Vorasit ‘Wan’ Issara learnt hospitality the hard way: working as a pool boy under Robert Burns at Waldorf Astoria before taking over his family’s Sri panwa at 23. That groundwork shows. The Phuket resort he’s run since 2005 ditched the usual five-star formality for something looser: boutique villas, free minibars, and nightly DJ sets that turned luxury accommodation into somewhere people actually wanted to hang about.
Since then he’s expanded into Baba Beach Club – luxury beach clubs in Phuket and Hua Hin built around house music – and helped bring in CircoLoco‘s legendary party nights (supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand). They all share his approach of good hospitality without the stuffiness and proper nightlife without apology – and what ties them together is straightforward: he’s building places people actually want to be.
How does running a hotel compare to reading a dance floor at 2am?
They are essentially the same discipline: energy management. At 2am, you’re reading the room to decide if they need more bass or a melodic break. Running a hotel is reading that energy 24/7. It’s about anticipation – knowing when a guest needs a moment of silence or a high-energy transition. If you can read a crowd, you can run a resort.
What does your background as a DJ bring to hospitality that traditional hoteliers miss?
The understanding of ‘vibe’ as a technical requirement, not just an afterthought. Traditional hoteliers focus on the hardware—the marble and the linens. A DJ understands the software – the rhythm of the day, how lighting and sound pressure affect a guest’s mood, and how to transition a property from a serene morning sanctuary to a celebratory evening destination.
When was the moment you realised you wanted to build something of your own?
It goes back to my time interning as a pool boy at Villa Feltrinelli. I witnessed the absolute peak of intimate service – treating guests like family in an ultra-private home. I realised then that I wanted to take that elite standard of hospitality and build my own version of it in Thailand – a sanctuary that felt like a private estate rather than a commercial resort.
What’s harder: curating a lineup or curating a guest experience?
The guest experience. A lineup is a few hours, but a five-star guest experience is a 72-hour journey with thousands of touchpoints. Making that complexity look effortless is the real challenge.
You’re famous for mixing travel, food and music – which one compromises most in the hospitality business?
Usually, food is where people play it safe. But we refuse to compromise. We make our food authentic; we want it to have as much character as the location. If anything, the ‘traditional’ hospitality rules are what get compromised to make room for the music and the atmosphere. We don’t follow a manual; we follow the vibe.
What’s the biggest difference between Ibiza’s club scene and what you’re building in Natai?
Ibiza is the legend, but it can feel like a ‘factory’ during the peak season. In Natai, we offer the luxury of intimacy. We aren’t trying to cram 5,000 people into a dark room; we’re dancing on a beach under the stars with a world-class sound system and the refined service standards of Sri panwa. It’s a sophisticated, ‘barefoot’ version of the party.
Baba Beach Club is a ‘luxury playground for music lovers’ – what does that mean to you?
It means you never have to choose between five-star luxury and world-class music culture. You can have a Michelin-quality meal and sleep in Italian linens, then walk a few steps to hear a world-renowned selector. It’s high-end, but without the ‘stiff’ attitude. It’s a place where you can truly let go.
Do you think Thailand can become a serious music destination, not just a beach escape?
Absolutely. We are already seeing the shift. People are now flying in from Europe, the US, and across Asia specifically for our events. We are proving that you can come for the world-class music and stay for the world-class luxury.
What made you think Thailand was ready for CircoLoco?
The hunger of the local community. I saw a growing sophisticated crowd in Bangkok and Phuket that was tired of commercial EDM. They wanted credible, underground house and techno. Thailand has always had the hospitality; we just needed to provide the right platform for a brand as authentic as CircoLoco.
Favourite local restaurants in Thailand?
In Phuket, Raya is a classic for that authentic Sino-Portuguese heritage and their crab curry. But for something truly local and soulful, Go Benz is the spot. Their dry rice porridge is legendary – it’s the kind of place that defines the real food culture of the island.
Best local bars?
Baba Nest at Sri panwa. I’m biased, but watching a 360-degree sunset over the Andaman Sea from that deck is a world-class experience that never gets old. It’s about the perfect balance of view, atmosphere, and sound.
Where do you go for pure escapism?
Baba Beach Club Natai. It’s my sanctuary. The combination of the raw beach, the intimacy of the resort, and the escape from the noise of the city allows me to completely reset.
Where do you go for stimulation and creative energy?
Ibiza. It remains the global benchmark for energy and production. I go there to see how they push the boundaries of music culture and hospitality; it’s where I recharge my creative batteries.
Most inspiring city that you’ve visited recently?
Hainan. Seeing the rapid evolution of luxury hospitality and infrastructure there is fascinating. The scale of their ambition and the way they are developing their coastal lifestyle is something I’m watching closely.
Favourite hotel, anywhere in the world?
Villa Feltrinelli on Lake Garda. It remains the pinnacle of grand, old-world elegance. The way they make a guest feel like they are in a private home rather than a hotel is the standard I strive for every day.
Your top three museums?
Museo Ferrari, in Maranello, Italy – being at the operational heart of Ferrari, just minutes from the track at Monza, is incredible. It’s a masterclass in the obsession with perfection, racing DNA, and high-performance engineering.
Mercedes-Benz Museum, in Stuttgart, Germany – the architecture is insane, a futuristic double helix design. It tells the story of the automobile as a journey of constant innovation. It feels more like a luxury production space than a traditional museum.
Tate Modern, London – this is where I go for ‘tech-modern’ inspiration. Their installation, especially in the Turbine Hall and the Media Networks galleries, show how technology, sound, and digital art collide. It’s the ultimate reference for the visual energy we bring to our events.
What’s always in your carry-on?
My iPhone and my Baba Playlists. I’m always listening to new sets and curating the vibe for the next event, no matter where I am in the world. As long as I have the music, I’m ready.
Travel splurge you’ll never regret?
Taking a private yacht to remote islands. Being able to reach a completely untouched beach with a group of friends and a good sound system – that is true luxury. Time, privacy, and the right soundtrack are the ultimate splurges.
Dream vacation, not yet fulfilled?
To be honest, I’ve done everything. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world and experience the best it has to offer. Now, my focus and my ‘dream’ is simply continuing to build and evolve the world.
What’s the one thing about Thailand’s music culture that the rest of the world doesn’t understand?
That it’s not just about ‘party islands’ and neon buckets. There is a deeply knowledgeable, dedicated scene of Thai DJs, producers, and selectors who are world-class. Thailand has a natural ‘groove’ in its DNA – our hospitality and our music are both built on the same soul.
Where do you see Thailand’s nightlife scene in five years?
I see it becoming more curated, boutique, and quality-driven. We will see more high-concept venues with incredible sound, where the focus is on the intimacy of the experience rather than just the capacity of the room.
