Intercontinental Hua Hin: The five-star luxury marque will open a Thai-styled 118 room resort right in the middle of Hua Hin in October 2009. The resort will also have three private beach-front villas with their own plunge pools. It appears that reservations are already being accepted at the Intercontinental Hotels web site.

Ritz Carlton, Krabi: Ultra lux chain Ritz Carlton comes back to Thailand with the opening of Phulay Bay "A Ritz Carlton Reserve" resort in Krabi province in June 2009. The resort has just 54 villas, all of which have outdoor baths and private plunge pools. Oh, and a private butler on call 24 hours a day as well. Expect to pay for this much luxury, but you’re worth it, right? Make your reservations at the Ritz Carlton web site.

Sofitel Phi Phi: Plans for the Sofitel on Phi Phi were made before the 2004 tsunami decimated Phi Phi. It seemed for a while that the project might never materialize, but it’s now been confirmed to open in 2010. The new resort will consist of 147 villas, but is not yet accepting reservations.