(KOH SAMUI, THAILAND) — For the first time in Asia, W Hotels Worldwide today unveiled The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui, which buyers can now acquire their own vacation homes (licensed under the W brand).

Ownership will include the same level of indulgence and modern living in an enviable location with world-class design, service and access to the hottest and latest in town, whether it be entertainment, fashion, cuisine, design or music as W Hotel guests.

W Retreat Koh Samui and The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui also represent the first retreat and residential project for W Hotels in Southeast Asia.  This oceanfront landmark is set to inspire jet set guests and locals alike with spectacular design that sets the stage for W Hotels’ fully integrated contemporary lifestyle experience.  The property comprises 17 branded residences as well as the hotel comprising 75 villas – W Retreat Koh Samui.

Owned and developed by Amburaya Hotels & Resorts and Istithmar World, The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui, Thailand, along with W Retreat Koh Samui, will bring a new dimension of cutting-edge design, contemporary lifestyle, modern comfort and a new level of indulgence to Thailand.   W Retreat Koh Samui is targeted to open in spring 2010.

“The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui will appeal to discriminating homebuyers who are style conscious global jet setters and avid trend seekers on the trail of what’s next, those seeking to be wowed by the finer things in life – particularly those inspired by the W brand’s unique mix of contemporary cool design, modern comfort, and innovative style,” said Sunny Bajaj, Managing Director of Amburaya Hotels & Resorts.  “This includes everyone from busy executives, those looking for a weekend or holiday home to early retirees with time to appreciate Thailand and Koh Samui’s culture, cuisine, sun, sea and sand.

“Koh Samui is also the first destination in Thailand to offer Residences under the W brand, which have become the ultimate expression that our guests want to live with us 24/7, checking-in and never needing to check-out,” added Bajaj.

Among the many distinguishing characteristics of The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui is its prime location on a stunning 900 meters shoreline, surrounded by verdant foliage.  The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui adjoin the W Retreat Koh Samui at Maenam Beach on the island’s sublimely beautiful north shore — arguably the best location on Koh Samui, given its secluded beach and interesting topography — providing all residents and guests with excellent views.

The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui offer owners a combination of stylish beachfront villas, ranging from three to five bedrooms and from 1,000 to 2,752 square meters.  Each residence is a study in tropical Zen style with exotic touches, and each offers full access to the signature W comforts, services and amenities available to hotel guests of the W Retreat Koh Samui.

Koh Samui is renowned as one of the best places in Asia to live and retire to.  The exchange rate allows anyone with a decent retirement fund to enjoy high-end luxuries.  Temperatures generally range from 26 to 33 degrees Celsius year round.  Thailand is home to beaches with crystal water, which in Koh Samui and at the W Retreat Koh Samui will be within walking distance of the property.  A golf course can also be found in the vicinity of the Residences.

W Hotels currently operates 35 hotels and retreats around the world.

A golf tournament which will be open to the public, is to be held simultaneously with the annual Sawadee.com Regatta 2010 in June of this year – adding yet another reason to attend the popular event on the island of Koh Samui in southern Thailand.

The venue for the ‘Sawadee.com Regatta Open’ is the Santiburi Samui Country Club – a championship golf course landscaped on a mountain in Koh Samui. Each of the 18 holes on this par 72 course has its own unique character and challenges. From steep uphill and downhill slopes to winding fairways that cut into the coconut forest, cliffs and mountain creeks. The course is located just 5 minutes drive away from Santiburi Resort, a villa on beautiful Mae Nam Beach.

The Stableford system will determine the winner, with the handicap determined by the 36 system. The tournament will begin at 12.30pm on Thursday, 3 June 2010 with a registration fee of THB 3,500. Trophies and a selection of great prizes will be awarded at the end of the day.

Headquarters for the event will again be the ‘Centara Grand Beach Resort’, which has been the home of the regatta since its conception.

Astudo Hotel & Resort Management, one of Asia’s leading hotel developers and operators, announces the appointment of Jonathan Paul Snow as Resort Manager. Jonathan, a New Zealand national, will oversee the entire operation of X2 Samui, including food and beverage, rooms operations, engineering, human resources and spa to orchestrate and maintain X2 design service and operational standards and to promote unity and teamwork amongst all areas.

