November issue Krabi Magazine

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MAGAZINE

KRABI Issue #131 November 2017 www.krabi-magazine.com

VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL

A once-a-year festival that will blow your mind

SHARK GUARDIAN Want to be a shark guardian? Turn to Page 48 BETTERING OUR BODIES Much more easily than you’d think

AO NANG IS SCHEDULED TO RECEIVE IT’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL




Medical Network

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International Recognition for Layana at Hospitality’s “Oscars of Luxury”

On the evening of 23rd September, the Greek skies were illuminated by the leading lights of the hospitality industry at the 5th anniversary of the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards. Held at the exclusive and idyllic Ecali Club in Athens, and attended by presidents, managing directors, owners and GM’s, with Royalty and celebrities from around the globe, the Awards, once again, recognized true excellence in the industry, “separating the exceptional from the very best”. In a voting process open to the public as well as the trade, Krabi’s renowned Layana Resort & Spa was honored and proud to receive the accolade of “Signum Virtutis”, the Seal of Excellence, in the Hotels & Resorts sector. The resort has been recognized in each of the 5 years since the inauguration of the Awards, a testament to Layana’s ongoing commitment to deliver a world class luxury experience for its guests. Receiving the award on behalf of Layana Resort & Spa, a delighted Stefan Heintze, General Manager of Layana, said: “Winning this exclusive and prestigious award is a wonderful achievement, and something all our team at the Resort can be extremely proud of. Our commitment to luxury and service has been rewarded and recognized by the industry and by our extremely satisfied and happy guests and we thank them all for their votes today”


November; Almost upon us Welcome to Krabi! We are happy you’ve deceived to come here to our little corner of the globe to get your slice of paradise and enjoy some much earned time in the sun. November is a wonderful time in krabi actually it’s one of our favourite times here. The air is fresh yet not too hot, the dust is kept down due to the constant (yet short lived rain showers) and overall the town is not too crowded. Typically the prices for accommodation during November will be thirty percent less than December and January due to demand, so you have this going for you as well. November is a great, lush green month to visit Krabi and we are happy you decided to do so. Just keep in mind if you’re out exploring on a motorbike, in a car or just walking around and the skies open up on you and give you a little mid afternoon tropical shower, it’s not the end of the world, it will pass in a short while, so stop grab a shake and wait a minute, the good times are soon coming back. Enjoy Krabi and all it’s many wonders.


Managing director: Joe Alonzo Joe@krabi-magazine.com 085-069-4752 Operations manager: Pimpimol ‘Mem’ Wongkajorn info@krabi-magazine.com 093-658-4415 Contributing Writers and photographers: Zina Docto Anastasia Slepysheva Larry Arnold Steven Heckler

Published by: KitDee Media Co., Ltd. 093-658-4415 info@krabi-magazine.com Visit us online at: www.krabi-magazine.com

Krabi Magazine is published and produced by KitDee Media & Design Company Limited and is protected by copyright laws. No part of this publication can be used or reproduced in any form: printed, electronic, photocopied or otherwise without the written permission of the publishers. The publisher reserves the right to refuse to publish advertisements, text or advertising features.

Disclaimer. While great care has been taken in the receipt and handling of material, publication 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 prices given in this magazine are to be used as a guide only. Please request further information from a particular advertiser and seek legal advice prior to entering into any binding agreement. All information and prices was correct at the time of this issue going to press.


Contents

KRABI MAGAZINE

November 2017

FEATURES OF THE MONTH 20 The benefits of Detoxing This simple easy temporary diet is a great way to feel fit and healthy while on holiday

26 Slashing and worshiping The vegetarian festival is back again, catch some of our top pics

42 Medical care in Krabi is on the rise Construction is well underway for Ao Nang’s newest full service hospital

48 Protecting sharks, protecting earth This couple is forging a path to educate our next generation about sharks’ importance

54 Look great using your own body This new technique offers a new option to keep you youth

EAR TO THE GROUND 14 Krabi activities Some things to keep you bust in Krabi

58 Yoga Fest 2017 This past month Krabi hosted Thailand’s first international Yoga convention

64 Lanta Activities What to do on Krabi’s largest island

HERE TO THERE 38 Krabi’s Dining Guide Our top pics for dining options in Krabi

66 Koh Lanta delights Where to go, what to do and how to do it

70 Lazy days on Koh Jum Krabi’s authentic ‘step back in time’ island



MAKE A WISH

One of the most picturesque festivals in Thailand is the evening of Loy Krathong, when people gather around lakes, rivers and canals to pay respects to the goddess of water by releasing beautiful lotus shaped rafts, decorated with candles, incense and flowers onto the water. Every year, Loy Krathong falls on the night of the twelfth lunar month usually in November, at the end of the rainy season when the fullmoon lights up the sky.

