Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket reopens to the world as part of Phuket island’s ‘Sandbox Programme’ for vaccinated travellers – with no quarantine requirements

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, a luxurious beachfront resort on the northwest coast of Phuket, one of Thailand’s most beloved island destinations, is set to reopen its doors on 1 July 2021 as part of Phuket’s unique Sandbox Programme, which will allow vaccinated travellers from Thailand and overseas
to visit the island and move around freely with no quarantine requirements.

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket

To celebrate the occasion, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, which is owned and operated by Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, will welcome guests back with a wide range of family-friendly experiences specially crafted in line with Dusit’s four new pillars of gracious hospitality – Service (personalised and gracious), Well-Being (delivering wellness experiences beyond the spa), Locality (uniquely linking guests with the local community), and
Sustainability (social, economic, and environmental) – to add convenience, experience and value to every stay.

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket Beach Front

This includes providing guests with the chance to enjoy a deeper connection with the
destination through a range of complimentary activities reflecting responsible tourism practices.
Among some of the options offered are guided tours to support local fishing villages; sustainable
crafts workshops such as upcycled tie-dye and bag painting; cooking classes featuring locally
sourced ingredients; and Thai cultural workshops where guests can learn more about the history of Phuket and the island’s unique traditions and customs.

Amore Dinner at the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket

Guests will also benefit from Dusit’s new group-wide holistic wellness concept, Devarana Wellness, which goes beyond the resort’s traditional spa offering to weave well-being elements throughout the entire stay experience. From complimentary activities that enhance emotional and physical resilience, such as yoga, meditation, and breathwork, to healthy restaurant menus and ‘micro wellness moments,’ including the offer of essential oils on arrival, Devarana Wellness has implemented property-wide services to help guests destress, detoxify, and enjoy deep restorative sleep.

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket Wellness Activities

Every weekend, the resort also offers a Family Retreat Programme, designed by Devarana Wellness, which is packed with entertaining and enriching experiences for adults and children alike. A mini-farm workshop, educational kids camp, stand up paddleboarding, and family-focused wellness sessions are just some of the activities provided

Mini Farm Workshop

To prepare for welcoming international visitors, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket has fully vaccinated its staff. It has also been certified for the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s new sanitary safety standard, SHA Plus. Certification is only awarded to properties that strictly follow official COVID-19 control guidelines and uphold the highest hygiene standards, including regular and thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all guest rooms and public areas.

Dusit’s carefully crafted ‘Dusit Care’ services are also in place to deliver additional convenience while maximising guest safety. Flexible check-in, anytime breakfast, and mobile payment methods are just some of the services offered so guests can stay with utmost peace of mind. The resort's SHA Plus certification, which reflects operating procedures already in place at each of the properties, also demonstrates their readiness to welcome vaccinated travellers at each of their properties when the time is right. 

Imagine waking up to the view of the beach

Set on the white sands of Bang Tao beach overlooking the Andaman Sea and
surrounded by lush tropical gardens, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket comprises 253 elegant rooms, suites and villas. Amongst other facilities, it offers a fully equipped gym, tennis and sports courts, a luxurious spa, an outdoor swimming pool, a watersports centre, a children’s play area, and easy access to the neighbouring 18-hole Laguna Phuket Golf Course. Five dining outlets cater to a wide range of tastes, including international favourites, Royal Thai cuisine, and fine Italian dining.

To mark its opening, the resort is offering three special Back to Paradise packages starting at
THB 12,800 net inclusive of free nights, daily breakfast, and other exclusive privileges. The
options include:

• Book three nights and get an additional night free, inclusive of daily breakfast for two persons
and daily THB 1,000 food and beverage credit.*

• Book seven nights and get an additional three nights free, inclusive of daily breakfast for two
persons, and daily THB 1,000 food and beverage credit.*

• Book 10 nights and get an additional four nights free, inclusive of daily breakfast for two
persons, and daily THB 1,000 food and beverage credit.*


*Terms and conditions apply.


The package is available for booking from 25 June – 30 September 2021, and valid for stay dates between 1 July – 30 September 2021.

Guests flying with participating airlines will also have the opportunity to earn up to 7,500 additional air miles.

