Two experienced writers based in Bangkok are holding a tranquil writing retreat at Baan Nai Nakhon, a boutique hotel in serene Songkhla, from Feb 2 to 5 next year.
Designed in a rejuvenating way to freshen the mind for writing, the four-day, three-night writing retreat is accepting only four aspiring writers who have ample time to focus on whatever they'd like to work on for at least four hours a day.
There won't be lectures, only discussions mostly in the hotel's garden -- with Thammika Songkaeo, 2022-23 National Geographic Explorer and travel writer alias Soo Do Nim, and Parisa Pichitmarn, digital editor of Sawadee.
There will be some optional excursions and workshops that focus on the ethics of travel writing. The excursions will include walks in the Old Town, a visit to Songkhla National Museum, a visit to Ranot floating market, a meal by Lake Songkhla, a trip to Samila Beach, and a trip to the Thale Noi Waterfowl Reserve in Phatthalung province.
Housed among old wooden homes of Songkhla, traditional ice cream shops, and other delightful eateries in the Old Town's quiet and slim main thoroughfare, the hotel boasts six rooms each with its own personality, incorporating different patterns and textures as they cradle writers in a subtly stimulating environment.
There are no writing desks in the rooms, but each carefully selected piece of furniture is bound to give you a whimsical blend of nostalgia and stimulation to rest and relax in. Participants should feel comfortable conversing in English, though their writing may be in any language.
The fee is 28,100 baht. The price includes single occupancy, breakfast and a simple lunch, transportation, and feedback on one piece of writing of no more than 3,000 words from the two writers.
Applications should be made by Dec 10. To apply, send an English-language writing sample (2,000 words or fewer) and CV to tgwritingretreat@gmail.com with "Retreat Application -- [your full name]" in the subject headline, with the sample writing pasted in the body of the email. They will be notified of decisions by Dec 20.
Contact Thammika via a direct message at @two_glasses_tg on Instagram.