The history behind the festival is complex and Thais celebrate for many reasons. The main rice harvest season has ended and it’s time to thank the Water Goddess for a year’s worth of her abundant supply, as well as an apology for polluting the waters. Some believe that this is the time to symbolically ‘float away’ all the anger and grudges you have been holding onto and start a new year free of negative feelings. If your candle stays alight until your Krathong disappears out of sight, it means a year of good luck. “Loy” means “float” and “krathong” has no equivalent word in English. You may hear people referring to it as a small boat, vessel, receptacle or container. In the run-up to the

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festival, many shops and market stalls will display ready-made Krathongs, or in parts so you can assemble and decorate as you wish. It is a special Thai floating sculpture made from a cross-section of a banana tree trunk, which is then elaborately decorated with folded banana leaves and flowers in intricate towering designs.

Often, school children make their own krathongs in school or with their family. They even have krathong contests at school to see who can craft the most beautiful and artistic float. Today the banana trunk core is sometimes replaced by styrofoam or bread baked into the form of a traditional krathong or a cute floating turtle. The banana trunk and bread krathongs are obviously eco-friendly, so better choices for your family. Traditionally, Thais release their krathongs into rivers and small canals called ‘klongs’. Today, a pond or lake is also good. Many places host a string of cultural activities, such as ‘Ram Wong’ dance performances, krathong-making competitions and a beauty contest.

You can ask your hotel staff where they recommend celebrating Loy Krathong in Krabi and they can easily point you in the right direction. When you’re there, browse the krathong displays and pick out your favourite. Head to the waterside where you see local Thais gathering to float their krathongs. First light the incense sticks and candles (these will already be in the krathong that you have bought). Your entire family should hold the krathong together after it is lit. Everyone makes a wish and then sends the krathong into the water with a little push, to carry your wish downstream. It carries away your troubles and offers up your wishes and prayers with the incense and glowing candle. Follow the flickering light with your eyes as long as you can. Forge unforgettable Loy Krathong memories together as a family. Joining the local festivities of the Loy Krathong holiday and taking part in beautiful traditions will be a meaningful and memorable highlight of your Krabi family holiday. The cool weather during this part of the year also makes it a wonderful time to explore the many other wonders of Thailand.

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So SPA Wellness Packages At Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort Throughout November, So Spa is offering a number of wellness packages that are certain to vitalize and rejuvenate. Start with a refreshing 30-minute Steam Treatment, followed by a stimulating 60-minute Body Scrub, and end with a soothing 60-minute Aromachologie Massage. Single price: THB 4,000++ Couples price: THB 7,000++ Group of 4: THB 12,000++ (pre-sign upon reservation) Discover your personal spa sanctuary at our awardwinning So SPA with L’Occitane. For more information or reservations, please call 075 627 800, or email h6184-th@sofitel.com

For more information please contact:

075 627 800 h6184-sl7@sofitel.com

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Window on Krabi

Parks

THA POM NATIONAL PARK Thapom is a simple local national park, not the easiest to access, but certainly worth the trip. Just outside Ao Nang, Thapom is a place where salty seawater and freshwater from the mountains mix perfectly creating an observable stratified layer, where both sea fish and freshwater fish live separately but together. Close to Ao Thalane Bay, Thapom is a 30 minute drive from Ao Nang.

Islands

KOH PODA This is the iconic island of Krabi and the first and most dramatic one you can see from Ao Nang beach. Hop on a longtail boat - the local wooden boats with their picturesque prow and sail away surrounded by turquoise water.

CHICKEN ISLAND This should be next on your list as it is right next to Koh Poda. From the right angle when passing Chicken Island (Koh Gai) you can catch a glimpse of a chicken’s neck and head, some would argue more like that of a turkey but it’s up to you. The second island, Koh Tub, is connected to Chicken Island by a sandy isthmus and people can walk from one to another at low tide. KOH HONG This island archipelago demands everyone’s attention as it is one of the highlights of Krabi Province. The Archipelago, a group of limestone islands with many hidden caves and lagoons makes it perfect for snorkeling and exploring. Make sure you visit Lading and Pakbia islands before Koh Hong as they are much less visited and sport a blend of both lush jungle and tropical

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waters. Koh hong is usually crowded until 3pm so we recommend visiting other Lading and Pakbia in the morning, then going to Koh Hong after the crowds have started to leave. KOH PHI PHI Private bays, limestone cliffs, waters rich in marine life and caves where swallow’s birds nests are harvested are all here on the island that Leonardo Di Caprio once rolled his hot bod in while filming ‘The Beach’ at the now iconic Maya Bay. KOH JUM & KOH SIBOYA Both are unspoiled tropical hide-aways that have a unique atmosphere. Tune in to the slow culture here, imbibe the peace and recharge your batteries with the soundtrack of lapping waves. KOH LANTA The developing island at the southern end of the province known for its prime sunset views, heaps of activities and glimpses into sea gypsy life. Koh Lanta is also a National Park that comprises many local islands surrounded by coral reefs, such as Koh Ngai, Koh Mook and the remote Koh Rok.

