Renowned awards see Bangkok best for leisure

LONDON: Bangkok has been named “Best Leisure Destination” in the Asia-Pacific Region, and Phuket came in second best in the rankings by readers of Business Traveller Asia Pacific magazine in its Annual Travel Awards 2008.

Bangkok’s Ascott Sathorn and Fraser Place Langsuan were voted first and third, respectively, in the category of “Best Serviced Residence” in Asia-Pacific, while Novotel at Suvarnabhumi Airport ranked second in the category of “Best Airport Hotel” in Asia-Pacific.

The Thai capital was also ranked second in the “Best Business City in Southeast Asia” category, the Thai Foreign Ministry reported yesterday.

In Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket Hotel and JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa were voted first and third, respectively, in the “Best Resort Hotel in Asia-Pacific” category.

Held in London last week, the travel awards ceremony saw Singapore receive more first-place accolades than any other nation. Singapore Airlines was voted “Best Airline in the World”. Changi Airport, for the 21st consecutive year, took “Best Airport in the World”, and the Shangri-La Singapore hotel walked off as the “Best Business Hotel Worldwide”.