AS 2018 COMES to an end, we take a look at what’s coming up for travel in 2019 and the best places to go to satisfy our inner ecologist

Medical tourism

With many countries entering an ageing society and people increasingly focusing on their health, it comes as little surprise to see that more than 10 million tourists are now travelling to other countries to seek out the best treatments at an affordable price. According to Patients Beyond Borders, Thailand ranks among the top 10 medical tourism destinations, along with Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Mexico, Israel, Costa Rica, India and Turkey.

“The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has conducted research into medical tourism and discovered that in 2016 Thailand welcomed more than 60,000 medical tourists from China, England, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, India, Germany, Australia, Vietnam, America and Qatar. This year, the number has continued to increase,” says Thapanee Kiatphaibool, executive director of the TAT’s product promotion department.

Fishermen’s villages in Nakhon Si Thammarat give travellers a chance to sample local life.

“Thailand is home to 64 hospitals accredited by Joint Commission International, which assures visitors safety and high-quality standards – this is the highest number in Asean and the fourth in the world.”

Thailand is best known for its regenerative and anti-ageing programmes, rehabilitation, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and wellness centres. In the coming year, TAT is promoting 12 cities including Bangkok, Khao Yai, Hua Hin, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani as top-class health destinations, where tourists can take advantage of quality treatments and enjoy a shopping experience, sight-seeing tour and great hospitality during their stays.

Go local

For those who wants to get back to basics and take a break from the stressful pace of urban life, the TAT and travel agencies Local Alike, KTC World, AirAsia, Journey D and Take Me Tour have tailored 25 “eco-cultural” tours as part of the new “Once as a Tourist” campaign.

Part of the “Amazing Thailand Unseal Local” project, it features 42 communities in 15 provinces to which visitors can enjoy a day trip or three-day homestays.

“Today’s younger travellers want to find new experiences, not just stay in a hotel, and the ‘Once as a Tourist’ campaign will meet that demand. It will be a channel that connects travellers with communities and give villagers a chance to promote their local wisdom and way of life, while travellers will have the opportunity to sample new things and get closer to nature,” says TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn.

Mae Hong Son is one of 25 eco-cultural tours under the Once as a Tourist campaign. 

Designed to showcase its unique lifestyle, Baan Laem in Nakhon Si Thammarat has “Once as a Mud Man” that involves a cruise to Ao Thong Kham (Golden Bay) for a mud bath, a cooking class and a hike through a mangrove forest. Baan Nong San and Na Chueng in Sakon Nakhon have “Once as a Designer” with workshops on indigo dying techniques and traditional silk weaving, while for “Once as a Hill Tribe”, Baan To Phae in Mae Hong Son dresses guests in Tai Yai apparel, the better to explore the local history and have fun making handicrafts.

Gastronomic tours

With Thailand now home to several Michelin-star restaurants, tourists will also be coming here to eat.

Jay Fai’s shop-house restaurant, which is famous for Thai-style crabmeat omelettes, has retained its Michelin star, remaining the only street venue in Thailand to earn this internationally recognised praise. Meanwhile the 60-year-old restaurant Methavalai Sorndaeng as well Le Du, Gaa, Canvas, R.Haan, Saawaan, Sorn, Ruean Panya and Suan Thip are among the 14 restaurants to have received their first star in the second edition of the “Little Red Book”.

The 12 one-starred restaurants in the first edition have also retained their honours, namely Bo.lan, Chim by Siam Wisdom, Elements, Ginza Sushi Ichi, J’aime by Jean-Michel Lorain, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Nahm, Paste, Saneh Jaan, Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin, Upstairs at Mikkeller and Savelberg. The European contemporary restaurant Suhring run by chef brothers Mathias and Thomas Suhring earned an upgrade from one to two stars.

This year, the Michelin Guide also covers some dining venues in other parts of the country including Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan to Phuket and Phang Nga.

Tourists can find some new rising culinary stars in the second edition of Michelin Guide Bangkok. (Photo/EPA) 

Pru restaurant in Phuket is the only restaurant in region to have been awarded one star, while the “Bib Gourmand” award, a rating that recognises restaurants offering exceptionally good food at moderate prices, doubled in number this year from 35 to 72 venues.

Among them are the legendary Southern food restaurant Raya and its sister restaurant Chomchan in Phuket, along with Krua Bai Toey and Nai Mueng in Phang Nga.

