Krabi Magazine January 2013

January 2013 Issue 83

The Mayor of Krabi Krabi Magazine Exclusive Interview

Getting High with Treetop Adventures Fun in the canopy for all the family

News, Eating, Travel, Activities, Reviews, Sport, Nature

THAI ISLAND DREAM ESTATE L U X U RY BEACHFRONT PROPERTIES

ready to move in ямБnancing available

Klong Nin beach - Koh Lanta Yai

REAL PICTURES

+66 (0) 824 161625 / +66 (0) 869 431698 w w w. t h a i - i s l a n d - d r e a m - e s t a t e . c o m

January 2013– ISSUE 83 EDITOR: Paul Stretton krabimagazineeditor@gmail.com - 087 2664876 DIRECTOR Pamela Huxley krabimagazinemarketing@gmail.com - 088 4512178 MARKETING Zina krabimagazinemedia@gmail.com - 080 7705734 POST-PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR: Thomas Gennaro krabimagazine@gmail.com - 089 9085990 ART GROUP

Graphic Director: Nattapat Sunthonphuriwat [Pat®] tonidesign@gmail.com - 089 7727858 Design: Andy Dayton - daytonatdesign@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

Paul Stretton, Stewart Whitfield, Punch Whitfield, Wasan Chirchom, Ton Company, Daniel Docto, Zina Docto, Emily Huang-Ramirez, Suzi Hall, Darren Johnson, Wadee Kheourai

DISTRIBUTION AO NANG – KOH LANTA KOH PHI PHI – KRABI TOWN - KOH JUM KitDee Media & Design – 075 637459

Welcome to Krabi Hello and welcome to the first issue of the best thing to happen to Krabi since sticky rice. Yes, we have reached the year of 2013 and doesn’t it sound like we’re in a Blade Runner-esque movie of some sort? Does to me, at least.

We made it through the Christmas and New Year celebrations relatively unscathed, although the KM Christmas office party saw chaos ensue after Colin overdid it a little on the punch and tried to interfere with the neighbours’ cat. It turns out that the neighbours run the local Muay Thai gym, so safe to say Colin won’t do that again.

We are unrelenting in our pursuit of downright awesomeness (and I don’t use that word often) to bring you every month. That includes Christmas, New Year and beyond, with little escape from our prying noses and camera lens.

This month, we manage to up the stakes in our ever popular Meet the Locals section by getting a sit-down with non other than the Mayor of Krabi himself. If you have been wondering when the new hospital is going to open or what’s happening with the new dive wrecks coming to the area, then wonder no more. We have the truth right from the man himself, so don’t miss that on page 38.

We stumble across a very interesting project on Koh Lanta called Asian Sustainability Activities, who offer willing volunteers a holiday with a distinct difference. As the name suggests, they are into all-things natural, recyclable and sustainable - and it seems to be going down a storm.

We take a nosy around on page 36.

DISTRIBUTION KOH SAMUI - PHUKET BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI - PATTAYA Bookazine - AsiaBooks Bangkok

Doc Docto, our fighting guru, gives those of you thinking about taking a Muay Thai vacation some well-heeled advice on how to get the best out of your time here. Money tips, physical preparation and what to watch out for from his wealth of experience here. A must-read on page 42.

KitDee Media & Design Company Limited 247/13 Moo 5, Ao Nang, Krabi 81000 Tel: 075 661144 - 075 637459 - Fax: 075 637460 E-mail: krabimagazinemarketing@gmail.com www.facebook.com/krabimagazinekrabi

Our underwater and diving section returns after a short break this month with a tale of a turtle release on the Phi Pi islands that warms the cockles of our hearts. 20 of the little flippers were sent packing into the ocean and we went along to take part as part of the King’s Birthday celebrations last month. Page 46 has the damp details.

Krabi Magazine is published and produced by KitDee Media & Design Company Limited and is protected by Copyright. No parts of this publication can be used or reproduced in any form – printed, electronic, photocopy or otherwise – without the written permission of the publishers.

The publisher reserves the right to refuse to publish adverts, texts or advertising features. Advertising terms and conditions are to be obtained at: krabimagazine@gmail.com

You know what? There’s some much in this month’s issue I could go on for another page - but I won’t. Suffice to say that we have articles on a medicinal garden, a secret beach, strange sights in the sky and the world’s hairiest teenager, along with our ever popular eating guide, holiday reads, new tech news and a crossword.

Please send submissions to: krabimagazineeditor@gmail.com

Yes, this is a free magazine. Can you believe it? I know I can’t. But this is what we do relationships and social lives be damned. Krabi Magazine is bigger, better and more more splendiferous than ever, and we aim to keep it that way.

DISCLAIMER

Right, I’m off for a rub down with a damp cloth and some form of caffeine-laced beverage.

While great care has been taken in the receipt and handling of material, production and accuracy in this magazine, the publisher will not accept any responsibility for any errors, loss or omissions which may occur. The information and stories published are those of the writers and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or the editor. The description of properties, the contents, whereabouts and price are given in this magazine as a guide only. Please request further details from the advertiser and seek legal advice before entering into any contract to purchase. All information and prices were correct at the time of going to press.

cover photo by Evan Basham Boy at Treetop Adventures

If you hear a dull thud from my room, please call Somchai at Phuket International Hospital and tell him he was right.

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Contents issue 83 A WINDOW ON KRABI

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Highlights of this amazing province: town to temples, beaches to Islands, natural hotspots to cultural places.

TRY YOUR THAI

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13

Stop speaking slowly and loudly to the Thais - try out these handy phrases to impress your friends instead.

TOP 10 ACTIVITIES

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Krabi Province is a haven for sun worshippers and pleasure seekers and is also one of the world’s best destinations for activities such as rock-climbing, scuba diving and kayaking.

HOTEL PR NEWS

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Brands, products and services from our sponsoring hotels.

THE PULSE

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Some local and International things of interest happening now.

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VIEWPOINT 23 A page for ranting. We don’t get out much...

TRAVEL ADVICE

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Timetables, prices and general good advice on getting here and getting away again

THAI CUSTOMS

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There are some pretty big “Dos” and “Most Definitely Do Nots” here, and it pays to tell them apart...

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Restaurant review

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A night at the best steakhouse in Krabi leaves us stuffed.

EATING GUIDE

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A selection of great places to go to eat and drink in the region. We’ve tested them ourselves, so we know. Yes, we do.

ASA Lanta

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We take a look at a haven for the eco-friendly over on Koh Lanta.

Mud huts and a compost toilet. Oh yeah.

MEET THE LOCALS

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38

Krabi Magazine gets invited to talk with the Mayor of Krabi himself.

Exclusive interview with some interesting insights....

Fighting fit

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Glove up and get ready for a vacation of a differnet kind. No Chang allowed.

Into the blue

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Our underwater section with news of a turtle release, tide table and more.

SECRET CORNER

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49

De Caprio eat your heart out. We find a secret beach all of our own.

january HOLIDAY READS

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There can be fewer finer things in life than to kick back with a good book. So we take a quick look at some reads to keep you riveted on those long days on the beach.

The spicy garden

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A garden filled with all manner of poisons, cures and something sweet. Don’t touch that red thing.

Flying High

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Krabi was recently the venue for some high-flyers, and there could be more to come.....

KRABI VISA

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Local lass in the know, Punch, tells us more little-known info on visas, work permits and more.

Thailand records

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Just for the heck of it - some of Thailands contributions to the Guinness Book of Records

KOH LANTA

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Get the most out of Koh Lanta. Highlights, maps, reviews and articles: Koh Lanta Highlights: Lanta Features Activities: What to do on the paradisiacal isle. Yes, that is a word Restaurant Reviews: A Michelin-starred dinner? Oh, go on then.

Then a little-known place at the tip of the island ...

Eating Guide: A guide to the best eats on the island Interest: A look at the Lion’s Village

KOH JUM

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74

Where? Exactly. That’s why we’re here.

Getting There: Well, do you know?

TECH NEWS

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Some new apps for you.

REAL ESTATE

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Purchasing and making real estate investments made simple with Krabi Magazine.

Architect Tips: Local architects Ton Company produce stunning homes Legal Matters: This month, we look at another way a foreigner can own land in Thailand Interior Design: Make your insides as pretty as the outside with teak furniture Quirks: Jasmine garlands. Whiffy but nice.

RUSSIAN SECTION

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4 pages of information in the Russian Language

JUST FOR FUN

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Krabi Magazine Around the World: We make it all the way somewhere else entirely.

Crossword: A crossword. Well, it is.

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@AoNang Villas is truly a remarkable project and it is clear that there is a dedication and passion for design behind the project one that shines though for all people who are lucky enough to stay in one of the villas.

@

s you approach @AoNang Villas the first thing that strikes you is the 3 meter high wall that surrounds the villas. Then you notice the outer detail of beautifully sculpted elephants decorating the outer wall. As you enter the gate, a guard salutes you with a smile. There is a bustle of activity on the site as currently two new villas are being built. The site is green and lush with flowers and plants, but what immediately catches your eye are the villas themselves.

In front of you you have the majestic model villa built in a modern Thai style and with a private 10m pool surrounded by the living room and bedrooms and a large pool deck.

Upon closer inspection, you find three bedrooms in the villa all en suite. All the rooms are overlooking the pool area and it is easy to see that attention to detail and design have been of very high importance in the construction of the villas. @AoNang Villas is a new project in AoNang, Krabi offering luxurious and private pool villas for sale. It is located only 5km from AoNang Beach and the crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea. The villas are located in a quiet area of AoNang and nestled among rubber trees and beautiful natural surroundings. It is an ideal place for people who love the peace and tranquility of nature while still having all the amenities of AoNang, which include Thai and western restaurants, shopping and leisure activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, golf, rock climbing and simply lazing on the beach. @AoNang Villas are dedicated to making sure that you have the best time when staying your luxury villa. You will have access to a taxi service from and to Ao Nang Beach, 24 hour security, an exclusive on-site restaurant, fitness center, playground for the kids and garden areas. @AoNang Villas can also manage your villa when you are not there, making sure the pool is maintained, garden stays beautiful and villa is regularly cleaned. The team behind the villas can also manage Images from http://www.daro-cane.co.uk

renting out your villa when you are not there, making the villa a great investment opportunity.

Krabi is the ideal location for people who want to live and enjoy a green destination and less overdeveloped area than the likes of Phuket and Pattaya. You will find an atmosphere of tranquility and harmony in Krabi that is hard to come by in other, more crowded places. The officials in Krabi have announced a dedication to keeping Krabi green, while making sure that you have all the basic necessities like an international hospital, good infrastructure and shopping malls.

As we enjoy the day in @AoNang Villas, we meet one of the first buyers - a Dane living in Bangkok. He tells us that what attracted him to the project - besides the quality of construction and beauty of the villas was the fact that the project is dedicated to being Krabi’s most environmentally friendly villa complex. As well as this, the potential of renting out the villa while not using it, helped greatly by us, was something that attracted him to buy. Also Krabi itself with is many opportunities for activities such as trekking, swimming, golfing and many more was a much more attractive option than the more overcrowded and hectic places in other towns.

You can read more about @AoNang Villas and contact them on their website. www.at-aonangvillas.com.

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Window

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the beaches

NATURAL HOTSPOTS

Ao Nang, at 20km from Krabi Town, is the most developed of Krabi’s beaches, a long stretch of white sandy beach with limestone mountains as a backdrop. It has a wide range of accommodation and services and the main shopping street features restaurants, bars, pubs, souvenir shops, dive centers and tour agencies, massage centers and spas. This is the hub from which to plan your trip at sea and to the nearby islands on a typical longtail boat.

Noppharat Thara beach, just around the corner from Ao Nang, is 3km long yet still undeveloped, with only a few resorts and bars. Attractive because of its natural setting, this is where local youngsters and families gather at sunset and at weekends. Savour some local Muslim snacks at the beach stalls, or fill yourself with seafood in the local restaurants at the very end of the beach, near the Noppharat Thara National Park headquarters. At low tide, walk out together with millions of small crabs on the sandy pathways to the small islands near the beach.

Railay beaches are split and separated from Krabi and Ao Nang by monumental limestone mountains. Railay has two sides, east and west, and its settings are simply marvelous: crystal clear waters, pure sandy beaches, lush mountains, rocky islands emerging from the sea. Railay can only be reached by boat, a 15 minutes ride from Ao Nang or 30 minutes from Krabi Town. Enjoy a cocktail in one of the beach bars, visit the Phranang Cave, challenge yourself on a rock climbing course, hike the limestone massif to a lagoon and a viewpoint, or simply chill out. Neighbouring Tonsai lies at the base of a cliff that divides it form Railay West. Tonsai has a shallow beach with slow gradients out to sea which is profoundly affected by the tide.

Klong Muang beach is a further 20km away from Ao Nang; it is the up-market side of Krabi, the place to be if you are after a peaceful holiday. Catering to families and couples, it is here that you really get the so deserved repose, surrounded by pristine nature.

Tubkaek beach is another real place to hide away; long, clean and peaceful, the area has breathtaking views over Koh Hong islands archipelago, and charming sunsets. From there you can venture inside the National Park and try a walking trail to a viewpoint and a waterfall.

Koh Lanta beaches have a wide selection of resorts for all tastes and pockets. Lanta Yai island has long stretches of gleaming white sandy beaches and shallow emerald waters. Lined with tropical vegetation, a private spot is never more than a short walk away on a southern beach at Lanta Yai.

Limestone mountains or karsts characterize most of the inland Krabi area, the most spectacular being the massifs of Sai Tai. Susaan Hoi is a 40 million year-old seashell cemetery; once a large swamp where freshwater crustaceans proliferated, today home to 40 centimeter thick, shell encrusted limestone slabs, a geological uniqueness not far from Ao Nang. One must find a broken edge to see the shells clearly, since all of those on the upper surface have been walked on and worn down by the elements and are hard to identify.

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, at 20km from Krabi Town, comprises waterfalls, streams, lush forests and caves. It is home to all kind of flora and wildlife and to the highest mountain in the region from which it takes the name. One of the features of the park is Huay Toh Waterfall where water runs down onto several huge pools.

Tarnbok Khoranee National Park, in the north of the region, consists of limestone mountains, verdant tropical forest, caves and beautiful islands. It is well known for its different species of trees growing around a large natural crystal clear pool, and for the hundreds of birds’ species.

on krabi Phi Hua Toh Cave, in the nearby Bor Thor area, surrounded by mangrove swamps and reachable by boat or kayak, is where to see pre-historic rock paintings depicting animals and humans.

Sa Morakot, the Emerald Pool, is a natural wonder: a pond of turquoise water with an average temperature of 30-40C, fed by a hot spring in the middle of the jungle.

Hot Springs of Klong Thom, natural Jacuzzis in which to lift away tensions and relieve body and mind with the mineral enriched waters falling into rocky ponds.

THE ISLANDS Hop on or hire a longtail, the local wooden boats with their picturesque prows. Sail away to Koh Poda, surrounded by turquoise waters, or to Koh Kai, shaped as a chicken and therefore called the Chicken Island, from where a walk on a sandy pathway connects it to Koh Tub. Make a longtail boat or speedboat trip to the Koh Hong archipelago, a group of limestone islands with hidden caves and lagoons perfect for kayaking or snorkeling.

Join an organized tour to amazing Koh Phi Phi islands, full of marvelous bays, limestone cliffs, waters rich in marine life, caves where swallow nests are harvested, and much more.

Visit Koh Jum and Koh Siboya, small, unspoiled tropical hideaway that have a unique atmosphere. These islands give visitors the time to relax and re-charge their batteries. Or venture out on Koh Lanta, the developing island at the southern end of the province home to sea gypsies communities, where you will meet nature and tradition. A National Park area that comprises many different islands surrounded by coral reefs, such as Koh Ngai and remote Koh Rok.

THE CULTURE

Ban Natin, on the way from Ao Nang to Klong Muang, is the place to experience the peaceful lifestyle of the local Muslim community. Home accommodation is available, or you can simply make a stopover and see the production of handmade products such as batik paintings, pineapple-fiber paper and coconut shell carving.

Wat Klong Thom Museum features various kinds of beads, stone tools, and stone and earthen ornaments in animal shapes of approximately 5,000 years old, uncovered during archeological excavations.

Fire dancing, part of the beach culture, is a popular evening activity on the beaches of Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi, performed by acrobatic boys who swing burning torches around their bodies, creating sparkling artistic pictures.

Ban Sang-Ka-U is a sea gypsy’s settlement in south-east Lanta Yai. It is there that an old clan of traditional v Ley try to preserve a disappearing way of life in this fast-developing island.

THE TOWN Small, charming, silent at times, nice for a day’s walking tour.

Krabi Town is full of old buildings, bars and restaurants, local exotic marketplaces and food stalls at the old Chao Fa pier where to sample the local food. The Krabi motto is: “lively town, lovely people”; Krabi’s simple people are definitely proud of their town and of their warm and generous character. Hop on a longtail boat at Chao Fa pier and visit Khao Kanab Nam, the unique pair of hills facing each other on the opposite banks of the Krabi River, symbols of the town; or embark on a journey to Koh Klang, an island next to town on the mouth of the river, where you will experience lives lived by the local fishing communities; or charter a boatman for a visit to the mangrove backwaters.

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The Pelican Advert Full Page

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Try your

Thai

Krabi is well-used to foreigners and most of the Thai people that deal with tourists on a daily basis will have a smattering of English to get by. The employees at your resort, for example. But if you want to try out a little of their own language, you will be rewarded by even bigger smiles and even the odd giggle. The Thais really do appreciate you making an effort to speak their language and just the odd word here and there can make all the difference in your relationships with them.

Hello (male speaker)........................................................................... “Sawadee Krap” Hello (female speaker).......................................................................... “Sawadee Kaa” How are you?...................................................................................... “Sabai Dee Mai?” I’m fine........................................................................................................... “Sabai Dee” How much is this?................................................................................ “A Nee Tao Rai?” What is this?..................................................................................................“Nee a Rai?” Yes............................................................................................................................. “Chai” No..................................................................................................................... “Mai Chai” Sorry/Excuse me.............................................................................................“Kor Toht” I can’t speak Thai................................................................. “Poot Passa Thai Mai Dai” Can you speak English?..................................... “Khun Poot Passa Angrit Dai Mai?” I don’t understand.................................................................................. “Mai Khao Jai” Do you understand?..............................................................................“Khao Jai Mai? Help!..................................................................................................... “Chooey Dooey!”

Spicy........................................................................................................................... “Pet” Not spicy............................................................................................................“Mai Pet” Is that tasty?................................................................................................. “A Roy Mai? Hot (Temperature)............................................................................................... “Rawn” Cold............................................................................................................................“Yen” Water................................................................................................................... “Naam” Where is the restroom/toilet?....................................... “Hong Naam Yoo Tee Nai? Can I have the bill/check?......................................................................... “Kep Tang” Where are you going?....................................................................................“Pai Nai? See you soon.........................................................................................“Pop Gan Mai”

And the one that rules them all - the 3 words that every Thai lives by and that can teach us stress-monkeys a thing or two about life…

It doesn’t matter No big deal Don’t worry about it Never mind

Alongkorn Language School Learn Thai the easy way!

Fully licensed by the MOE Experienced teacher with Thai Language Teaching Certification Develop Thai and Speaking skills in the fastest way Learning method includes textbook, exercises and many activities ED visa provided with 1 year Thai course

“Mai Pen Rai”

Numbers 1 - Noong 2 - Song 3 - Sam 4 - See 5 - Haa

6 - Hock 7 - Jet 8 - Ped 9 - Khao 10 - Sip

www.aonanglanguageschool.com Tel. 075-695-437 , 081-806-4493

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top 10 Krabi Activities Kayaking This is a hugely popular activity in Krabi.

The mangroves, caves and of course the beaches, provide plenty of great opportunities for kayaking. The Ao Nang/ Railay area is popular as it’s close and convenient but if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, book yourself on a tour to Ao Thalane or Bor Thor in Tarn Boke Koranee National Park. The caves, grottoes and lagoons make for a great day of fun and adventure.

Wat Tham Suea A hike to Wat Tham Seua, otherwise known as Tiger Cave Temple is exhausting, exhilarating and ultimately hugely rewarding. Once you’ve climbed the 1,257 steps that lead to the hilltop temple, you’ll be met by stunning views over the surrounding Thai countryside having been transformed into swathes of lush greenery by the monsoon rain. Combine the temple with trips to other destinations like Sa Morakot or visit as a separate Krabi Town day trip and combine with trips to the market.

SUNSET STROLL ALONG AO NANG ESPLANADE/NOPPHARAT THARA BEACH Sunsets over Ao Nang and Nopharrat Thara are probably some of the best you are ever likely to see. The monsoon rain brings storm clouds that hang ominously in the sky, creating spectacular sunsets that bathe the bay in a sumptuous light.

Walk along the esplanade to get some great views of the longtail boats bobbing on the water, or just sit on a bench and watch as the sky transforms.

Evening in the Last Fisherman Bar After a sunset stroll there’s no better way to finish off your evening than chatting over a cocktail or two or indulging in some great seafood. If you finish your walk in Ao Nang continue along the road by the police box until you come to the Last Fisherman Bar, one of Ao Nang’s best night-spots. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a drink by

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Krabi Province is a haven for sun worshippers and pleasure seekers and is also one of the world’s best destinations for activities such as rock-climbing, scuba diving and kayaking. Krabi Magazine gives you our top 10 list of activities to try here in Krabi:

the ocean. The seafood restaurants at the other side of Ao Nang Beach or by the very end of Noppharat Thara beach are a must for local fish fare.

Rock climbing and Railay Beach Combine a trip to Railay Beach with some rock climbing and serious beach time and then sample some of the local nightlife. Krabi is among the World’s best destinations for climbing. The Railay peninsula is home to the local climbing scene and is considered a mecca for the sport. There are hundreds of bolted routes in the Railay area as well as rock-climbing schools that can provide guides and equipment. Railay, once the sole preserve of backpackers, has become a favourite holiday destination, combining 2 world class beaches, excellent dining and some funky after hours haunts to down a few bottles of local brew.

Markets Experiencing the hustle and bustle of a local market is great fun.

Krabi and Ao Nang are blessed with some great markets, with Krabi town boasting the largest covered market in southern Thailand. There’s a market operating on any given day of the week selling everything from fruit and vegetables, household items, clothes and shoes, snacks, BBQ meat, Muslim curries and more.

Try the Thursday market or Saturday markets in Klong Haeng.

Sa Morakot A trip to Sa Morakot or the ‘Crystal Pool’ can be combined with trips to other beauty spots such as the hot springs. The so called ‘Emerald Pool’ is fed by a natural spring and gets its name from the glorious colour of its water. Perfect for swimming, it makes a great day out and a nice break from the beach. The rainy season is a great time to go as there is more water and less people. The best way to visit is on a tour, making it easy to combine it with a trip to nature’s own hot tub – the namtok ron (hot springs) a series of splash pools fed by a natural thermal spring.

Koh Hong Archipelago No trip to Krabi or Ao Nang is complete without a trip to Koh Hong, the stunning group of islands lying off the Krabi coast. The beaches of Kong Hong never cease to amaze visitors with their crystal clear water and stunning white sand. The beaches in Ao Nang can become rough and windy in the wet season, but the beaches on the islands lying in the Andaman Sea remain calm and good for swimming. Koh Hong has two glorious beaches, a lagoon and national park land – a real island paradise.

