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Cambodia Re-Opens! And more updates from Akorn Southeast Asia Insider
In this issue, we share our new Wellness and Spirituality of Bali journey, our favorite must-dos in Siem Reap, Cambodia and our Top 5 ways to bring in the New Year in Thailand. Catch up with Jean-Baptiste Richard, our new Regional Managing Director for Southeast Asia and learn how your travelers can make an impact in Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang through our philanthropy projects.
Just Back: What's it like to arrive in Thailand now?
Sonja Stoerr, our Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for Southeast Asia recently returned home to Bangkok after traveling to the US and experienced the new quarantine-free Test & Go program. She said, “I was amazed by the ease and efficiency on arrival to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK). I also had no trouble applying for the Thailand Pass in advance which was very straightforward. It’s so exciting to now have Thailand open again in such an easy way!”
As of 1 November, Thailand implemented the new Test & Go program for vaccinated travelers from 63 countries. Travelers now have an RT-PCR on arrival and after waiting for their results at their hotel (typically 4-6 hours), they are free to continue their journey and travel throughout the country. “Several of our preferred five star hotels in Bangkok, such as the Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya and the new Capella Bangkok, have their own test clinics on-property, making the arrival very comfortable for our guests.” View more details on Thailand’s Test & Go program here and feel free to contact Sonja with any questions or Thailand Pass tips.
Cambodia is now open for fully vaccinated travelers without quarantine, so visiting the historical temples of Angkor is back on the agenda for next year or even this year’s end-of-year celebrations.
Exploring the amazing lost-world temples without the large crowds that were seen in previous years is something few have the chance to experience and to help you make the most of your time, here are a few of our favorite experiences in Siem Reap which you won’t want to miss:
Witness an Angkorian sunrise – It’s a natural phenomenon that has taken place every morning for nine centuries, but seeing the sun slowly creep up over the 12th-century Angkor Wat temple is an unforgettable image that makes the early start worth it.
Discover Khmer’s ethical artisans – Get an insider’s perspective on Cambodia’s burgeoning arts and crafts scene and explore galleries, boutique shops and studios with an art curator, including a Khmer lacquerware workshop and a couture fashion design house.
Taste Siem Reap by tuk tuk– Treat your taste buds to some of Siem Reap’s best cuisine, traveling by private tuk tuk to casual local eateries, a Khmer garden house and a modern Cambodian restaurant.
Explore unseen temples by Jeep – Explore rural Cambodia on a countryside Jeep adventure, traveling to remote villages, rice fields, plantations and a rarely-seen Angkorian temple, off the beaten track.
Go kayaking on Tonle Sap Lake– Discover how Cambodia’s fishing families live in rustic floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake and watch rare birds fly overhead in the nearby Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve.
Morning Meditation with Monks – Start the day with a pre-dawn walk to a ninth-century pagoda at the top of a hill where you can listen to Buddhist monks chanting and performing their daily purification rituals.
Give Clean Water – Travel opens up opportunities for us to give back to the communities we visit, and you can get involved with our Clean Water philanthropy project and change the lives of rural villagers. Consider donating a clean water well ahead of your journey so that when you are in the country, you can meet the community and see the impact of your contribution firsthand.
Live out your own personal “Eat, Pray, Love” adventure amid palm-fringed beaches, rice fields, cycling trails and scenic sunrises in Bali, Indonesia. Built upon centuries of spiritual and agricultural wisdom, this Indonesian island is an inspiring wellness destination with a deep-rooted sense of culture and tradition.
Capturing the essence of Bali in nine richly rewarding days, our new Wellness and Spirituality of Bali program is a private and personalized adventure that will touch the heart, mind and soul.
Think Balinese healing massages in the foothills of a volcano, sunrise blessings on a mountain and a picnic at a waterfall. Through our personal Akorn connections, our guests can connect with some of the island’s top insiders, including a high priest who conducts a private blessing ceremony and local Balinese chefs who offer insights into the island’s ancestral herbal remedies as well as local culinary traditions and native ingredients.
This nine-day journey can be fully customized for your FIT clients, or consider forming a private small group journey and learn how we can assist with special group rates with advisor and tour leader benefits.