Visa-free travel

Visa-free entry will continue to play an important role in drawing visitors next year. Japan has claimed the crown for top Asian holiday destinations according to this year’s booking data from Agoda and has capitalised on its no visa requirement policy for Thai tourists by adding flight routes to coax more visitors into enjoying everything from the ephemeral sights of cherry blossoms to quirky robot cafes.

Taiwan continues to gain in popularity thanks to its wealth of nature, history and culture and South Korea has stolen the heart of young travellers with K-pop music and drama series. Meanwhile, Hong Kong has turned some historical buildings like PMQ, the former police and court compound, into a creative art space called Tai Kwun for Hong Kong artists and designers to showcase their works.

Malaysia takes advantage of Air Asia’s direct flight to Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah State, where vacationers can enjoy striking views of verdant mountain ranges, massive farmlands and beautiful beaches and have fun with a wide range of outdoor activities.

Japan is still the most popular holiday destination thanks to its diversity of culture, beautiful nature and illumination festivals. (Photo/EPA)

Easy does it

Based on over 163 million verified guest reviews and surveys of 21,500 travellers across 29 countries, Booking.com predicts that tech travel innovations will be much in demand.

In the coming year, those offering the technologies as practical solutions like keyless room-access with your phone, personalised travel tips or a robotic concierge who can communicate with guests in their mother tongue will be the winners.

“2019 is set to be an exciting year for travel. With technological advancements, an ever more connected world and a continuously growing consumer appetite for the best travel experiences, we’re poised for groundbreaking developments, taking travel to unexplored heights. With a mission to empower people to experience the world, Booking.com learns and innovates continuously and we’ve never been more excited to be at the epicentre of thrilling industry,” said Pepijn Rijvers, chief marketing officer at Booking.com.

He adds that the innovations won’t be the most futuristic or exotic, with travellers more enthusiastic about real-time luggage tracking through a mobile app and having a single app for all their planning, booking and travel needs than the prospect of using self-driving transportation in their destination.

2019 will also see more tech developed for use pre-trip at the research stage. Booking.com’s study shows that almost a third of global travellers like the idea of a “virtual travel agent” in their home, using voice-activated assistants to answer travel queries, and one in five want to see such technology as augmented reality helping to familiarise themselves with a destination before they arrive.

Travellers staying at Hotel Jen Orchardgateway and Tanglin Singapore are greeted by a pair of robotic butlers Jeno and Jena. (Courtesy of Hotel Tanglin Singapore)

In Singapore, Hotel Jen Orchardgateway and Tanglin Singapore are introducing a pair of robotic butlers called Jeno and Jena to deliver amenities and local favourites from the in-room dining menu to guests.

Designed and built by Savioke, the Relay robots can move unmanned around the hotel at a safe speed of 2.5 km per hour, half that of the average human walking speed. They can ride the elevators, make phone calls to rooms upon arrival, and are equipped with sensitive sensors that know to avoid obstacles in its path.

“The Relay robots, yet again proves that it can surprise and delight urban adventure-seekers,” said Cetin Sekercioglu, executive vice president of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

Jeno and Jena are integrated with a software system that can easily track their to-do list once an order is placed and guests can expect one of the pair to have these delivered within 15 minutes from the time of request.

This is the first fully autonomous delivery robot that has been deployed in over 70 dynamic busy environments such as logistics, hotels, office buildings, and high rise apartments. Using advanced technology to navigate around people and objects, the Relay robots deliver items quickly, safely, and reliably.

Plastic not-so fantastic

The issue of single-use plastic will continue to be a hot topic, but in 2019 environmental concerns will turn into greater environmental action. Millennials and Gen Z travellers will look for sustainable experiences in their destination, while accommodation providers will be working to reduce their plastic usage and increase their sustainable credentials.

According to Booking.com, an overwhelming majority of global travellers say they would be willing to spend some time on activities that offset the environmental impact of their stay, with over a third willing to clear plastic and litter from a beach or other tourist attraction.

The “Appren-trip”

Representing a new type of currency and means of personal fulfilment, 2019 will see a focus on travellers making choices with extra significance as they look to add more purpose to their trips.

Over half of global travellers agree travelling has taught them invaluable life skills, and 2019 will see a rise in people’s desire to learn something new whilst away, as well as an increase in volunteering and skills-based vacations across generations.

In particular, Generation Z will increasingly scrutinise the value of expensive college degrees against the life skills and practical learning that can be gained from travel, especially as experiences beyond the classroom and office cubicle continue to make for attractive potential employees in many companies’ eyes.

