Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2021
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Current

Employment History

• SPL landscape at Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand; AKA Resort and Spa Hua Hin, Thailand; Soneva Kiri Resort at Koh Kood, Thailand; Anyavee Tubkaek Beach Resort at Krabi, Thailand; Six Senses Samui at Koh Samui Thailand; Chestnut Hill Eco Resort at Songkhla, Thailand; Azaya Villas at Chiang Mai, Thailand

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Agriculture (Plant Science), Prince of Songkla University, Thailand

Birthplace

• Satun, Thailand

Languages Spoken

• English, Thai

Enterprising and intuitive, Thada Whasagool was born under a tropical sun with his hands in the soil, and a heart that bleeds for nature. With a BSc Agriculture (Plant Science) from Prince Songkla University, Thada takes a studied approach to his craft, understanding planting cycles, and the ecological aspects of landscape gardening. Having started out in 2006 with a resort in Hua Hin, Thada has been involved with high-end resort landscaping at many exotic seaside locations across Thailand. Long stints with brands like Six Senses and Soneva Kiri helped nurture his creative capacity, something he believes was always within him. “I imagined that I would one day make my living working with plants,” he remarks as he looks out over his handiwork. The majestic foliage at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui has been under his charge since December 2021 and in that time it has certainly flourished.

Thada was born and raised in Satun Province, a coastal region in the far south of Thailand that is home to breath-taking waterfalls, serene mountains and lush green forests. “I spent much of my childhood out in the family garden, pulling out weeds with my mother and conversing with the bees, and the butterflies,” he recounts. Adept at bringing to life an architect’s vision for a specific property, Thada is able to interpret and recreate complex landscapes and scenery. “Every element of a garden plays a role, from the soil to the flowers, the birds and climate,” he remarks.

Thada is proud of his work and how it contributes to the wellness aspect of the Resort. “Most of our guests are coming to Thailand to experience the majesty of a tropical island, and we get to see the thrill on their faces when they arrive. “Gardeners are healers in a way,” he quips with a grin. For Thada, gardening is a form of meditation, and matching pace with nature allows him to destress and live in the moment. He believes that when we take care of nature, it has a way of repaying us in kind. “While the pandemic was difficult for all of us, it was a chance to allow nature to regenerate,” he feels.

When asked how much of planning and design go into landscaping for a seaside resort, Thada explains how a lot of strategy is involved to make it all tie in together with functionality. A primary aspect of this Resort is its stunning views over the cliff-side and out across the Gulf, “so we have to allow for as much visibility, while still making sure that the dense tropical greenery is all around,” he remarks.

Thada owes his success to two elemental traits that he believes are must-haves for a gardener - patience and passion, and these driving factors make him a perfect fit for Four Seasons. “It is an honour to work here with supportive and dedicated colleagues. This is a place that encourages us to dream big,” says Thada, who leads his team by example. “I like to be hands-on and inspire my colleagues to help me create a collective vision together.”