KHAO PHANOM BENCHA NATIONAL PARK At 20 km from Krabi Town, the Khao Phanom Bencha national park 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 it’s name. One of the features of the park is Huay Thoi Waterfall where water runs down onto several huge pools. TARNBOK KHORANEE NATIONAL PARK Located in the north of the province, Tarnbok Khoranee national park is made up of limestone mountains, verdant tropical forest, caves and beautiful islands. It is well known kayaking explorers as there are a number of tributaries curving into a number of small caves boasting ancient cave paintings. SA MORAKOT, THE EMERALD POOL Truly a natural wonder of Krabi: a pond of turquoise water with an average temperature of 30-40°C fed by a hot spring in the middle of the jungle in Klong Thom district, 70 kilometers from Ao Nang. HOT SPRINGS Situated in Klong Thom district, These natural hot springs are natures jacuzzis. They melt away tensions, relieve the body and mind with the fresh spring water running over mineral enriched limestone rocks.

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Beaches AO NANG BEACH: At 20 km from Krabi Town Ao Nang Beach is the most developed of Krabi’s many beaches. Ao Nang Beach is famous for it’s white sand beaches and large limestones karsts towering over the eastern edges. All of your accommodation, shopping and service needs can be found here. It is the hub from which to plan your trip to sea as well as to any number of the nearby islands.

TUBKAEK BEACH Next to Klong Muang Beach, Tub Keak beach is another place to just get away; long, clean and powerful, the area boasts breathtaking views over the Koh Hong archipelago and provides for wonderfully charming sunsets. From Tubkeak beach you can venture inside the National Park and try the nature trail “Naga trek” to one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Krabi.

NOPPHARAT THARA BEACH Just around the corner from Ao Nang, yet still undeveloped with only a few resorts, bars and restaurants, Noppharat Thara beach offers a bit more “local” feel than it’s sister Ao Nang. Attractive because of its natural setting, this is where local youngsters and families gather during sunset and on weekends. Savor some local Muslim snacks at the beach stalls, or fill yourself with seafood in the local restaurants at the end of the beach neat the Noppharat Thara National park headquarters. At low tide, walk out together with millions of small crabs on the sandy pathways to a small island on the western edge of the beach.

RAILAY AND TONSAI BEACHES Are split and separated from Ao Nang by a limestone mountain range. Railay has two sides, east and west, and its settings are simply marvelous: crystal clear waters, pure sandy beaches, lush mountains and rocky islands emerging from the sea. Both beaches are known all over the world for their famous climbing routes. They can only be reached by boat, a 15 minute 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 or ‘deep water solo’ cliff jumping into the sea, hike the limestone trail to a lagoon or the viewpoint or simply chill out and watch the day pass you by.

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

Reminder:

When visiting many of the national parks in krabi there is often an entrance fee which you need to pay by cash at the time of entrance. If you do book a tour through a local operator, please make sure to check with them prior to departing as to whether or not the tour price includes this national park fee.

KOH LANTA BEACHES Koh Lanta has a wide selection of resorts for all tastes and pockets. Koh 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.

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K R A B I THAI COOKING CLASS AT AO NANG THAI COOKERY SCHOOL

FISHING AT EXOTIC FISHING THAILAND

SCUBA DIVING AND SNORKELING AT AQUA VISION

If you want to take home some techniques of the famous thai cuisine you must stop off at Ao Nang Thai Cookery School, opened since 2001.

Looking to hook massive fresh water species? Then look no further than Exotic Fishing Thailand situated in beautiful Phang Nga. You will find more than sixty species such as Jau Catfish, Vundu Catfish, Piraiba Catfish, Goonch, Chinese Black Carp, Yellow Cheek Carp, and dozens of others. Exotic Fishing Thailand offers a special stocking program to ensure that their fishing only gets better and more interesting.

With Krabi being host to over 100 islands, it’s makes perfect sense for you to venture out and see some of the nooks and crannies which this beautiful province is home to.

Learn how to cook Royal Thai Cuisine with experienced chefs who will take you step by step through each recipe with the exotic herbs and spices that make Thai cuisine one of the world’s culinary delights. One of the main instructor SOW, whom has 10 years cooking and culinary experience in some of Thailand’s five star hotel and restaurants. At Ao Nang Thai Cookery School, you will be able to learn by choosing your own dishes to cook. Back home, impress your friends with green Thai curry fragrant soups or stir fried chicken with cashew nuts, spring rolls, chicken satay, pad thai and many more recipes. When the cooking is all over you can sit and enjoy all of your hard work. Ao Nang Thai Cookery School is just the thing you need when you want a break from the beach and discover the authentic thai culture.

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The lake is over 25 rai (nearly 10 acres) and is one of the largest fisheries in southern Thailand. At Exotic Fishing Thailand, they offer fishing packages for all levels. Most of clients stay for a few days to have the chance to catch as many species of fish as possible. You will not be disappointed with the huge variety of fish stocked in this beautiful pond. It is also possible to enjoy a nice and reasonable priced meal or a real Thai cooking class at the Mountain View Restaurant.