The Botanical Garden Organisation is showcasing the beautiful plants and designs at the festival under the theme “Home Garden” theme until next Wednesday, January 2.

The festival offers tours of the gardens, where visitors are invited to learn more about cultivating stylish displays and also growing their own vegetables.

Thailand’s very first botanic gardens are now a major travel destination in Mae Rim district, where they cover a mountainous area of 560 acres and showcase a vast collection of plants from different climates around the world.

Established in 1992 to honour HM Queen Sirikit, the gardens’ highlights include a Rainforest Glasshouse where you get to walk among a dense array of plants from tropical forests all over Asia.

Canopy Walk

Visitors can also take a bird’s-eye view by strolling among the tree tops on a Canopy Walk, where lush mountain vistas greet the eye.

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Available on both Traveloka’s website and app, this new product is designed to check all of right boxes for travellers’ preferences making each trip easier and more convenient, and most importantly, making the upcoming long holiday that much more meaningful and special.

Thailand has become one of most popular destination in Southeast Asia visited by the travellers, as well as Traveloka’s second largest market.

Traveloka is Thailand’s first and only online platform that integrates all travel-related booking services including flights, hotel accommodations, airport transport (including pick-up and drop-off services), train tickets to cities, and admission to tourist attractions and activities.

 “Traveloka has developed an innovative new feature called ‘Attractions & Activities’, or ‘A&A,’ to serve increasing demand to interesting tourist attractions and fun-filled activities on our website and app. Users can now book admission to both domestic and international tourist attractions via Traveloka at cheaper prices, and we’re proud of the fact that we are the only online travel agency providing a comprehensive set of travel-centric services. Our strengths include user-friendly, customer-centric features and functions that put our customers at ease and make every trip more accessible and convenient,” says Tee Chayakul, Country Manager of Traveloka Thailand.

When planning activities or trips for year-end holidays or new year celebrations, there is often a sense of confusion and anxiety in determining a suitable destination to celebrate the new year. Tickets have sometimes run out and travellers have little information or other recommendations. this new product makes it easier for users to celebrate the new year.

“Traveloka Thailand has partnered with more than 300 inventories, and this number reaches over 1,000 if we add in international inventories. We’re pleased that our A&A focuses on interesting tourist attractions, fun activities and convenient services that respond to all types of journeys including admission to amusement parks, train tickets to cities, transit and museum passes. Travel planning is made that much easier with this new feature which is now available on Traveloka’s website and app, compatible on both iOS and Android. Users can search and book any activity they are interested in and we will promptly email them their booking confirmation. Traveloka is well-equipped to make the forthcoming holiday that much more meaningful and memorable allowing Thais to enjoy being with their loved ones or friends through our latest ‘A&A’ feature, which makes every trip easier and more convenient”, Tee Chayakul adds.

For further information and updated promotions, visit http://www.traveloka.com/th-th/ or http://www.facebook.com/TravelokaTH

BANGKOK MIGHT have enjoyed an all-too-brief spell of colder weather last week but up in the Phayaprab foothills of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Thong Chai district, the cool breezes are once again blessing the crops of vegetables and flowers that make Jim Thompson Farm such a delight to visit.

Like every December, the farm has once again opened its gates to welcome visitors for an agro-cultural tour devoted to sustainable living and the Isaan way of life. Continuing until January 6, the tour also offers visitors the chance to learn about the intricate silk production that makes the farm’s namesake a household name all over the world.

The observation tower is surrounded by a field of yellow blooms. 

Slightly more than three hours by car from Bangkok, the farm was originally created to raise silkworms and the mulberry bushes on whose leaves they feed. It was developed as a tourist attraction in 1999 and in the last two years alone has attracted almost 500,000 visitors –270,000 in 2016 and 170,000 in 2017.

The theme changes every year. Last year, it was “Ter Toen Wen Wang” (Rushing Water – the Life Force of Isaan) to showcase water’s vital role as a natural resource and a core component of northeastern traditions and beliefs, This year, with “Zap Nua Huamuan: Happy Flavours”, the focus is on Isaan culinary delights and fun spirit for which the region is known.

Different Isaan-style delicacies are on offer.

In the Isaan dialect, zap nua refers to something that is pleasingly tasty while huamuan means bursting into laughter and joy.

“Issan food is chosen as the main theme this year because it’s not just tasty but also narrates the way of life, cultures and traditions. Visitors can discover more about Issan people through their cuisine, such as how they forage for the ingredients, the tools they use, the cooking techniques and what they use to preserve their food,” says Chutima Dumsuwan, Jim Thompson’s communications director.