Local Nightlife If drinking prodigious amounts of local brew is on your agenda then seek out one of Krabi Town or Ao Nang’s more lively night spots. In Ao Nang, Luna Bar is a popular joint for movers who want to bust some shapes on the dancefloor. Vodka or whiskey buckets are usually the order of the day. If you want to party ‘Thai style’, then head to Centerpoint in Ao Nang or Kansas Saloon in Krabi Town. With lots of whiskey on ice flowing, these places are an experience. Live music, dj sets and semi-clad dancing girls are what you can expect. For a less salubrious night out, try Soi Salai opposite McDonald’s in Ao Nang. This clusters of neon-lit ‘beer-bars’ are often friendly and good fun and many have cable TV and free pool on offer. The next place for entertainment are the bamboo huts opposite Siam Commercial Bank for a relaxed chillout evening.

Longtail boat trip to Krabi mangroves The mangroves that fringe the coastline of the various islands divided by the maze of canals are thick and impenetrable. A nature longtail boat tour of the Krabi mangroves-populated canals, with great views of local wildlife and scenery, will enhance your Krabi experience. Charter a boat driver at Chaofa old pier for the longtail trip, usually lasting 3 hours.

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Whenever possible, Pimalai gets involved in various activities that benefit the local community. Past actions have included assistance with the purchase of equipment and enhancement of facilities at the Koh Lanta hospital, developing a clown fish sanctuary at Koh Haa and equipping a nearby school with desktop computers for the young students.

On November 11th 2012, Pimalai’s Honorary Chairman Khun Nibondh Charanvas presided over the opening of an additional IPD ward building, containing 4 fully equipped rooms. These come on the heels of the first building donated by Pimalai 10 years ago, and which will be of great support in servicing the growing local population and tourists alike.

The name “Pimalai’ is a derivation of the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit and translates, appropriately, as “A little patch of Heaven”; Pimalai brings you a different kind of luxury; “the luxury of being in a unique and exclusive environment, without all the fuss that goes with it”; “The luxury of experiencing an out of the beaten track destination”; finally “the luxury of being pampered by island natives people who have retained this unique genuine & friendly way in not only performing their duties, but bringing that little extra that makes the difference”.

Peace, Serenity, Solitude….. These are the words that come to mind for Pimalai. Add to that elegance, natural surroundings and genuine friendly service. Be it for a honeymoon or a break from it all, Pimalai nestled in a lush tropical forest, is the destination to set your sights on. The resort combines all the right ingredients – subtle five star comfort, natural beauty, far from the crowds, with no noise except the sound of the waves sliding in and out and slowly breaking onto a pristine sandy shore.

Pimalai’s Chairman Khun Nibondh Charanvas and his wife Khun Nibha, presided over the opening ceremony and blessing of the new Lanta Hospital wing with and Pra Atikarn Thong Chai

Chief Of District, Obotor, Doctors, Nurses and Pimalai’s Management Team posing in front of the new Hospital Wing

IFESTYLE

RESORT

HAILAND

Layana Resort & Spa presents its revitalized Linger Longer Spa Layana Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta’s premier and absolute beachfront boutique resort, is pleased to announce the completion of its Linger Longer Spa renovation.

Award-winning and internationally recognised Linger Longer Spa is a relaxation haven nestled within green walls at Layana Resort & Spa. Due to its ongoing success and the popularity of its personalised treatments, the spa underwent a renovation that included an extension of its facilities and a total refurbishment.

Elegant and authentic, yet contemporary, the innovative and whisper-quiet spa now boasts a total of eight double and single treatment rooms (each complete with its own wet facility), plus a relaxation suite equipped with personal relaxation lounges for guests to enjoy after their treatments. Natural materials and finishes were used to embody the Thai environment and the design takes advantage of the abundance of natural daylight and green surrounds.

‘Wellbeing is increasingly crucial to one’s quality of life and to ensure our spa grows with its overwhelming popularity, we are pleased to open the doors of revitalised Linger Longer Spa. We invite our guests to rejuvenate the soul, invigorate the body and relax the mind while enjoying our luxurious treatments in our beautiful spa facilities,’ said Stefan Heintze, General Manager of Layana Resort & Spa. A visit at Linger Longer Spa begins with a warm welcome in the spacious and inviting reception lobby, followed by a consultation including refreshments with the spa therapist. A customised spa experience from an array of world-class spa treatments for the face, body, hands and feet is put together before guests are escorted to their treatment room. Guests are welcome to enjoy the spa facilities including outdoor Jacuzzi, hydro bath, sauna, shock shower and tranquil gardens before and after their treatments and every treatment concludes with refreshments in the relaxation suite.

All Linger Longer Spa treatments include Pevonia Botanica products from France with a worldwide distribution system and reputation for best facial products and body wraps, all produced on 100% organic methods.

Linger Longer Spa is open daily from 10am to 8pm.

From 15 December 2012 to 31 January 2013, Linger Longer Spa is introducing their ‘Linger Longer With Us’ package that is new to the spa menu and includes Layana Signature Massage 1.5 hours and Layana Facial Treatment of your choice 1 hour for THB 3,500 net. The package was designed in celebration of the relaunch and its four recent wins at the 2012 Boutique Hotel Awards, World Travel Awards and World Luxury Hotel Awards. ‘Linger Longer With Us’ package allows guests to get a taste for the treatment menu and enjoy everything the refreshed spa has to offer.

Join us on Facebook and Twitter

075-637-485

www.thelresort.com 31 Moo 2, Ao Nang Beach, Krabi

17

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The pulse Miss Tatyana Maksimova from Russia wins the Miss Tourism world 2012 Media Empire Co. Ltd the operation of “Miss Tourism 2012 Grand Final” the host of international’s first contest for the first time ever in Thailand and Asia, has welcomed all 58 contestants from all over the world to a beauty pageant final at Siam Niramit theatre, Bangkok, Thailand.

The winner of “Miss Tourism 2012 Grand Final” goes to Miss Tatyana Maksimova 23 years old from Russia.

The 1st runner up is Miss Tourism India: Miss Purvaa Rana and Miss Nadine Abdel Aziz, Miss Tourism Lebanon is won the 2nd runner up.

In addition, the 1st Miss Tourism Thailand 2012: Miss Sasima Surasabbmanee won Miss Press and Miss Gulnara Birzhanova from Kazakhstan won Miss Photogenic of this contest.

Eating ‘Off the street’ the best way to go!

The Tourism Authority of Thailand says medical tourism, shopping and street snacking are three magnets that will draw more tourists to Thailand and help to generate higher tourism spending.

The government has set a lofty tourism revenue target of Bt2 trillion by the year 2015 and that has prompted the TAT to identify so-called segments that could lift revenue.

Last year according to the Department of Tourism, Thailand earned f Bt1.26 trillion (Bt776,217 million from international tourism and Bt 483,224 million from domestic tourism) in tourism revenue.

TAT’s tourism products and business deputy governor, Vilaiwan Twichasi said the three segments have already been included in TAT’s tourism products promotional plan for next year.

Ms Vilaiwan said medical tourism enjoys a strong growth rate expanding from 500,000 people in 2009 to 1.4 million people in 2010. Spending per head is also as high at Bt130,000/ trip with an average stay of one week.

TAT plans to invite China UnionPay - a credit card in China to partake in its annual Amazing Thailand Grand Sale, which is usually held during the low-season of each year and has in the past been sponsored by Visa and MasterCard.

China UnionPay has around 3 billion domestic cardholders in China and has around 50,000 shops in Thailand that accept the card.

Krabi Police clamp down on modified mopeds

Police in Krabi have destroyed more than 600 illegal motorbike exhaust pipes seized during police checks across the bay from Phuket in September.

At a ceremony to mark the culmination of a campaign entitled “Youths join together: ride motorbikes without modified exhaust pipes”, Krabi Governor Prasit Osathanon and Krabi Police Commander Nantadech Yoinuan witnessed the crushing of the impounded modified exhaust pipes.

“The destruction of these pipes is part of a greater Royal Thai Police campaign to stamp out illegal exhaust pipe modifications,” said Maj Gen Nantadech.

Krabi City Traffic Police Piyarat Buakhao, who is in charge of the project locally, said that many youths created excessive noise by fitting non-standard exhaust pipes to their motorbikes.

“Some youths handed over the illegal pipes to police. Other modified pipes were confiscated after arrests. We will carry on with checks for illegal pipes to put a stop to the noise pollution they make.” Lt Col Piyarat said.

“We want to attract Chinese shoppers who are going to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore,” said Ms Vilaiwan. “This means we need to plan promotions that fit the Chinese people as they usually travel during major holidays such as Chinese New Year,” she added.

Street snacking has been around forever and is probably the one activity that tourists can share with Thais that is truly authentic. In the past, TAT promotions focused on elaborate dining experiences offered by hotels or expensive Thai dinner and dance shows. But there has been a gradual shift that now recognises the importance of street food as a major tourist draw.

Street food scored a high ranking in the TAT’s Thailand Destination Image survey that interviewed 3,640 people from 14 countries. In response the TAT will organise a food festival in April next year. It will be based on famous food shops selling their dishes in a hawker style setting.

Local & National news that matters to you

New pressure on dangerous public transport drivers

Beluga petition gathers momentum

Thailand’s Land Transport Department is preparing road safety measures for the upcoming New Year holidays in a bid to reduce road accidents.

More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition against the planned import of six beluga whales from Russia for display at a Bangkok zoo. The campaign is demanding the Fisheries Department ban the import order.

The department general director, Somchai Siriwattanachok, said it is adopting measures that it hopes will reduce accidents and fatalities on the roads during the festive season.

It is co-operating with the Vocational Education Commission Office and car companies, to operate 2,000 checkpoints to help car owners prepare for trips up country.

Public commuter vans owners have been warned to limit seating to 15 passengers and not to exceed 90 kph for safety reasons, he added. The high-powered low-slung Toyota commuter vans are a major safety risk.

Travellers can log on to a Traffy bSafe mobile application to monitor road safety during travel and file complaints if drivers are exceeding the speed limit or driving in a manner that endangers safety.

Developed by the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC), the Traffy bSafe application the centre believes it can reduce accidents. Commuters will be able to report traffic situations and dangerous driving behavior through the application as it occurs.

The Traffy bSafe allows commuters to check the speed of public transport, real-time, allowing them to report dangerous driving behavior Users can also send SOS messages in the case of an emergency using their mobile phone’s GPS capability.

The application is now available free on iOS and Android mobile system via App Store and Google Play (Search Traffy bSafe application).

Coordinator of the Love Wildlife Foundation, Jirayu Ekkul, which initiated the signature campaign, said he had heard that a private zoo in Bangkok had sought permission from the department to import Beluga whales.

The department has been slated to decide whether to grant import permission to the zoo operator last Wednesday.

Jirayu said his group would submit the petition to fisheries chief Wimol Jantrarotai ) ahead of the meeting, asking him to reject the request. The group will also submit scientific reports about the impact of keeping the marine mammals in captivity.

The beluga is a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora’s appendix II, which allows international trade of the species under close supervision.

It is estimated there are about 150,000 belugas living in the wild and 200 in zoos worldwide.

Free trasfer from your hotel

The pulse Krabi police bust drug ring Police believe they have broken a major local drug network with the arrests of 13 suspects and the seizure of more than 6 million baht in drugs in Krabi province, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket.

During the raids, police also seized more than 5mn baht in assets, including nine cars and five firearms, Krabi Provincial Police Commander Nantadech Yoinuan said on Friday.

Among the weapons seized was an M16 assault rifle, he added.

The breakthrough came last Wednesday when police arrested Nantapol “Jen” Chuaibumroong in Saithong, Chaiburi District, in Surat Thani Province.

Mr Nantapol was found with eight ya bah (methamphetamine) pills, 900 milligrams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and an M16 rifle, Maj Gen Nantadech explained.

However, after questioning Mr Nantapol, police were able to arrest 12 more people at several undisclosed locations throughout Khao Phanom District in Krabi Province.

Although Khao Phanom is not in the more popular coastal holiday resort areas on the Krabi coast, the area is well known to tourists for its Khao Phanom Bencha National Park and the protected forests surrounding Phanom Bencha mountain, which stands 1,397 meters above sea level.

Arrested in the raids throughout the district were Wirachai Changsalak, 41; Jantanee Chuawan, 25; Sumet “Chui” Lekmak, 34; Sinchai “Chai” Somduang, 45; Panatda “Fang” Lilaburanapong, 24; Surasak ‘Kiaw’ Keawlok, 25; Thammasak “Khui” Thongboonchoo, 26; Jarun “Jon” Lukwai, 30; Jariya “Jasor” Lamun, 43; and Aumnart Kingchum, 31.

“Wirachai alone was found in possession of more than 14,000 ya bah tablets,” said Gen Nantadech.

In total, police seized 18,709 ya bah pills and more than 100 grams of ya ice, he added.

The weapons confiscated comprised two shotguns, a 9mm handgun and a .38 pistol as well as 100 rounds of ammunition, he added.

“All 10 suspects are local Krabi residents,” Gen Nantadech pointed out.

“Two other suspects arrested in the raids were Yottikrai ‘Moo’ Kitphadung, 41, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, and Kanyawee ‘Hai’ Gumnerdsung, 40, from Chiang Rai,” he added.

All 13 suspects were charged with possession of a Category One drug with intent to distribute, and those caught with guns were charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, Gen Nantadech added.

From The Phuket Gazette

Viewpoint Life here in Thailand can be a weird, wonderful and downright infuriating experience for us foreign-types. So why do we stay and grumble so much? Good question.

You know, there are some things that one hears repeated a lot when you live in an exotic locale such as Thailand. No, not the crickets, frogs or calls to prayer - I mean from others who live back in our home countries. The one that tops the list is - and I’m sure other fellow ex-pats will agree with me here - is “You’re so lucky!”

How many of you are rolling your eyes right now? A fair few I’ll bet. Yes, this is one of those statements that makes me want to grab the person by the ears and shake them until I start to feel better. This is why.

Luck, my friends, has very little to do with things. It must be stated loud and clear that those of us who live and work in Thailand did not find a plane ticket down the back of the sofa one day. We were not, similarly, offered gainful employment, a house, furniture, visas, vaccinations and the mental stamina required for such a change.

What it took, at least from my point of view, was a (quite frankly, terrifying) leap into the unknown. The job was resigned from, the house given up, friends and family left behind - many of which will never be seen again, I am now sure of.

Possessions sold, keepsakes given away.

Precious DVD collections (classics, they were - classics!) handed over in boxes to strangers. Clothes donated to charity, espresso machines flogged on eBay and hobbies forsaken.

All this in return for a one-way plane ticket, a new rucksack, some expensive jabs and a second-hand copy of Lonely Planets “Thailand’s Beaches & Islands” to accompany me as I sat in Edinburgh Airport at 3am on a freezing October morning, wondering what the smeg I was doing.

had a very flat tyre. The thing was shredded and the samlor was grinding along on it’s rapidly deteriorating rim.

Instinctively, I averted my eyes from the driver in an act of condolence to his undoubted shame and rage at such an event happening to him first thing in the morning. I had that feeling where you are sorry for the guy but at the same time glad that it wasn’t me - you know?

Now here’s the thing. As the samlor came level with me, I glanced up to meet the foul-faced driver with my own look of apology.

What I saw was not at all what I expected.

The middle-aged man driving was smiling at me. Smiling.

Like he had not a care in the world. Next to him, his wife and small child were doing the same - with the added bonus of an enthusiastic wave from the little one. I waved back which had the kid dissolve into a fit of giggles. This made the parents laugh and off they chugged - laughing and grinding their way into the morning.

This simple exchange of a couple of seconds had a profound effect on me that morning. It made me realise what is so special about this country. It’s not the beaches the islands or the food but the people. I would have been fuming and swearing my way back to base if I were the one in the samlor, but there was this family who relied heavily on it as their sole means of transport just trundling along and getting on with things. Mai Pen Rai. It put the troubles of my day into perspective a little better, and I still remember that second-long interaction to this day as when I have moments of hair-tearing frustration at the way life turns out sometimes in Thailand.

That was in 2006 and without a shadow of a doubt, the following years spent here in Krabi have been the best experience of my life. But how much of it was luck?

Thailand is a wonderful place to stay for a holiday. But to live and work here - that’s a whole different kettle of fish altogether.

It has taken the guts of 3 years of visa runs, interviews at Labour (shudder...) moving houses, power cuts, water cuts and distinct lack of cool, dry air and mashed potatoes to get to this point.

Hard work and a lot of sacrifice - not luck.

But we’re here, aren’t we? We stay, despite the ordeals and inconsistencies and sheer stratospheric frustrations that come as an unavoidable part of living in this culture as a westerner. So why do we do it?

I try to get our for a morning run when I can muster the mental and physical energy - as I think the early mornings here are a magical time of the day. One morning I was trotting along, focussing on the ground a meter away from my feet, when I heard the distinct sound of a slow, struggling engine up ahead.

I looked up a little and saw a samlor coming towards me that

Despite her outwardly appearance, Agnes was simmering cauldron of rage.

Photo by Greg Walters

There are some small moments that remind me of why - usually when I am feeling lower that a snakes belly and am ready to run screaming for the hills. Let me give you a small - but significant example.

23

FD 3219/ 3220

TG747/ 748

NVR 811/ 812

NVR 811/ 9812

FD 3223/ 3224

TR 2182/ 2183

AK 1968/ 1969

TG 745/746

PG 265/ 266

FD 3225/ 3226

TG 743/ 744

TG 741/ 742

FD 3227/ 3228

AK 1966/ 1967

FLT NO.

19.25

17.00

16.20

16.00

16.00

15.20

15.00

13.40

13.35

13.15

11.50

09.30

08.25

08.00

07.30

ARR.

20.35

19.55

17.40

16.50

18.00

18.00

15.50

15.30

14.25

14.10

13.45

12.20

10.00

08.55

09.10

08.25

DEP.

FD 3223/ 3224

TR 2182/ 2183

AK 1968/ 1969

TG 745/746

PG 265/ 266

FD 3225/ 3226

TG 743/ 744

TG 741/ 742

FD 3227/ 3228

AK 1966/ 1967

DK 5913/ 5914

DK 2923/ 2924

DK 2923/ 8924

16.20

15.20

15.00

13.40

13.35

13.15

11.50

09.30

08.25

08.00

07.30

06.20

06.20

06.20

ARR.

17.40

16.50

15.50

15.30

14.25

14.10

13.45

12.20

10.00

8.55

09.10

08.25

07.55

07.55

07.10

DEP.

TR 2184/ 2185

FD 3219/ 3220

TG747/ 748

DK 8022/ 1922

FD 3223/ 3224

TR 2182/ 2183

AK 1968/ 1969

TG 745/746

PG 265/ 266

FD 3225/ 3226

TOM 746/ 747F

TOM 746/ 747

TG 743/ 744

BLX 843/844

TG 741/ 742

FD 3227/ 3228

AK 1966/ 1967

FLT NO.

19.50

19.25

18.40

17.00

16.20

16.00

15.20

15.00

13.40

13.35

13.15

11.50

10.50

10.50

09.30

08.45

08.25

08.00

07.30

ARR.

20.35

19.55

19.15

17.40

16.50

17.25

15.50

15.30

14.25

14.10

13.45

12.20

12.50

12.50

10.00

10.45

08.55

09.10

08.25

DEP.

TG 739/ 740

FD 3221/ 3222

FD 3219/ 3220

TG747/ 748

NVR 815/ 816

NVR 815/ 9816

FD 3223/ 3224

TR 2182/ 2183

AK 1968/ 1969

TG 745/746

PG 265/ 266

TR 2186/ 2187

FD 3225/ 3226

AY 1969/ 1970

TG 743/ 744

TG 741/ 742

FD 3227/ 3228

AK 1966/ 1967

FLT NO.

19.50

19.25

17.00

16.20

16.05

16.05

15.20

15.00

13.40

13.35

13.15

12.35

11.50

10.05

09.30

08.25

08.00

07.30

ARR.

20.35

19.55

17.40

16.50

18.05

18.05

15.50

15.30

14.25

14.10

13.45

13.15

12.20

11.35

10.00

08.55

09.10

08.25

DEP.

THURSDAY

TG747/ 748 17.00

19.15

FD 3221/ 3222

WEDNESDAY

FD 3219/ 3220 18.40

19.55

TG 739/ 740

TUESDAY

TR 2184/ 2185 19.25

20.35

FLT NO.

Flight Times

FD 3221/ 3222 19.50

MONDAY

TG 739/ 740 FD 3221/ 3222

19.50

AK 1968/ 1969

TG 745/746

PG 265/ 266

FD 3225/ 3226

TG 743/ 744

TG 741/ 742

FD 3227/ 3228

AK 1966/ 1967

FLT NO.

15.20

15.00

13.40

13.35

13.15

11.50

09.30

08.25

08.00

07.30

ARR.

17.40

16.50

15.50

15.30

14.25

14.10

13.45

12.20

10.00

08.55

09.10

08.25

DEP.

FD 3223/ 3224

AK 1968/ 1969

TG 745/746

PG 265/ 266

TR 2182/ 2183

FD 3225/ 3226

TOM 338/ 339

TG 743/ 744

TG 741/ 742

FD 3227/ 3228

AK 1966/ 1967

TR 2184/ 2185

FLT NO.

15.20

13.40

13.35

13.15

12.15

11.50

10.50

09.30

08.25

08.00

07.30

06.55

ARR.

17.40

16.50

15.50

14.25

14.10

13.45

12.45

12.20

12.50

10.00

08.55

09.10

08.25

07.25

DEP.

FD 3223/ 3224

TR 2182/ 2183

AK 1968/ 1969

TG 745/746

PG 265/ 266

FD 3225/ 3226

TOM 456/ 457

BLX 811/ 812

BLX 811/ 812F

TG 743/ 744

TG 741/ 742

FD 3227/ 3228

AK 1966/ 1967

TOM 432/433

FLT NO.

15.20

15.00

13.40

13.35

13.15

11.50

11.00

09.50

09.50

09.30

08.25

08.00

07.30

06.55

ARR.

15.50

15.30

14.25

14.10

13.45

12.20

13.00

11.20

11.20

10.00

08.55

09.10

08.25

09.35

DEP.

AK = AIR ASIA (KUALA LUMPUR) TR = TIGER AIRWAYS (SINGAPORE) BLX = TUIFLY NORDIC (DENMARK, SWEDEN, FINLAND) DK = THAMAS COOK AIRLINES (SWEDEN, NORWAY) TOM = THOMPSON AIRWAYS (HELSINKI, ARLANDA) AY = FINNAIR (FINLAND) DK = THOMAS COOK AIRLINES(SWEDEN, NORWAY)

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

TG = THAI AIRWAYS SMILE (BANGKOK) FD = THAI AIR ASIA (Don Muang, Bangkok) PG = BANGKOK AIREAYS (SAMUI)

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

TG 739/ 740

TR 2182/ 2183 16.20

16.20

SUNDAY

FD 3223/ 3224

17.00

17.00

SATURDAY

TG747/ 748

TG747/ 748

FRIDAY

FD 3219/ 3220

FD 3219/ 3220

16.50

19.55

17.40

20.35

16.20

19.25

TG747/ 748

19.50

19.55

FD 3221/ 3222

19.25

TG 739/ 740

FD 3221/ 3222

19.55

17.00

20.35

FD 3219/ 3220

19.25

20.35

19.50

19.50

FD 3221/ 3222

TG 739/ 740

TG 739/ 740

Getting Around There are busses, taxis, tuk-tuks, motorcycles, minivans, coaches, scooters, sawng-thaws, longtails, speedboats and more all awaiting you with a smile. What can be tricky sometimes is knowing how much a trip costs, where to buy your tickets and how long a journey should take - things that are starting to become more obvious now than they were before.

