Travel To The Land Of Smiles For A Much-Needed Detox

As the pandemic's restrictions eased up and travel resumed between India and Thailand earlier this year, RANJAN PAL travelled to the Land of Smiles for a much-needed detox.

- Ranjan Pal

FOR THE LAST TWO years, COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the travel and hospitality industry. And travel writers like I have been on the thinnest end of the wedge. So, when I got an invite to travel to Thailand in February, it was like a lifebuoy being thrown to a drowning man and I grabbed at it without a second thought. Besides, who could ever say no to Thailand, the Land of Smiles?

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT, tourismthailand.org) had invited a bunch of us to witness the Thai lotus unfolding its petals after the many pandemic-imposed lockdowns. When we landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport, I was impressed by the quick and efficient way in which we were processed and issued visas. Soon, we were whisked away to the Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, where we were to undergo a COVID test.

As I waited for my test reports, I was ushered into a palatial suite, which featured a huge bedroom, spacious sitting and changing areas, and a bathroom with a shower and a giant soaking tub. The interiors wore bright shades of yellow, orange, and blue, and the picture windows opened to lush green gardens, a residential extension of Lumphini Park.

Once we were cleared to move around, our group caught a bus to the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, where a sumptuous lunch buffet had been laid out. I made a beeline for my favourite smoked Peking duck with hoisin sauce, and chatted with Andrea Accordi, the affable Italian executive chef. On the terrace, sous-chef Ruslan was preparing a delicious taglioni pasta in the Ligurian style, with pesto, green beans, and piennolo tomato fondue.