With an eye on a greener future and a more sustainable outlook, Avani has rolled out a series of initiatives focussing on sustenance and wellness. Signature properties in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos are stepping up their commitment to support local communities by highlighting the region’s speciality produce and the need to rely less on imports. They have also adopted zero-waste initiatives, including plans for on-site composting systems to process all organic waste and a permaculture organic garden to promote self-sufficiency.

The group’s Pattaya resort has pioneered the first hydroponic farm in the famous coastal town of Thailand, which supplies 40 per cent of daily supply of fresh ingredients with the remaining going to the Pattaya community. Today, the farm grows over 22,000 plants including a wide range of salads and greens such as red oak, green oak, cos, rocket, microgreens, Swiss chard and Chinese kale. The resort’s hydroponic farm has recently adopted chickens that roam free, supplying fresh eggs for breakfast every day.

The team at Pattaya has started efforts to phase out single-use plastic and has doubled down on sustainability initiatives by adding a compost site to reduce landfill waste and also replacing single-use plastic bottles with refillable sealed containers for bathroom amenities.

A tour of the farm gives guests an insight into sourcing farm-to-table organic produce that forms the basis of local cuisine. Aspiring chefs can then join a cooking class and whip up a delicious meal to enjoy with friends and family, or learn how to start their own hydroponic farm at home.