From Krabi Airport

Air-Con Bus

Nice, clean, air-con cars are available to take you anywhere you want to go and can carry up to 4 people. Or you can buy a seat in a minivan for less, but as it can take up to 10 people you may have to wait until they fill it.

There is now a regular shuttle bus that runs between the airport and popular destinations like those mentioned above. It also stops at piers where ferries leave for places like Railay and Tonsai.

This can be a great option if you are on a budget, but can take a while to get to where you want to go.

Car

Minivan

Car

Krabi Town

350

600

Krabi Bus Station

80

Ao Nang

600

1050

Krabi Town

90

Klong Muang

700

1100

Lanta Pier

90

Tub Kaek

800

1200

Ao Nang

150

Railay Pier

150

Tonsai Pier

150

Phuket - Aonang Phuket - Aonang Phuket - Railay (pass Ao nang) Phuket - Railay (pass Ao nang) Phuket - Lanta (pass Ao nang , Railay) Phuket - Phi Phi

O/W O/W O/W O/W O/W O/W

Ao Nang - Phi Phi Ao Nang - Lanta Ao Nang - Phuket Ao Nang - Phuket

O/W O/W O/W O/W

Railay - Phi Phi Railay - Lanta Railay - Phuket Railay - Phuket

O/W O/W O/W O/W

Phi Phi - Phuket Phi Phi - Railay Phi Phi - Ao Nang

O/W O/W O/W

Lanta - Railay Lanta - Ao Nang Lanta - Phuket (pass Railay,AoNang)

O/W O/W O/W

Depart. Arrive.

08.30 - 10.15 am.

13.30 - 15.30 pm.

08.30 - 10.45 am.

13.30 - 15.45 pm.

08.30 - 12.45 pm.

08.30 - 10.00 am.

Depart. Arrive.

09.30 - 11.30 am.

10.30 - 12.45 pm.

10.30 - 12.30 pm.

15.30 - 17.30 pm.

Depart. Arrive.

09.45 - 11.30 am.

10.45 - 12.45 am.

10.30 - 12.30 pm.

15.15 - 17.30 pm.

Depart. Arrive.

14.30 - 16.00 pm.

15.30 - 16.45 pm.

15.30 - 17.00 pm.

Depart. Arrive.

13.30 - 15.15 pm.

13.30 - 15.30 pm.

13.30 - 17.30 pm.

243 Moo 2, Ao Nang Beach, A. Muang, Krabi 81000 Tel: (66) 075-637152/3, 075-637730 Fax: 075-637153 60/57 Moo 3, T. Rassada, A. Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel: (66) 076-353211-2 Fax: 76-353212

www.aonangtravel.co.th

25

Thai

Customs Thailand is one of those countries that have customs very different to what we might be used to in our home countries - and the Thais are extremely proud of that.

As we are a visitor in their country, it’s only right and proper that we take a little time to understand some local customs - does and don’ts - that can make a huge difference in your encounters with the locals. They will really appreciate you making the effort and it can go a long way in making your stay here more fulfilling.

H

ere are a few of the more important things to remember - they are simple, cost nothing and are all based in common sense.

Dress

It’s one of the great ironies of life that the one place in Thailand that has the best beaches, ocean and blazing hot sun, is also one of the most conservative when it comes to dressing. The predominantly Muslim population here in the South can take real offense to any tourist wandering into their shop with just a bikini on, or tiny shorts for the guys. I know, you’re on holiday and you deserve that tan - I understand. But here, bikinis are for the beach and only the beach.

Please, please, please try to appreciate the cultural differences here and cover up a little when heading to and from the beach.

Guys, just pull on a pair of board shorts and T-shirt. No-one wants to see another pair of fluorescent Speedos making their way around the town.

Ladies - simple. Sarongs. Dead cheap, available everywhere, take up no space, dry in a heartbeat and can be used a hundred different ways. Wrap one around your waist or shoulders when heading off the beach and you’re sorted.

Royalty

The Thai Royal Family is revered and there can be no worse “faux pas” than joke about the King. Some have actually been thrown in jail for making “uncivil remarks” about their beloved leader. It’s serious business and you should take note.

You’ll see his image absolutely everywhere, which should give you a good idea of the respect and love he has from the Thai population.

26

Just use common sense and you’ll be fine. If in doubt about what you should do in any given situation - just do what the Thais around you are doing and you can’t go wrong.

Religion

Respect is the name of the game when visiting a temple or encountering a wandering monk. Again, no speedos. As a rule of thumb, make sure that your shoulders and knees are covered (especially the ladies) and you’ll be fine.

Remember the mantra - “bring a sarong and you can’t go wrong”.

Monks

Buddhist monks are forbidden to make direct physical contact with women. This means that if a woman has to give anything to a monk, she must first hand it to a man who then can pass it on. Sometimes the monk will lay out a piece of his robe on the ground, where the lady can then place the object and he can pick it up.

Buddha

Sacred and revered. Even if it’s a ruined, half destroyed statue of the deity - treat it with the utmost respect and you’ll shine in the eyes of the Thais. Common sense again - don’t clamber up onto one and make bunny ears behind it for a photo.

If you want to take a picture of a statue, please do so respectfully and, if possible, ask a passing monk if it’s ok to do so. It may seem a bit odd to us, but it’s a real big deal to Thai people - so who are we to argue?

Head & Feet

In Buddhism, the feet are seen as the lowest part of the body and the head the highest - both literally as well as figuratively. This means that you should never point your feet at a Thai, a monk or a statue of Buddha.

Instead, sit with your feet under your knees like the statue of Buddha here or even cross-legged if you have glass joints like mine.

Also, try never to step over someone who is lying in your path (sleeping, presumably) as the act of passing the soles of your feet across them can be just as bad or worse than the feet-pointing.

The head is seen as the most “holy” part of the body and as such, should not be touched. This means no playful ruffling of that cheeky boy’s hair or patting of kids heads. I know, to us it’s a gesture of affection. To Thais, it’s very offensive.

Shoes

Easy, this one take your shoes or flip flops off at the entrance to any indoor space. If in any doubt, look for other flip flops at the doorway and leave yours there with them. Resorts are the exception to this, as are most restaurants

- but absolutely take them off if entering a Wat (temple) or a Thai’s home.

Saying “Hi” - Thai Style

The “Wai” is the traditional Greeting here in Thailand - similar to the handshake in the west. It’s usually performed by a “lower class” of person when greeting a superior, who can then return the gesture.

You’ve all seen it as soon as you arrived at your resorts - I have no doubt. The “Wai-er” places the palms of their hands together like their about to pray and then bends forwards at the waist.

It’s good practice to return the gesture too and the Thais really appreciate it.

Just put your hands together with the tips of your fingers touching your chin and bend forward a little while saying “Sawadee krap” if you’re of the manly persuasion or “Sawadee kaa” if a lady.

You may notice that sometimes you are addressed as “Mr. Bob” or “Miss. Jane” instead of your family name. This is just the way Thai people address their peers, usually with the first name.

Kissing

Public displays of affection are a big no-no all over Thailand, and should be avoided. No snogging in the restaurant please - or you will be faced with a sea of red-faced Thai’s all avoiding you.

Shopping

Thailand is an excellent place to pick up some bargains, and haggling is expected amongst customers and vendors.

Remember to take the “softly-softly” approach and don’t be aggressive. In some parts of the world, haggling can take the form of a shouting match with arms flailing, spit flying and lots of walking way and pulling back. Not so here. That kind of behavior will get you nowhere. Smile and ask what their best price is and take it from there. Keep your voice calm and quiet and never, ever lose your temper.

So there you have it. Try these simple tips and feel pleased with yourself for making the effort. It’s not as difficult as you might think, and it really doesn’t matter if you get it wrong!

Some of the best things to buy here in Thailand are: • • • • • • • •

Leather Jewelry Silk Wooden carvings Art (Paintings, Batik, etc.)

Ceramics Silverware Precious gems

Bussaba Thai Restaurant is a modern Thai eatery offering a single course eating experience devised to feed you with minimum fuss.

The menu also offers an extensive list of Asian-inspired juices, smoothies, coffee as well as a simple yet intelligent selection of wines.

A diverse but simple menu offers a flavorsome selection of Thai salads, noodles, curries and stir-fries with an authenticity and freshness that surpasses expectations.

The combination of its stylish interior, chattering atmosphere and mouthwatering food has drawn a loyal following of customers since its inception 9 years ago.

Bussabathairestaurant@live.com 0818946486@aisinbox.com Phone: 66-75-661409, 081-8946486 Fax: 66-75-661409 129 Moo.3 T. Ao-nang, A. Muang, Krabi 81000

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bussaba-Thai-Restaurant-Hostel-Krabi/161159264025565

Only thirty minutes away from Ao Nang and Krabi Town is Tree Top Ao Luek Krabi, a familyfriendly place to experience breathtaking views of Krabi’s jungles and forest canopies. They sport a fun array of activities and obstacles to go through as well as a zipline, giving you panoramic views like no other as you fly through the air.

Water, fruit and a Thai lunch will be provided as well as any equipment you might need for the course. All you need to do is bring your happy self in comfortable outdoor clothing and sneakers! It is also advisable to not wear any jewelry that could get tangled in the process.

To book your group please call +66(0) 84-4623443. We include free transfers.

The activities are not only limited to ropes courses, however. Games such as the “flying bicycle” and “air surfing” are integrated into the obstacles. If you are afraid that you or your child won’t be able to do certain activities, please note that experienced and qualified operators will be guiding you throughout the activities and ropes course. Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

There will be a mandatory safety briefing on the ground, teaching you how to use the equipment safely. Safety is guaranteed by public liability insurance valid for the activities on the premises, and double slings from your harness will assure that you will be attached to the life line at all times.

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formation: For more in abi.com. opkr www.treet krabi om/treetop .c k o o b e c a om. www.f bi@gmail.c treetopkra

The Maxivore Cometh...

T

here are fewer things in life finer than food and drink, it has to be said. Well, said by me, at least. As one “matures” in life, it’s only then that we appreciate the simple things that are executed with perfection, rather that complicated fussiness done half-bottomed.

This was highlighted, underlined, cut out and pinned to the wall as we entered the renowned Carnivore Steak and Grill Restaurant in Ao Nang and were greeted by Gidi, the affable owner and chef.

This man knows his onions when it comes to steaks, it has to be said. With years of experience behind him in European kitchens before over a decade in Krabi dining scene, Gidi does meat and, boy - he does it well.

The name of the restaurant leaves little room for mis-understandings as to what one can expect here. Steaks, lamb, chicken, sausage, burgers and more are the order of the day, but ordered from New Zealand and flown in specially for his kitchen. As meat can be affected by being frozen and thawed before cooking, Gidi’s meat is flown in “super-chilled”, just above freezing point to preserve the quality and freshness of the stars of his show.

The Krabi Magazine table included, ironically, 2 vegetarians - thinking we’d throw him a curveball of sorts to see what happened. What happened was he languidly swung his bat and knocked that out of the park, over the beachfront and through someone’s car window.

Gidi suggested a choice of salads and homemade soups, as well as fresh bruschettas and garlic breads that seemed to hit the spot with our nonmeat eating companions.

For us, he suggested the fantastically titled “Maxivore T-Bone Steak”. (150g tenderloin & 400g ribeye)

To be honest, there was nothing in that sentence that didn’t sound amazing and we simply nodded like compliant schoolkids under the instruction of the steakmaster.

As we waited for our food, we got to choose from another menu - one entirely devoted to beer. Yes, just beer. While they also offer a good selection of wines and soft drinks, beer is a big deal here with over 60 different types to choose from most imported from Belgium and Germany.

As an authentic and ultimately amusing touch, they all come served in their traditional “drinking containers”, some in an earthenware goblet and others in weird test-tube-type glasses with wooden stands - like the Kwak I decided upon.

I cannot stress this enough - if you like beer (or even if you don’t), this is THE place to go for some of the finest in the world. If you aren’t really a beer-person, there will be something here that you will enjoy - I can almost guarantee it.

Gidi can even pair the beers with your food, much like would be done with wine, ranging from dark and frothy stouts with 12% alcohol to light a and fruity ones with only 2%.

Soon enough, the food arrived and looked as good as it would taste. The bruschettas were hot and crisp and were served alongside a prawn cocktail made with local prawns as well as a lobster bisque - both superb. The salads for our veggie friends arrived soon after and they were a full meal unto themselves. No limp lettuce and soggy tomato slices here - a mountain of crisp, fresh salad greens with croutons, dressing and warm bread rolls slapped a grin onto their little faces in no time.

But the main event was yet to come - and come it did. 550g of grade A beef touched slowly down onto out table in front of our quivering palates as we sat slack jawed at this creation.

The Maxivore is all the image in your head right

now promises it to be. A gorgeous steak cooked exactly to your liking with a selection of sauces, potato dish, salad and more that was a work of art on the plate.

Gidi does his T-bones a little differently here minus the bone. After several years of serving the cut the more traditional way, he noticed some inconsistencies in quality when cooking them on the bone, so now he removes the bone and serves the 2 cuts of meat seperately.

The result is spectacular - both to look at and to digest. We got stuck in and began the mammoth task of getting on the outside of this humungous piece of meat.

After we had finished, the only noise we could muster was “aaaaghthgterrrrrrpphhhsss” before some simultaneous belt-buckle-loosening and tummy-slapping. Dessert was out of the question - or so we thought. Not all desserts come in a bowl with a spoon. No sir - some come in the shape of a chocolate flavored beer. 2 of my favourite food groups combined - I could hardly believe it. After that, we were offered some Irish coffees that were made tableside by a couple of the Thai waiting staff that would have put any of my elderly male relatives’ attempts to shame.

Filled quite considerably with steak and alcohol, we hauled ourselves up with the help of Gidi and said our farewells to him and his staff and thanked him for us not having to eat again for at least 24 hours.

Carnivore Steak & Grill is a prime example of how doing something really, really well can make all the difference between your product and the several dozen others in town that offer the same meals. There really is no competition to Gidi’s kitchen, and a single visit here will be all the convincing you will need.

Contact Gidi via www.carnivore-thailand.com Tel: +66 (0)75 661 061

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Eating Guide Carnivore - Steak & Grill

Soi Klong Haeng opposite Thai Village Resort, Ao Nang.

They say that the prof of the pudding is in the eating, and the same goes for steaks. The quality of what this kitchen produces is extremely hard to beat - and the experience of the owner Gidi is evident as you walk into the elegant and pristine restaurant. Gidi worked for 15 years in the restaurant business before starting Carnivore back in 2003 - and he has never looked back.

All main courses come with salad and a choice of six different potato dishes that include home-made french fries and mashed potato to die for.

Average price: 400-900+THB What to Try: The “Carnivore” signature Steak Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Open daily from 3pm - 11pm.

(Kitchen open from 4pm - 10pm) Tel:+66 (0)75661061 Website: www.carnivore-thailand.com

As well as the 5-star meat selection, Carnivore also offers some of the finest salads, soups, crispy baguettes, grilled sandwiches and warm starters around - as well as no less than 60 beers from around the world. Yes, 60.

Da Carla - Italian and Thai Restaurant Noppharathara Beach, inside Sabai Resort.

For some of the best Italian food you will find in Ao Nang and beyond, you should look no further than this place. Nestled just off Noppharathara Beach and next to Sabai Resort, Da Carla & Poan is a small, informal place owned and managed by an Italian couple who are long-time residents here.

As well as great Thai food, this is the place for some real-deal homemade pasta just like it should be made. The hand-filled ravioli and homemade desserts that are on the menu are very hard to argue with. Great meat selection too, with quality steak and the freshest seafood you could hope to find.

Average price: 250+THB What to Try: The hand-filled ravioli Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Open daily from 7:30am - 2:30pm and 5:30pm - 9:30pm Tel:+66 (0)75637791 Website: www.sabairesort.com

As you would expect, a good selection of imported wine is also available, as well as imported Belgian beers.

The Irish Rover- Irish Pub & Restaurant

Heading towards Ao Nang beach on the “Mc Donalds Road”, look for the pint of Guinness...

The Irish Rover has one of the largest draught beer selections in Southern Thailand, including Kilkenny and a very nice pint of Guinness. Irish ciders Magners and Strongbow are also available for those hot days when nothing else will hit the spot.

The kitchen is open until 1am, serving excellent food in generous portions. Expect to see homemade pies, tender steaks, juicy chops, shepherd’s pie (made with Guinness) as well as ploughman’s lunches, bangers and mash and more.

Happy hours & drink specials are worth watching out for. Air-conditioned, live sports, pool table and a darts board all complete this little slice of Ireland right here in Ao Nang.

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Average price: 250+THB What to Try: The home made pies Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Open daily from 4pm - 1am.

Tel:+66 (0)75637607 Website: www.irishpubaonang.com

Eating Guide Smiling Dog Café - Crêperie Located on main street, opposite KL House in AoNang

The wonderfully titled Smiling Dog Café offers gourmet food without the gourmet price tag. Serving a wide variety of hot and iced drinks and breakfast all day, as well as some of the finest filled crêpes you’ll find anywhere in the South of Thailand.

An extensive menu that includes traditional sweet treats like their famous banana and chocolate filled “Chunky Monkey” or “Caramel and Apple”, the Smiling Dog Café also offers plenty to cater for those who prefer a savoury bite. Salmon & cream cheese, Tex Mex and vegetarian options are some of their highlights, and you can even create your own with a wide selection of tasty ingredients.

Average price: 89 THB What to Try: The Chunky Monkey or Tex Mex Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Open daily from 7am - 8pm.

Tel:+66 (0)809-298-297 Website: www.thesmilingdogcafe.com

With freshly ground coffee, comfy seating inside and out, a selection of local and International newspapers and free WiFi, the Smiling Dog Café is a great little place to ease into your day in comfort and style.

The Red Devil - Grill & Lounge

Just outside Ao Nang at the Ao Nammao junction. Big red building.

With their focus set firmly on comfort and quality, the Red Devil offers a mouthwatering selection of gourmet steaks, burgers, salads, pizzas and pastas - all top quality and cooked to exacting standards by Italian chef and owner, Umberto.

The jewel in the crown of the Red Devil is it’s upstairs VIP lounge area that’s open to the public as well as being bookable for private functions like Birthday parties, meetings and get-togethers with friends.

Sumptuously decorated with oversized cushions, low tables and carpeting throughout, “lounging” is almost obligatory. Soft lighting, a dedicated music system and even a “waitress call-button” all make for a wonderfully unique and relaxing atmosphere that really has to be seen to be appreciated.

Average price: 200+THB What to Try: The steaks, pasta & burgers Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: 8am - late Tel:+66 (0) 83 175-6938 Website: www.reddevilaonang.com

New lunch specials are now available, offering great discounts on set meals. Call for details or pass by and check the chalkboard outside

Bellini @ Amari Vogue Resort & Spa 149 Moo 3, Tambol Nongtalay, Amphur Muang Krabi 81000

For a beachfront location that will make you linger by the water all night long, pull up a chair at Bellini restaurant. Specializing in authentic Italian cuisine, Bellini has perfected a delicious menu of handmade pastas, gourmet pizza as well as taking full advantage of its seaside locale with delicious seafood specialties and international highlights.

Lotus @ Amari Vogue Resort & Spa Take your tastebuds on a world tour at Lotus restaurant. This laid-back Krabi restaurant features authentic Thai cuisine to suit every craving. With an elegant dining room as well as a terrace for outdoor dining, Lotus is the perfect choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Average price: 400++THB What to Try: Bellini’s seafood and Lotus’s carpaccio Free WiFi?: For hotel guests only Opening Hours: Daily. Bellini from 11am - 11pm and Lotus from 6:30am - Midnight Tel: +66 (0) 7560 7777 Website: www.amari.com/vogue

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Eating Guide Venezia @ Sofitel

Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

200 Moo.3 Klong Muang Beach, Tambon Nongtalay, Muang, Krabi

Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort’s Ristorante Venezia serves up gourmet cuisine featuring traditional Italian recipes, pizzas straight from the wood-fired oven & a large selection of wines from all over the globe. Located on the first floor of the resort & next to the grand lobby, tables are available for either indoor dining or on the outdoor terrace, al fresco style, with panoramic views of the ocean and tropical gardens.

Specialties include the Albero di Antipasti, at THB++600, a delicious selection of 6 of your favourite anti pasti choices, perfect when you can’t decide from their extensive menu choices.

Another must try is the Ravioli Frutti di Mare at THB440++, delectable homemade ravioli stuffed with the freshest Andaman seafood and served in a mouthwatering creamy crab meat sauce!

Average price: 400++THB What to Try: BThe antipasti & ravioli frutti di mare Free WiFi?: No Opening Hours: Open daily from 6pm - 11pm.

Tel:+66 (0)75627800 Email: fbsales@sofitelphokeethrakrabi.com Website: www.sofitel.com/6184

Gecko’s restaurant @ The Sheraton Resort & Spa

155 Moo 2, Nong Thale, Krabi

The signature restaurant of Sheraton Krabi features fresh pastas, salads and delicious selections from authentic Italian home cooking to pizzas baked in a traditional wood burning oven. Enjoy breathtaking ocean views and the Andaman Sea breeze while dining at this prestigious resort, known the world over for it’s top quality dining experiences.

With a mouth-watering array of choices on the menu, you are quite literally spoiled for choice when it comes down to it.

Great food in a 5-star location with meticulous attention to detail. What more could you ask for?

Average price: 400-900++THB What to Try: The pizzas Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Open daily from 11am -11pm.

Tel: +66 (0)75628000 Website: www.sheraton.com/krabi

Cleopatra - Egyptian Restaurant & Shisha

On the main road to Ao Nang beach, after Mc Donalds

This is without a doubt one of the best things to hit the Ao Nang dining scene this season.

The food here is North African and Arabic, so think home-made hummus, baba ghanoush, eggplant curry, falafel and kebabs and you get some idea of what to expect. They have a vast array of dishes that ranges from lamb biryani and pasta to T-Bone steaks and mashed potatoes.

Although you must banish any image of a greasy, late night kebab house - this place does it in style.

This is the only place around that offers the traditional shisa pipe along with a variety of fruit flavours that are all worth a go - especially if you haven’t tried them before. They use a nontobacco formula that is pretty unique, and a lot better for you as well.

They compliment their dishes with a selection of 6 different breads that are all baked on-site in a large outdoors bread oven. Their BBQ grill is just as impressive and there can be nothing better than sitting on the terrace sipping a cool drink and watching your selection being cooked in front of you.

Average Price: 250+THB Shisha: 200 - 450THB What to Try: Hummus, breads, lamb Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Daily from Noon - 2am Tel: +66 (0)82 1951982 email: cleopatra_krabi@hotmail.com

Tattoo de Café

On the Ao Nang Beach Road

The Tattoo de Café is something of an institution in Ao Nang as they have been on the beach for over 8 years and counting. With a fairly unique combo of tattoos and food, you can get inked and drinked (!) at the same time, with top quality in both areas.

Forget instant “6-in-one” coffees here as only the freshest ground beans are used in their brews.

For something sweet to accompany your cuppa, they offer some truly scrumptious homemade cheesecake and ice-creams that are becoming legendary.

If you are after something hot, they have some great house specials that include “Khao Pad Plaa Salit” - fried rice with salted fish & dried chillies, and spaghetti with bacon and black olives.

American and English breakfasts, salads, chicken wings, cheesy fries, sandwiches and more all make this place a great - and handy - stop on your way down the beach road.

