lounge, a private kitchen, a chocolate room and a private boutique. There is also a play area with chess, a lounge and a bar. The Yamu is set to open in 2008.

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Tags: cape yamu, CapeYamu, development, phuket, resort, thailand, villas

Ocean One, Eco Fabulous In Thailand

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

The Ocean One Tower planned for Pattaya, Thailand will not just be the tallest building in Thailand, it will also be eco-friendly. The Wall Street Journal recently ran a piece on environmentally-friendly architecture in Asia and highlighted this project, a 91-story beachfront condo development. The 611-unit building will be designed to conserve water and energy through a variety of different methods. Tap water will be fed back into toilets and then treated and used for the grounds and the gardens. The power of the highspeed elevator will also light the observation deck and solar panels on a nearby commercial building will power the shops and restaurants. The $245 million project is expected to be completed in 2010.

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Tags: condo, condominium, eco friendly, green, ocean one, OceanOne, pattaya, thailand

Mango Wood Turned Stool

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Art

The Mango Wood Turned Stool can serve many purposes, working equally well as a table, stool, or simply as an artistic element. Hand-turned on a lathe by artisans in Thailand, the unique beauty and character of the mango wood is left to show naturally by leaving the wood untreated, which means no two pieces are alike. I love it and think it's beautiful, although due its mix of natural energy and modern appeal working it into a room's decor would take a skilled vision I think. Its hand-crafted nature means measurements may vary slightly, but are generally 13"W x 18"H and it weighs about 25lbs. $368 from Gaiam.

Via CribCandy

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Tags: art, artisan, artisans, au naturale, AuNaturale, decor, gaiam, hand-crafted, mango, mango wood, mango wood turned stool, MangoWood, MangoWoodTurnedStool, natural, stool, table, thai, thailand

The Barai

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

One of the ways that Hyatt is keeping up with the boutique hotels is to create little oases inside their larger hotels. The Barai is a new spa concept that is part of the Hyatt Regency Hua Hin in Thailand. The spa offers just eight residential spa suites and 18 private treatment suites. The bottom floor residential suites have plunge pools while the upper suites have balconies with view of the Gulf of Thailand. The spa offers yoga, meditation and a variety of treatments and will open in March.

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Tags: barai, hotel, hyatt, spa, thailand

Serenity Terraces

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Serenity Terraces, a new beach-front real estate project in Phuket has a new tactic to seduce condo hunters. Every buyer in the project will also get fractional ownership rights on the 89 foot yacht, the Lady Anita.. The Lady Anita will be owned collectively by the unit owners and during the construction phase of the project buyers may start utilizing their yearly rights to use the Lady Anita.

Serenity Terraces faces Chalong Bay and is located near the Six Senses Evason Hotel and the site of the future Four Seasons Hotel. There are 63 units ranging from one bedroom apartments to beach-front duplexes and lofts with their own private swimming pools. Prices start around $205,000. Other amenities will include a beach-front infinity pool, restaurant and sports gym and the units can be part of a managed holiday rental program.

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Tags: phuket, thailand, travel, yachts

Four Seasons Koh Samui To Open This Winter

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Four Seasons is now accepting reservations for their latest gorgeous resort, the Koh Samui in Thailand. The resort is located on a hillside in Laem Yai Bay and overlooks the beaches of the Gulf of Siam. The resort includes villas and residences that feature private pools and sundecks. There is a forest spa and dining options that the opportunity to eat high on a hill or beachside. They are now confirming for February reservations and rates start at $600 per night.

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Tags: four seasons, FourSeasons, koh samui, thailand, travel

Indigo Pearl Resort

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Indigo Pearl Resort, located in Phucket, Thailand, is one of the country's newest luxury locations. The concept of the resort is a balance between land and water, as it is on the Andaman Sea beachfront. The decor is an unusual combination of natural influences, such as silk and wood and industrial art work that reflects the area's mining past, all atop an overarching modern design. Guests will stay in one of 277 rooms and suites and will have access to 8 restaurants serving Thai and International cuisines. Other amenities include swimming pools, a full-service spa, tennis courts, a cooking school, diving lessons and a fitness/meditation pavilion. The resort is scheduled to open in November 2006.

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Tags: hotel, indigo pearl, IndigoPearl, resort, thailand

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Millennium Residence @ Sukhumvit

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Condo residences are really starting to take off in Thailand. We keep seeing more and more urban complexes. The latest to be announced is the Millennium Residence @ Sukhumvit, a set of four towers in Bangkok. The new condos are designed for both Thais and foreigners and have panoramic views of Bangkok's skyline. The four 51 to 53-story "orchid petal-shaped" towers have 604 units in total. Amenities include a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis court, jogging track, gymnasium, a sauna and steam room, games room and a playground for the children. Prices range from 6.6 million Baht (around $173,000) to as much as 90 million Baht 9($2.37 million) for a penthouse. The project is expected to be completed by November 2009.

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Tags: bangkok, condo projects, development, thailand

The Sarojin

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Sarojin, a luxury resort in Khao Lak, Thailand has only been open less than a year but they have already been named to the Conde Nast Traveler Hot List 2006, selected as a World Travel Awards nominee 2006 and included in the Association of British Travel Agents, top 100 hotels. The reasons for this include a beautiful sheltered beach, a luxurious spa, a gourmet restaurant and a very sexy pool designed for private relaxation. To tempt visitors to Thailand during the summer months they are offering a special where, if you stay a minimum of two nights, you receive the same number of additional nights free. The resort also offers a complimentary 30 minute spa massage; daily shuttle bus trips into Khao Lak town; wireless internet; fruit baskets and welcome drinks as well as use of mountain bikes, a catamaran sailing boat and sea kayaks. There is also a 38-foot boat, the Lady Sarojin, which is available for excursions or private charters. Guests stay in 56 private residences, some with plunge pools.

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Tags: luxury resort, sarojin, thailand, travel

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