Kulaypan, the city of Inaoln the reign of King Boromakot of
the Ayudhaya period, Princess Kunton and Prince Mongkut were
fascinated by a story told by their Javanese governess about
charming Prince Inao (Inu Panyee Karatapati) of the Indonesian
Shailendra Dynasty (870 A.D), a great lover as well as a valiant
warrior.
From this time on, the legend became a well-known dance drama
in the Royal Thai court until the reign of King Chulalongkorn,
Rama V. Chaochom Manda Khian, the mother of my great grandfather
(H.R.H Prince Naradhip, son of King Mongkut), and a niece
of Queen Somanat, was reknown for playing the role of Inao.
It was then Royal practice when a Prince was born, King Mongkut
would lay a little sword as a gift in the baby’s basket. For
the birth of Prince Naradhip, the King added a dagger or “kris”
as a special present for the “Son of Inao”.
When I was asked upon to design a Hotel on Chaweng Beach,
Samui Island; realizing fully well myself that the southern
part of Thailand was once a territory in the Sri Vijaya Kingdom,
Kulaypan- the name of the capital city in the story of Inao,
sprang immediately to my mind. Falling in love with the location
was a delight from the first moment. Through the coconut grove
before me is a view all the way to the horizon, waves dancing
on a shimmering sea, a small isle and the endless blue sky.
Beauty, natural in form. Perfect light and colour. I decided
straightaway that we could never spoil such a truly wondeful
vista.
The view is ever marvellous each time: at dawn, the break
of the day, late morning and towards noon, in the afternoon
and twilight, even late at night you will find the indescribably
beautiful seascape and heavens changing their charm with time,
your spirit and your dreams. Come and be enchanted day and
night at Muang Kulaypan Hotel.
M.L. Archava Varavana (Hotel designer and decorator)
- Membre Correspondant de l’Acadmie Europenne des Sciences,
des Arts et des Lettres
- Gold Medal Winner 1986, Salon des artistes Francais
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