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Average Price: 100+THB What to Try: Grilled chicken & crab sandwich, cheesecake Free WiFi?: Yes Tel: +66 (0) 81-9294766 email: mirorynut@hotmail.com

Eating Guide The Frog & Catfish - Restaurant & Country Inn

Din Daeng Noi, Nong Thale, Krabi Town 81000

Owned and ran by Gary and his wife, Bua, the Frog & Catfish is located in the Din Daeng Noi locality just a 10 minute drive from busy Ao Nang and is a gem of a place. The food here is nothing short of spectacular, with people coming from as far as Railay Beach just to eat for the evening. Top resorts have been sending their head chefs here to see what all the fuss is about, and with good reason.

Think duck curries and freshwater fish. Lemongrass and mango fused with chilli and herbs. Sushi roll-style spring rolls with a 7-herb dip. You get the idea. They use locally sourced ingredients and organically grown fish from their own stocks. There are also have a few western items on the menu that include their own take on the classic fish & chips with “proper chips”, a full English breakfast and fillet steak as well as pasta and a few others all prepared in their own impeccable style The location is stunning, the hospitality equally so and the food downright delicious. If you are looking to get away from the bustle of Krabi or Ao Nang for a while, this is the place to go.

Average Price: 150+THB What to Try: Whole fried fish in Boraan Sauce, Duck curry Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Daily from 10am-10pm Tel: +66(0)84 773 0301 Website: www.frogandcatfishkrabi.com

U&P Homemade Bakery 401/4 Ao Nang, Krabi. End of Na Thai Road.

U&P Homemade Bakery has been around for a few years now and has secured itself a place in the hearts and stomachs of many locals and ex-pats in the Ao Nang area. Being one of the very few bakeries in town that bakes a good loaf of bread, U&P also have a great array - and display - of pastries, cakes, flatbreads, rolls, buns and even breadsticks to choose from.

They have a fairly extensive menu as well, meaning you can get more than just a decent cup of coffee and croissant in the morning. Lunchtime is sorted with a great selection of western and Thai dishes - the sandwiches being a firm favorite thanks to the freshness of the bread being used and the decent sized portions served up. Their early morning opening is perfect if you want to get a head start on your day, and the free WiFi makes hanging out here a longer pleasure as you can catch up with work or friends online.

Located a little out of town for most of the tourist trade, they are certainly worth a look in if you find yourself in the Na Thai area on the outskirts of Ao Nang. You won’t be disappointed!

What to Try: Sandwiches Free WiFi?: Yes Average Price: 100THB Opening Hours: 6am - 5pm Tel.: 081-8956670

Khao Thong Terrace This place is the restaurant equivalent of a pot of gold at the end of a particularly spectacular rainbow. I’d bet my left arm that there is no way you would ever find the Khao Thong Terrace in a gazillion years until now. Heck, we had no idea it existed until a Thai friend told us about it.

The food here matches the view - simply amazing. If you tire of the usual “Thai Tourist” fodder then imagine a herb salad consisting of ginger, lemongrass, carrot, lime, spring onion and chilli with a Thai sweet sauce relish, or “Laab Pla”, aka spicy, crispy fish salad and an amazing yellow curry with crab that has Thai locals honing in here from miles around.

Don’t be worried that this is exclusively a Thai place though, as they cater for both local and notso local palates. Crunchy spring rolls, chicken satay sticks, fresh fish fried with turmeric, homemade fish cakes and chicken any way you like it are all possible, and all fresh from the water you gaze at while devouring.

Washed down with a fresh cocktail - or even a mocktail for the drivers - Khao Thong Terrace promises to be an evening you won’t, and shouldn’t, forget.

Average Price: 120THB What to Try: The crab curry Free WiFi?: Thankfully not Opening Hours: Daily from 11am-10pm Tel: +66(0)83 107 4400 Email: khaothongterrace@gmail.com

Wanna’s Place @ The L Resort North end of the Beach Road. Can’t miss it.

One of the very first restaurants in Ao Nang from 20 years ago, Wanna’s Place at the L Resort has hones it’s food and service to perfection. Owned and ran by A Swiss National, They offer an extensive range of Thai and Swiss food that is unsurpassed in the area. As well as the usual Thai dished you want to see, they have dishes like the original “Zurich Geschnetzeltes”, Schnitzel with cream sauce and noodles, or a veal sausage with Rösti. They serve “sizzling steaks” on hot stones for you to prepare just the way you like at your table.

As a thank-you to the local community - as well as keeping their ingredients as top-notch as they can - Wanna’s Place has their own organic farm that employs local people to grow their own produce.

Perfectly located on the Beach road, the large, open restaurant is airy and roomy with great views of the ocean and an idyllic base for people-watching with a cool drink.

Rated as the No. 2 restaurant in Ao Nang on Trip Advisor, this is a must-try place.

Average Price: 200+THB What to Try: Steak on hot stone Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: 7am - 10pm Tel.: 075 637 484 Website: www.thelresort.com

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Eating Guide Cafe Del Mar Restaurant 126/2 Moo 3, Ao Nang, Krabi

This well-known eatery is the partner restaurant to the Baan Bandalay Resort next to it, and is a great place for some good Thai food close to the center of things.

With an impressive view of the towering green jungle-covered cliffs opposite, you can very happily while away some time here sipping a fresh fruit shake or partaking in one of the classical Thai dishes the South has become renowned for.

Curries are good here and the Massaman in particular has been singled out by many as one to look forward to. They also offer sizzling platters that come to your table for that something a little different!

Good food, local ingredients and well presented - Cafe Del Mar is hard to beat.

Average Price: 120THB What to Try: The Mussaman currry Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: All day Tel: +66(0) 75 638 085/6 Email: reservation@baanbandalay.com

Bussaba Thai Restaurant 129 Moo3, Ao Nang Beach, Ao Nang, Krabi

The Bussaba Thai Restaurant is a terrific place to start if you have just arrived in Thailand. That’s not to say it’s only for newcomers - not by a long shot - but for a first introduction to this country and it’s cuisine, it hits the spot.

The location, for one, is close to Ao Nang beach which makes for a pleasant stroll to and from the place, to get your juices flowing. Once you arrive, the combination of delicious cooking aromas coming from the kitchen will again give you a better idea of what’s to come.

Seafood is the name of the game here, and its as fresh as you can get. Crab, snapper, king prawns and more can be steamed, fried, battered and minced with the freshest ingredients to create something for everyone.

For those of you adverse to the chilli, they can serve sauces on the side or recommend a host of other options, including lime, garlic, lemongrass and plum sauces to compliment your dish.

Average Price: 250THB What to Try: Seafood Free WiFi?: Nope Tel: +66(0) 75 661 409 Website: www.bussabathairestaurant@live.com

Formerly known as “E-San Seafood”, there is a distinct Northern twist to the food, which means traditional recipes at a lower price than a lot of the other restaurants in the area.

Cheap, tasty, simple and with friendly service, the Bussaba Thai Restaurant is hard to beat for that real-deal Thai food experience. One happy customer even went on to state, “I could eat here every day for the rest of my life” Enough said, I suppose...

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• FREE tapas available to all guests on Friday & Saturday evenings from 5:30pm - 7pm

• Open from 8am - Late • Contact: 083 175 6938

The Longtailboat located at seafood street, offering spectacular views over the bay of Ao-nang.

We’re dedicated to providing our guests with brilliant times in a chic and relaxed setting with our good service, here you will find a superb dining experience and great memories.

Our experienced chefs proudly present you our authentic Thai and European cuisine.

Fresh seafood is a must with great quality from the fisherman boat at reasonable price.

Information:

Menu sample :

Contact: 075 638 093

01. our "The princess of ao nang" signature experience of Assorted seafood deep fried with sweet plum sauce.

Average cost per person: 500 Bt.

02. " Stir fried snapper fish with black pepper sauce" with garlic butter fried rice

House wine per bottle: 900 - 1,800 Bt.

03. " Massaman Tiger prawns" served with Roti bread

Credit Cards: Visa, Master

04. Barbecued "Jumbo prawns" with vegetable and sweet sour sauce served with steamed rice

Service & Tax: No Charge Popular dish: "Guarantee fresh Seafood"

European sample:

delivery every day from the fisherman boat

01. Lasagna classica bolognese

(most fishing from Ao nang sea)

02. Pizza "Quattro Formaggi"

Open from: 13:00 last order 22:30

03. Cozze al vino bianco - new zealand mussels in our creamy white wine sauce . A traditional Italian recipe

facebook page: Thelongtailboat restaurant,Krabi

04. Australian Angus "Tenderlion" with red wine sauce served with baked potato and grilled vegetable

e-mail: thelongtailboat@gmail.com

05. Grilled Fillet of Sea Bass with White Wine cream Sauce - served with fresh salad and garlic bread

For taxi: รานอาหารเดอะ ลองเทลโบท อยูในซอยอาวนางซีฟูด ริมทะเลหาดอาวนาง

* Vegetarian Selection

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A T N A ASA L

a t n a L h Ko T

hese days, we are constantly being reminded that our planet is under threat. Life as we know it is changing; the way we think and act is not just impacting our lives, but those close to us and future generations. Gone are the days of throwing away rubbish and food waste - now we feel guilty for not rinsing out a can to recycle.

Here in Thailand recycling is slowly catching on. Plastic bottles are collected and the return of glass bottles is rewarded with a small cash incentive. This is why the ASA LANTA project on Koh Lanta is so unique and important. Not only is it an example of how we can make less impact on our immediate surroundings and use our natural resources, but it is also a place to educate others on doing so.

THE FARM WAS STARTED THREE YEARS AGO

BY ANKE ACCOMPANIED BY HER INFECTIOUS POSITIVITY and Aoi her husband, who previously lived the corporate life in Bangkok. Together they learnt the techniques of building earthen houses in a search for an ecofriendly future. They cultivated their plot of land (which consisted of rice fields) by irrigating the soil to create ponds for fish, and then used the excess soil to form a road. Presently, there is one large house and a building that serves as dorm rooms, with a kitchen, small shop and common area. They are in the process of building two new houses that they hope to rent to other kindred sprits who appreciate and understand the environment and can teach visiting guests a unique skill.

The journey to the farm takes you through quiet rubber tree plantations and local households, drawing you away from the tourist hustle and bustle of Lanta. The road is signposted but the way also seems intuitive as you head deeper in to the jungle. (Adding to the wild experience, I was met by two large bulls from another farm, a ‘thrilling’ experience for this city girl, as I took deep, calming breaths.)

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The biggest building, and first to greet you, has many functions. Primarily a meeting place to sit and enjoy homemade herbal teas. I was particularly fond of the lemongrass and starfruit, it also holds a small handmade jewellery shop and a kitchen which serves customers and the other valuable residents of ASA LANTA the volunteers.

VOLUNTEERS COME TO ASA LANTA FOR VARIED PERIODS OF TIME. Their dorm rooms are located above the tearoom area.

They donate four hours daily and are taught the valuable skills of natural conservation in action and how to live a self-sustaining lifestyle. This seems to be a great way to combine a holiday with community awareness. Volunteers are trained to build earthen bricks; these are composed of mud and fibres, such as grass, bamboo, paper, sawdust or coconut shells. Once built, they are painted with lime-wash, a natural product made from ground limestone. They form beautiful, natural adobe style buildings that compliment the natural surroundings and are durable and strong (the oldest on record from about 3,000 years ago)

A structure in need of mentioning is the compost toilet. The building reminds me of something from a Dr.Seuss book and it really does represent conservation in action. Visitors do their business and are

asked to throw sawdust down the pit after.

The bottom layer is cleared out every year producing compost for the farm. Next to the toilet is where wastewater assembles, planted around this are banana trees. The banana roots soak up the water similar to a natural filter system, as the fruit stays unaffected. The small duck population also seem very happy mucking in too.

The farm grows many varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Here you can find bananas, bamboo, mulberries, avocados, olives, cashew nuts and limes to name a few.

They also have a small nursery for seeds. Anke is passionate about sharing seeds. Unknown to me, companies are manufacturing single fertilised seeds, resulting in a oneoff flowering. This artificial manipulation is frightening, because as a result seeds cannot

be replanted and their nutritional content/ value comes into question.

ASA LANTA reminds visitors of the value of food production, minimising our waste and the satisfaction of growing and nurturing the precious resources we have on earth. We have become so accustomed to supermarket convenience, eating fresh food out of season and meat in neatly vacuumed packed plastic.

Consequently, we no longer really connect with nature and the benefit our bodies gain from eating naturally produced food.

Going into high season, ASA LANTA are running a series of workshops.

THEY ARE TEACHING JUNGLE COOKERY WHERE CUSTOMERS CAN FISH IN THE POND AND USE THE RESOURCES IN THE FARM TO COOK DELICIOUS THAI-STYLE FOOD. Sharing spiritual awareness, which involves sitting and spending time discussing personal beliefs, ambitions and aspirations, also Stone healing and Jewellery making.

Visiting this unique place is a must-do on Lanta: tours are run daily to get a view of the buildings and farm, not forgetting a chance to use the compost loo (a truly unique experience and one I was unusually excited about.) People are also welcome to come and enjoy a cup of tea in the fabulous wild jungle surroundings and shop for some exquisite handmade jewellery or homemade chutneys and jam.

There is something very special about life here, a place where people can remove themselves from modern life and the constant influx of external stimuli. The power of a place and its influence can spread, and even teaching a single individual about considerate living is a move in the right direction.

Treating our planet with consideration will not only benefit us now, but also our future generations.

ERS�

MATT T A H T E M I D SOME T

“SPEN

ASA LANTA

For more information visit their facebook page www.facebook.com/infoasathai/info

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Meet the Locals Kiratisak Phukaoluan This month our “Meet the Locals” section hikes it up a notch as we are granted exclusive access to the chamber of the Mayor of Krabi.

Stewart and Punch Whitfield met with him to ask the questions we all want to know the answers to…

KM: Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us today. Can we start by telling our readers how it was you came to be the Mayor of Krabi?

KP: My family has had roots in politics since my Grandfather’s time, where he was the chief of his village. My brother, Khun Chuan went to study at university in England and when he returned to Thailand, he was elected as Mayor and went on to use his new found knowledge of a developed country to create a better place for our citizens to live. He was the mayor for 2 terms before his successor was elected, after whom I took office and strive to continue his great work. I have been doing this since 1985.

KM: We have lived in Krabi for 11 years now and have seen a lot of progress here - new airport, new morning market, new ferry terminal, new municipality office, new traffic lights, new supermarkets many new hotels and buildings going up all over town. Is this part of a greater vision for Krabi?

Is there a danger of it becoming overdeveloped like other tourist destinations in Thailand such as Phuket or Pattaya?

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KP: When my brother, Khun Chuan returned from overseas 50 years ago, he began to implement new initiatives and ideas he had learned there. Krabi 50 years ago was nothing like you see it now - just jungle, in fact. My brother was responsible for initiating the first infrastructure for the Krabi we live in today - the roads, restaurants, hospital, etc. A tremendous achievement by anyone’s standards.

He had a plan - a vision of Krabi in the future and in just a few years, his vision was becoming realised.

There were only only 10,000 people living in Krabi at that time, and it was an aim of ours to bring more people to the province - one which has succeeded!

We have no intention of letting Krabi become like Phuket and Pattaya. We want Krabi to develop, modernise and improve but still retain the small-town charm it has become famous for the world over for.

Ecologically conscious control of the land is a priority for us now, and we want to curtail those who want to come here and over develop the land with huge condominium blocks and the like that can be seen in other parts of Thailand.

KM: The way we initially met was when you were overseeing some road construction near my office. I must admit that we were very surprised and delighted to see the mayor of Krabi personally supervising the improvement of our neighborhood. How often do you get out and get your hands dirty like that?

KP: Well, when I have some time free from my office duties, I do like to get out and about in the area to see the people and supervise the work that is happening around Krabi. We have a limited budget for improvements in Krabi and I want to make sure that the money is being put to it’s most efficient use. I want to see how clean the place is kept too, as the cleanliness of the streets is very important to me.

As the population of Krabi increases, more work on the infrastructure such as roads, sewage treatment, water distribution, etc. needs to be carried out to support this increase and the knock-on effects of so many more residents and visitors here. I like to keep myself involved at the ground level of these improvements so I know exactly what’s going on and where.

I have 5 distinct ambitions for Krabi: I want to make it clean, ecologically protected,

and available for any foreigner who would like to contact us. We welcome comments, questions and open discussion on how Krabi can be improved for all who live here.

KM: Let’s move onto the National Marine Parks of Krabi - a subject close to my heart. In last month’s Krabi Magazine there was mention of some new artificial reefs being created in Krabi by the scuttling of decommissioned Navy vessels. Being a diver myself, I am very interested to know more about this. What can you tell us?

KP: There are 4 vessels coming to Krabi - the longest of which is 100 meters long. 3 of them are to be scuttled at the “local islands” around Ao Nang, and the other 1 is destined for Viking Cave on Phi Phi.

healthy, safe and wealthy. These 5 objectives are what drives my work every day in my position as Mayor.

KM: Many foreigners living and conducting business in Krabi are often frustrated by local policies and regulations. How can foreigners living in Krabi get an audience within the community and it’s elected leaders? I am sure there are many “farang” living here who would like to have their voices heard.

KP: I understand this can be a frustration for foreigners, and I would like to state now that myself and our office is open, willing

KM: Who is actually deciding the locations that will be used to sink these vessels and is there anyway that local dive operators can have their input? The wrecks are a great idea, but if they are in the wrong location then it will be very difficult for divers to appreciate them and for dive operators to actually generate income from them.

KP: We are still discussing the details of their final resting places at the moment, but this is the plan we have to improve the underwater environment in Krabi.

We have the Thai Navy, National Park, the Hydrographic Dept and the Dept of Marine and Coastal Resources working with us on this project.

When we are ready to sink the vessels, we would like to invite the dive centers of Ao Nang and Krabi to a meeting to discuss where they think they should be placed, and we will take all of this information on board before the final decisions are made.

KM: There is a lot of talk about ASEAN these days and Krabi is making a big push with regard to improving the English proficiency of various government departments. Can you tell us what’s in it for Krabi with all this ASEAN excitement?

KP: Krabi will be benefitting from the influx of a lot of Asian influences that have been previously closed to us. More Asian investors will be able to come here, and a real melting pot of languages and cultures and will be of a huge benefit to Krabi and its people.

I think that Krabi people in particular will benefit from the influence of other Asians in terms of learning new language skills and reaping the benefits of exposure to many new cultural outlooks.

KM: Many visitors and foreign residents in Krabi are very frustrated by the two-tier pricing system at national parks and other attractions for foreigners. So let’s here it from the Mayor of Krabi - what are your thoughts on this?

KP: Unfortunately these are laws set by the Government, so as it stands at the moment our office cannot change these.

The reasoning behind the this is that a 20 Baht admission fee for Thai people will be as affordable as a 100 Baht fee for those who come from other countries.

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KM: Krabi Football Club are doing very well recently and promoted to the top league. I hear talk of a new stadium being built. Is this just a rumour or is it really happening?

KP: It’s not a rumour! We are indeed building a brand new stadium for Krabi Football Club here. We are proud of our sports teams and KFC has done incredibly well recently, so we would like to honour them with a new stadium.

We are looking at a location near the Fossil Shell Beach as there is a lot of land there that we feel would be perfect for such a construction.

The project is still in it’s early stages though.

KM: I have a teenage daughter here at the local secondary school - Amart. It’s a great school with a very good reputation throughout Southern Thailand. So the obvious question for us as parents is, when can we expect to see a university in Krabi? At the moment, options for higher education in Krabi are very limited and that seems a shame.

KP: The new Andaman University is still in the early stages at the moment, but it is definitely going to happen. We are in discussion as to where to build it and how. We acknowledge that there is indeed a great need for a quality university here in Krabi and this was the reason we decided to start the process of creating one here.

(Editor’s note: We have heard from reputable sources that the new University will be focusing on 3 major areas of education: The palm oil industry, the marine environment and tourism.

We will report more on this as more details come to light)

KM: One of the things the local expat community really wants to know is about this brand new international hospital that is being built in Krabi.

We have heard many rumours again on when it will be open for business. Can you tell us once and for all when this will be?

KP: We are hoping to open the doors to the new international hospital in 3 months time. The reason for the delay has been to do with obtaining permission from the department of the environment as to the noise and pollution levels such a huge project will generate - both before and after construction has completed.

KM: Thank you! Well it looks like we are just about out of time.

Thank you so much for talking with Krabi Magazine today.

Are there any last words you would like to give to foreigners thinking of living here in this wonderful part of Thailand?

KP: In my opinion, whatever part of the world you come from, you will be treated as an equal here. I believe that the citizens of this planet are all one, and here they should be treated as such. We welcome foreigners from all over the world with open arms and look forward to hosting their vacations and business ventures on our shores.

So there you have it folks - right from the man himself.

Krabi Magazine will be following up on the navy boats, new football stadium, Andaman University and, of course, the new hospital as we have the information on them.

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Check in with www.krabi-magazine.com for the latest updates on these items and pick up a copy of next month’s issue where we will print updates as we know them.

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Fighting

Fit

More and more people are coming to Krabi for extended vacations, just to train in Muay Thai. This is where the very heart of the sport lies and more and more gyms are opening up to cater for this new type of vacation - but how do you choose the best one for you?

Well, the short answer is: the best Muay Thai camp or training gym is the one you like and connect with the best.

There are several things you need to be aware of when considering your “Muay Thai Vacation” • • • • • •

Physical preparation.

Mental preparation Thai culture Finances Obstacles Taking time to relax

1 Physical Preparation Muay Thai is mainly an endurance sport and running is a large part of the training. There are 5 exercises that you should focus on to get ready for a Muay Thai vacation: running, push ups, sit ups, pull ups and squats. Thai fighters train 6 days a week and run on average 10k per day. They do 100+ push-ups, sit-ups and squats per day. They do three sets of pull-ups per day that can be from 30 to 90 repetitions. They also do lower-back and neck exercises because that is usually the prime locations for injuries when training really hard.

If you focus on these types of exercises, you will be ready for your Muay Thai vacation. The theme of Muay Thai is “do what you can”, so even if you are not in shape and are a total beginner, the Muay Thai fight family will work with you because in the end it is all about relationships, having fun and “sabai sabai krap” … simply relax and relax.

2 Mental Preparation Many people struggle with this part - especially if they have experience in other martial arts, boxing and other combat sports.

This too is “sabai sabai” but in your mind, spirit, heart and soul. A true way to learn Muay Thai is to empty yourself of your knowledge and experience; start anew and simply learn new techniques and training that your Muay Thai instructor will teach you. Muay Thai is an “open book” martial military fight form, which means almost every teacher you learn from will focus on their own style of Muay

Thai and you must realise that there are endless personal styles in Muay Thai. WIth humbleness, honor and respect - just accept and learn from any teacher you can. The best Muay Thai gym/ camp is the one you like and can learn from and feel a connecting relationship with, because you make your own Muay Thai style once you have strong basics … that is all Muay Thai.

3 Thai Culture Thai words, head & feet and show respect. Always show respect to your teacher (khru)/ trainer with a “wai”. Place your hands together in a prayer position, raise them to your nose and lower your head and eyes with a small bow at your neck. Learn to say “hello”, “goodbye” and “thank you” in Thai. You must understand that Thai people consider the top of the head as the cleanest and most respectful part of the body. The feet - especially the soles - are the opposite, they are the dirtiest and most dis-respectful part of the body. So try not to touch the top of the heads of Thai people (kids) and try not to put your feet near, pointing and/ or touching a Thai person. Most Thai people are quiet, soft, humble, gentle and love to serve you, so if you try to act like them then most of your experiences in Thailand will be great.

Please feel free to contact me and I am always available to talk with you so you can have a Muay Thai vacation here in beautiful Krabi!

If you want to learn more about Muay Thai or even take a lesson, please feel free to contact khru “doc”.