Open Monday-Friday 9am-6pm Phone number: (+66) 088-379-9377 www.exoticfishingthailand.com

The Andaman sea is home to a range of creatures, from the illusive nudibranchs to the streamlined white tipped and black tipped reef sharks. There are even sightings of whale sharks which occasionally carouse the waters. It’s not just that, there are thousands of parrot fish, schooling travelies, clown fish and territorial damselfish. All that is just below the waves and waiting for you to visit. Aquavision is one of the first dive companies in Ao nang, they pride themselves of their attention to detail and safety protocol, rest assured when you’re diving with Aquavision.

PHONE NUMBER : +66 (0) 75 637 394 WWW.AQUA-VISION.NET

Phone number : +66 (0) 81 415 9358 / +66 (0) 75 695 478 www.aonangthaicookeryschool.com www.krabi-magazine.com


AC T I V I T I E S HORSEBACK RIDING AT KRABI NATURE HORSE RIDING

GET YOUR FLEX ON AT MARINA YOGA

ENJOY A UNIQUE SHOW AT BLUE DRAGON CABARET

Have you ever dreamed of a romantic horse rides on the beach with the one you love ? Have you ever dreamed of escaping your busy lifestyle to a relaxing holiday with your family or friends ? Then Krabi Nature Horse riding is the place for you.

Take a break from the beach and try another way to enjoy your holidays. Marina yoga offers a systemic and flexible approach to yoga that will suit anyones needs. At Marina yoga, it’s not about pushing yourself, it’s about finding your center through the guidance of the caring and professional teachers.

Blue Dragon Cabaret Show gives you one of the warmest welcomes you can find in the land of smiles and does so in many different languages. Thailand is well known for ladyboys and Blue Dragon shows them doing what they love the most: dressing up and performing. Some of these ‘ladies’ have features that would make women jealous. The performers are keen to entertain and put on a good show and the best way to enjoy it is to don your imaginary feather boa and embrace their world of glitz, glamour and over-the-top drama.

Khun Pan, the owner, will help you explore and discover Krabi by horse riding along the white sandy beaches and thai countryside, and even swimming with horses by high tide. You just have to choose between a one hour trek, a two hours trek, a half day trip or a whole day trip. Krabi Nature Horse riding offers a variety of horse riding activities suitable for all the levels. The horses are selected to match with wide range of your riding skills to ensure that you will enjoy your ride.

Open everyday 8.30am-4.30pm Phone number : 075 662 305 / 0810 085 9627

Marina yoga classes integrate the use of many different postures (Asana), breathing (Pranayama), relaxiation (Shavasana), and meditation (Dhana) to relieve pain, prevent injuries and promore general well being. Yoga practice is the best way to tone your muscles, get you in shape fast while developing you from the inside out, this is done by putting a strong focus on awareness and control during all classes. The incorporation of mind and body helps reduce both physical and mental stress. Yoga can be practiced by anyone, regardless of age, strength or flexability. At Marina yoga, no more aches and pains, through increased oxygem flow throughout the body you will actually gain energy as opposed to loosing it and end every class feeling reinvegorated and fresh again.

Phone number : +66 (0) 94-320-5335 www.marinayoga.com/

If you want to enjoy an amazing show with beautiful costumes, fun dancing, great lip syncing, the Blue Dragon Cabaret show is a must see with very professional Lady Boys. Blue Dragon is the first cabaret show in Krabi, very entertaining to watch, located in Ao Nang’s Center Point on the third floor. Three shows are scheduled every nights, at 8 pm, 9.30 pm and 11 pm and each one of them lasts one hour. If you go before and between the shows you may have the chance to take photos with the transgender performers trying to bring in more customers by parading on the sidewalk.

Phone number: + 66 (0) 99 561 5684 www.bluedragoncabaret.com 17

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Over the horizon lays one of the quintessential most visit national parks in Krabi. The Emerald Pool or as it’s called in Thai Sa Morakot

Among all the natural beauties in Krabi, the Emerald Pool is one of the unseen destinations that many Thais and foreigners would like to drop by. The Emerald Pool in Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve, also known as Crystal Pool (“Sa Morakot” in Thai), originates from a natural warm water stream in lowland of southern forest. It is a large natural pool that is filled with pure spring water at ambient temperature where you can enjoy a relaxing soak. The Emerald Pool is 800 meters from the parking area and you can reach it thanks to a network of trails through the Khao Nor Chu Chi forest, so if you are making the trip, you should wear some comfortable walking shoes. The walk transports you to a lush, tropical jungle atmosphere, under trees for the most part, and the path is large and safe. There is another option that we highly recommended, a concrete raised walkway that goes over a wooden boardwalk through the woods and leads to amazing pools of fresh spring water that most tourists won’t see because they often take the short 800 meters walk. If you chose this path, you will see the amazing “Sra Gaew Pool”. Once you arrive at the Emerald Pond, you should continue up the hill and find the boardwalk on your

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left side. Keep walking another 400 meters and you will find the brightly colored Blue Pool, another must-see site in the reserve. Though the water looks magical and inviting, it is hot and surrounded by quicksand, so no bathing is allowed. You will pass by a series of clear mini-pools, waterfalls and streams and hundreds of species of tropical trees and plants. This area is also popular with birds as the forest is home to many rare species, including the endangered Gurney’s Pitta. The best time to visit is very early morning or late afternoon when the tour groups have left. Vendors selling Thai food and drinks can be found at the entrance to both sites until around 5.30 pm. Location: Located in “Khao Pra - Bang Kram Wildlife Sanctuary” at Khlong Thom district of Krabi province. Getting there: The site is 55 kilometers from Krabi Town and 75 kilometers from Ao Nang. Take Highway Number 4 to Khlong Thom district and turn left to Route Number 4038 heading to Lam Hap Sub District. Looking for a guide post, the Emerald pool is located along the way. Open daily: From 8:30 am to 5 pm.

