Phuket, February 13, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / With Thailand having decriminalized marijuana, The Slate Phuket is inviting guests to say BONG Appetit to a special dining experience by Steven John of Empty Plates Bangkok. Chef John has incorporated cannabis leaves, flower, stems and seeds into an innovative menu that will not only bring the flavours of the plant to the fore, but provide health benefits due to being rich in anti-oxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. This special dining experience will be offered at the hotel’s sexy Rivet & Rebar on 10 and 11 March, with only 40 tickets for at each exclusive event.

Coqoon Spa will also offer specially designed treatments using CBD oil, which has been shown to enhance well-being and alleviate pain.

Public attitudes to cannabis have changed dramatically in the past few years, with numerous studies showing the plant to have beneficial effects on health and well-being. It has been legalized in numerous countries for recreational and medicinal use, with Thailand the latest to recognize its benefits.

The global cannabis market is set to reach $200 billion by 2030, according to research by GlobeNewsWire, with numerous studies showing the health benefits of consuming cannabinoids like THC and CBD.

“At The Slate, we are always looking for new ways to surprise our guests and we can see there is huge demand for cannabis tourism,” says The Slate Phuket’s owner, Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong. “This is a sophisticated way for guests to try cannabis in a culinary form, in a relaxed and elegant setting by creating high-end menus with cannabis-infused dishes by the masterful Steven John.”

Krystal says that curated cannabis experiences have the potential to bring more visitors to Thailand, helping the industry recover after the impact of Covid.

“The Slate Phuket is known for its BOLD events and Bong Appetit is the first in a series of gastronomic journeys curated by The Slate to showcase a different side to Thailand and immerse our guests in new experiences,” she said.

The dinner is inspired by BONG Appetit, a TV show that follows Abudllah Saeed around the world as he visits chef preparing meals in a kitchen stocked with a huge selection of marijuana ingredients.

From crushed powder form to oils, butters and resins, cannabis is added carefully to different dishes to complement the flavours of the natural produce and offer a mild relaxation effect.

Chef John says that cannabis should be considered similar to wine, in that different plants will have different flavour profiles based on their cultivation, production and origin.

“When cooking with cannabis, we try to pair the flavours of the plant with the right ingredients, just as a sommelier chooses the perfect wine to complement or enhance a dish,” he said. “I think of it as another herb that adds to the flavour profile and experience of fine dining.”

Dinner price Baht 3,800++

Bong Appetit package
– 1-night stay in Private Pool Suite @THB22,100+++(THB26,232.70) for 2 people
– 2-night stay in Private Pool Suite @THB34,000+++(THB40,358) for 2 people

Package includes
– Daily breakfast at Tin Mine
– 90-minute Cannabidiol spa treatment at The Nest, Coqoon Spa
– BOLD dinner at Rivet
– Priority early check-in and late check-out
– Complimentary roundtrip airport transfer
– 10% discount at KRU Precision Wellness

Bong Appetit amalgamate with Sunday Brunch package
– 1-night stay in Private Pool Suite @THB28,500+++(THB33,829.50) for 2 people
– 2-night stay in Private Pool Suite @THB40,600+++(THB48,192.20) for 2 people

Package includes:
– Daily breakfast at Tin Mine
– 90-minute Cannabidiol spa treatment at The Nest, Coqoon Spa
– BOLD dinner at Rivet
– Sunday Brunch with selected free-flow wine, sparkling wine, cocktails, beers, spirits, soft drinks, fruit juices, and mocktails
– Priority early check-in and late check-out
– Complimentary roundtrip airport transfer
– 10% discount at KRU Precision Wellness

About The Slate
Nestled on the shores of Nai Yang beach, The Slate plays tribute to Phuket’s past through the painstaking artistry of Bill Bensley, manifesting the owning family’s rich tin mining history with the island’s true soul. Decadent suites mix exposed beams, polished concrete and custom furniture and fittings to bring the owners’legacy to life. There are 8 restaurants and bars including the Michelin-recommended Black Ginger, which floats atop its own lake and is accessible by rope-pulled raft. Facilities include Coqoon Spa, KRU Precision Wellness, three outdoor pools, two tennis courts, a full gym, Heliconia Flower Gallery, The Wine Room, Tin Box Kids Club, The Stockroom onsite boutique; and Shades Gallery, a collaborative art space which promotes cultural exchanges through art and fashion. Weddings and events are well catered for, with state-of-the-art meeting rooms and expansive spaces. www.theslatephuket.com Ph: +66 (0) 76 327 006