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docThailand@gmail.com

087-810-2177

www.facebook.com/muayThaimissions

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5

Finances One of the great advantages of training in Thailand is that the room, food, training and fun is really cheap compared to most western countries. In Thailand, you get the real-deal Muay Thai for up to 50% to 75% of the cost back in your home countries. A good budget for Muay Thai in Thailand for one month might look something like this:

Relax, Max Here in Krabi, there are two workout tourist trips you can take that will actually help you in Muay Thai and they are almost free! One is climbing up Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave Temple) which is a high point in Krabi town that is 1,256 steps up and it is truly the ultimate stair-master.

Accommodation = 500 baht per day or 10,000 baht per month.

Training = 500 baht per day or 10,000 baht per month.

Food = 500 baht per day or 10,000 baht per month.

So a good budget for one month would work out at about 30,000 Baht, which can include some tourist trips. This is especially true if you commit and stay at one Muay Thai camp for one complete month.

This is very affordable for most visitors and it really is an experience of a lifetime! The best way to bring money into Thailand is with a Visa/Mastercard or ATM card which you can use to withdraw cash at any of the thousands of machines across the country. You can even open a Siam Commercial bank account (the purple banks!) to keep your money in and/ or transfer money to. You can also bring in cash, but take note that the airports are not a good place to get top rates of exchange. You can get a little money there but the best option is to use the ATM machines, as well as bank exchanges and especially exchange banks in the area you will be training.

Some of the local Muay Thai fighters do this climb to increase their own endurance, and anyone who has gone up there will truly tell you that it is a great Muay Thai workout.

Then there is a natural park in the end of Ao Nang that is about a 4 hour hike, at the end of which is a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the islands and You also have the options of going on the mangrove kayak trip, Koh Hong or Koh Phi Phi Island snorkel trip, Ao Nang cobra snake show, take an amazing Thailand cooking class - and shopping and eating is endless fun! This is the best vacation ever, fitness, weight loss and combat self-defense with amazing historical royal culture and in a beach island paradise. Wow.

Warning:

There are three main things that will stop your Muay Thai vacation experience!

1

Sickness – Many get so excited about training in Muay Thai that forget to relax and take things slow. Take your time in training, drink a lot of water, juice and fruit smoothies. Try to eat more vegetable meals and keep it in a “Thailand style”.

Meat that does not get cooked all the way through is the #1 cause of people getting sick in Thailand, so I personally just do not eat it and i have not gotten sick eating Thai food in seven years. Thailand food is spicy! Start to eat spicy and learn to love spicy Thailand food for this helps your training, your weight loss, you health and fitness.

Where creativity and culture floW hand in hand

TATTOO de cafe’

2

Injuries – Again, many get so excited about training in Muay Thai so they try to do a full Muay Thai schedule of 2 workouts a day, 6 hours a day for 6 days a week . This can be too much for beginners, so just relax and do what you can. Perhaps do not do full workouts but focus on techniques & fitness, take some private lessons, take some breaks for no foreigner can do a full Muay Thai workout because it takes years to get into that type of top fight fitness. This can be a sure road to injury.

3

Nightlife - Many come to Thailand for the party bars with beautiful Thai girls (and maybe lady boys!), but if you came to Thailand for Muay Thai you must stay away from them! Many get sucked into the bar scene and have problems returning to the Muay Thai training. You must set your goals and consider your distractions. Maybe set a goal to only drink once a week - perhaps on a Saturday night before your day of rest on Sunday.

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+66 (0) 75 638 098, +66 (0) 819-797-89-5

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Phi Phi Highlights & Sunset Cruise on the“Jiwa” Sailing Yacht

Departing Ao Nang, our Luxury Sailing Yacht named, “Jiwa” cruises directly to Maya Bay, the famous location of the movie “The Beach”.

Our timetable is designed to avoid the crowds. We will visit the bay after lunchtime when it is most peaceful, beautiful and subdued. You will have plenty of time to snorkel amongst the colorful reef, abounding with fish as well as relaxing on the powder-white beach.

On the way from Ao Nang to Maya Bay, you will enjoy a delicious Thai buffet lunch served on board.

After Maya Bay we continue on to view other highlights of Phi Phi such as Viking Cave, Hin-Klang, Phi Ley Bay etc., before our final stop of the day at Bamboo Island. Here you will have time to enjoy the tranquil and beautiful beach while it is almost deserted. Upon leaving the beach, you will arrive back aboard the Sailing Yacht, where refreshing cocktail punch, red and white wine, ice cold beer, soft drinks and canapés await you. We will pass Koh Poda, Koh Gai, & Railay Bay. While listening to relaxing music we will gaze upon the sunset, casting its reflection upon the Andaman Sea as we sail gently back to Ao Nang.

As our journey comes to a close, you will witness captivating Ao Nang by night as it sparkles, glitters and glows along the shoreline. Giving thanks to “Jiwa” as she gently returns you to where it all began.

(Beverages included in the tour price: soft drinks, water, 1 glass of Cocktail punch and one alcoholic drink. Other alcoholic drinks are for sale on board during the day and sunset cruise) * Program can be changed according to the water level and weather conditions

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Krabi Spesialisten Co., Ltd.

126 Moo3, Ao Nang, Muang, Krabi 81000, Thailand Tel: +66 (0)75 638 098, Fax: +66 (0)7563 8089 Mobile: +66 (0)80 691 5119 www.krabi-spesialisten.com, info@krabi-spesialisten.com

Romancing in Paradise

by Zina Docto After 22 years of my husband trying to ‘out-do’ himself, by making our wedding anniversary a day to remember, I asked him if he wouldn’t mind if I planned our 23rd...?

H

e keenly agreed, with the thought that I would never surpass the many celebrations that he provided us through our many years of marital bliss. Indeed, he thoughtfully executed his planning every year.

Be it something simple, eloquent or something fervent or elaborate.

Each one symbolic of our love and dedication towards one another; a way to express the ebb and flow that comes with marriage.

My plan, the lovely sea village of Ao Nang; known as the heart of the Andaman Sea. I would be surprising my husband with the Tub Island Sunset Cruise offered by Krabi Spesialisten Co.,Ltd.. All the research time spent could not compare to what we actually experienced.

Picked up by a luxury van we were whisked to a pier. We set off from the pier in an authentic long tail boat with only the sea captain, our event host and us two celebrants. Immediately we viewed limestone islands erupting from the sea. The water was like glass and the colors spectacular. Nearing a few islands the sea captain cut the engine. Off to the water we went, snorkeling for quite some time. Our host showed us coral, a plethora of fish, squid, huge clams, sea urchins and more. Back aboard the vessel we were taken to a beautiful island for a time of relaxation and reflection. We were provided a handcrafted mat to lie on with refreshments and drinks.

From there we journeyed to yet another remote island; as we squinted to see our lovely sea village just off in the horizon. As we slowly pulling up to the beach’s edge my husband said, “It looks as if they’re filming a movie here.” I had read that many spectacular movies had been filmed in this area; such as’ James Bond’ and ‘The Beach’. My husband was shocked as we disembarked the sea craft to be ushered by two soft spoken Thais; seating us in two lush bean bag chairs under a temp umbrella. Truly, it was like a movie scene; yet we were the stars!

As we sipped sparkling bubbly, my husband quietly leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Today you have expressed to me what I’ve been trying to tell you for 22 years.”

We reclined in a tropical gazebo laced with teal and fresh birds of paradise.

Encircled by torch lights and candles we had the most eloquent meal prepared for us, right on the beach.

We watched thousands of fruit bats sail high over-head as they went out for their sunset feast to the mainland.

We watched a spectacular fire show, famous in Thailand. As we nibbled on sweet mango and sticky rice we watched the sun set over our little bit of paradise. We laughed and even cried a little. We gave thanks that we were able to experience this moment in time and to instill in our hearts yet another tremendous memory.

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Into the Blue 50,000 New Arrivals at Phi Phi Islands!

A

s a mark of respect to His Majesty King Bhumibol on his 85th Birthday, a grand Turtle Release was arranged in conjunction with the Phi Phi National park and local initiatives. We here at Krabi Magazine are advocates of a cleaner marine environment and happily accepted a kind invitation to come along on the day to record the event.

A beautiful, hot and clear morning saw us gather at Noppharathara Beach at 7:30am in readiness for the day. We saw friends from the diving community we hadn’t seen for a while and it was great catching up with everyone as we chatted about the forthcoming events.

We packed up our dive gear and headed onto the beach where we caught a longtail to our boat for the day, “Navada” from Ao Nang Scuba Center. Adjan Suwat is the owner and a prominent figure in such events, being an active philanthropist for many years here. He gave a detailed briefing on the boat before set out for our destination for the day - Phi Phi. As we blethered away on the sun deck, below us in the shade we had several companions sailing with us. Well, 50 thousand of them, to be precise - for today we were to be releasing this many white snapper juveniles, as well as 20 young hawksbill turtles about 10 months old.

There has been an increase in these marine releases of late, that seems to point to a refreshing outlook from “the powers that be” on the need to conserve and protect the ocean around the South of Thailand. The fisheries dept as well as the National Park have been releasing fish, turtles, shrimp, clams and more throughout the year to restock and rebalance the ecosystem that can be knocked out of whack by bad fishing practices and pollution.

Soon we were at out first destination of Bamboo Island, one of the 2 islands just before Phi Phi Don. We donned our wetsuits, masks and fins and swam over to the white sandy beach with 2 crates of small turtles. There’s something you don’t see every day, as the boggle-eyed tourists who saw us emerging from the surf can attest to…

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Flappy the turtle makes a final dash for freedom

We found a quiet spot and after a couple of photos to mark the occasion, we set our little flappers down on the sand and the race began! As simple as you might think it would

be to head in a straight line towards the ocean, these little guys seemed completely clueless as to where to head. They went in all directions except towards the sea, much to the

Your guide to the underwater world in Krabi amusement of us and the small crowd of onlookers that were gathering to see the commotion.

With some coaxing, steering, yelps of encouragement and I’m sure a few side bets, we succeeded in getting them all into the sea and watched them zip off into the blue.

The second stage of the release involved us donning our scuba gear and descending about 4 meters over the shallow coral bed that surrounds the island to release the 50 thousand tiny white snappers from their plastic bag homes and into their new habitat. This, it has to be said, is nowhere as simple as you might think. The little blighters seemed all too attached to their plastic prisons and took a fair amount of coaching - and flapping - to get them all out and into the coral below.

We did have to defend them against the gathering damselfish who thought that all their Christmases had arrived at once with several thousand snacks dumped right onto their doorstep, and we did prevail (mostly!) as our tiny charges made it to the safety of the coral field.

Gao with a box of turtles.

Not a typical sight.

Krabi Tides

We took the opportunity to dive on the Koh Yung pinnaces afterwards before heading back to the boat and returning to Ao Nang. It was a perfect day that saw local residents - both Thai and foreign - come together for a common cause that we believe in.

Lets hope that our new marine residents live a long and happy life in their new home of Phi Phi Islands.

New Dive Boat for Poseidon

January 2013

Local dive operation, Poseidon, are the proud new owners of their own dive boat. Called “Poseidon Dive Center 1”, it’s 22 meters long, 5 meters wide and fitted with everything you need for a day on - and under - the waves.

Hot water showers, a bar and a kitchen compliment the upstairs lounge with music system to relax and chat after the dives.

It will be able to carry up to 25 divers with equipment and meets stringent safety standards with on-board oxygen, first aid kits and life rings.

With plenty of covered space on the lower deck too, it looks like the Poseidon 1 will be the one to watch this season.

Check out www.poseidon-krabi.com for more info

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Secret Corner

This month’s secret corner isn’t really a corner as such. It’s also debatable as to how much of a secret it is, judging by the increase in the number of people who had found it, but hey - I think it’s a pretty neat little place and worthy of the mention.

So there.

I

f you go down to the beach today, you might indeed be in for a surprise as you are confronted with an ocean - not of languid, pearly water but red flesh and beach towels. It’s true, this is the peak season here in Krabi and the numbers of visitors to the beaches and islands is at it’s - well, it’s peak. For those looking for some solace and tranquility, you can be sorely disappointed to say the least.

So while the other, lesser mortals who haven’t picked up a copy of this heavenly magazine squeeze in next to Gustav and Morag from goodness-knows-where, you, my friend have another option....

Even with a decent number of folks there, it’s still large enough to find your own spot, stake your claim and set about relaxing.

One of the first things you will notice is the distinct lack of noise. As it’s a few hundred meters from the road, you can’t hear the traffic. These same few hundred meters of distance seem to discourage the vendors from traipsing all the way over on the off chance you will buy some of their “trinkets”.

The water temperature is still bath-like but unlike the rest of the beach line it seems to be a little deeper here. Not that it’s “deep”by a long stretch, but you can get to waist deep after just a few meters. Any of you who have been attempting to swim from the beach here will know that sometimes you have to walk a few minutes into the water before you get your knees wet. So swimmers, this is a good place to head to.

The first thing to do is to get as far away from Ao Nang beach as humanly possible.

It’s a lovely beach, don’t get me wrong - but it’s proximity to the shops, bars and other outlets just across the road also make it the most popular for visitors, as well as the increasing number of vendors that will ask you every 10 minutes if you fancy parting with some Baht in exchange for a skirt, beer, massage or expanding fruit bowl.

A couple of points to remember though - like I mentioned, this beach is only visible when the tide is out - so check the times of the low tides before you go. We just happen to have a handy tide table in our section “Into the Blue” to help you out.

You’re welcome.

Also, as there are no vendors, you can buy some water and food cheaply from the stalls at the car park end of the beach before you head out. Try some of the fried chicken and sticky rice here - you’ll never have another KFC again. You’re looking at 20-25THB per piece plus 5-10THB per pack of rice. No brainer.

So there you have it! A little “secret corner” of Ao Nang that you might want to check out if you are looking for some peace, quiet and beach at the same time. Not easy.

If you found it and liked it, drop me a line at editor@krabi-magazine.com and we’ll publish your comments in next month’s issue of Krabi Magazine.

So head north to Noppharathara Beach. Already you should see some degree of improvement, although recently this is becoming busier thanks to the tour busses that can park here. Never fret!

Head all the way to the very end of the beach where the car park and food stalls are and you will see some small islands just off the beach a couple of hundred meters.

Ok, it’s worth mentioning at this point that in order to take advantage of the next part, you will need to come here at low tide as the receding water makes it possible to walk to the islands.

Here, around the back of the first little island you will find an oasis. Not literally of course, but a “secret” beach that not a lot of people seem to know about.

A whole lotta nothin.

Bliss.

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11/13/12 10:50 AM

A Feast for Crows

By George R R Martin Published by Harper Collins UK. ISBN : 9780006486121 It seems too good to be true. After centuries of bitter strife and fatal treachery, the seven powers dividing the land have decimated one another into an uneasy truce. Or so it appears. . . . With the death of the monstrous King Joffrey, Cersei is ruling as regent in King’s Landing. Robb Stark’s demise has broken the back of the Northern rebels, and his siblings are scattered throughout the kingdom like seeds on barren soil. Few legitimate claims to the once desperately sought Iron Throne still exist—or they are held in hands too weak or too distant to wield them effectively. The war, which raged out of control for so long, has burned itself out.

But as in the aftermath of any climactic struggle, it is not long before the survivors, outlaws, renegades, and carrion eaters start to gather, picking over the bones of the dead and fighting for the spoils of the soon-to-be dead. Now in the Seven Kingdoms, as the human crows assemble over a banquet of ashes, daring new plots and dangerous new alliances are formed, while surprising faces— some familiar, others only just appearing— are seen emerging from an ominous twilight of past struggles and chaos to take up the challenges ahead.

It is a time when the wise and the ambitious, the deceitful and the strong will acquire the skills, the power, and the magic to survive the stark and terrible times that lie before them. It is a time for nobles and commoners, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and sages to come together and stake their fortunes . . . and their lives. For at a feast for crows, many are the guests—but only a few are the survivors.

Everyone likes to read a good book on holiday, so we take a look at 3 spankingly great reads this month that are perfect for whiling away your lazy days here in Krabi.

All area available through Asiabooks stores in Krabi town.

Holiday

Reads

The Beach

By Alex Garland Published by The Penguin Group UK. ISBN : 9780241954508 The Khao San Road, Bangkok--first stop for the hordes of rootless young Westerners traveling in Southeast Asia. On Richard’s first night there, in a low-budget guest house, a fellow traveler slashes his wrists, bequeathing to Richard a meticulously drawn map to “the Beach.”

The Beach, as Richard has come to learn, is the subject of a legend among young travelers in Asia: a lagoon hidden from the sea, with white sand and coral gardens, freshwater falls surrounded by jungle, plants untouched for a thousand years. There, it is rumored, a carefully selected international few have settled in a communal Eden.

Haunted by the figure of Mr. Duck--the name by which the Thai police have identified the dead man--and his own obsession with Vietnam movies, Richard sets off with a young French couple to an island hidden away in an archipelago forbidden to tourists. They discover the Beach, and it is as beautiful and idyllic as it is reputed to be. Yet over time it becomes clear that Beach culture, as Richard calls it, has troubling, even deadly, undercurrents.

The Bourne Dominion

By Robert Ludlum Published by Luatbader ISBN : 9781455509058

Bourne’s enemies are gathering force.

Severus Domna, a secret and ancient cabal, has called forth its members from around the globe, with one objective: to vanquish the last person capable of destroying their bid to destabilize the world economy - Jason Bourne.

But how can they possibly succeed where so many others have failed? By turning Bourne’s most trusted friend into his greatest - and most deadly enemy. Now Bourne finds himself in a world where friend and foe go handin-hand. Bourne’s journey will lead him down a path of brutal murder and destruction - one from which there is no escape...

51

The Spicy Garden

By Emily Huang-Ramirez In a world that pops a pill for almost every ill, it’s refreshing to come across those that take a different path in the shape of natural remedies.

There is one such place right here in Ao Nang, Krabi where you can find out some weird and wonderful facts about the healing powers of plants that grow right here in our back gardens.

S

ome people need a break from sightseeing and being a general drone, whether on vacation or residing for the long term. Or maybe you’re just a curious soul -like myself- always riding the lifelong learning train, and following the advice of your father when he says you should just be open-minded to experiences big and small (although, I doubt he was referring to bungee jumping and drugs when he had this talk with me, but let’s keep to the big picture here). Anyhow, there is a gem of a place in Ao Nang that satisfies all of the above conditions.

Conducive to a highly educational yet lazy stroll, the Natin Spicy Garden is a relaxing change of pace from the usual.

his passion. The garden is quite an impressive endeavor.

Set against the backdrop of the ever-famous limestone karsts that never seem to exhaust their beauty, the garden is a well-pruned botanical wonderland.

Meet Piet Ruijters. The impetus for Piet’s garden is his love of plants, and moreover, sharing his knowledge about them. Piet is a retired pharmacist from the Netherlands loving life as a cultivator of his 8000m2 garden; a harmonious hybrid of both his background and

Unlike the West, there is no differentiation between food plants, spices, and medicinal plants in Thailand. This concept of edible plants as either medicine or spice is the source of the garden’s Thai name – Suan Samunprai Natin, which translates into [a] garden [with] medicinal plants [in] Natin.

The project started in 2005 when the garden was just but an empty plot of land. Over the course of designing and constructing the garden, and weathering the pulse of rainy and dry seasons over the years, an inviting, beautiful promenade was born. Graveled paths captain one’s curiosity over bridges, past a serene pond, and through the thicket of living plants with wells of information.

The garden can be visited any day of the week except Wednesday, but I highly suggest you visit the garden when Piet offers his free, guided tours. Piet shared with me a wealth of fascinating knowledge about spices, tropical fruits, tropical and Thai vegetables, medicinal plants, plants used for dyes, and plants used for perfumes, aromatherapy and soaps.

Unbeknownst to me, I became a contestant on my own game show as Piet snapped leaves off of various plants, crushing them in between his fingers to release the essential oils or dyes, and allowing me to take a stab at what it was. Everything in the garden is clearly labeled but cheating would just take the fun out of it. This went on for an hour and a half as I became a sponge, fully absorbent of the information Piet so generously gave.

52 52

In the middle of the tour, two other women joined me. As we progressed along the pathways, the guide became a chance to compare home remedies, confirm how little or much we may have known about the colossal world of plants, and share in awe at the pleasure and precariousness of it all.

Beautiful plants can be deceptively toxic, while mundane, oft overlooked plants hold immense healing powers. The end of our tour culminated in the search for a specific herb that the two women had sought out in Thailand, after researching its curative powers online and from friends. Of course, this was surely a task that Piet did not hesitate to take on. This was just further testament to the intrigue that belies the spirit of this place, and best of all, entrance and tours are free.

Guided tours are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Visitors are welcome to relax on the terrace overlooking the garden, and it’s even a great place for families. But please, try to contain yourselves and not eat the plants.

After all, as Piet will teach, the world of plants can be quite tricky.

Those Magnificent Men... ...and women, of course, arrived on our shores this month for a spectacular show of aerobatics that had many of us wondering what on Earth this was all about.

Well, wonder no more..

I

f you were wandering around the Noppharathara Beach at the end of November, you might very well have been treated to the unusual and very entertaining sight of many daredevil-types soaring about in the clear blue sky with odd contraptions strapped to their backs.

seeing how long they could fly on a single litre of fuel.

These tasks and more were decided upon way over in Lausanne, Switzerland where the Olympic Committee is based.

Over the course of 3 days, they glided, landed, bowled, looped and cheered until Thailand came out as the The sport of “Paramotoring” is one probably not overall winner in the games. A great achievement of known to the majority of us, but it does look familiar. the country and for Krabi as the local hosts. Thailand Once strapped into a parachute, the paramoter-ers has a great track record in the games as they then attach huge fans to their backs which helps to clinched 3 out of a possible 4 gold medals at the 2012 propel them up into the air and around the sky. Once competition. there, they are free to perform all manner of “cool” or “irresponsible” stunts - depending on your outlook If we do as well this time next year, the Asian Beach and generational inclination. In addition to this, Games will bring competitors from up to 45 countries paragliding and hangliding events were scheduled, to Thailand for a spectacular event that begs not to be but as they rely solely on nature and no large fans, missed. they were unfortunately cancelled due to the wind not playing ball. (i.e. wrong direction) So the big question is...Why? These were the Air, Sea & Land Games, and it’s a pretty big deal. Split into the 3 disciplines, the air section was directed by local enthusiast, Khun Suwat Hannarong.

Kuhn Suwat is a legend in these circles, as he was the first to bring the sport to Thailand more than 20 years ago and the first Thai to compete. So he knows his stuff.

This is the first of 2 such events to be held - the next one to be at the same time in 2013 - and it are these events that will qualify Thailand to become the hosts of the next Asian Beach Games in 2014. With such local support, we can keep our collective fingers crossed that Krabi will be considered as a prime location for the event - a huge boon for the area.

At this first event, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand were competing against each other in a variety of challenges that included precision take -offs, slaloms, knocking objects over upon landing (inflatable pins, not people...), and a form of “air basketball”, before

How can I stay in Krabi for up to 2 years without a visa run?

F

or foreigners wishing to stay for an extended time in the Kingdom and legitimately pursue an education of some kind (normally studying Thai language), then there is the possibility of applying for an Education Visa. This will allow you to remain in Thailand for a maximum stay of 12 months without having to do visa runs, although there is the obligatory check-in at Krabi Immigration every three months.

K

rabi Visa was set up by Krabi local Punch Whitfield when she realized there was a lack of services in Krabi for those needing honest, reliable, up-to-date information relating to immigration laws and the mysterious Ministry of Labour.

Punch provides advice and administration services for all matters relating to work permits, visas and company registration.

