International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem 2023: Chiva-Som Hua Hin hosts mangrove planting and fundraising gala

Pioneering and transformative wellness destination Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, Thailand, continues its commitment to sustainability with mangrove planting and a fundraising gala for its mangrove preservation project to celebrate International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

Every year on 26th July, the world celebrates International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. The day was designated by UNESCO in 2015 to raise awareness around mangrove ecosystems, their uniqueness and vulnerability, and to promote solutions for their conservation, sustainable management and utility.

Mangroves play a vital role in protecting the coastal ecosystems they inhabit. They serve as a physical barrier to erosion and flooding; filter water, thereby improving its quality; and provide shelter to a diverse array of marine life. In the past half century, however, they have diminished rapidly worldwide due to coastal development and altered land use.

Throughout its nearly three decades of existence, Chiva-Som’s commitment to sustainability has been constant and evolving, infusing not only the guest wellness journey, but also its daily operations and outreach to local communities. Its marquee sustainability initiative, the Krailart Niwate mangrove project, spearheads the regeneration and conservation of Hua Hin’s only mangrove ecosystem. Since 2007, over 11,000 mangrove trees have been planted, and a 1,000-metre elevated boardwalk allows visitors to explore the reserve while surrounding themselves with the healing qualities of nature.

On 26th July, in conjunction with its Friends of Chiva-Som campaign to promote sustainable travel, Chiva-Som will host mangrove planting for team members and guests, led by Friends of Chiva-Som ambassadors Suquan Bulakul, a renowned Thai actor, and Chef Dan Bark.

That same evening, Chef Dan will collaborate with Chiva-Som Executive Chef Sinchai Srivipa to serve an eight-course tasting menu of wellness cuisine at Taste of Siam restaurant, which overlooks the ocean. Highlight dishes include an amuse-bouche of kingfish and caviar, 'root and truffle', tender Australian beef with kimchi and miso, grouper and a unique savoury-sweet dessert inspired by the Thai dish miang kham. Dishes will feature fresh, organic produce sourced from Chiva-Som’s own gardens.

Chef Dan Bark is a world-renowned chef with experience working in 2-and 3-Michelin Starred restaurants in Chicago for over 15 years. On returning to Bangkok, he launched his own Michelin-star restaurant, Cadence by Dan Bark. His cuisine is best described as 'progressive American', with dishes displaying a cosmopolitan approach to techniques and fresh ingredients unbound by geography, with no limits on flavor combinations.

Chef Sinchai Srivipa began his culinary career over three decades ago, winning a scholarship from the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel in Bangkok. He travelled and worked all over the world, including in Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom, mastering different cuisines. Chef Sinchai joined the Chiva-Som team in 2009, with a short secondment to Jordan for two years as the personal chef of the Royal Hashemite family. Today, he leads one of the world’s most recognised wellness cuisine teams.

Tickets for the evening are available through reservations@chivasom.com, priced at THB 9,000 (GBP205) net per person and THB 10,000 (GBP227) with wine pairing. All proceeds will go to the Krailart Niwate mangrove preservation project.

For more information about Chiva-Som please visit www.chivasom.com.