The Beginning
During the time when we couldn't travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the longing for Trang remained. We found ourselves sharing late-night beers over video calls,
talking about how much we missed being there.
One sentence stuck: “I just want people to see Trang the way I see it.”
It wasn’t just about missing a great memory from the past. It sparked something.
Something small, sincere, and slowly growing —
a dream to create a space that lets others see Trang through our eyes.
Villa Pateh — A boutique stay built from Friendship .
We never set out to build a hotel. We just wanted to create something real.
Something that felt like home. Something that holds stories.
So we asked ourselves: If the former governor of Trang, Khaw Sim Bee, had a seaside retreat to host his closest friends — what would it look like?
We visited old houses in Kantang, studied the local architecture, and built almost everything with the hands and hearts of local craftsmen. Many furnishings are rare finds vintage pieces full of character while others were specially designed and handcrafted to reflect the spirit of Trang’s heritage, thoughtfully reimagined for today.
Even the names carry meaning.
“Villa Pateh” comes from a character in the Inao Hikayat, a Malay-Thai epic — “Pateh” meaning a nobleman or royal governor. Because we are located in a small Muslim village, every step we took was guided by respect. That’s why we chose names from classical Malay language — Ratu (king), Raden (prince), Inu (nephew), and
Bulann Rati(the moon), our restaurant — as a quiet tribute to the heritage around us.
We don’t just stay here. We embrace the local way of life.
Embracing the Local
We began with no roadmap. Just commitment. We’ve stumbled. We’ve learned. But we keep going — slowly, intentionally — because this is not just about us. It’s about growing with the community. Listening before leading. We’re not perfect. But we’re present.
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Because true hospitality isn’t about perfection.
It’s about warmth. Story. And the quiet joy of sharing something real.
“Sustainable growth begins from the roots we stand on.”