Each month in Krabi Magazine we look at a different immigration issue facing foreigners here in Krabi and what options you have with regard to working and living permanently in Thailand. This issue we look at the Education or ED Visa. What is it, who qualifies and how do you get one?

Read on and find out. Almost.

It does not have to be to study Thai language, although this is the most common so I’m going to concentrate on that for this issue. Firstly the school that you wish to enroll with has to be certified and recognized by the Ministry of Education. In Krabi there are a handful of language schools that meet this criteria, but I’m not about to give away free advertising for any Krabi language schools - do your own research and choose one that you feel comfortable with.

Once you have enrolled in the language school of your choice and paid the tuition fees, your study application form will be submitted to the Ministry of Education along with your passport (with at least 12 months validity) and five passport photos. Providing the MOE approves your application you will be given a letter of admission which then entitles you to apply for the ED Visa at a Thai consulate outside of Thailand.

Who are

Krabi Visa?

What’s the catch, I hear you cry?

Well the catch is - you actually have to study Thai and prove to the authorities that your are progressing.

Now the other rules and regulations regarding this visa seem to change from time to time and place to place, so I am hesitant to state the following as hard fact. At the time of writing, the ED Visa is valid for 12 months only requiring residency notification at Krabi Immigration every three months. In other provinces, however, you need to actually pay for an extension every three months. Here in Krabi, you are able to renew your visa for another 12 months at Krabi Immigration without leaving the Kingdom again these rules are prone to change so seek advice when the time comes.

So anyway, the point is - if you want to hang out in Krabi and study the Thai language then there is a visa just for you that will keep you here for up to two years without having to leave. If you need help getting this organized, then get in touch with Krabi Visa for more information.

Next month we will look at a few tips to make things go a little smoother when visiting Krabi Immigration and the Ministry of Labour.

Miss it at your peril...

55

The best of Thailand MOST COBRAS KISSED CONSECUTIVELY KHUM CHAIBUDDEE

MOST ITEMS TAKEN OUT OF HOT OIL WITH BARE HANDS IN ONE MINUTE KHAN TREECHAN

The most cobras kissed consecutively is 19 and was achieved by snake charmer Khum Chaibuddee (Thailand) at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in Pattaya, Thailand, on 7 October 2006.

Hairiest Teenager The most items taken out of hot oil with bare hands are 12 and were achieved by Khan Treechan (aka Kann Trichan, Thailand) on the set of Lo Show dei Record in Rome, Italy, on 11 March 2010.

SUPATRA SASUPHAN

The record was part of the Italian TV show “Lo Show dei Record”. The items were chicken wings.

MOST EXPENSIVE PAINTING BY ELEPHANTS MAESA ELEPHANT CAMP

The hairiest teenager is Supatra “Nat” Sasuphan (Thailand) according to the Ferriman Gallwey method of evaluation of Hirsutism. She was measured on the set of Lo Show dei Record in Rome, Italy, on 4 March 2010.

Meeting Nat was one of the many highlights of the show for on-screen adjudicator, Marco Frigatti. “She’s a remarkable little girl,” says Marco. “She’s proud of who she is and wants to be treated just like everyone else.

She’s not the one with the problem - it’s only those who treat her differently who’ve got the problem.”

The most expensive painting by a group of elephants, is ‘Cold Wind, Swirling Mist, Charming Lanna I’, which sold for 1.5 million baht (£20,660, US$39,000) to Panit Warin (Sinanta) (Thailand) on 19 February 2005 at Maesa Elephant Camp, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

56

And Nat agrees. “I don’t feel any different to anyone else, and I’ve got lots of friends at school.” Now a celebrity, she’s starting to enjoy her fame, and was thrilled by the chance to visit a foreign country. “It’s really fun and exciting,” she told us, “and it’s my first time on a plane. I’ve never been outside Thailand.” But her most exciting experience was the moment she was crowned Hairiest Child. “Being hairy makes me special,” she said, adding: “This the happiest day of my life!”

LONGEST REIGNING LIVING MONARCH HRM BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ

The longest reigning monarch in the world is King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX of the Chakri dynasty, of Thailand. He ascended to the throne on 9 June 1946, although his formal coronation did not take place until 5 May 1950. He has reigned without interruption for over 63 years. He was born on 5 December 1927.

57

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With a soft, sandy beach and almost no tourists to be seen, you have space, time and tranquility in bucketloads to relax and rejuvenate body and soul.

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Nong Thale River Residence

KOH HONG ISLAND

Klong Muang Beach

d ra

4200

Tup Kaek Bay Beach Phulay A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Bus Station

a ah M

Anyavee Tubkaek Beach Resort The Tup Kaak Tup Kaek Sunset Beach Resort

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Frog & Catfish Restaurant

Hang Nak Nature Hike

Amari Vogue Resort

Gastropod Fossil Susaan Hoi - Shell Cemetry

Ao Nammao Bay

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Koh Lanta highlights Koh Lanta is situated at the southernmost tip of the Krabi province.

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t consists of two islands, Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai. Koh Lanta Noi is the smaller of the two and does not have tourist facilities. Visitors travelling by road from the mainland pass through the smaller island on the way to Koh Lanta Yai - the center of the tourist operations. Ban Sala Dan village on the north side of the island is Lanta Yai’s commercial center and the pier where visitors arrive on the island. It is a row of shops, seafood restaurants on stilts, dive shops, tour operators, banks and guest houses that cater for newcomers on the island. The bulk of the Lanta beaches lie along the west coast of the island and can all be reached by road: Khao Kwang, Khlong Dao and Phra Ae all have long stretches of white sand facing the Andaman sea, while Khlong Khong, Khlong Nin and Ba Kan Tiang and other smaller bays are all nice to relax and swim.

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he east coast of Koh Lanta Yai is flat and has many local villages scattered along its coastline. Koh Lanta has a very diverse cultural mix of people who have lived on the island in harmony for hundreds of years: Thai-Muslim, Thai-Chinese and the original sea gypsies still inhabit the place in harmony. The biggest town on the island is Lanta Old town. Boat trips to Koh Lanta are available during the monsoon-free period from October to April. May to November sees the closure of some of the island businesses and of the boat passenger services due to rough seas. A minibus service is the alternative way to reach the island via land.

Lanta Old Town It was once called Ban Si Raya and was the commercial port for Chinese and Arabic trading boats that sailed between the ports of Phuket, Penang and Singapore.

Today it is a village with a few rows of stilted shop houses home to an ancient community that was established on the island long ago. It is a picturesque place with Chinese timer shop-houses dating back 100 years, from the old days of sea trading. Near the shacks along the coast, local

fishermen dock their longtail boats giving the whole scene a very Thai look.

Ba Kantiang Beach Spectacular crystal–clear seawater and soft white sand, romantic sunsets in utmost privacy. This is why Ba Kantiang has come to symbolize a hideaway in Lanta for relaxing in natural surroundings.

Lighthouse on Lanta Located in Tanod Cape on the southernmost tip of the island, the lighthouse tower of Lanta is the perfect symbol of solitude. It is the place where immaculate nature still survives as it is rarely reached by tourists due to the rugged road conditions.

Koh Lanta National Park The park covers a marine area dotted with several small sandy islands surrounded by coral reefs. The headquarters is located on the island’s southern extremity.

Ban San-ka-u A sea gypsy’s settlement in south-east Lanta Yai. It is there that an old clan of traditional Chao Ley try to preserve a disappearing way of life in this fast-developing island.

Eco-tours These are run all year round from the east coast of Lanta Yai, not affected by the low season rough seas.

Make your way to Thung Yee Pheng village for a trip with a local community, or book a tour with friendly and experienced local companies.

Nature Because of its bio-diversity and richness of natural resources, Lanta is a good place for trekking. Explore limestone cave chambers and passageways in the Lanta caves, or walk upstream to the spring water waterfall where you can swim in cool rock pools.

Fire Dancing This is definitely one interesting part of the Lanta beach culture. A fire dancing show is usually performed by young boys performing twisting acrobatics swinging burning torches and ropes lit on fire around their muscular bodies. A distinguishing show that sparkles in the dark.

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What to do?

Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

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ou do realise that you are in one of the best locations in Thailand and beyond for diving, don’t you? Yes? If you did - good for you! If you already have your certification or never tried it in your life - you’re in luck. There are no fewer than 19 dive operators on Koh Lanta and most of them - if not all - will be qualified to take first-timers out for a fully supervised scuba dive. Trust me, as a diver myself - you won’t regret it!

Dive sites nearby include the worldfamous Phi Phi islands as well as the Koh Haa archipelago - all of which are within easy reach. The price you pay will generally include all equipment rental, lunch, fruits and drinking water and as a bonus, the dive sites and boats will be much quieter at this time of the year.

A lot of the dive operators speak a variety of European languages, so there’s a good chance you can get an instructor that quite literally - speaks your language.

Check out our diving section “Into the Blue” for more information.

If you’re dead set on staying well and truly within reach of the water’s surface, then no problems at all. Snorkelling is the way forward and many of the dive boats also welcome snorkellers on board as well as divers. This is great for families

with children, where some members want to dive and others snorkel. Usually the operators will provide the masks, snorkels and fins, as well as a dedicated staff member to guide the snorkellers in the water.

Thai Cookery Thai food in the west is generally quite expensive, creamy and “toned down” in comparison to what you find in this country. Here, in contrast, it’s very cheap, plentiful and packs much more of a punch.

Learning to cook authentic Thai food in Thailand is about as good as it gets, and many of the kitchens are open-air or even

on the beach front - just to add to the experience.

Classes are a great way to spend a morning or afternoon if the weather is a little wet for other outdoor activities, and you get to eat everything you make too - so you don’t have to worry about what’s for lunch!

Rent a Moped and Explore Mopeds are everywhere in Thailand, and Lanta is no exception. They’re cheap, easy to operate and are hard wearing - judging by the state of some I’ve come across that are held together with string and a prayer…

In Saladan you can hire them absolutely everywhere. You might have to leave your passport with the rental agency, but don’t worry - this is standard practice. Everyone does it. It’s an insurance for them that you’ll bring the bike back, is all.

As tempting as it might be (and it is!) to

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roar off into the sunset, laughing madly with the wind in your hair - don’t. Those that do often round a bend, collide with a passing goat and end up in a sobbing mess in the local clinic. Wear a helmet. That’s all. Simple, yet effective at prolonging your holiday to the last day Bike fuelled and helmets on, the roads are yours to explore. Head south out of Saladan and you will discover another side of Lanta that is very different to the bars and restaurants of the north.

Isolated beaches, rockier roads and local residents are all here, and the feeling you are stepping back in time is overwhelming.

You will come across a junction after a while, with a right turn towards Klong Nin. This is filled with smaller beach-bungalowtype places to stay and similar bars & restaurants to match. Expect to find locals lounging in hammocks strumming guitars and sipping cold beers. This is a good indication of how they do things here…

If you don’t take that right turn, the road will turn into a winding, twisting hilly serpent that leads you to the east of the island, where the “sea gypsy” people have lived for 500 years. This is a very interesting part of the island, but visitors here should respect the privacy of these “Chao Ley” people and remember they are not a tourist attraction.

That aside, they are a warm and welcoming people and are fascinating to experience.

Remember to take a map with you just in case, and keep your eyes open for the “gasoline shacks” that dot the roadsides, just in case. Watch the fuel gage and you’ll be fine.

Biking around Lanta is the best way to truly explore all it’s nooks and crannies, and you might even come across a few surprises along the way….

Have a Massage If the thought of even standing upright is just to much - congratulations: you have successfully integrated into the Lanta way of life. If you have reached this point in your stay here, then it’s time for a massage.

What to do?

Koh Lanta Only in Thailand can you engage in an “activity” while lying perfectly still for a hour. I love this country…

If you have never had a Thai massage, you’re in for a treat. Unlike the more traditional notion of a massage, the Thai version does not use soothing strokes as it rubs scented oils into your tired body. Oh no. It uses a

“pressure point” method that means lots of hard pressing, twisting, cracking of joints and squealing. That last part is usually from me.

But it’s not anywhere as bad as it might sound - otherwise n one would do it. It’s invigorating and totally relaxing all at once, and after a hour of this, you feel like you’ve had a great workout and your body will be rid of any niggling aches and pains - I guarantee it. You can have it as hard or soft as you like and your masseuse will usually ask you if the pressure she is using is ok for you, and will adjust accordingly.

Probably one of the best things about getting a Thai massage in Thailand is it’s availability to everyone on any budget. You can choose to luxuriate in one of the breathtaking spas that Lanta has on her shores, or you can find a small massage hut somewhere. While the surroundings will not be on par with the spa’s, you can still get a great massage for a couple of hundred Baht, which can’t be argued with.

LANTAwww.lantaluxuryvillas.com LUXURY VILLAS Private houses and apartments for rent

Owners: list your property free of charge

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KOH LANTA YAI NORTH

BUS TIMETABLE: to Krabi every hour 6am to 5pm to Trang every hour 8am to 3pm to Phuket every hour 7am to 4pm

KAW KWANG BEACH

Lanta Diver main office

Minivan Station

NEED HELP ON LANTA? Tourist Police - 1155 Police - 075 668 192 Lanta Hospital - 075 697 176 Dr. Salarin - 075 684 522 Clinic in Saladan - 075 668 170

TO LANTA OLD TOWN

Laguna Beach Club

Lanta Diver

Mike’s Collection Eden Bar&Dining

Noble House branch

Lanta Pizzeria

Cafe’a

u Lait Deli

Lanta Diver

Southern Lanta branch Southern Lanta Resort

Fix the girl

Lanta Car Rental SK Optik

Chaba Bungalows Maneelanta

Clinic in Saladan - 075 668 170

Car Ferry to Lanta Noi & mainland

SUNDAY MARKET

Blue Planet Divers Costa Lanta Resort

The Retreat

MARKETS: Ban Saladan Sunday mornings NEED HELP ON LANTA? Lanta Old Town Monday Tourist Police - 1155 Police - 075 668 192 mornings Lanta Hospital - 075 697 176 Klong Nin SaturdayDr.mornings Salarin - 075 684 522

Passenger Ferry

POST OFFICE Kaw Kwang Resort

Lanta Diver Ko Lanta Diving Center Blue Planet Divers The Frog

BAN SALADAN

Lanta Island Resort

KLONG DAO BEACH

Minivans to Krabi/Phuket Congrit Resto

Everything Shop Ancient Realm Resort & Spa

Elephant Trekking

Time for Lime

Cooking School & Restaurant Holiday Villa Lanta Resort Lanta Sand Resort Funky Fish Indo Furniture Lanta Palm Beach

KLONG DAO BOXING STADIUM Lanta Tavern

Escape Cabins

Dreamy Spa I-Yarade Real Estate

Lanta Law Thanee

Layana Resort & Spa

Tides Restaurant

Lanta Casuarina Resort Dive & Relax Irish Pubs

PHRA AE LONG BEACH

White Flower Apartments White Flower Bajen Sports

Bajen Steakhouse & Nintendo Wii Minigolf

Lanta Castaway Resort Siam Pharmacy Lantanian Center

Desjoyaux Pools Andaman Sunflower

Red Snapper

Relax Bay Resort Lanta Diver

Lanta Manda Resort Faim de Loup bakery Bootshaus Retro Restaurant

Lanta Loft

Relax Bay branch Elephant Trekking

Sunrise Creek Villa Project Custom Homes

TO LANTA OLD TOWN & EASTERN ISLANDS Lanta Animal Welfare

KLONG KONG BEACH

Chaw Ka Cher Resort

Saneh Villas LPH Kirikan LPH Klong Kon Villas

TO SOUTH OF THE ISLAND

BUS TIMETABLE: to Krabi every hour 6am to 5pm to Trang every hour 8am to 3pm to Phuket every hour 7am to 4pm MARKETS: Ban Saladan Sunday mornings Lanta Old Town Monday mornings Klong Nin Saturday mornings NEED HELP ON LANTA? Tourist Police - 1155 Police - 075 668 192 Lanta Hospital - 075 697 176 Dr. Salarin - 075 684 522 Clinic in Saladan - 075 668 170

WINNER 2009-2011

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Rule Bretagne

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e here at Krabi Magazine are always on the look out for new and exciting ways of tantalising our tastebuds in the name of research for you, our discerning readers. We seek out the best, no matter if it’s a welly-wearing woman selling BBQ chicken on a stick in the street or a Michelin-starred chef in a 5 star restaurant.

One of the great parts of life in Thailand is that we can have the former for lunch and the latter just a few hours later for dinner exactly what we did on this occasion.

offered invitation to the evening in question - so off to Lanta we set.

Franck Lestapis, the GM of the Pimalai resort & Spa, hails from Bordeaux in France. During his younger days back in his homeland, he grew up with a couple of guys who knew their way around the kitchen - Patrick and Hubert.

Fast-forward a few years and the men are still good friends, although Franck now runs a classy resort in Thailand and Patrick & Hubert remain in the Brittany region in France (known as “Bretagne” in French), although they are now in the upper echelons of their peers when it comes to “knowing their way around a kitchen”.

“mini-villas” separated by a private infinity pool, this is one of the most incredible places you can hope to stay. It really has to be seen to be believed - especially the view over Ba Kantiang Bay and the Andaman sea that

Chef Patrick Le Guen is now the holder of a Michelin Star at his restaurant “Ar Men Du”, whilst Hubert Jan has the distinction of a “Bib Gourmand” - a highly rated award offered by the Michelin Guide.

So when Franck invited his old pals over to stay for a week, with the proviso that they cooked for an extra-special evening inspired by “La Bretagne”, we thought it only fair that we should muscle our way in kindly accept an

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Arriving at the Pimalai and closing the door of your pool villa behind you renders the rest of the world into oblivion. With 2 separate

“...just a few hours ago we were knawing a chicken thigh off a piece of bamboo and eating sticky rice...”

stretches off into the horizon.

After some lounging around, we got ready and meandered the short distance to the opulent Seven Seas Restaurant where we met Franck and our dinner companions for the evening - a couple of travelling journalists from the USA as well as the wives of the visiting chefs. I did smile to myself as I thought of how, just a few hours ago, we were gnawing a chicken thigh off a bit of bamboo and eating sticky rice from a plastic bag in the Krabi Magazine basement.

Now here we were about to dine on awardwinning cuisine at a 5 star resort.

The open-plan kitchen in the restaurant offered us a perfect view of the culinary masters going about what they do best.

With the lucky resident chefs of the resort

under their tutelage, Patrick and Hubert were running a tight ship as they directed the seemingly chaotic kitchen with the ease that comes with experience.

Soon the food began to appear at our table and it was immediately evident that this was no chicken-on-a-stick event. No sirree - the “slow cooked baby clams in fish broth jelly with a potato froth” soon put any misguided notions of asking for ketchup out the window.

I have to say that in all my years of eating potatoes as an Irishman, I have never, ever come across potato froth.

I’m fairly sure there would have been a few raised eyebrows in my hometown at the thought, but hey, times they are a’changin and it was an interesting addition to the dish. I still have no idea how one froths a potato though.

Needless to say, the dish was an explosion of flavours. I know this is a way overused description of great tasting food, but this time I feel its warranted. It was presented in a way that seemed to defy several laws of physics and had us all “ooh-ing” as they arrived at the table. Even the wives.

And yes, we did of course ask them if they ate like this every night at home. The answer was an emphatic “Non!” Good to know…

We were then treated to 3 more courses that included duck foie gras with a mango sauce, roasted sea-bass fillet and baby scallops, veal filet mignon and crab meat with truffle-oiled mashed potato and a devastatingly effective salted-butter caramel dessert.

It was an amazing experience, and I don’t just mean the food.

As the meals were being plated up at the pass, other diners were creeping forward with cameras and smartphones to take photos of the experts at work. It was a real treat to witness and added an air of fun to the proceedings as we could see the care and skill being injected into the food we were about to demolish.

Afterwards, the chefs came out from the kitchens with their charges to a round of applause from all of us stuffed pigs and another round of photos were taken to commemorate the event. As we were seated with their wives, they came to join us at our table and were happy to chat to us (in French, at least) while they had a couple of well-earned drinks.

Talking to Franck afterwards, he told me that he was looking into holding a night like this perhaps every month, where a “Super-chef” comes to cook for an evening and anyone can come to experience what we just had. I thought it was a wonderful idea and told him as much.

It’s a unique proposition as far as I know, and judging by the turnout at this one, it could be a great night for all concerned.

We rolled out of the restaurant after saying our “Au Revoirs” to our guests and thought we would never eat again - until we saw the breakfast buffet spread the next morning. But that’s another story….

We hope and pray that the “Michelin-Starred Evening” takes off and, if it does, it’s well worth a trip to the Pimalai Resort & Spa for an evening to sample some world-class cuisine in stunning surroundings. Watch this space...

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Meet Me @ Same Same

Y

ou’re cruising south on the west side of Koh Lanta, freely following the gentle cadence of the rolling road, a desultory afternoon breeze riffling through your hair. You pass hipster hotels and charming bungalows clearly catering to those who are still gainfully employed in their home countries. On your right the earth drops down below to the lapping tide of the ocean, through towering trees and glittering sunlight as the sun is about to set into the abyss of the ocean. The endless road seems to creep into a neighborhood too rich for your blood, you tell yourself, as the Pimalai Resort and Spa speckles the hills with villas overlooking yet another picturesque sunset over the Andaman Sea. But instead of turning around, fearing you’ve reached the end, you keep on just a little bit further around the bend, and a cheeky sign catches your eye. Something is familiar, but instead of a silkscreened version, you realize it’s a restaurant pocketed in this surreal coastline. You’ve arrived upon a secret space known as the Same Same But Different Restaurant, and alas you realize you’ve found Lanta gold without a tuk tuk detour.

Sure, it’s a public restaurant but I and my posse felt like we discovered a hidden hangout not yet exploited by the guide books. Imagine being rewarded for being faithful to the journey past high society lodging, on a quest to uncover a plot of sand with good food, drinks and friends.

The true essence of travel – discovery – happened upon us at that moment.

Also, we were specifically invited and given exact directions.

But the aroma of uncovering a fresh piece of paradise still seemed to perfume the air as we sauntered down the bamboo walkway in an excited daze. Walking into Same Same, patrons are enveloped in an ambience as cool as the other side of the pillow. Gleaming red lanterns float above amid dense tropical foliage, eventually opening up onto the beach

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and a million baht view. The décor is sentimental of ocean living without being overwrought with chintzy ornaments of fishing life. Large tables invite strangers to dine together, while other more cozy set-ups focus towards the main attraction – a panoramic view overlooking a blazing sun slowly crashing into the ocean behind a haze of radiant reds, oranges and purples.

Without instruction, you subconsciously take off your sandals to feel the cool sand under your feet. A small shop of handmade goods unobtrusively rests in a back corner, guarded by a shaggy resident pup that always seems to be sleeping on the job. With good company, we dined on fresh seafood prepared Thai style. Locals and visitors alike imbibed on crisp cocktails at an inviting bar. It’s the kind of place that compels you to stay for a while and just chill.

We were fortunate enough to be there on a night that the local Sea Gypsies were being honored. Koh Lanta is home to the Chao Lay, a large seminomadic community living on the southern tip of the island. Having never formally integrated into Thai society, they maintain a unique facet of Thai ethnic diversity. While a group of musicians played traditional instruments, well-sequined elders sang and danced for the patrons, filling the air with folk songs of their way of life. With the rhythm, a magical trance of wonderment seemed to settle on full bellies and awe gazing eyes. Their invitation to Same Same

was to celebrate their way of life, but in return they gifted us with their beauty as a time-honored peoples in modern times.