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Raks Thai Resort Your home away from Home +66(0) - 94-859-0808 raksthairesort@gmail.com www.raksthairesortaonang.com

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Detox Programs‌. Fad or Forever? By. Zina Docto

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W

hen you hear the word “detox”, what do you think? Do you think of some sort of cleanse or purge like wheatgrass enemas? Does fasting cross your mind, or fluid-only diets? Or do you think of something more along the lines of alcohol and substance elimination? Detoxes have been around forever and the basic idea around it has always been the same. Detoxing is the basic process of ridding the body of toxins. In history, detoxing was a purification process for spiritual cleansing and was used as a part of natural medicine. In today’s society, people commonly associate detox programs with quick weight loss and crash diets. In fact, much argument has been made regarding whether or not detoxing really works, and if it even matters. Does Detoxing Really Work? To understand if detoxing works, you need to know what purpose detoxing serves. Unlike the controversial weight-loss fads surrounding detox programs, the primary purpose of detoxing is not about losing weight. In fact, weight gain has a lot to do with the toxins and stress your body is dealing with. There are those who do their best to eat right, drink a lot of water and practice other healthy habits only to find that they still struggle with health and weight issues that may seem unexplainable. That is because most people are unaware of the toxins they

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build up in their bodies and how it really affects them. The human body has natural mechanisms that allow the body to rid itself of toxins. However, in this modern era with all the new processed foods and synthetic chemicals found in our water, air and interactive environment, we are encountering toxins that the human body cannot process quite as naturally. This leads to unhealthy weight gain and other health problems. That is why we do additional things to help the body detox. A detox diet serves the purpose of allowing your body a rest from the usual toxins it encounters on a daily basis, giving it a chance to recover and purge it from the toxins that are already present in the body. Detoxing is about taking the necessary steps to deter the negative effects that toxins have on the human body and function.

Detoxing works when you are doing it for the purpose of cleansing your body from toxins, in order to improve your overall health. Your body is already trying to rid itself of toxins as you read this. Choosing to actively detox is about improving your body’s ability to do this.

How Does the Body Detox? The amazing human body already has organs that are designed to get rid of toxins. These organs are your liver, kidneys, lungs and skin. The body also has “systems” that majorly assist the detox process. These are the lymphatic, digestive and circulatory systems. These organs and systems allow our body to function and when we are healthy, we have few to no health issues. When the toxins in our body have built up beyond our capability to naturally detox, this

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is where we begin to encounter health issues. These could be things such as: - Fatigue - Muscle aches - Joint pain - Sinus congestion - Postnasal drip - Excessive sinus problems - Headaches - Bloating - Gas - Constipation - Diarrhea - Smelly stools - Heartburn - Sleep problem - Inability to focus - Unhealthy food cravings - Weight gain/weight loss-difficulties - Rashes - Acne - Eczema - Psoriasis - Canker sores - Other skin problems - Puffy eyes, dark under-eye circles - Severe PMS - Menstrual disorders - Perpetual bad breath - And more If you are struggling with one or more of these issues, it is a sign that your body is in need of a break from its regular toxin and stress intake. These are major signs that the body has reached the maximum level of stresses it can handle and it is time to make some lifestyle changes.

the body is designed to naturally detox. Even when we are not trying to assist the detoxification process, the body will always be attempting to do it. Detoxing as a temporary or short-term diet won’t work for long term results. The truth is that detoxing is a lifetime thing. Our bodies are committed to the job for life. Therefore, we should be committed to detoxing regularly for the purpose of allowing our bodies to function the way it is supposed to. The reality is that we live in a world full of polluted air, chemically-treated water, modified foods and synthetic substances found in everything we interact with. Our organic bodies weren’t designed to process all of these toxins, much less processing so many of them all at the same time. We live in an era of overload. As much as we would like to let the body do what it does and continue to live in reckless indulgence, it just won’t work. A conscious and active effort has to be made in order to

undo the harm that we have done to our own bodies. This can’t be done in a single night, weekend, week, month or maybe even a year. It has to be done as a lifetime and a lifestyle. After all, we will encounter these toxins throughout our lives. The battle for our health is always raging.

How Can I Help My Body Detox?

You already know that no matter how we try, toxins are everywhere and they can hardly be avoided. But what are the few things that one can do to help the body detox more effectively and regularly?

