Does anyone have up-to-date information on the planned Aman in Bangkok? I may have heard (or simply surmised) that it will be located in the old building on the riverfront near the Portuguese Embassy just upriver from the Oriental. I'm most curious about where it will be and when it will open.

Someone in this thread commented that food isn't exactly Aman's strong point. Is that right? Some properties I've looked at, like Amanpuri, seem to have their main restaurant focus on Italian food. Italian food in Thailand is kind of silly (and vaguely insulting).

Also, having flipped through the pages of this thread, I did not see any substantive comments on the Amanpuri. What can you Amanjunkies offer on that? I'm likely going to Phuket next year and deciding between the Amanpuri and The Chedi next door.

Finally, and this may seem like a silly question, but at least it will be a good conversation-starter, I hope: What exactly is it that makes an Aman experience so special? What makes it so much better than--and justifies the 2x or 3x higher rates of--a GHM resort like The Chedi Club near Ubud or The Legian? I stayed at both of those on a recent trip to Bali and loved them. Why should I stay at the Amandari next time? Why should I stay at the Amanpuri instead of The Chedi?

I look forward to your well-informed comments. Thanks in advance.