Same Same is a place to indulge in relaxation; a place where ambience is held to a high standard. Good vibes with great friends – both the ones you came with and the ones you’ll meet abound here. Now swish that around in your mouth and tell me that doesn’t sound tasty!

Eating Guide koh lanta Seven Seas Wine Bar & Restaurant @ Pimalai Resort & Spa 99 Moo 5, Ba Kan Tiang Beach. Head south, turn right at the Klong Nin junction and keep going.

A truly stunning place that demands you stand slack-jawed as you walk into it. Open-plan everywhere - even the kitchen - with some of the best views you can hope to witness whilst enjoying your meal. Their chef is a talent to behold, and the food from the kitchens here is topnotch indeed.

The restaurant and its show kitchen offer a comprehensive “a la carte” fusion style dinner menu which means that superior ingredients from all over the globe are marinated, cooked and served together on the same plate - generating a symphony of flavours. The presentation of the food is beautiful and it’s a feast for the eyes even before you pick up your fork.

A wide-ranging collection of international wines has been assembled from which you can select an ideal accompaniment to your meal.

Average price: 400-900++THB What to Try: The Boeuf Charolais Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: 6:30am - 10:30am & 3pm - 11pm Tel: +66 (0) 75 607 999 Website: www.pimalai.com

Tides Restaurant @ Layana Resort & Spa

272 Moo 3 Saladan, Phra-Ae Beach, Ko Lanta. Head South and look for the sign on the right side.

A formal restaurant perched on the very edge of the beach overlooking the sea and open to the cooling sea breezes. Guests have the choice of a cool interior venue or an al fresco beachside setting on the deck in front of the restaurant. Serving a mouth-watering a la carte selection of international dishes, as well as traditional Thai fare and seafood specialties all made from the freshest of ingredients.

The chef, Khun Apichai, grows his own herbs in a beautiful garden right on the premises and the presentation of his food is straight out of a Monet.

The menu quality is matched by an extensive wine list to compliment the food perfectly.

Average price: 400-900++THB What to Try: The Healthy Spa Cuisine Menu Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: 6:30am - 10:30am & 11:30am - 6pm Tel: + 66 (0) 75 607 100 Website: www.layanaresort.com

Time for Lime - Fusion Restaurant

72/2 Moo 3, Saladan, Koh Lanta 81150. Head South and look for the sign .

This place has been one of the best little places on Koh Lanta since it opened it’s doors 7.5 years ago. Owned by Junie, a Norwegian who loves animals as much as her food, Time For Lime has become a haven for those who want to indulge in both of her passions.

Her workshops in Thai cookery are legendary as she has a unique fusion style that differs from the usual Thai lessons you normally find. During her classes, expect to re-create dishes such as the signature Time for Lime soup, scampi wrapped in wild pepper leaves and even the wonderfully titled “sesame seed crusted barracuda balls with ginger on a bed of white radish & wasabi dip”.

A great, friendly, laid back atmosphere is only accentuated by the jazz and chillout music that plays around the beachfront kitchen, and the homemade mojitos that come from here have been copied, but never matched.

Average price: 150 - 500 THB What to Try: The 6-dish tasting menu Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: 5pm - 10:30pm Except Mondays Tel: +66 (0) 75684590 Website: www.timeforlime.net

Beachcomber Restaurant @ Lanta Castaway Resort 299 Moo 2 Phra Ae, Saladan, Koh Lanta,

If you’re searching for a laid-back, yet stylish beach-front dining experience , then Beachcomber is the place for you. The restaurant features a terrific menu selection and is best known for its authentic TEX-MEX dishes. You’ll also want to try the large selection of savory Thai, Western and Seafood BBQ dishes. The open-air restaurant is situated near the beach and there is also plenty of outdoor seating on the beach-front deck and in the garden.

The atmosphere is relaxed, the staff is friendly, and the setting is beautiful with a lovely garden and a terrific view of Long Beach and the Andaman Sea. You’ll also want to enjoy a before and/or after dinner drink at our beach bar which serves up a wide variety of cocktails and delicious frozen drinks.

Average price: 250-350THB What to Try: The Tex-Mex food Free WiFi?: For bungalow guests only Opening Hours: Open daily from 7am - 9pm.

Tel: +66 (0) 75684851 Website: www.lantacastaway.com

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Heart of a Lion

By Emily Huang-Ramirez 26 December 2004: A formidable event with unforgettable devastation. The event made major headlines across the world, and in sorrow they watched as both lives and livelihoods were inundated by indiscriminate, unforgiving waters; Southeast Asia had momentarily drowned as a result of one of the worst natural disasters of modern times. Over time, the aftermath of frenzy, confusion and grief gave way to resilience as affected peoples began to pick up the pieces.

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e all know the story quite well.

Tragedies on a global scale conjure up memories of where we were and what we were doing when the news broke. I watched the horror unfold from across the Pacific, safely at home in San Diego, California. I didn’t need to know anyone directly affected in order to feel the weight of what had occurred.

The worldwide humanitarian response that ensued amounted to donations of more than US$14 billion. Being one of the more hard-hit nations alongside Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India, Thailand received sizeable injections of relief. While the world is familiar with the recovery of the main veins of tourism in this nation, I decided to look deeper into this epidermis of aid eight years later, at a small village in the heart of the calamity, to see life as it were among survivors.

Muban Lion – Lion’s Village – sits on the southeastern side of Koh Lanta Yai as an unassuming fishing village among many. A small sign points the way up a shy road onto higher ground, where around the corner a visitor is keen to notice the abrupt towering of a black slab etched with the dedication of this village by the Lions Club International Foundation. Suddenly, I stood before a precisely planned community of raised chalet-style homes.

Each street boasted placards naming the various international donors that aided this post-tsunami commonality.

Further in, past a few general stores and a few residents, I came upon the dilapidated remains of what was once a community center. A few residents were inside, preparing lunch while taking reprieve from the sun and their hard work . Built as

The community center was destroyed

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a meeting place, the community center suffered severe damage due to floods a few years back, and has since remained in need of repair.

Next door however, a small school teeming with what should have been napping babes at that hour (no thanks to my intrusive curiosity), was fully alive and well. Built approximately four years prior, the school oversees the education and care of children under the age of six while families work during the day. These children had yet to be born when the tsunami hit. I surmised that the establishment of this village to assist displaced victims was partly responsible for their existence, but it was a sensitive question I was not compelled to ask. And so I left the school, having quietly concluded so.

Mubon Village is one of many developed in response to the post-tsunami damage. Amidst the chaos of the disaster, large numbers of NGO’s, commercial firms, religious organizations and private donors joined forces to assist not just with rebuilding infrastructure and housing, but also rehabilitating resources and subsistence to a myriad of villages uninvolved with the tourism industry. A few of the fishing communities in Koh Lanta Yai specifically became the grounds of research and social experimentation in recovery.

A multitude of publications have followed these progressions, and are easily found with a quick Internet search.

The world came together to their aid, but these communities were also extraordinary in their initiatives to save themselves. Muslim and Buddhist villages were able to activate financial support through their religious networks across the globe.

The minority Chao Lay (sea gypsies) were able

to bring attention to their plight in the media, also resulting in substantial aid. And all the while different communities were reaching out through various channels, the boundaries between faiths were nonexistent; it was understood that survival mandated joint efforts. Returning to and preserving the former way of life for everyone was crucial to the survival of the communities as a whole. Mubon Lion was not an exception in this respect.

Strolling along the quiet, almost barren streets, I wondered about the plethora of untold stories burrowed deep into the hearts and minds of these people. Certainly there were many remarkable tales of loss and reunion; uncertainty and survival; ends and beginnings. But this was not a day I would get to hear of them, being shortchanged by my scarce bank of the Thai language. Instead, I drifted through the streets, silently contemplating the life within them, with an echoing thought to return one day and have that missed conversation.

Every year, Thailand - as well as a number of nations - convenes to commemorate the unwarranted human loss, coming together in remembrance of their untimely passing. It’s also a time to revere the courage and bravery of those that have survived. As I ambled through the lanes of Mubon Lion that day, this latter notion was not lost on me.

While the weight of the event on everyday life has seemingly abated, hearts undoubtedly remain heavy with the memory. But life continues to move forward. Although the village is named after its main contributor, the name seems fitting for other more obvious reasons.

DID YOU KNOW....

Our profits are donated to the charity LANTA ANIMAL WELFARE So.. come Learn, Eat & Drink your hearts out!

AND FEEL GOOD

Cooking School thai & fusion Restaurant Beach Bar

Fun & Professional evening Cooking Classes on the Beach Front

HAPPY HOURS 3 - 6 pm On our FAMOUS Cocktails

FANTASTIC 6 dish Tasting Menu that changes every evening

Bungalows

8 cozy air-con & fan

9 years with Quality & Funky Atmosphere Closed Mondays

KLONG DAO BEACH - KO LANTA Tel: 075 684 590 www.timeforlime.net

Koh Jum Island - Plugged In but still unplugged Story by : Jeffrey Dietrich

K

oh Jum Island is still the quintessential destination in Krabi province if you are looking for authentic Thai village life and development that is still a small footprint on this tranquil island. Geography brought electricity to Koh Jum late in 2009 as the island was in the direct path of the new underwater electric cable connecting Koh Phi Phi from the mainland. So now that Koh Jum is plugged in, has it lost its reputable unplugged character that has attracted intrepid travelers over the past couple of decades?

We are pleased to report that Koh Jum is as tranquil and laid back as it always has been. In fact, what is noticeable are the lack of noisy generators at most of the resorts.

Folks come to Koh Jum to unplug; the island’s nature and culture still dominates the minimal tourist infrastructure. The

existing resorts on Koh Jum all have their own family run character ranging from the back packers paradise Bo Deng run by two laughing souls, Dila and Rosa, all the way up to the stunningly beautiful Koh Jum Beach Villas, an eco villa resort with exquisite villas tucked in an incredible botanical garden.

Koh Pu Mountain is the dominant geological feature on the island at over 400 meters. A great hike for the adventurous and a vital refuge of native habitat still harbouring Asian Pied Hornbills and Burmese Pythons. The three villages, Koh Pu, Ting Rai and Koh Jum are situated on the back side of the island amongst the mangroves. Resorts are located facing the open Andaman Sea. This division allows the villages to remain authentic without any significant tourist infrastructure while

the resorts are all located on the beaches.

Access to the island is by longtail taxi boats located on the mainland port town of Laem Kruat. There is now a songthaew you can take direct from Krabi Town to Laem Kruat. During the high season most visitors come to Koh Jum using the Krabi – Koh Lanta Ferry that stops at two locations on Koh Jum out at sea where long tail boats come out to meet passengers to take them ashore. The lack of any deep ports on the island keep the ferry boats out at sea and also prevent large masses of tourists from ever overcrowding the island. Getting here is an adventure and this ends up defining the interesting community of resorts and visitors that have made this island their home and the place they return to year after year.

Getting to Koh Jum Getting to Koh Jum can be very simple or a bit of a nightmare - all depending on how much you know about getting there. This is where we come in - we decided to make the journey ourselves and tell you exactly how and when to get there with the least amount of hassle.

There are 2 ways you can get to Koh Jum by passing ferry or longtail boat. There are ferries that leave from Koh Lanta at 8am and Krabi at 11am, which will stop as they get alongside Koh Jum and longtail boats will come and take you the rest of the way.

Koh Phi Phi also has ferries leaving at 2pm that operate on the same principle.

The second way is to get to a place called Laem Kruat and take a longtail boat for 40 mins to the island, and this is what we decided to do.

If you are driving, it takes about 1 hour to get from Ao Nang to Laem Kruat. You just head to Tesco and continue until you see the large overhead signs that tell you to turn right for “Koh Jam”. This road will

lead to to the small locality of Laem Kruat, where you will find a large pier.

If you don’t have transport of your own, you can catch a blue and yellow “sawngthaew” the local bus that has benches in the back.

It has the words “Krabi, Bus Station, Tesco, Big C, Laem Kruat” written on it, which is easy to spot. This will leave from all of these locations at intervals throughout the day and will take you to the pier.

Now, the pier is a bit misleading. We waited at the end of the pier before realising the longail taxis were passing us by and docking at the mainland. We went back and followed our noses along past the shops until we saw a slipway with goods and people being unloaded. It was the second slipway we needed to get to “Moo Too”, the place on Koh Jum we were being collected from.

We got on and soon we were chugging along through the mangroves with a boat full of happy local Muslim women that looked as if they hadn’t changed a bit since 1925. We arrived at Koh Jum 45 minutes later, paid our 70 Baht fare each and were taken by “Taxi” (a battered old pickup truck) through the winding dirt track until we reached our destination resort Give it a go and you will see a different side of Thailand from years gone by - well worth the experience.

If you know the name of the pier on Jum you need to get to, just ask anyone in this area and they will direct you to the correct boat.

Koh Jum Koh Jum, also confusingly called by it’s other name of Koh Pu, is actually named after the 420 meter high mountain that dominates the horizon of the north part of the island.

Located midway between Krabi and Koh Lanta Yai, 25 km from Krabi Town, Koh Jum is predominantly a large Muslim populated sub-district of Krabi and is home to 1,500 inhabitants that live in three tiny fishing villages.

The locals of these villages engage mostly in fishing, rubber cultivation and the local craft of cloth weaving as cottage industries. While the north is mountainous, the south comprises dense jungle, cashew nut trees, rubber plantations, casuarinas and nipa-palms.

The string of beaches on the west coast has several simple, wooden bungalow resorts and a community of private beach homes sitting among the palms, each offering sunset views over the silhouettes of the Koh Phi Phi archipelago.

Koh Jum is ideal both for young travelers who want to rest their

bones after some hard backpacking and for families with kids, looking for a worry free holiday in a place where children can run and swim in complete safety. Nature is at your feet there, and if it’s serenity you’re after, you can’t go wrong. Electricity just arrived in Koh Jum only relatively recently and some smaller resorts are still powered by generator. Progress is imminent and already in motion as more resorts and restaurants look set to open up soon.

Getting There There is a ferry terminal about 35 - 40km south of Krabi town, in a place called Laem Kruat, that can take you to the islands, the last one departs at around 3pm. It costs around 50 Baht per person.

Another option is to take a ferry directly from Krabi or Koh Lanta.

This might be an easier and more reliable option for most people.

A new ferry service has started from/to Koh Phi Phi Islands.

A short stop into your nearest travel agent will furnish you with the latest times and tickets for your journey. Contact the resort you wish to stay at for assistance with transportation.

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New app

roundup “Tech-YES” is what we holler around the KM corridors of an evening after a long day slaving over a hot laptop.

We love our gadgety-goodness and all things fiddly and colourful. Emily just couldn’t contain herself any more, so we gave her some room to shout about some new apps out now that could make your life a rosy bowl of sunshine toffees.

Instaweather Feel secretly awesome when you barrage your friends and family with photos of your charmed life on Instagram? Is a frog’s ear water-tight? Yeah, thought so. Now imagine driving this point home further with a perfect weather report overlay for your photos, which you can then post to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Post a pic of your sandal tan in 25C weather while everyone back home is looking for a second pair of gloves. Ensure your office drone friends are fully aware of your sunny, 0C deep powder session in the Alps. The app is free, but there is a Pro version with additional fun features for you big spenders.

Price

FREE

Devices

iDevices, Android, Windows, LG, Blackberry

Line Maybe you’ve heard all the rave about WhatsApp Messenger which is all well and great, but sometimes you just don’t feel like shelling out 30THB for an app.

I totally get it. Lucky for us occasional crumbsnatchers, Line is just like WhatsApp but better, because it’s free as a bird. With Line, you can call, text, send voice/picture/video messages, and overwhelm your friends with an arsenal of emojis. You can even do these things in a group feature. What’s best, it’s all completely free over any WiFi network..

Price

FREE

Devices

iDevices, Android, Windows, LG, Blackberry, Desktop

L-Lingo Thai This one is kind of steep for an app, but pipe down for a second and just hear me out. Think Rosetta Stone but without the wet blanket price tag. L-Lingo Thai uses the same concept as the popular language learning software by using thousands of images, native speaker audio and Thai grammar notes.

There’s a trial version with five lessons if you are unsure (the paid version boasts a whopping 65 lessons), but I can personally vouch that this app is well worth it. It is easy enough to use for children, but comprehensive and effective enough for any age.

And if you don’t believe me, you have no idea where I live anyway.

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Price

392THB

Devices

iDevices, Android, Windows, LG, Blackberry, Desktop

Muze Audiophiles listen up: Take the songs you already have, add in songs you’ve freely (and legally) downloaded on your phone, and combine them into a single music library for your enjoyment – let me introduce you to my friend Muze.

The Free version only allows you to download six songs, but for mere bahts you can download an unlimited number of songs from their extensive catalogue, and create playlists of both your own and downloaded music.

Price

30 THB

Devices

iDevices, Android, Windows, LG, Blackberry

Gesture Control You can pause, play, skip and more by swiping your sticky little fingers all over your lovely screen.

Buttons are SO last month...

“You can even share your playlists with friends or on social networks”

Traffy bSafe Skyscanner Traffy bSafe for iPhone is a free application where users can download to make a complaint and report dangerous driving behaviour of public transportation such as vans and buses. Users have the ability to measure vehicles speed in real-time as they travel as well as uploading photos and comments about their journey. Users will be alerted when the vehicle is driving over the speed limit with an option to report the event to relevant organisations including Foundation for Consumers Thailand.

Price

FREE

Devices

iDevices

Skyscanner Possibly the most flexible and powerful flight search engine app on the market at the moment, Skyscanner can search over 1000 budget and scheduled airlines for prices within seconds. Yes, this even includes budget airlines in Thailand and other countries. You can even search by price alone and see what destinations meet your budget. Skyscanner has an easy to understand interface in over 28 languages, and searches both directly with the airlines and with travel agents to find the cheapest flights and best routes. It’s a must have app for any traveler.

Price

392THB

Devices

iDevices, Android, Windows, LG, Blackberry, Desktop

77 77

Villa rental: The Owners’ Guide If you own a holiday home in Krabi, you already know the appeal of this area, but have you considered that your second home could allow you a second income?

H

oliday villa rental is a rapidly growing market, not just in Krabi, but all over the world. People are increasingly seeking privacy and high levels of personal service when they travel, which is exactly what a serviced villa set-up gives them.

But renting out your vacation home not only provides a cash return on your investment: it gives you peace of mind in the knowledge that your property is being professionally managed and cared for in your absence.

As you may already know, correct property maintenance is essential in this hot and humid climate. Unoccupied properties in the tropics are not just susceptible to break-ins; there are pest invasions, overgrown gardens and even structural damage to consider, if a loose roof tile in monsoon season goes undetected. There are also issues such as utility bill payments and swimming pool maintenance that need to be attended to.

By offering your property to a professional management company, you enjoy the double benefits of proper maintenance and a house always ready for use, plus an income - at the very least to cover your expenses, and in most cases substantially more.

But which company to choose? Look for one that allows flexible owner usage; one that encourages open dialogue and has clear lines of communication; as well as one that will market your villa intelligently and garner the highest occupancy rate.

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Introducing Krabi Riviera Krabi Riviera Co., Ltd (formerly known as Ton Company Ltd) brought the serviced villa concept to Krabi more than 10 years ago, and remains the market leader in holiday property management and rental in the region, with constant innovations and improvements in client experience – be it for guests or for owners.

Each property in our portfolio is individually showcased on our network of websites, including the highly ranked www.krabivilla.com, as well as through high profile agents. Our pro-active marketing strategy uses both print and online media, with specially commissioned photography and text, instant availability check and online reservation system.

Our dedicated team of professionals has proven success in guest relations, from time of booking to departure, something that can be confirmed by our high number of return customers.

Whether for guests, or for villa owners, our service is tailored to the individual needs and expectations of our clients. With demand for our luxury villas now outstripping our supply, we are actively seeking new homes to rent around the Krabi area. Please call us to discuss adding your property to our portfolio.

Should your home need renovation or remodeling to maximise its rental potential, or even if you have not yet built your home here in Krabi, but are considering taking the plunge, we can also help.

Close co-operation with our partner, Ton Company Ltd, Krabi’s foremost villa architecture and construction firm, gives us the opportunity to design, or redesign, a home that will suit both your needs and the demands of the rental market.

For example, a good holiday villa will incorporate storage space for your belongings, and will be accessible and safe for a wide range of guests, including families with young children and wheelchair users. Communal and private spaces need to be carefully thought through, both indoors and out. And, an energy efficient home makes for greater return on investment.

We take all these aspects and more into consideration and can use our knowledge of the market over more than a decade to make sure your holiday villa will not only be beautiful, but enduring and profitable as well.

To find out more about Krabi Riviera properties take a look at: www.KrabiVilla.com We can be contacted at: 084 154 08-08 or 075 695-633 or by email at: info@KrabiVilla.com

An unsolicited letter from one of our current villa owners: “Kara and I want to thank you and the Management Team at Krabi Riviera for all of your efforts to help make 2012 the most successful year for [our villa] to date.

We recognize all the hard work which has gone into achieving this. Notably, the attention to detail that [your] team have provided regarding the management of clients, the daily maintenance, and the implementation of capital projects has been excellent. Equally valuable has been the brilliant effort put into the marketing of [the villa] through the various media platforms.

And last, but by no means least, the clear, precise information/ communication regarding financial transactions.

We understand that it takes the hard work and full effort of a team of well-coordinated people to run a successful operation, such as that of Krabi Riviera Co., Ltd. It has definitely paid off, as the evidence of this hard work comes from the fact that, by the end of December, we will have achieved a rate of nearly 70% for the 2012 calendar year. This is an amazing achievement, and we would like to thank you for helping us reach this level of performance.

What we appreciate most, overall, is the attention to detail and management approach that you implement, enabling us to be proactive in the maintenance and development of our investment. This has not only prevented costlier capital improvements at a later date, but also allowed us to think strategically about the future for the villa.�

Kara and I appreciate all that you have done this year, and look forward to what the future holds.

Todd and Kara

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Foreign Ownership in Thailand Leasing is a popular and straightforward option to acquire a property in Thailand. The maximum duration of a lease permitted under Thai law for non-commercial usage is 30 years, (for commercial usage 50 years), renewable for two additional terms of 30 years (commercial usage 50 years), if contractually agreed.

COrporate Ownership

A further option is to establish a Thailand-registered company, preferably a Thai limited company, to acquire land. It needs a minimum of 7 different shareholders at all times, but only one director who can be a foreigner. At the beginning this director may have to be Thai in order to apply

for the Tax ID and VAT registration of the Company. Thai law (land Code) requires that at lease 51% of the shares are held

by Thai nationals and a maximum 49% of the shares may be owned by foreign shareholder because the land Code prohibition on foreign land ownership includes not only foreign individuals, but also Thai registered companies in which foreigners own more that 49% of the shares.

Because there’s no restriction under Thai law that one share must equal one vote, it is allowed to issue classified shares: The A-Shares (“Ordinary Shares”) where the holder one share is entitled to one vote and the B-Shares (“preferred Share”) where a shareholder must have multiple shares in order to obtain one vote. The foreign shareholders will subscribe to all A-Shares, whereby the B-shares are held by Thai holders.

This structure enables the foreign minority shareholder to hold fewer numbers of shares, but in fact control the company by voting rights.

Since the foreign shareholder of the Thai Company can be a natural or a juristic person, it is possible to use an offshore entity, e.g.a BVI (British Virgin Island) Company, for tax efficiency.

Managed Estates

Currently, managed estates are very common. They all vary in structure.

Normally the managed property is offered as a freehold purchase through Thai companies or with a leasehold structure concerning the buildings in combination with subscribing to a certain number of shares in a Thai company, which owns the land underneath the properties that are leased. This structure is advisable because the lessees of the buildings are more secure when they are also indirectly the “joint-landlords”. With a land owning company which effectly protection that a lease is protected from being terminated by requiring typically at lease 75% of the owners to terminate a lease.

