< Previous50 THE SPOTLIGHT Do you prefer travelling domestically or internationally? I prefer travelling internationally and as I’m Thai-British, particularly to England. I’m drawn there for every experience, from its culture to having local food and visiting the famous palaces. I would love to travel there with my father as it’d be a special opportunity to take him back to his hometown. I get especially excited about digging into authentic fish & chips – it’s my favourite English dish! London is the city I like to visit the most. Can you share a bit about your most recent trip and what you enjoyed most? My most recent trip was to Indonesia. I was fortunate enough to accompany the top 10 contestants from Miss Grand Thailand 2022. Not only did I get to support Engfah in the Miss Grand International pageant, but I also had the wonderful opportunity to travel with my friends. My favourite moment of the trip was when our group got together and decided to go out with no plan in mind – we wandered around the city and ended up having Korean BBQ as it was the only thing we could eat. Which place holds special memories for you? When I was a child, my dad and I visited my brother's house in England which was situated very far and deep in a forest. Despite the remoteness of the area, I was not scared at all - instead, I felt a sense of joy at being able to experience a place that no one had seen before. Which season do you like to travel in, and why? I choose winter as my ideal season for travel because I have yet to experience snow in my life. I'm eager to have the chance to experience snow first-hand; to touch it, see it and feel it! How would you describe your travel style? My travel style is connected with nature. After spending long periods in cities with their towering skyscrapers, I like to be surrounded by trees, mountains and the sea. I like to explore without a strict itinerary and simply go with the flow, which allows me to enjoy whatever I come across without a fixed time. If I had to pick one domestic destination, I would choose Chiang Mai due to its stunning views of mountains and lush greenery. I particularly love seeing the fog roll in. When it comes to choosing between mountains or seas, I would have to go for the sea, being born and raised in Phuket. But, when I'm in the mountains, I feel a sense of relaxation and relief. What tips do you have for keeping fit and having a radiant complexion while travelling? When travelling, I tend to let go of my usual diet and exercise routine so I can really enjoy eating delicious local food. However, I make sure to get back on track with my healthy lifestyle once I return home. I still make sure to take a daily vitamin C supplement while away. All in all, I make sure to enjoy the journey and savour every moment of my trips.5152 THE SPOTLIGHT53 I s there any adventurous activity that you’d like to try at least once in your life? Yes, I would love to experience bungee jumping at least once! I am not sure in which country I saw this but it looked so thrilling and challenging. Even though I’m scared of heights, I still have the urge to try bungee jumping – at least once. As a graduate of Tourism Management, what advice would you give to travellers visiting foreign countries with different cultures and languages? I encourage travellers to open their minds to potentially eye-opening experiences, and to take all opportunities to explore unfamiliar countries, provinces and specific sites. Even if the destination isn't popular, the experience could become one to remember for a lifetime! If they’re afraid of travelling alone, they can always bring a friend along. My advice is to not be rigid with a fixed schedule and to instead go with the flow and do whatever feels right, so that you enjoy your travels to the fullest. What is your opinion on the growing trend of female solo travellers? For female solo travellers who are embracing this growing trend yet may be feeling somewhere unsure or a little scared, my advice is to do your research thoroughly, plan ahead and make sure that it is a safe place for you to visit. Make new friends, make connections with local people and, if possible, hire a local guide. Don't be afraid to go on an adventure alone. Have fun and take it all in! Would you consider travelling solo to a foreign country where English is not the primary language? Absolutely yes, I would. I wouldn’t be afraid to do so and I'd be excited to see if I would manage to make it through the journey. It's a different type of challenge that I'd be eager to try. Even though I may be a bit nervous at first, I'm always willing to try to connect with other people and make new friends. What is your definition of travelling? For me, travelling is the freedom to do whatever I please, go wherever I desire, and journey with whomever I choose, all while travelling with a sense of joy and happiness. What items would you never leave behind when packing for a trip? An inhaler, as I am prone to motion sickness when travelling by boat, bus or car. Having an inhaler gives me with great relief (laughs). What projects are you currently working on and what can your fans look forward to in the near future? I am currently filming the series "Show Me Love", which is now airing on GrandTV. Additionally, I am planning a solo concert towards the end of March. So please show me your support and stay tuned for further updates!5456 URBAN FOODIE Situated in the busy Sathorn district of Bangkok within Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok, Albricias is a modern and upscale restaurant serving a seasonal Mediterranean menu. 58 ITALIAN FLAVOURS BY THE ANDAMAN Olive, located in JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, is led by Chef de Cuisine Vincenzo Sorrentino who brings traditional Italian flavours beachside of the Andaman Sea. 60 GLITZ AND GLAMOUR ON THE BANKS OF THE CHAO PHRAYA Every city's port plays a role in how culturally expansive it is; from Auckland to New York there are wondrous varieties to explore and on the banks of the Chao Phraya in Bangkok, that is no different. 