Set amid tropical gardens filled with flowers, the villa is made up of five bungalows built on a hillside sloping down to a private cove. A lover of Thailand’s natural beauty and traditional architecture but also of contemporary art, Disaphol has created a home that brings them all together in what he calls “an explosion of colour”.
It’s the same instinct that led this cultured and erudite man – a professor of law – to launch himself into hospitality.
“I’m passionate about beauty with history, so I started buying old buildings and converting them into hotels and restaurants, so that people could appreciate and get to know the architectural beauty of our country, our culture and, of course, our talent as hosts. My family always encouraged me to do that,” he says.
Disaphol, what can you tell us about your background?
“Our company, Thai Union Group, is a major player in the food industry. It’s the largest producer of canned tuna in the world. We’re also involved in freshwater pearls, real estate and even organic farming.”
Where are you based?
“In Bangkok, but my holidays are usually spent either here or in my home in Chiang Mai, in the north of the country. They’re completely different. I like to spend the summer here and the winter in Chiang Mai. My house there is a former royal residence that I bought and renovated 15 years ago. I’m in love with the mountains of northern Thailand and am now in the process of buying a couple of other former royal residences there, to preserve their beauty for future generations.”
DREAM ESCAPES
Take in the beauty of Japan's former imperial capital, from its temples and tea houses to serene moments in nature
SPICE BOY
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham is among the stars fuelling the craze for hot sauces, from spicy peppers to hot honey
CILLIAN MURPHY
AFTER HIS OSCAR-WINNING TURN IN 'OPPENHEIMER' CILLIAN MURPHY BRINGS IT BACK HOME WITH POWERFUL NEW FILM SET IN IRELAND - AND DROPS 'PEAKY BLINDERS' MOVIE HINTS
MARKING REMEMBRANCE DAY - THE DUKE OF SUSSEX
PAYS HEARTFELT TRIBUTE AS HE MAKES SWEET GESTURE TO BEREAVED CHILDREN
THE ROYAL FAMILY PAY THEIR RESPECTS ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
HONOURING THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY
MAKING IT A RIGHT ROYAL NIGHT - 'GLADIATOR II'
THE KING WALKS THE RED CARPET AT FILM'S STARRY WORLD PREMIERE
FRESH FROM THE 'WICKED' PREMIERE - ARIANA GRANDE
ON HER CLOSE BOND WITH 'WARMEST HUMAN' CYNTHIA ERIVO
AFTER REVEALING HER DECISION TO HAVE SURGERY FOR A BRAIN TUMOUR - DAVINA MCCALL CELEBRITY FRIENDS SEND MESSAGES OF SUPPORT AFTER SHOCK NEWS
Stars including Amanda Holden and Holly Willoughby have offered heartfelt support to Davina McCall after she revealed she was undergoing an operation to remove a brain tumour.
THE KING AND QUEEN
AS DAMIAN LEWIS PRAISES CAMILLA'S RECENT T.V. TURN - THE KING AND QUEEN HOST STAR-STUDDED RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE FOR FAMOUS BIG AND SMALL-SCREEN FACES
CELINE DION AND JENNIFER LOPEZ - STEAL THE SHOW AT LAVISH FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA
HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES