Get you up to speed: Nigel Farage’s crypto billionaire donor owns luxury Thai resort | News World
Billionaire Chakrit Sakunkrit, also known as Christopher Harborne, has transformed the Kamalaya resort in Koh Samui, Thailand into a luxury health spa since its acquisition in 2021. His financial support to Reform UK includes a £5 million gift to Nigel Farage in 2024, with both figures confirming it was intended as a personal gift.
Chakrit Sakunkrit, also known as Christopher Harborne, acquired the Kamalaya resort in Koh Samui in 2021 and has since converted it into a luxury health spa. The founders, John and Karina Stewart, exited the business in 2024, citing incompatibility with Mr Harborne’s philosophy.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is reportedly facing an inquiry regarding the £5 million gift from Christopher Harborne, which he has described variously as an ‘unconditional’ reward and support for his personal security. Meanwhile, the founders of the Kamalaya resort have distanced themselves from the venture as of 2024, citing incompatibility with Mr Harborne’s direction, indicating a shift in management philosophy at the establishment.
What remains unclear — The exact nature of the philosophical incompatibility that led to the Stewarts’ exit from the Kamalaya resort has not been detailed.
Billionaire donor Christopher Harborne acquires luxury Kamalaya resort in Thailand
Reform donor Christopher Harborne (Chakrit Sakunkrit) purchased the Kamalaya resort in Koh Samui, Thailand in 2021 (Picture: Handout)
In 2021, the Kamalaya resort in Koh Samui was acquired by billionaire Chakrit Sakunkrit.
The secluded Thai retreat has since been transformed into a luxury health spa, complete with monk’s cave, sleek villas and plunge pools.
It has welcomed the rich and famous, from Kylie Minogue to Sarah Ferguson.
But its owner, Mr Sakunkrit – also known as Christopher Harborne – has also poured his wealth into influencing politics thousands of miles away.
Mr Harborne has financed Reform UK and its predecessor, the Brexit Party, to the tune of more than £22million since 2019.
This included a record-breaking £9million payout last August.
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The Soma restaurant at the Kamalaya resort, which offers a menu of healthy low sugar options (Picture: Handout)
The 63-year-old made his fortune as an early investor in cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. He also has a stake in Tether.
The Sunday Times Rich List ranks him as Britain’s sixth-wealthiest man, with an estimated net worth of £18.2billion.
His bankrolling of Nigel Farage’s party came to a head after it emerged that he had given the politician a £5million gift in 2024.
Mr Farage has given different explanations for the huge sum of money, on one occasion saying it was needed to pay for his personal security, before then suggesting it was an ‘unconditional’ reward for campaigning for Brexit, a cause supported by Mr Harborne.
The Reform UK leader has himself visited Mr Harborne’s Thai paradise and was pictured at the crypto billionaire’s 60th birthday celebrations in 2022.
The resort’s website says Mr Harborne purchased the retreat as a ‘philanthropic investment’.
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Mr Farage received £5million from Christopher Harborne which he says was a ‘gift’ (Picture: Reuters)
Its founders, John and Karina Stewart, exited the business completely in 2024, citing incompatibility with Mr Harborne’s philosophy, the Mirror reported.
The spa now promotes traditional healing methods, while discouraging modern distractions such as mobile phone use.
Guests seeking ‘parasympathetic rest and reset’ or ’emotional upliftment’ can pay £172.39 for a personal fire ceremony lasting 75 minutes.
There are also one-hour private spiritual guidance sessions costing £131.56.
One-on-one mantra chanting is also offered at £63.51 for a 30-minute session.
Mr Harborne has given more than £22million to Reform UK since 2019 (Picture: George Cracknell Wright/LNP)
Accommodation on site also comes at a staggeringly high price, at £941 per night for a penthouse suite with a private plunge pool.
Guests are treated to a Chinese and Indian inspired offering at the resort’s restaurant, tea lounge, and cafe.
The menu can be personally tailored and focuses on healthy ingredients, such as the use of stevia as a sweetener instead of sugar.
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