With over 20 years experience in the field of hospitality, Jonathan has held a myriad of executive positions in major international hotels and resorts in New Zealand, Australia, Dubai, South Korea and Japan including Hyatt International, The Landmark Bangkok and Six Senses Resorts and Spas. Prior to his present appointment at X2 Samui, he worked as the Resort Manager at Six Senses Hideaway Hua Hin.

Klaus R. Rauter, Group General Manager of Astudo Hotel & Resort Management commented “We are truly delighted to have Jonathan as part of our executive management team. With his talent and passion for the industry, the X2 Resorts brand will continue to develop and achieve success in its relative sectors.”

Opened in June 2008 on the southeast coast of Samui Island, X2 Samui encompasses 27 casually elegant beachfront villas decorated by famed architect and designer Be Gray. The resort is situated on 5-acres of pristine beachfront land in Hua Thanon village, south of Lamai beach, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand and only 30 minutes drive from Samui Airport.

By Harry B Bonning F.R.I.C.S.,

A year ago I was talking about the new coalition government from which we hoped for great things. Whilst they have survived I am not sure we have seen any major strides forward and political disharmony still exists. Neither did anything come of the discussions at the time to extend leases from 30 years to 90 years. However the visit to Koh Samui by the Prime Minister did herald the release of funds to improve the roads and evidence of that can now be seen as the ring road is being surfaced with tarmac with the stretch from Hua Thanon through to Bophut almost complete. The picture is by The Cliff Restaurant on the way to Lamai and shows the new road lines. Much needed improvements to the drainage system are also in progress with the stretch of the ring road from Bangkok Hospital to just south of our office complete and also the section which always floods badly by the bridge next to the PTT Petrol Station also finished.

Neil Pryde’s ‘Hi-Fi’, that won top honours at the 2009 Sawadee.com Regatta, is expected to be one of the many competitors at the 9th Samui International Yacht Regatta in 2010. The Sawadee.com Regatta will take place on the sun-drenched island of Koh Samui from 31st May to 5th June 2010.

For the 9th consecutive year, the event will attract competitive and social sailors from around the world. The five-day regatta is one of Asia’s most glamorous sailing events and is also part of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championships. Fabulous sailing conditions prevailed at the 2009 regatta – so much so that a round-the-island race was attempted for the first time in the event’s history.

In addition to the competitive sailing, the regatta is about fun parties and is regarded by many as a ‘must attend’ event on the international sailing circuit. The 2010 regatta welcomes new event partners ‘Prana Resort’ and ‘Beach Republic’, as well as the debut of a golf tournament that will tee off at the island’s premier ‘Santiburi Samui Country Club’. ‘B1 Villas & Spa’, ‘Dhevatara Properties’ and ‘Samui Villas & Homes’, all return to the regatta as event partners. Headquarters for the event for the 9th time will again be the ‘Centara Grand Beach Resort’, which has been the home of the regatta since its conception and that welcomes crews from far and wide year after year.

Spectator boats will provide a unique opportunity for members of the public to get ‘up close and personal’ with all of the ‘on-water’ sailing action. Public tickets will also be available for the‘off-water’ parties that occur most evenings during the regatta and that feature renowned bands and fabulous entertainment. An added bonus in 2010 is that the regatta has teamed up with the Samui Jazz Festival, ensuring great entertainment for spectators who fly in from all corners of the world.

The 2010 event will likely feature six sailing classes – Racing, Premier, IRC, IRC 2/Sportboats, Bareboat Charter and Multihulls. In 2009, bright sunshine, blue skies and strong winds provided for excellent competitive sailing conditions. ‘Hi-Fi’ came out on top in the Racing Class, following particularly impressive performances on the first few days of the regatta. Marcel Liedts Beneteau 50 ‘Blauwvoet’ took the honours in the Premier Class, while the IRC 2/Sportboats top award went to Jeff Davidson’s Mumm 30 ‘Panic’ that won its class for the second year running. ‘Constanza’ kept a clean sheet in the Bareboat Charter Class, with seven wins in a row, securing its class victory. Fergus Wilmer and Henry Kaye’s Seacart 30 ‘Thor’ took the honours in the Multihulls class – a new boat in 2009 that took the multihull field by storm. Andrew Short, skipper of Constanza in 2009, died tragically during a sailing accident in Australia in October of this year and will be dearly missed at the 2010 regatta.