The end of the year is just around the corner and it’s time once again to take stock and refocus on the things that truly matter. For us, that means slowing down and spending more quality time with our family and friends, so we decided to put together our Top 5 Thailand travel ideas that will bring loved ones closer this celebration season.
1. Take the Scenic Route on The River of Kings
Experience a leisurely cruise on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, known as the “River of Kings,” where the city’s riverboat traffic flows down towards the Gulf of Thailand and beyond. Travel on the stylish Loy Pela River Song cruise for an overnight journey to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam. Spend the day exploring 18th-century ruins or simply relaxing and watching the life of the river pass.
Be sure to start 2022 on the right path with traditional Thai health and healing rituals, including blessings from a Buddhist monk to bring happiness and good luck your way. Spend the morning at a temple listening to the monks’ daily chant. You may wish to light an incense stick or try the fortune telling game where your future may be revealed by a piece of bamboo. Consider getting inked with a sacred “Sak Yant” tattoo by a spiritual master, a thousand-year-old tradition that is said to guide your life journey and provides spiritual protection.
3. Wine and Dine in Southeast Asia’s Culinary Capital
Mark the end of the year in spectacular style with a memorable meal at one of Bangkok’s excellent fine dining venues. Home to 28 Michelin-star restaurants (including six two-star restaurants) and six of Asia’s Best 50 Restaurants, Thailand’s ever-growing gourmand scene offers something for everyone. Options range from modern European fare with 65th-floor views at Mezzaluna to German haute cuisine at Sühring or innovative Thai flavors at 80/20, Sorn and more.
Escape to the north of Thailand for a quiet night in, amid the scenic mountains of Chiang Mai. At Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, you and your loved ones can spend time exploring the property’s lush rice fields and gardens with a range of intimate dining experiences available in your room, by the pool or at the Thai kitchen. For those looking for more excitement, head into the city to enjoy the festivities that usually take place in the old city or along the Ping River.
What could be better than ringing in the new year with cocktails and Champagne on a luxury yacht in southern Thailand. Browse our curated selection of private charter boats, from comfortable day cruisers to spacious overnight vessels, and embark on your own private sea voyage, exploring the coasts of Phuket or the islands of Phang Nga Bay. Walk on a secluded beach or explore the underwater world at some of the region’s best diving and snorkeling spots while the dedicated on-board crew attend to your every need.
In October 2021, we welcomed Jean-Baptiste Richard as our new Regional Managing Director for Southeast Asia. Born in southern France, Jean-Baptiste or “JB” first came to Thailand as a university student and quickly fell in love with the country, its people and its food! Now fluent in Thai, JB has spent several years exploring and raising his family in Southeast Asia. We sat down for a chat to find out more about his favorite places.
Q: What do you love most about living in Thailand?
A: The feeling that anything is possible! With so much history, culture and diversity, Thailand is the land of possibilities, where we can go anywhere at anytime; do anything at anytime, and of course, eat anything, anytime! In Bangkok especially, we have almost unlimited options, from Michelin-star cuisine to exotic street food, all delivered with great quality and value.
Q: Tell us about your most memorable travel experiences in Southeast Asia.
A: I remember the first time I traveled to northern Thailand and crossed over the border into Myanmar’s Golden Triangle. I was amazed by the small hilltribe villages as well as the golden pagodas that can be seen in the area. It was a rustic adventure that took me out of my comfort zone, but I loved the feeling of stepping into this rarely-visited, intriguing part of Southeast Asia.
Q: Where is your next travel destination?
A: I can’t wait to get back to Vietnam for a cup of their famous Vietnamese coffee and a bowl of fresh pho noodles. The history, culture and markets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are full of hidden gems and every time I visit, I always discover something new.
In Thailand, I want to bring my family to experience Anantara Golden Triangle’s new Jungle Bubble accommodation. I can’t think of anything more special than looking up at the stars all night and waking up to the call of elephants in the morning. I’m also looking forward to upcoming visits to Singapore and Cambodia and will be returning to Laos as soon as the borders reopen in the next few months.
Q: We hear you are a diving enthusiast. What are your favorite places to go diving?