62 CHINESE WITH A CHIC TWIST Discover Charlie’s by Tong Peng, a fresh take on 40-year-old family restaurant Tong Peng! 5556 COME DINE WITH ME THE FEAST57 His menu is a medley of bright and fresh Mediterranean flavours executed with a deft contemporary twist, and dining at Albricias at Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok is a culinary expedition through the Mediterranean region. He is committed to evolving the menu each season featuring ingredients from Europe, Asia and local produce from Thailand to constantly offer diners new and exciting dishes. With the friendly, attentive service and a well-curated drink list, Albricias is a choice dining experience that was recognised by the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX) in 2022 for its excellence. The appetisers here are particularly noteworthy, such as the King Crab & Pomegranate (THB 875) which features ALBRICIAS Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok 291 Soi Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra 24, New Sathon Road, Bangkok, 10120 Thailand T. +66 (0) 2 672 0200 E. info.crst@chatrium.com W. www.chatrium.com/ sathonbangkok/dining/albricias- restaurant Text by Chondarin Subarna Na Ayudhya Situated in the busy Sathorn district of Bangkok within Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok, Albricias is a modern and upscale restaurant serving a seasonal Mediterranean menu crafted by the very accomplished Executive Chef Dessi De Vries. With his wealth of experience in restaurants, hotels and resorts across Asia including the Maldives, India, Thailand and Vietnam, Chef Dessi brings a unique perspective to the dishes served at Albricias. URBAN FOODIE poached king crab leg and salad, paired with a light and spicy guacamole espuma, pomegranate structures, Granny Smith apple and curry mayonnaise. This was a winning balance of contrasting and delightful textures and flavours from the sweet pomegranate, tart apple, light and savoury guacamole, and creamy umami mayonnaise. Another appetiser of note was an ingenious assembly of Heirloom Tomato Structures (THB 850). I'm not overly keen on tomatoes but was astounded by their sweetness here, which was unexpectedly more reminiscent of fruit. The dish comes with a consommé however I opted to savour the tomatoes on their own. It was altogether a novel and delicious tasting experience. The entrée highlight was Langoustine and Risotto (THB 1,495) which was an impressive sight to behold with langoustine poached and grilled with lime butter, a tomato-herb sauce and Jerusalem artichoke. Beautifully presented, the dish exuded a tantalising aroma as it was placed on the table. The creamy crustacean-filled risotto was contrasted with a squid sponge that provided some bite, and the green asparagus was the perfect vegetable to accompany the dish. For dessert Albricias offers two signatures: Fall in the Forest (THB 395) and Limón (THB 395). The former, served with drama on an impressive glass plate with dry ice, includes chestnut and vanilla, caramelised hazelnuts, chocolate and tonka bean ice cream. Every bite offered a delightful and harmonious blend of flavours and textures. The latter dessert was a delectable combination of lemon and coconut mousse, crumble, crispy yogurt, lemon thyme sorbet and coconut gel. It was refreshing and light, making it an ideal choice to end a satisfying and full-flavoured meal with. In summary, dining at Albricias at Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok was a delightful experience in all aspects and it is a must-visit destination in the city for food- lovers. The kitchen team clearly takes great care to ensure that each and every dish is of the highest quality, crafted with attention and presented immaculately. The service was also top-notch with attentive and intelligent servers.58 COME DINE WITH ME THE FEAST59 with pumpkin purée and crispy parmesan cheese, is sublime with its complementary flavours and contrasting textures. Cabonara (THB 385) is prepared here using the old- school method with pancetta bits but not heavy cream, with the dish’s creaminess coming from egg yolk and parmesan cheese. If you wish to enjoy pizza and grilled dishes, I firstly recommend Pizza Quattro Formaggi (THB 420) with its crispy base and generous, gooey topping of four cheeses. I also recommend Pagello Alla Mediterranea (THB 690), red snipper fillet cooked Mediterranean- style with caponata, tomato sauce and potato purée. Their desserts are excellent, and I was especially delighted with the traditional Tiramisu (THB 240) and Baileys e Ciccolato OLIVE ITALIAN RESTAURANT JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa 41/12 Moo 3, Khuk Khak, Takuapa, Khao Lak, Phang Nga 82220 T. +66 (0) 76 584 888 W. www.olivekhaolak.com Text by Pakvipa Rimdusit Olive, located in JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, is led by Chef de Cuisine Vincenzo Sorrentino who brings traditional Italian flavours beachside of the Andaman Sea. It is possibly the best restaurant on Khao Lak for authentic Italian cuisine. The place itself is already alluring, set just a few steps away from the beach with a choice of alfresco or indoor seating in a casual-chic setting. The menu offers a full array of courses starting with palate-awakening appetisers to pasta, wood-fired pizza and indulgent grilled dishes. There are also vegetarian options. ITALIAN FLAVOURS BY THE ANDAMAN For those looking to start their meal with seafood, Frutti del Mare (THB 420) will waken your palate with its divine blend of a variety of freshly-caught seafood sitting in a zingy, well- seasoned tomato sauce. I enjoyed a number of recommended dishes but the outstanding ones that I couldn’t get enough of were the pastas. Ravioli di Wagyu (THB 540), served Fondente (THB 240), or Baileys ice cream served with brownie crumble, coffee cookies and dark chocolate chips. Olive is open only for dinner and an advance reservation is highly recommended since everybody knows that this is the unmissable restaurant to head to for authentic Italian food.Next >