The regatta will also see the third running of the ‘Samui Junior Sailing Squadron Challenge’ – giving local children from the island the opportunity to be out on the water experiencing the excitement of competitive yacht racing. This challenge will no doubt provide competitors for future regattas to be contested on the pristine waters off Chaweng Beach. As an on-going commitment, the regatta’s organizing committee provides support to youth sailing on Koh Samui by contributing for sailing equipment.

On the water, the skipper receiving the most top placings on the eight regatta Asian circuit will also be crowned Asian Yachting Champion Skipper. In 2009, it was Hi-Fi’s Neil Pryde that lifted the trophy and wore the coveted ‘Armani Blue Blazer’ that was presented at the gala prize giving dinner on the lawns of the ‘Centara Grand Beach Resort’ on Chaweng Beach.

MANY visitors and expatriates living in Thailand are interested in learning more of the spiritual aspects of Thailand. They are attracted to an environment that particularly welcomes foreigners new to meditation. On Samui the Osho Paramdham Meditation Center in Ban Tai (near Maenam) provides a peaceful environment for farangs (foreigners) who desire to learn meditation and other spiritual practices. Osho is an Indian master who, at age 21 in 1953, became enlightened. He is described as the greatest incarnation in India, after Buddha.

The center’s experienced meditation teachers”Ma Puja Sutra, Ma Prem Sarani and Sw. Atmo Prabuddha “state that the center is dedicated to the harmony of body, mind and spirit. The center is very intimate”surrounded by a serene Zen garden close to the sea. It is the only Osho Center in Thailand and is supplied with everything that can put meditation practitioners and €?group-goers” at ease. The meditation hall is so in tune with the surroundings that it could be mistaken for a garden pavilion from the outside. It is very cozy and hospitable with not only meditation sessions held here but also spiritual exercises, body work, group experiences, visualizations, events, courses, presentations, projections and other kinds of session.

The meditation hall, although simple, was created to purposely match the ancient Thai style. It contains two precious treasures: one of Osho’s robes and a beautiful bronze Buddha statue. Meditation teachers Sutra and Sarani point out that many parts of Thailand present two opposite aspects: those at the ensign of sexuality and those of spirituality.

They note that while the country has many night places,” there is also a plethora of temples and places of meditation and spiritual energy including the Osho Paramdham Meditation Center. The center proposes a variety of practices and techniques that enhance and embrace the full spectrum of meditation and spiritual awareness through €?awareness exercises, body work, spiritual practices, retreats, meditation camps and spontaneous creativity workshops.”

The individuals devising the spiritual programs at the meditation center are voluntaries devoted to Buddha, as well as to the Enlightened Indian Master, Osho. Visitors can be assured they will only be approached with a modest request for compensation, in the form of a minimum suggested donation for the €?teachings” received and experienced at the center.

The teachers say it is a worthwhile venture for those living on the island or visitors on holiday that this center can have a pleasantly intense effect on those seeking inner peace that wish to €?take a vacation of the mind.”

Sutra is a disciple of Osho for the past 26 years and has dedicated the major part of her life to the spiritual path, mainly in Oregon, India, Holland and Italy. She completed her studies of relaxation, visualization and introspective program in Milan, Italy. She is the author of Psycho Evolution (for self-healing). She is the founder of the Osho Axolotl Meditation Center in Cocquio (Varese), Italy and co-founder of the New Agers company.

Sarani was born in Germany and has been dedicated to dancing since her youth. She is a Sannyasin” since 1986 and co-founder of the actual Osho Paramdham M.C. A Sannyasin is an eclectic spiritual person who draws from all religions. A Sannyasin’s life is one of realization, not merely of theory or belief, much less of dogma.

Prabuddha is also a Sannyasin since 1988 and has mostly lived in Osho Centers. He is co-founder of New Agers and works as a specialized web master.

For an appointment or to announce a visit, call 077-447105 or 077-447104; mobile 084-4417818 or 087-8864905 or e-mail oshothailand@gmail.com For more information, visit www.paramdhamcenter.com.