THEGUIDE
thailand
106
FAHTHAI
PICTURE-PERFECT VISTAS; MYSTERY PARTIES; THAI JUNGLE CHEF
Chef Urs Stoeckli gets to more picture-perfect
weddings than most – even more so since he
set up shop on Samui. He’s the founder of the
island’s creative catering company Chef in the
Jungle. While lavish bridal spreads are Stoeckli’s
stock in trade (menu highlights include a roasted
suckling pig and a smoky, rum-glazed salmon
fillet, grilled over coconut wood), his company
also designs private beach picnics, pool parties
and boat picnics.
Fah Thai
asked the affable chef
what event had been his favourite this year.
“This year’s most exciting and challenging
event for us was a secluded beach wedding at
Ang Thong Marine National Park. We served a
Thai-inspired seafood buffet to over 100 guests
on an otherwise deserted island. The bride and
groom’s guests were just so thrilled and surprised
to be presented with five-star dining in such a
remote, tropical setting.”
chefinthejungle.com
Beyond Siam’s seas
S
amui isn’t short on spectacular
sights but the view from the
brasserie at five-star boutique hotel
Shasa Resort & Residences is pretty
special. It looks out onto the Gulf of Siam’s
cerulean waters and also overlooks the resort’s
tropical gardens, pools and 32 suites, which
cascade like Ubud’s terraced rice paddies
down to the very quiet Laem Sett beach. It’s
the antidote to bustling Chaweng and Lamai.
Shasa serves up some exciting cuisine, with a
rotation of celebrity chefs (right now it’s TV
chef IK Bunn Borriboon) on board to shake up
the menu. Try his version of lobster thermidor
– the crustacean comes with a rich, red curry
risotto – or his prawn and scallop ravioli,
which comes swimming in a spicy, flavoursome
tom yum
soup.
shasahotels.com
K O H S A M U I
K O H S A M U I
Something
different
Two new things to try on the island
this season
HOT TIP
Visit the ornate, shining beachside Chedi (Pagoda) on the grounds of Wat Laem Sor on Samui's Southern coast.
SAMUI'S MYSTERY PARTIES
Believe it or not, Tim Dean-Smiths, the founder
of Lamai’s beach club-resort-spa Beach Republic,
believes some Samui stalwarts are in dire need of
a break from white sand and glittery waters. So
he’s set up the rather quirky Escapology, a series
of fun adventure games set in themed rooms with
puzzles, riddles and clues. Guests can join a team
in each room and have an hour to play interactive
games, gather clues and crack the case. The aim?
You’re locked in the room – so it’s to find the key
and escape! Claustrophobes would be well advised
to steer clear.
beachrepublic.com
FLAME TREES
Anantara Lawana is far from the crowds in North
Chaweng. Occupying space on a quiet stretch of
sand allows for the Anantara to set up a clutch of
floaty white teepees and huge, comfy red cushions
near a campfire once the sun goes down every
Friday. Come and enjoy a private beach barbecue
under the stars featuring fresh seafood and meats
imported from Australia.
lawana-chaweng.anantara.com
Jungle bites
K O H S A M U I