Grilled chicken is a local favourite and best enjoyed with sticky rice and som tum.

“Many delightful attractions and activities are also arranged for people of all ages. This year, the weather is very nice and the flowers are in full bloom, making the farm an ideal place to relax and have fun.”

The clear sky, cool breeze and stunning vista of flowers as well as colourful organic fruit and vegetable orchards are inviting enough for people to return year after year. Everywhere I look, a visitor is holding a camera or a mobile phone and I find myself taking evasive action to avoid photobombing someone else’s shoot.

The most popular place to take photos at Jim Thompson Farm is the 50-rai pink cosmos field.

The tour of the 600-rai farm starts at its famous 50-rai field of pink cosmos, this year also boasting six site-specific installations by celebrated female artist Pinaree Sanpitak for the “Art on Farm” project that sees the farm inviting guest artists to create works revolving around the tour theme.

Titled “Breast Stupa Topiary”, six structures of steel rebars are created in form of a breast and are entwined with vines of edible plants such as butterfly pea, gac fruits, and ivy gourd.

Pinaree Sanpitak’s site-specific works “Breast Stupa Topiary” are created in breast form and entwined with the vines of edible plants.

For more than two decades, Pinaree has used aspects of the female form as gender metaphors that are both universal yet deeply personal. Breasts become temple stupas, then morph into cooking pots.

Her 1996 installation “Confident Bodies” involved an array of rather scary female torsos sculpted from saa (mulberry) bush fibre. Breast-shaped baking moulds and other cooking vessels continue to pop up (or out) in her ongoing “Breast Stupa Cookery” project that has guest chefs

and artists finding ways to fill out the aluminium and ceramic mammaries.

On the opening day of the farm on December 8, Pinaree collaborated with noted chef Weerawat Triyasenawat of Samuay & Sons restaurant in Udon Thani in holding a special dinner for invited guests. Pinaree created a set of ceramic dinnerware inspired by the form of the breast and chef Weerawat took diners on his culinary journey by adopting a modern take on traditional Isaan fare, with an emphasis on indigenous, sustainable, seasonal and foraged produce.

Pinaree’s installation art “The Mats and the Pillows Jim Thompson Farm” invites visitors to enjoy a short nurturing nap.

At the central pavilion of the Isaan Village is another of Pinaree’s installations titled “The Mats and the Pillows Jim Thompson Farm” featuring mats made out of defective yarns from Jim Thompson’s production and khid pillows made by craftsmen from Maha Sarakham province. These mats and pillows are laid out for visitors to take a rest and recall her previous puffy organza breast cushion “Noon Nom” (Resting on the Breasts), which also encouraged the viewer to enjoy a short nurturing nap.

The popular spots on the farm are, as ever, the pumpkin patch and the observation tower shaped like a traditional bamboo water jar, both of which are surrounded by a sea of yellow dao krajai, dao rueng farangsed, and soi gai blooms.

The rice field forms the backdrop to a cluster of Isaan-style wooden houses.

A cluster of Isaan-style wooden houses with its backdrop of rice fields isn’t just candy for the eyes but this year serves as the central spot in hosting an array of activities related to Isaan cuisine, among them the health benefits of local dishes, the foraging technique, and the local diet that includes freshwater snails, tadpoles, frogs, and insects. A variety of Isaan foods prepared by many eateries are also provided.

The new attraction is an 80-year-old triple roller mill machine that mills grains grown on the farm.

The new on-site attraction is an 80-year-old triple roller mill machine that still functions and mills grains grown on the farm. It also supplies jasmine and sticky rice to the Spirit restaurant by Jim Thompson in downtown Bangkok.

Visitors can enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the reservoir to Jim’s Market.

Visitors can enjoy a recreational boat ride or a journey by bamboo raft on the reservoir to Jim’s Market, which offers a wide range of goods from silk apparel and accessories, agricultural products and processed foods, all of which make great festive season gifts.

ISAAN DELIGHTS

The Jim Thompson Farm at Pak Thong Chai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province is open to the public daily until January 6 from 9am to 5pm.

Admission on weekdays is Bt180 (Bt130 for children), and Bt220 (children Bt160) on weekends. Senior citizens pay Bt90.

Online tickets are available at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

Find out more at (02) 762 2566 or visit http://www.JimThompsonFarm.com.