THEGUIDE
thailand
FAHTHAI
109
HOT TIP
Santa and his favourite elves will be greeting children the week before Christmas at Samui's Fairways Indoor Play Centre. fairwayssamui.com
SEASIDE SUNSETS; RACING DOWN THE NAN RIVER
K O H S A M U I
“Along with the lazy luxury of being able to fall asleep
on a (literal) water bed, floating therapy is said to offer a
host of health benefits. So when the invitation came to
give floating therapy a try in Bophut, my interest was, of
course, piqued. Thaisolete’s float tanks – they actually
look like giant shells – are filled with 600kg of epsom-
salt solution. Once you lie down inside, your body feels
weightless and you’re cut off from external stimuli.
Essentially, you experience a zero-gravity simulation.
Floating therapy is designed to aid relaxation and heighten
one’s senses. It reportedly helps lower blood pressure,
encourage healthy sleep patterns, boost energy levels and
heal muscle injuries. I was told by laid-back, free-spirited
owner Harry to expect deep euphoria, hallucinations
and perhaps an out-of-body experience. The novelty of
floating and bobbing about in the tank makes it fun at first.
Around 10 minutes in, I drifted off – not fully awake but
not asleep – and 10 minutes later my limbs felt like liquid
and I began to lose sensation in them. My experience was
mixed. It was nice to zone out but the promised out-of-
body experience and hallucinations never materialised.
Several hours after emerging, though, I felt energised
and revitalised, and had my best night’s sleep in months.
Ensure that you shower thoroughly afterwards though;
there’s nothing appealing about salt-crusted ears.” -
Fah
Thai
deputy editor Claire Knox
. thaisolate.com
Tried and
tested:
float on
Festive cheer
Samui may be devoid of snow but the island has no shortage of
parties and festive cultural events during the holiday season
LOY KRATHONG
Every year on the full moon
day of the 12th Lunar
month, the waterways of
Thailand light up with
thousands of floating rafts
stuffed with flickering
candles.
Loy
means to float
while
krathong
means raft,
and there are many beliefs
surrounding this festival.
It’s known as a way to
let go of negative feelings,
resentments and misfortunes.
It’s also a nod of respect
to water goddess Phra
Mae Khongkha. Nearly all
hotels on the island hold
special celebrations for
Loy Krathong, with feasts
and dancing, but better to
head to the central lake in
Chaweng, where you’ll see
thousands of families from
across the island haggling
with street vendors, watching
performances and placing
beautiful handmade rafts of
banana leaves on the water.
NYE COUNTDOWN
Greet the New Year in style
at Samui’s celebrated Nikki
Beach party hub. Kids under
16 aren’t allowed here and
neither are bikinis or board
shorts, which makes for a
classier affair. This year’s
line-up includes a gala
dinner, fireworks, DJs and
musicians. If you’re in the
mood to splash out, reserve
one of its lounge beds now;
they tend to get snapped up
fast by the hi-so crowd.
nikkibeach.com/kohsamui
CHRISTMAS DINNER
W hotel has come up with a
stylish Christmas feast this
year. Start your celebrations
with Christmas Eve drinks
and chilled beats at Woobar,
followed by a feast at the
Kitchen Table from 8pm. On
the 25th, indulge in free-flow
Veuve Clicquot at a lavish
brunch. Reserve your place
now.
wretreatkohsamui.com/
christmas
LIGHT'S ON
Rafts are floated
on the water to
celebrate Loy
Krathong
K O H S A M U I
S H I N E O N
