Four years' hard work has seen a personal residence transformed into a unique retreat and organic farm under the soaring karst limestone mountains on the edge of Khao Sok National Park, Thailand.
Khao Sok, Thailand. 25 May 2011. Boasting nine Asian antique filled rooms and suites in two modern, Thai inspired villas, Thanyamundra has been transformed from the home of a European entrepreneur into an impressive retreat offering the finest hotel service, gourmet organic cuisine, and holistic wellness in a breathtaking natural environment.
Two hours drive from Phuket International Airport, Thanyamundra provides an accessible escape from urban life with butlers trained at some of Thailand’s finest hotels, an English-speaking chef with an extensive repertoire and talented massage therapists on call.
Next to Khao Sok National Park, Thanyamundra is a tiny patch of natural grace away from the holiday crowds
At all times of the year, Thanyamundra welcomes its guests, limited to twenty at a time, to explore the groundbreaking 12 hectare (1600 square metre) organic farm with Pierre Larigaldie, who oversees the crop fields. Since Larigaldie began preparing the earth here four years ago, all plantings have been 100% organic and chemical free. Rows of aromatic Thai and Italian basil, dill, coriander and chilies run parallel to white and purple eggplants, red snake beans, winged peas, bitter gourd and morning glory, alongside avocadoes, papaya, passion fruit, mango and a variety of banana trees. Enough to make any visitor drool in anticipation!
Today Thanyamundra’s organic farm is the only one of its kind in southern Thailand with an Agricultural Certificate of Thailand (ACT), part of the International Organic Accreditation Service.
Simple yet luxurious accommodation combined with a great organic experience awaits visitors
Guests are always encouraged to pick their produce under the guidance of Thanyamundra’s dedicated chef who leads custom organic cooking classes back in the main villa’s kitchen. Visitors can practise making Thai classics like tom yum goong hot and sour soup or kaeng kheow waan green curry from organic ingredients.
But it’s not all green fingers, natural cooking and smelling flowers at Thanyamundra. Visiting experts and teachers, world renowned in their fields, are on hand to offer the best advice and instruction on everything from sports to yoga and meditation to environmental science and visual arts.
Thanyamundra boasts a variety of invigorating fitness and leisure facilities. Swim laps or sun bathe at the 50-metre hilltop infinity pool, stay fit in the gym open or explore the local roads for running or cycling. For real eco-keenies, join a guided jungle trek with resident naturalists, in search of the lar gibbon calling out on mist filled mornings, long-tailed macaques, Malay sun bears, tapirs, monitor lizards and even elephants and the endangered clouded leopard. Then there is kayaking, tubing, lake swimming and elephant trekking enough to make you dizzy.
Simplicity of aspect combines with modern needs - WiFi and internet are available in all master suites and rooms
Luckily, if you need to lie down, all of Thanyamundra’s spacious master suites and rooms are fully equipped with modern comforts from high-speed wireless Internet and LCD flat screen televisions to Thai silk interiors and spacious private bathrooms with separate rain showers.
Photos courtesy Thanyamundra
Contact: www.thanyapura.com; email: akino@thanyapura.co.th