1. One of the first things a person can do to

detox is to watch what you eat! It is no secret that processed and modified foods are full of chemicals, some of them we can’t even pronounce. Cutting these types of food out of your diet is an obvious first step. Replace these unhealthy foods in your diet with natural proteins from vegetables and lean meats, saturated fats from nuts and plants like avocado, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Natural foods, especially fruits and veggies, have natural detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antioxidants and crucial minerals & nutrients that the body needs to perform its natural functions.

Detoxing for Life Most of the controversy regarding detox diets has everything to do with temporary detoxes for the purpose of losing weight. However, a temporary detox may not help a person lose weight, although it will definitely help the body rid itself of some of the toxins that is causing it to gain weight or have trouble losing it. Again,

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2. Drinking a lot of water helps the body to stay hydrated and purge itself. Be sure to drink as much water as your body needs and do it regularly. 3. Sweat it out. Our bodies have the ability to excrete the toxins from our systems. We do

that when we use the bathroom (elimination), secrete mucus and sweat. Exercising is a great way to sweat toxins out of the human body.

4. Greatly reduce alcohol from your diet. Alcohol prevents the liver from functioning properly. The liver is a natural detoxing organ. It should be pretty obvious that allowing your liver the freedom to function properly will assist in the detoxification process. If you do drink; do so moderately. 5. Avoid drugs. Drugs, both prescription and not, are chemicals that change or affect the way the body functions. That is why most drugs have side effects that are negative. Avoid as many drugs as possible will keep your body free of additional toxins.

6. Say no to white sugar, white flour and any processed, refined foods that are bleached of their nutrients and natural chemicals.

7. Breathe fresh air. The chemicals we breathe in the air come from cars, factories and other by-products as a result of human life. It’s no secret that fresh air is becoming harder to come by. Try to breathe in as much as you can, and even tend a few trees of your own to contribute to clearing your air from pollution. 8. Be aware of toxic people. This may not be an obvious one at first, but toxic people have a negative effect on the human body as well. Toxic people are those who willingly bring stress into other’s lives, in the various ways that they do. The human body naturally produces stress-related chemicals that cause issues like weight-gain, skin problems and even cognitive issues. Being aware of these people who indirectly add additional stress to the body is just as important as breathing in fresh air. 9. Treat your body like it’s the only one you’ve got. It really is. Your body will do the job it

was designed to do, as long as you maintain it and take care of it. That means treat issues as soon as you encounter them and live a healthy lifestyle. Detoxing regularly is a part of giving your body the first-class treatment it deserves.

Do you need to Detox? Zina is the founder of “i AM WOMAN”. Helping women discover their health and beauty from the inside out. Want to know more? Check out: www.iamwoman.fit or www.getjuicedforlife.com

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25 November I 2017


The Spirit of Impalement Blood and gore on a holy day

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t’s happened again, another year of self mutilation and destruction much to the amazement of the onlookers‌well those who take a glance up from their cameras that is. Honouring the nine emperor gods at Chinese temples throughout Southeast Asia on the ninth moon (or ninth month) of every year, the Vegetarian Festival - or Gin Je in Thai - has been celebrated throughout southern Thailand for over 100 years. During the festival, devotees typically begin their processions at temples which are close to rivers or oceans, as it is believed that the spirits travel through water easier during their journey to earth.

procession is paraded through Phuket Old Town and is the largest in the region, but Krabi’s procession has steadily grown annually. Some even say it is the better festival to visit, mainly because few tourists come to spectate, making access to key viewing points relatively easy. It is still an event for the locals, and by the locals with a large production, without the frenzy of crowds in Phuket.

Watching the procession in Krabi Town this year was a fascinating sight of varying levels of pain and endurance that devotees subjected themselves to in the name of their gods. It was quite a testament to their faith. The piercings and mutilations were only a part of the days affairs as we witnessed the parade from start to finish.

Year after year the types of mutilation seem to intensify, appearing to be a competition of who can use the biggest and most intense objects to impale their faces with. Bicycles, wrenches, and gas pump handles are all now regular occurrences. What will be next?

The first thing we noticed was the lack of shoes. This was a simple, trivial observation, but imagine walking through the streets of a town where temperatures approach 40 degrees Celsius, with no protection from the sun or the hot asphalt. Interestingly, the

According to Taoist mythology, these nine emperors are the fundamental gods responsible for keeping all functions of earth in order. They are represented in the sky by the Ursa Major constellation, which includes the Big Dipper. Temples dedicated to one or more of the nine emperor gods will act as a traveling point for them to channel through to the devotees, who embody them during the festival processions. During the channeling, the devotees enter into a trance-like state and march through the streets for hours, mutilating themselves or impaling with various objects such as swords, razors, axes or anything else they can find.