The potential problem with an “owner operated” managed estate is the necessity for the majority of the owners to confer & meet with each other.

This may not be deemed as a practical or indeed attractive commitment.

From www.propertyguidethailand.com

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Teak Peeks Teakwood is a deciduous hardwood tree native to the highlands of East India through to Myanmar, and is known as a “premium material” for outdoor furniture

Teakwood is an extremely durable wood with a naturally high oil and silica content, making it both stable in climatic extremes and resistant to rotting and insects, making it a perfect choice of material for construction in humid, tropical climates such as Thailand.

This hardiness has seen it rise to the top of the list amongst boat builders for many a year, and it’s durability in the most severe conditions has been tried and tested many times. For these reasons, it has become acknowledged as one of the best natural materials by producers of fine outdoor furniture.

How long will the furniture last?

Teak has been used for centuries in the construction of buildings, ships and furniture. It has withstood the test of time on many public parks in England, where benches and other pieces still in service after over 100 years.

Teak furniture will also give you decades of use with little need to provide constant care that other outdoor materials can demand.

Does teak furniture production harm the environment?

Unlike metal and plastic, teakwood is a renewable resource. It’s ability to last for many years makes it a much more environmentally friendly option in comparison to other man-made furnishings that will eventually end up in a landfill.

Most teak found here in Thailand is sourced from plantations in Indonesia that is supervised by a division of the state forest ministry. This ensures that the resource is managed in a sustainable manner and the forests of Indonesia are preserved for future generations.

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Nong Thale River Residence

Ao Nang Weather station www.aonangweather.com

Custom designed villas & holiday rentals

c i g a Live am magic life!

Experience the difference

Modern minimalistic Villa Ao Nang

Nong Thale River Residence l l l l l l l

www.nongthaleriverresidence.com

300

l

l

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Quiet and spacious residential area Near Ao Nang beach and entertainment Krabi International Airport 25 kilometer Spacious plots 1100-1600m2 Custom built villas Quality materials Environment aware construction Project management and rental service Good accessibility for seniors Opportunity to experience on site before buying

350 m

4034 Krabi

4024 Klong Muang

Wat Klong Son

info@kamalot-ltd.com

+66 (0) 818940675

Kamalot

Co. Ltd. Land & Development

บริษัท กมล๊อต จำกัด

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Phuang Malai

by Wadee Kheourai

T

hais have unique ways of arranging flowers and using them in decorations, which are different from other places. Thai garlands called “Phuang Malai”. Flower arranging became increasing popular during the reign of King Rama V. The ladies of the Court spent many hours in arranging flowers.

Each lady taught her own designs to her ladies - in - waiting, and to the young girls who lived in the palace and received their “finishing school” education under the patronage of the Royal ladies.

Until recent years, vendors usually sat in front of the entrance of the market and some vendors travelled up and down the lanes in Bangkok and in some big cities, balancing a woven tray filled with colorful filled with colorful garlands on top of their heads. Calling “Phuang Malai, Phuang Malai” as they went, one needed to go only to her/his front gate to buy the fresh garlands. A lovely new garland would be given to the spirit house or to be placed reverently at the base of the Buddha images in the family shrine.

The most common way of making “Phuang Malai” is by threading the variety of petals and flowers on a cord with the use of a huge needle. Garlands can vary widely in design as the whims of the “manufactures” cause them to mix and match - colours and flowers.

The type of garland most commonly given to greet arrivals, or to farewell friends and relatives, are those with two strands of flowers

THANEE ATTORNEY & COUNSELOR AT LAW

E-mail: info@thaneelaw.com www.thaneelaw.com

connected by a length of ribbon with bows or rosetters attaching the ribbon to the flowers. These are called “Uba”. This type of long garland is seen at shrines or statues such as at the shrine of Thao Maha Phrom on the corner of Hyatt Erawan Hotel. It has many designs but the similarity lies in the long length, resembling a chain or necklace.

Vendors selling a variety of flower garlands are always found near temples, shrines, statues or even near street intersections. A mother and small children sit while they busily string the garlands.

Young and old become proficient at their work.

Garlands are presented and worn at many festive and happy occasions, such as graduations, birthdays and weddings, for good luck. It is customary in Thailand to have a portrait of a deceased person displayed near the urn or coffin. A lovely flower garland with a black ribbon is placed at their base as a mark of respect and final farewell.

The honored personage who performs the ribbon cutting ceremony of “grand opening” is presented, on arrival with a lovely flower garland most often the shorter, bracelet design.

Wherever and whenever their Majesties go - as well as other members of the Royal Family - throngs of people line the way with flower garlands to present to them, as a token of their love and respect.

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Путеводитель по

краби

ПЛЯЖИ Ао Нанг находится в 20-ти км от города Краби и является одним из самых развитых пляжей Краби, с белым песком и отвесными скалами. Ао Нанг предлагает широкий диапазон услуг для проживания и сервиса. На главной улице есть рестораны, бары, пабы, магазины сувениров, дайвинг-центры, туристические агентства, массаж и СПА центры. Ао Нанг является отправной точкой для путешествий на лодке по морю на близлежащие острова. Пляж Ноппаратара протяженностью 3 км. находится за пляжем Ао Нанг. Этот пляж все еще мало развит и имеет всего лишь несколько ресторанов и баров. Привлекательный, естественный вид пляжа собирает по выходным местную молодежь и их семьи насладиться закатом. Попробуйте местные мусульманские сладости в “макашницах”, которые расположены в конце пляжа. Также, насладитесь морепродуктами в местных ресторанчиках, которые находятся у офиса национального парка Ноппаратара. Во время отлива, пройдитесь по набережной, вместе с миллионами маленьких крабов, по песчаной косе до ближайших островов. Пляжи Рэйлэй разделены от Краби и Ао Нанга большими известняковыми горами. У полуострова Рэйлэй есть 2 стороны, Восточная и Западная, которые просто восхитительны: кристально чистая вода, песчаные пляжи, дикие горы, скалистые острова выступающие из моря. Рэйлэй находится в 15-ти минутах от АоНанга

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и в 30-ти минутах от города Краби, вы сможете добраться до него только на лодке . Насладитесь коктейлем в одном из пляжных баров, посетите пещеру “Прананг” проверьте себя на курсах по скалолазанию, поднимитесь на вершину горы, и спуститесь в лагуну или просто расслабьтесь на пляже. Соседний пляж Тонсай “Tonsai” распалагается в основании скалы и разделяет Рэйлэй на Западную и Восточную часть. Это небольшой, красивый пляж с пологим дном. Пляж Клонг Муанг находится в 20-ти км. от Ао Нанга, и в 40 км от Краби. Это новое место с развивающейся инфраструктурой, в котором вы сможете провести великолепные выходные. Именно здесь вы получите незабываемый отдых, в окружении девственной природы. Пляж Туб Каек (Tubkaek) - это еще один чистый, спокойный пляж, в котором можно оставаться в дали от цивилизации. С него открывается потрясающий вид на архипелаг островов Хонг (Koh Hong) и очаровательные закаты. С пляжа, вы можете дойти до национального парка и подняться на вершину горы и посмотреть водопад. На пляжах Ко Ланты (Koh Lanta) огромное количество курортов на любой вкус и достаток. Остров Ланта Яй (Lаnta Yai) славится длинными, белыми, песчаными пляжами переходящими в изумрудное море. Гуляя, по южной части острова, вы можете наткнуться на уединенный райский уголок с высаженной тропической растительностью.

ПРИРОДНЫЕ ИСТОЧНИКИ Известняковые горы и отвесные скалы характеризуют местность Краби, а наиболее зрелищным и массивным является Сай Тай (Sai Tai). Не далеко от Ао Нанга (Ao Nang) есть уникальное геологическое место - Сюзан Хой (Susaan Hoi) “кладбище ракушек” . Плиты у побережья моря, напоминающие куски старого, потрескавшегося асфальта, на самом деле – плиты, спрессованные из остатков древних моллюсков, чей возраст более 40 млн. лет. Территория кладбища ракушек была в доисторические времена пресным болотом, на дне которого тысячелетиями накапливались ракушечные отложения. Впоследствии, болото пересохло, а останки его обитателей теперь виднеются на поверхности в виде песчаных плит 40-сантиметровой толщины. К кладбищу моллюсков примыкает живописный мангровый лес, в котором проложены специальные туристические тропы. Крупнейший природный парк провинции Краби Као Пханом Бенча (Khao Phanom Bencha), находится всего в 20 км. от города Краби. Этот Национальный парк является домом для множества редких растений и диких животных, среди которых леопарды, пантеры, тигры, тапиры и гиббоны. Гора Phanom Bencha (1350 м.) является территориальным и туристическим центром всего заповедника. С горы сбегает 5 водопадов, крупнейший из которых Хуай Тох (Huay Toh), расположен всего в 500 метрах от входа в парковую зону. Еще одной популярной туристической

карбоната кальция. Вода в пруд поступает из горячих источников и имеет в разных местах разную температуру от 25°С до 49°С градусов. Здесь можно поплавать, полежать и отдохнуть душой и телом. Термальный источник Хот Спрингс в Клонг Том (Hot Springs of Klong Thom) представляет из себя смесь водопада с парной под открытым небом. Вулканические горячие ключи нагревают поток до 30°С – 40°С, превращая водопад в естественную сауну, вода в которой, к тому же, насыщенна полезными минералами.

достопримечательностью заповедника является пещера Tham Khao Pheung, украшенная живописными сталактитами и сталагмитами. Национальный парк Тарнбок Корании (Tarnbok Khoranee) находится в северной части региона, состоит из известняковых гор, зеленых тропических лесов, пещер, и красивых островов. Хорошо известен различными видами деревьев, растущих вокруг большого природного кристально чистого бассейна, и более сотен видов птиц. Пещерный комплекс Пи Хуа Тох (Phi Hua Toh) расположенный в районе Бор Тора (Bor Thor), состоит из нескольких пещер, каждая из которых уникальна. В некоторые из них, вы можете попасть на лодке, только во время отлива. Здесь вы сможете полюбоваться потрясающей красоты сталактитами и сталагмитами, древнейшими наскальными рисунками и следами доисторических поселений. Са Маракот (Sa Morakot) изумрудный бассейн. Это чудо природы, пруд с бирюзовой водой, питаемый горячими источниками в центре джунглей. Берега пруда представляют собой желтоватый камень, такой цвет ему придают отложения

ОСТРОВА Отправьтесь на остров Ко Пода (Koh Poda), который покрыт пальмами и почти полностью окружен мягким белым песчаным пляжем. Коралловый риф находится примерно в 20 метрах от пляжа с богатым разнообразием морской жизни. Также, вы можете посетить соседний остров Ко Кай (Koh Kai) или “Куриный остров”, который получил свое название от необычной формы скалы с одного конца острова, которая выглядит как голова и шея страуса или курицы. Одна часть острова состоит из крутых скал, другая имеет красивые пляжи. Теплая и чистая вода острова с богатым миром кораллов является популярным местом среди любителей снорклинга и дайвинга. Оттуда можно прогуляться по песчаной косе до острова Ко Туб (Koh Tub). Можно взять тур на лодке или на катере до архипелага островов Ко Хонг. Это группа островов из известняка со скрытыми пещерами и лагунами, которая идеально подходит для каякинга и подводного плавания. Возьмите тур на острова Ко Пхи Пхи (Koh Phi Phi) с живописными морскими бухтами, окруженными потрясающими известняковыми скалами, устремленными в небо прямо из океанских глубин, в пещерах гнездятся ласточки, вокруг богатый подводный мир, насыщенный морской жизнью, и многое, многое другое. Посетите острова Ко Джам (Koh Jum) и Ко Сибойя (Koh Siboya) скрытые от глаз человека, наполненные тропической растительностью и уникальной природой. Эти острова дают посетителям возможность расслабиться и прекрасно провести время. Также посетите остров Ланта (Lanta) в южной части провинции, который сейчас активно развивается. Ланта также является домом для морских циган, где вы сможете увидеть их традиции и познакомиться с их укладом жизни. Национальный парк включает в себя много различных островов, окруженных коралловыми рифами, такие как Ко Нгай (Koh Ngai) и Ко Рок (Koh Rok). КУЛЬТУРА

Текс переведен и отредактирован: Шинарита Стоун

Бан Натин (Ban Natin) - это место находится по пути из Ао Нанга (Ao Nang) в Клонг Муанг (Klong Muang), где вы сможете увидеть мирную жизнь местной мусульманской общины. Вы можете приехать туда на несколько дней или просто остановиться и посмотреть на изделия ручной работы. Музей Ват Клонг Том (Wat Klong Thom) главный исторический музей провинции Краби. Доказательством того, что провинция Краби была одним из первых мест на карте современного Тайланда, где возникли человеческие поселения, служит этот музей. В нем выставлены различные артефакты, найденные во время археологических раскопок. Экспозиция музея включает в себя доисторические каменные и бронзовые орудия, образцы древней керамики, монеты, предметы прикладного искусства и старинные кровати, возраст которых превышает 5000 лет. Огненное шоу, это часть пляжной культуры и очень популярно в вечернее время суток на пляжах Ко Ланты (Koh Lanta) и Пхи Пхи (Phi Phi). Невероятная хореография, удивительный рисунок танца и множество завораживающих глаз моментов делают шоу с огнем просто незабываемым. Бан Санг-Ка-Ю (Ban Sang-Ka-U) место проживания “морских циган” на юговостоке острова Ланта Яй (Lanta Yai). Именно там живет старый клан В-Лей (v Ley) пытающийся сохранить исчезающий образ жизни в этой быстро развивающейся части острова. ГОРОД Очаровательный, маленький, тихий город. В Краби много старых зданий, баров, ресторанов и местных экзотических рынков с продуктовыми лавками на старой пристани Чао Фа (Chao Fa), там вы можете отведать блюда местной кухни. Девиз Краби: “Прекрасный город, Прекрасные люди” местные жители Краби гордятся своим городом и своим теплым и щедрым характером. С пирса Чао Фа (Chao Fa) можно отправиться на лодке до главного природного символа города Као Нам Канаб (Kho Nam Kanab) – 100-метровые скалы-близнецы расположены по обе стороны реки Краби и являются своеобразными водными воротами в Краби-таун. Также посетите остров Ко Кланг (Koh Klang) расположенный в устье реки, где вы сможете проникнуться жизнью местных рыболовных общин, и побывать в мангровых зарослях.

87

топ

10

Лучших мест

для отдыха

Провинция Краби является раем для тех, кто любит солнце и ищет удовольствие, а также это одно из лучших мест в мире для скалолазания, дайвинга и каякинга. Журнал Краби предлагает вам топ 10 видов отдыха, которые стоит попробовать здесь, в Краби: КАЯКИНГ Это очень популярное занятие в Краби. Мангровые леса, пещеры и, конечно же, пляжи, дают много возможностей для каякинга. Ао Нанг и Рэйлэй пользуются большей популярностью, так как находятся близко и до них удобно добраться. Если же вы хотите больше приключений и хотите познакомиться с красивейшими местами провинции, уголками девственной природы и их обитателями, то отправьтесь в тур в Ао Талэин (Ao Thalane) или в Бор Тор (Bor Thor), которые находятся в Национальном парке Тарн Бок Корани (Tarn Boke Koranee). Пещеры, гроты и лагуны, сделают ваш день незабываемым. ВАТ ТАМ СУА (Wat Tham Suea) Храм «Тигровая Пещера» ВАТ ТАМ СУА (Wat Tham Suea) — одна из интереснейших достопримечательностей Краби. Храм расположен прямо под сводами пещеры. С вершины горы, в которой распалагается пещера с храмом, открывается потрясающая панорама на окрестности. Однако, чтобы попасть туда, вам предстоит преодолеть 1237 ступеней. В этой пещере археологами были найдены многочисленные древние артефакты, ныне хранящиеся в музее. А в пещере можно увидеть отпечаток ноги Будды и его величественную статую. Объедините поездку в Храм с другими достопримечательностями, например посетите еще Са Маракот (Sa Morakot) изумрудный бассейн или местный рынок. ЗАКАТЫ Основной достопримечательностью пляжа Ао Нанг (Ao Nang) и Ноппарат Тара (Noppharat Thara), конечно же, являются закаты . Муссонные дожди приносят тучи, которые зловеще нависают в небе над морем, создавая незабываемые закаты. Самая красота складывается из непостижимого и величественного “рисунка” подсвеченных облаков. Чем более “размазаны” облака по небу и чем более невероятны их формы, тем красивее закат.

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БАРЫ И МОРСКИЕ РЕСТОРАНЫ АО НАНГА И НОППАРАТ ТАРЫ После вечерней прогулки, завершите день бокалом коктейля в одном из баров на пляже или порадуйте себя ужином с морепродуктами. С правой стороны пляжа Ао Нанг находится улочка с ресторанами, где блюда из морепродуктов представлены в большом разнообразии или вы можете попробывать местную рыбную кухню в самом конце пляжа Ноппарат Тара. СКАЛОЛАЗАНИЕ ПЛЯЖ РЭЙЛЭЙ (RAILAY BEACH) Пляжи Рэйлей (Railay), Тонсай (Tonsay) и Прананг (Phranang) находятся на полуострове в Railay Bay совсем рядом с Ао Нангом и по праву считаются одними из самых красивых мест в Таиланде. А первоклассные маршруты для скалолазания на многочисленных скалах делают это место настоящей “Меккой” для скалолазов со всего мира. Практически на всех пляжах острова есть богатый выбор вулканических скал, по которым проложены 700 маршрутов разной степени сложности. И профессионал, и новичок в скалолазании найдут здесь подходящую скалу, магазины альпинистского снаряжения с доступными ценами или пункты проката, а также опытных инструкторов, которые смогут гарантировать безопасность во время занятий. РЫНКИ Как и во многих восточных странах, в Тайланде особое место занимают рынки. На местных рынках можно купить свежие овощи и фрукты, живую рыбу и различные морепродукты, мясо, яйца, одежду и обувь. Любой человек, пришедший сюда, моментально попадает в пестрый круговорот ярких цветов и запахов, доносящихся с прилавков уличных торговцев едой. Обычно, рынки работают со второй половины дня, когда солнце уже не сильно печет, примерно с 3-х часов дня, и до часов 7 вечера. Посетите рынок в районе Клонг Хенг на Ао Нанге, который работает по четвергам и субботам.

радует порхающими разноцветными бабочками и юркими ящерками. И вот за деревьями появляется Изумрудное озеро с целебной водой, насыщенной минералами и природными солями. Чуть дальше есть Голубое озеро, поражающее цветом своей воды, им можно только любоваться и наблюдать, как из-под земли бьют горячие источники. АРХИПЕЛАГ КО ХОНГ (KOH HONG) Ни одно посещение Краби или Ао Нанга не будет полным, без поездки на острова Ко Хонг (Koh Hong) - это потрясающая группа островов расположенных у побережья Краби (Хонг в переводе с тайского - “комната”) Пляжи Ко Хонг никогда не перестанут удивлять кристально чистой водой, большим количеством разнообразных рыб у берега, и белоснежным песком на пляже. В скалах можно обнаружить узкий проход в закрытую бухту, внутри которой, вы сможете увидеть мангровые деревья, уходящие своими корнями в воду.

МЕСТНАЯ НОЧНАЯ ЖИЗНЬ На Ао Нанге имеется большое количество баров, ресторанов и ночных клубов, рассчитанных на все вкусы. Однако Ао Нанг хорош и своей демократичностью: местные цены доступны практически всем, причем качество блюд, напитков и обслуживания от этого не страдает. Стильный бар «Last Fisherman» настоящий эталон пляжных баров. Бамбуковый навес, столики на песке, звезды, отличная музыка – что еще нужно для счастья? Барный комплекс Central Point распалагает несколькими залами, в которых звучит живая музыка и всемирно известные хиты прошлых лет. На Ао Нанге очень много пивных баров и ирландских пабов, где подается недорогое, но хорошее пиво и всевозможные закуски к нему. Стоит отметить, что, несмотря на то, что нравы в Ао Нанге более сдержанные, чем в Паттайе или Бангкоке, все же любители “клубнички” смогут побаловать себя, познакомившись с доступными девушками. Они работают в местных гоугоу барах, расположенных на улице Сой Салай (Soi Salai). Пляж Ноппарат Тара, порадует вас колоритнейшим баром «Хиппи» и ярким пляжным баром Luna, в котором имеется великолепный танцпол. ЛОДОЧНЫЕ ТУРЫ В МАНГРОВЫЕ ЗАРОСЛИ Это интересное путешествие для любителей экотуризма. Манговые заросли, которые окаймляют побережье различных островов, создают каналы с лабиринтами. Во время прогулки на лодке, можно увидеть и посетить множество интересных мест: удивительный лес мангровых зарослей, пальм и лиан; скалистые острова с гротами и пещерами; большие и маленькие каньоны, где обитают красивые тропические птицы. Отправиться в это незабываемое путешествие можно со старого причала Чаофа (Chaofa).

СА МАРАКОТ (SA MARAKOT) Изумрудное озеро Са Моракот по праву считается изюминкой Краби. Вода здесь прозрачна в любое время года и меняется в зависимости от времени суток и угла падения солнечных лучей. Дорога к Изумрудному озеру великолепна: тропинка ведет среди переплетающихся лиан, плутает в ровных зарослях бамбука, теряется между деревьями, Текс переведен и отредактирован: Шинарита Стоун

89

Krabi Magazine Around the World

World domination is on the horizon as more issues of Krabi Magazine wing themselves off to the furthest reaches of the planet. Soon, the cleverly coded subliminal messages we have been dropping into the seemingly innocuous articles on elephant trekking and papayas shall take effect and our army of millions will be under our control.

No not really! (nods head slowly...) Just to see how many of you light fingered Lennies out there have been smuggling your copies of the world’s best publication to foreign shores, really.

This month, one Silvia Bottosso manages to make it all the way to Zanzibar in Africa with her copy, and poses nonchalantly in front of a surprised-looking gorilla.

That’s hard to beat in anyone’s book.

Think you can do better? Go on then, send in your effort to me and let us be the judge.

crossword

Hold up your copy in front of some form of landmark, say “cheese” and email it to editor@krabi-magazine.com

DOWN 1.First Greek letter 2.Used footnotes 3.Listened to 4.Printers’ measures 5.Most bizarre 6.Rinds 7.Wobble 8.Unrefined metals 9.Writing instrument 10.Compass direction (abbr.)

11.Drift off 17.Rose Bowl city 19.AWOL soldier 21.Make over 22.Card game 23.Yule drink

ACROSS 1.Hurt 5.Make a selection 8.Frank 12.Legal hold 13.Bad grade 14.Gambling city 15.School groups (abbr.)

16.Became more profound 18.That woman 19.River mouths

20.House locations 22.Large antelope 25.Washington, DC time zone 26.Food allotment 28.Knife feature 31.Australian dog 32.Witty reply 34.Chaps 35.Poetic work 36.Big, hairy spider 41.India’s Mother ____

24.Pedro’s “one” 27.Hue 28.Sis’s sibling 29.Directed 30.Ingested 33.Archer’s goal 34.Team’s symbol 37.Royal rule 38.Loosen laces 39.Those who fib 40.Chasm 41.Try out 43.One ____ time (2 wds.)

44.Toss 45.Rebel general 46.____ Juan

42.Pen point 43.Abnormally sensitive 46.Linger 47.Little piggies 48.Self 49.Broadcasts 50.Egg on 51.High explosive (abbr.)

52.Scottish loch

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