A: Nothing beats a liveaboard adventure combining the Surin and Similan islands in southern Thailand, including the world-famous Richelieu Rock. The island of Koh Lipe near the Thai-Malaysian border is also a great option while Koh Chang, near the Cambodian border, is where you will find Thailand’s largest shipwreck.
My all-time favorite diving experience, however, has to be the Komodo archipelago of Indonesia. We experienced amazing visibility and thrilling drift dives and encountered spectacular marine life, including manta rays. It was also refreshing to take a break from diving and do some treks across the islands in search of Komodo dragons.
Q: Where do you like to hang out in Bangkok?
A: Every weekend, you will find me at Talad Noi. I love getting lost in this lively little neighborhood beside the Chao Phraya River. It’s a maze of small lanes full of heritage houses, trendy coffee shops, street art, and amazing food stalls. I usually head to Mother Roaster or Patina Bangkok for a coffee, or if its later in the day, I love going to Baan Rim Naam, a funky little bar that is right on the riverside.
Q: What are the Southeast Asia travel trends we should look out for in 2022 and beyond?
A: This year, we are already seeing a strong move towards Slow Travel and the idea of staying longer and going more in-depth into a destination. I believe that we will see this continue well into 2022 as more travelers are seeking more authenticity and a deeper connection with people and places, which was difficult to do in the old travel mode of jumping from one country to the next.
The requirement for COVID-19 testing at every entry point may continue for several months, so this will also play into travelers’ decisions to avoid multi-country journeys. Therefore, I see the potential for travelers to go more off-the-beaten-path and discover hidden gems in more remote corners of our destinations.
Funding Education: Philanthropy in Thailand and Laos
This year, young children in northern Thailand and Laos are able to continue their education thanks to a generous donation made through AKP Philanthropy. With the support of Akorn guests, AKP will cover the school tuition fees of three young children in Chiang Mai and also provide much-needed desks and chairs for students at Muang Khay Secondary School in Luang Prabang, Laos.
In Chiang Mai, the children who will benefit from the donation are all promising students who live in the community of The Wildflower Home, a shelter for women who face challenges of severe poverty and domestic abuse. AKP has been working with The Wildflower Home since 2017 by funding the mushroom farm and other projects which have helped provide the women with new job skills, a source of income, food security and a sense of confidence. The student scholarships expand the range of support AKP is able to provide these families … especially in the midst of difficult times.
Thailand: Fully vaccinated travelers from 63 countries can visit any part of Thailand without quarantine under the nation's "Test and Go" program while travelers from other countries can explore designated areas under the "Blue Zone" program. Find out more about Thailand’s reopening here.
Singapore: Singapore is open for fully vaccinated travelers from Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom and United States, Germany and Brunei under the Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) program. Keep up to date with Singapore’s reopening here.
Indonesia: While Bali is open for travelers from 19 countries, a three-day quarantine on arrival still applies. The government is in discussion to ease entry requirements for Quarter 1, 2022. View current details about Indonesia’s reopening here.
Cambodia: On 15 November 2021, Cambodia reopened for fully vaccinated travelers without quarantine. Stay tuned for more details about Cambodia’s reopening here.
Vietnam: Some international flights may resume in Quarter 1, 2022, however a seven-day quarantine on arrival is likely to remain in place until further notice.
Laos: Laos recently announced reopening to travelers from China but remains closed to other international points of origin for the time being.
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Please note: The above information was correct at time of writing. However, the situation remains fluid and details change regularly. We recommend that travelers always check travel advisories both in your home country and the destination you are traveling to before you book and before travel.
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Looking for more INSIDER news, ideas and travel information?
In this issue, we unveil the ultimate luxury honeymoon adventure in Thailand and chat with some of Southeast Asia’s top chefs about their favorite local dishes. Browse our portfolio of luxury and boutique villas in Thailand and get an update on our new philanthropy project in Myanmar.
Explore Indonesia’s top surf breaks with our new luxury Surf Safari, go on a VIP foodie adventure with a top chef in Chiang Mai and discover our Top 5 wellness experiences in Southeast Asia. We also unveil our Phuket yacht portfolio.
How to make the most of a quarantine-free stay in Phuket, our favorite restaurants on Asia's 50 Best Restaurant List, our team’s recent adventure off Thailand’s west coast and a travel update from our Regional Managing Director.