During the channeling, the devotees enter into a trance-like state and march through the streets for hours Their are many different variations of the festival but all are based on the same principles of worshipping and paying homage to the nine emperor gods. In Thailand, the festival is an alteration of its original foundations as each region of Southeast Asia has its own adaptation. As the legend goes, the current ceremony was started in 1825 in Katu, Phuket by a group of Chinese fisherman who fell ill with Yellow Fever. As other medical methods to cure them failed at the time, they sought an alternative. They men embarked on an adventurous journey to try a new method of cleansing their bodies, adhering to a strict vegetarian diet. They also believed that a cleansing of the flesh was necessary, so they harmed themselves physically either through cutting, piercing or other forms of inflicting pain. The festival has since become one of the main festivals of Southern Thailand, spanning over nine days with preparations beginning weeks before. The festival has become somewhat of a spectacle in Thailand. The most popular

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29 November I 2017


Thailand

Customs Thailand is the 'Land of Smiles', and it's an important part of the culture and greeting. Smile, don't lose your temper, keep a calm voice. Accept what people offer you with grace. If you don't like something, carefully decline, and smile

Sacred and revered. Even if it’s a ruined, half destroyed statue of the deity – treat it with the utmost respect and you will shine in the eyes of the Thai. Common sense here – don’t clamber up onto one or mimic a pose for a photo. Snap a shot respectfully and if possible, ask a monk if it’s okay.

Public displays of affection are a big no-no all over Thailand. Maybe the restaurant is not the best place for snogging.

In Buddhism, the feet are seen as the lowest part of the body, both literally and guratively. Never point your feet at a Thai, monk or statue of Buddha. Instead, sit with your feet under your knees or cross-legged. 30

Easy this one – remove your shoes or sandals at any indoor space. When in doubt, look for other shoes at the doorway and follow suit. Resorts may be an exception, but absolutely take them off at a Wat (temple) or Thai’s home.

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The Wai, A Graceful Thai Hello

Every wonder where this symbol came from? Notice as you’re coming into convenience stores and the attendants clasp their hands together at chest height and slightly bow their heads? Or maybe you’ve seen this at your hotel reception or perhaps at a restaurant or bar. It’s rather popular in Thailand so if you haven’t seen it already, you most certainly will. We’ll try to unveil some of the myths and origins of this ancient form of greeting that is not only specific for Thailand. The gesture was popularized in Buddhism as a means to show one’s respect for another. A number of ancient stone carvings have been found depicting a form of the Thai Wai. Some of these carvings date back to 4,000 B.C.E. Other Buddhist regions of the world have their own forms of the Thai Wai. In Laos, China, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Brunai, and regions of Indonesia, the gesture is commonly used as a form of greeting with varying degrees of respect and meaning. In Thailand, the Wai also has different degrees of respect and use. Typical Wais are performed by clasping palms together at chest height with the fingers pointing upwards and then tilting and lowering the head forward slightly. The higher the hands are placed on

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one’s body is said to reflect the respect given to the person to whom the Wai is destined for – the higher the hands, the more respect. For example, if you are Waiing the receptionist at your hotel, chest height is appropriate. If you are at Tiger Cave Temple, then clasping your hands at your forehead would be more appropriate. The Thai Wai has some particularities to remember.

- Never Wai someone who is younger than yourself unless you have been Wai’d first.

- If you are carrying goods and cannot return a Wai (from anyone) using one palm and showing an attempt is a sufficient response.

- When Wai’d by someone who is older that yourself, always Wai them back.

- Face an individual who has Wai’d you, and never ‘Wai on the run.’

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33 November I 2017


Dive In to the ocean blue

Looking to go out for a day in the sun and wondering what time high or low tide is? Well for the month of October we’ve got you covered.

Krabi boasts over 150 islands to explore above sea or the underwater world, they are scattered throughout the province and offer many new places to explore

Longtail boats can be chartered easily at any of the major beaches in krabi, the prics vary you can always try yout best at haggling depending on the season.

Sunscreen is a mush when visiting any island or just spending a day out on the water. Don’t let the lack of clouds fool you, UV rays go straight throught them.

Tide tables for the month of November

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35 November I 2017


Nadivan Apartm a ents

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T O KRABI T OWN

PhuPimaan Resort

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1

I1

SO

McDonalds

Plaza Buffet Starbucks

The Lai Thai Condominium

Diver’s Inn

Ao Nang Haven GH Ao Nang Paradise Resort

Entertainment Bamboo Restaurants

Ao Nang Villa

The

man her t Fis t Cafe’ Las Las The

Krabi Heritage Resort

Peace Laguna Resort

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The Earth Cafe The D ive

rant stau le Re Nood Boat SOI 13

Glur Hostel

Pams Pub

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Ao Nang Mosque

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Fullmoon House

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CTOP Nice Nature Homes Nice Day Resort

