A Thai night fair takes over the highest rooftop bar in Chiang Mai this November, as Meliá Chiang Mai marks the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals with lively entertainment and special dining experiences. On November 24 and 25, the hotel's 22nd-floor MAI The Sky Bar will come alive with colourful fairground decorations, live bands, DJ sets and traditional Thai performances, including bamboo dancing, folk dancing and long drum dancing. Guests will take in sweeping city views from the bar's multi-level terraces, connected by a spectacular glass bridge. Running from 6pm to midnight, the night fair costs THB 699 (USD 20.80) net per person, including a special drink and one play of Lucky Egg Scoop, a Thai fairground game with prizes up for grabs.
Meanwhile, from November 21 to 26, MAI Restaurant & Bar will serve a special Loy Krathong menu featuring dishes such as pappardelle with khao soi curry sauce and braised beef, slow-roasted duck breast with organic longan and red curry, and steamed butterfly pea flower rice cake. Available from 6pm to 11pm, dishes start at THB 250++ per person. Yi Peng is a centuries-old northern Thai festival of light, while Loy Krathong is celebrated across Thailand with floating offerings symbolising gratitude, renewal and the release of misfortune.
For reservations, contact MAI The Sky Bar on +66 52 090 600 or maiskybar@meliachiangmai.com, or MAI Restaurant & Bar on +66 52 090 603 or mairestaurant@meliachiangmai.com.
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| MAI Restaurant and Bar |
A Floating Festival Comes to Banyan Tree Samui
A tropical Loy Krathong celebration will light up a private bay on Koh Samui, as Banyan Tree Samui marks Thailand's most spectacular festival with handmade krathongs, long drum parades and dazzling dining experiences. From November 23 -29, the resort's Beachside restaurant and Spa Reflection Pool will come alive with guests – with children especially welcome - crafting traditional krathong - decorated floating baskets - to float on the water under the full moon, an occasion that will be accompanied by a lively long drum procession.
The celebrations continue with two dining experiences: at Saffron, the resort's signature Thai restaurant, diners can savour an exquisitely curated Loy Krathong Set Menu featuring aromatic curries, grilled specialties and vibrant seafood dishes, priced at THB 2,800 net per person, or THB 3,670 net with wine pairing. At Beachside, an open-air Loy Krathong Buffet Dinner features flame-grilled specialties, chef-crafted signature dishes and artisanal sweet treats, priced at THB 2,800 net per person. Celebrated across Thailand, Loy Krathong is a centuries-old festival of water and light, traditionally associated with paying respect to the water goddess, letting go of misfortune, and making wishes for good fortune and harmony.
For reservations or more information, call +66 77 915 333 or contact samui@banyantree.com.
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| Saffron, Banyan Tree Samui’s signature fine-dining Thai restaurant |
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| Beachside, Banyan Tree Samui |
by Colin Hinshelwood, Balcony Media Group www.balconymediagroup.com