For more details, please visit: https://www.dusit.com/specialoffers/

Article contributed by Dusit International

Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant @ Bangkok

Bangkok is full of eccentricity. This time, I associate my lunch with sex. However, the restaurant guarantees that their food will not cause pregnancy. Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant intrigued me enough to make me go out even on a 40^oC afternoon. Melting under the umbrella, I finally found the place at Sukhumvit Soi 12.

Welcome to Cabbages and Condoms or known as C&C in short

Located next to the Asian Centre for Population and Community Development, this bizarre eatery has attracted international attention. Cabbages and Condoms is established by the Population and Community Developement Association (PDA), one of Thailand's largest and most successful private, non-profit, development organizations. PDA was founded to promote family planning and to contain Thailand's rapid population growth (average of 7 children per family). 

Located just adjacent to the Asian Centre for Population and Community Development

So why Cabbages and Condoms instead of other names? The institution believes that for family planning to be successful, birth control should be as accessible as vegetables in the market and the ones served in the restaurant. A deluge of sense penetrated into me and the brilliance of the name shone. The deep and serious intention of the appellation totally changed my initial perception that it was for shallow marketing.

You know you are heading to the right place when the road that leads to the resto shows outstanding decor

The organization is active in community empowerment, water resource development, environmental conservation and sanitation and HIV/ AIDS prevention through education. Profits from the restaurant is used to support those work. Therefore, any visit there does not make it lewd but charitable.

Greeted by manequin bedecked in condoms

The restaurant was not shy in expressing its identity. I recognized right away that I was in the right place when I made out what was on the surface of lamps and dolls at the entrance. Condoms have never been so openly displayed to me in my life!

Santa and an army boy

Condom lamp

Despite the outstanding embellishment, the ambiance of the restaurant is just as enticing. When it is scorching hot outside, the restaurant is as cool as a cucumber inside. Their temperate mini-climate is beholden to the canopy of plants at the al-fresco dining area. Without a doubt, I took my seat outdoors.

Interior of the restaurant is cosy and relaxing

Enjoying the atmosphere while waiting for my food

Shady enough to provide a cool place despite the heat

Chef's recommendation

More chef's recommendation

I decided to try the clear chicken broth as I needed something gentle on my tummy after all that walk under that sweltering weather. I could be more adventurous but I was feeling a little under the weather for something spicy. So I literally had the chicken soup of the day!

Clear Chicken Broth THB190

The soup was flavourful with lots of yummy nuggets to munch. Toufu, mushroom, seaweed and chicken chunks were thrown in to conjure a healthy broth. The soup was uplifting and helped me recuperate while I hung around a little longer after the dish. Service was always with a smile.

Sipping my soup with lots of yummy ingredients

While you are there, do not pass the chance to appreciate those interesting posters hung in the restaurant. They are fascinating while being educational. Each one of them brings a strong message to empower people to learn about family planning in creative and hilarious ways although the national issue is nothing to giggle about. The restaurant is one-of-its kind and is brave to fight for its cause in an extraordinary way.

Condoman poster

Restaurant is bedecked with interesting posters

Posters are to break taboo of an issue that is more of a national concenrn

Creative posters to create awareness

Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant

10 Sukhumvit Soi 12

10110 Bangkok 

Thailand

Open daily 11.00am-10.00pm

www.pda.or.th/restaurant

restaurant@pda.or.th

Seafood Market and Restaurant @ Bangkok

A simple nod to my friend's dinner invitation became a ticket to a captivating gastronomy experience during my trip to Bangkok. If you happen to be in the Land of Smiles and looking for a place for a memorable meal, flag a tuk tuk to Sukhumvit Soi 24. The Seafood Market and Restaurant in Bangkok offers something out of the ordinary sans the fear factor.

Seafood Market and Restaurant Bangkok adds no MSG to their food

The first dish that was served was a dish of confidence! "If It Swims, We Have It!". True enough, there is nothing that swims that is not available- fish, squid, crustaceans. And nothing can get fresher than seeing your dinner swimming before ending up on the table. The restaurant is walled up by aquariums and are the first things customers notice. It is no wonder that no MSG is added. Freshness must have taken over the whole role of flavouring the food.

I like the tagline-If It Swims, We Have It

Although taking pride on its vast array of swimming creatures and freshness, the seafood restaurant still endeavours to impress guests with piquant flowers and enticing fish decoration 'swimming' above diners.

The cheerful and uplifting set up of restaurant

Oceanic atmosphere will certainly prep your appetite

This place requires its guests to contribute a dash of effort by shopping for their food, something which I don't think they mind anyway! There will be a staff assisting with every trolley and in case guests have questions. 

Personal shopper for you

My friend, M.C. decided to start with fiber. It is miraculous that marketing does not feel like a chore here.

Starting with veges

Mud crabs looks delicious even before cooking

Bound to be dinner

Lobsters

Huge chunks of fish meat

Variety of fish

Maine lobster

Alaska King Crab legs!

Succulent squid

Gargantuan fish tanks for unrivaled freshness

Dinner almost collected

To those who fancy seafood ala Japanese, there is a counter that proffers ready-to-eat dishes. Understanding that seafood can be better appreciated with wine and spirits, there is a section with racks and racks of alcohol for you to select your drink from.

Ready-to-eat Japanese dishes

Wines and spirits to accompany your meal

After payment, trolley will be pushed to your table for a little discussion on cooking methods. If you are out of ideas or choose not to wear the chef's hat during your holidays, the restaurant staff will feed you with suggestions and ideas before pushing the cart away to the kitchen. However, do be prepared for the cooking charge.

Now to discuss the choice of cooking

Pineapple Fried Rice raised the curtain of the seafood affair with its fragrant wafts of curry. Rice was loose and evenly stirred with cuts of pineapple, squid and prawns. The hints of fresh pineapple added zest to the comforting platter.

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

The Tom Yum Talay (Seafood Tom Yum) stole my heart that evening. My heart melted with the balmy soup that inherited enough zing from lime and essence from crabs, prawns and squid.

Tom Yum Talay

The Baked Mud Crab needs no interference from other seasoning. Meaty and juicy, every bite of the flesh is divine. I was speechless savouring the innate flavours of the crab.

Baked Meat Crab

Just look at the glorious crab eggs!

Tiger Prawns were apty barbecued to perfection. The slight char did no harm to the taste and texture of the succulent prawns. Freshness was sealed and so was satisfaction.

Barbecued Tiger Prawns

I would have done my Calamari in a sourish manner instead of deep frying such freshness. Flour was a little too overpowering masking the sweetness of the squid. The fried batter also took up a lot of stomach space.

Calamari

Becareful when you order Sweet and Sour Crab in Thailand. It is not doused in thick sweet and sour gravy which you can mop with a man tau like in Malaysia. The crab is first fried and buried under a mix of cut vegetables covered in a thin film of sour sauce. The dish was a disappointment and a waste of quality seafood.

Sweet and Sour Crab

We were then consoled by the unambitiously blanched cockles that could not go wrong. We allowed its untainted taste to cheer us from the sweet and sour disaster.

Blanched cockles

Stir fried vegetable was done humbly with garlic. This simple dish was passable but with no outstanding impression.

Stir fried vegetable

We finished our dinner by cleaning our palates with the famous Thai mangoes that were so rich with sweetness. These too were the products from the cart earlier.

Cut fruits

Drink list and price

Cooking methods and price

The Seafood Market and Restaurant in Bangkok indeed got me hooked on its freshness. The immensity of seafood supply is impressive with interesting marketing concept. It gives your itinerary a memorable note. However, be prepared with a bulky wallet before your visit. Many corporate groups were spotted that evening. Methods of cooking is subject to local taste. Therefore, stay with simple cooking methods like steaming, barbecueing and baking to enjoy the best of your chosen seafood. Sawadee kaa!

Admiring the view of Bangkok from my hotel room after a hefty meal

Seafood Market and Restaurant 

89, Sukhumvit Soi 24 (Kasame)

Sukhumvit Road,

Klongtoey 10110

Bangkok Thailand

Open daily from 11.30am-11.30pm

Tel: 0-2661-1252-9

www.seafood.co.th

seafood@seafood.co.th