Cobra Show

Thai Village Resort

The Hilltop Restaurant

Oceanmart Bernies

Walking Street BOATS TO PHRANANG & RAILAY BEACH

BEACH ROAD

Jeseao Green Restaurant Curry

CENTER POINT

Lae Lay Grill AONANG Restaurant VIEWPOINT

Umberto’s

Italian Kitchen

t Theshi Hu Su

Ao Nang Beach Resort

SupsaengDao Resort

THURSDAY MARKET

Klong Haeng Mosque

TOURIST POLICE

Krabi Resort

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Devanna place The

Luna Bar

Emerald

Krabi Spesialisten Carnivore Steakhouse

Palm Paradise Emerald Gardens ChaWan Resort Pavilion Queen's Bay

SATURDAY MARKET

KLONG HAENG VILLAGE

AO NANG BOXING STADIUM

WALKING STREET MARKET ON WEDNESDAY

Ao Nang Gardens

Sabai Resort

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Resort & Restourant

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Burger King

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SEAFOOD STREET

Azzurra Restaurant Jeanette's Restaurant

T O K L ONG M UANG

ST.AGNES CHURCH

Mandawee

Natin Spicy Garden

T O KLONG MUANG

Connecting Krabi Tour

HOLD ME CLOSE Tsunami Memorial Sculpture

Ben Beach Bar

Foodies

T O KRABI T OWN

U&P Bakery

Andamana Beach Club

T O FOSSIL SHELL BEACH

WEDNESDAY & SUNDAY MARKET

T O KRABI T OWN

Jungle Village

AO NANG SCHOOL

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37 November I 2017


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39 November I 2017


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+66 (0)75 - 607 - 200 41 November I 2017


Medical care in Krabi

is on the rise

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43 November I 2017


Krabi has been a hotspot for growth for over a decade now, drawing in thousands of tourists from all around the globe. With the growth has come a wave of new services such as roads and general logistics, police and security, improved government, numerous restaurants and services and now healthcare is upgrading to a whole new level. Ao Nang, some would say is the heart of Krabi’s tourist community, has long since been the place for new hotels to shoot up among the staggering karats which make Krabi so famous. Many of these hotels are massive, featuring 200-300 rooms at times, and every year there are more and more coming to Krabi to fill these rooms. What happens to to the unfortunate tourists who frequent these many hotels when they fall ill or have an accident? There are a number of highly qualified clinics in town which are more that ready to address simple wounds and issues but when things become more serious or more specialised medicine is needed where can people turn to? Wattanapat Hospital Trang PLC saw this lack in services available and under expansive marketing and development strategies from their management decided to expand their presence in Krabi by opening up a full service 59 in-patient bed hospital. Construction is well underway and they’re expected to complete the project in Q4 of 2018. The hospital is long awaited and highly anticipated. Now tourists and locals like will have easy access to dental, medical, a

44

trauma ward as well as a surgical theatre among other medical departments. Who is behind this new massive hospital opening shortly you might ask? Wattanapat Hospital Trang is one of the leading health care providers in Southern Thailand. Originally established as only a small clinic with a few staff and the founder and doctor Dr. Vittaya Leelawat. They operated for a

number of years as only a small clinic and then later in 1962 opened their flagship hospital in Trang city called Wattanapat Hospital Trang Co., Ltd. Opening their flagship hospital 55 years ago in Trang (a province just south of Krabi), Wattanapat grew their brand and their reputation by serving the locals

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Wattanapat’s expansion has been to focus on the busy town of Ao nang by opening a clinic in the heart of the town. Mr. Shane Laosonthorn; Board of Director & Deputy Hospital DirectorsFinancial; joined the team at Wattanapat 3 years ago and since joining the team Wattanapat has made many changes in their company. Since Khun Shane joined Wattanapat Medical Company, the company has opened it’s a clinic in Ao nang, just earlier this year the Wattanapat company went public listing itself on the Thai stock exchange becoming a public company. Now Khun Shane has lead the company to begin the construction of their second hospital in Ao Nang. in the immediate area around them, focusing on quality and care when dealing with patients. Wattanapat Hospital Trang is a large hospital now seeing over 400 patients a day. The founder Dr. Vittaya Leelawat or “Mor Wit” as he is called by locals always had a strong drive to help and care for others, to help them in times of need and through Dr. Vittaya’s passion and drive Wattanapat gained it’s reputation and respect from the locals throughout Trang. Operating for many decades, Dr. Vittaya always kept his core principles in place, care and compassion, it wasn’t until recently when a new marketing manager joined the team at Wattanapat Hospital that the company began to expend it’s coverage in Southern Thailand. The first stop on Mr. Shane Laosonthorn explained about the new hospital in Ao Nang and whats it’s services will include, there will be 12 specialists on site at all times and there will be a number of departments such as: Obstretics and Gynaecology General Surgery or Orthopedic Internal Medicine Pediatric Dental ER or Trauma Radiologist , etc. There are still other departments in the planning stages so this list will grow by the time the hospital is open. One main area that Wattanapat is looking to develop is medical tourism. Opening the option for foreigners to come and visit Krabi while also receiving needed 45 November I 2017


medical care. It’s a growing field and offers foreigners affordable care and service while also providing them with a nice and relaxing holiday in a beautiful destination. For medical tourism inquiries please visit the Wattanpat website: www. wattanapat.co.th International Meical Clinic by Wattanapat Hospital across the street from Krabi Resort will continue to operate as usual giving tourists easy access to emergency medical care 24 hours a day. this is a great resource for those who are having small issues such as food poisoning, cuts and scrapes and are need of bandage dressing but don’t want to be admitted to the hospital for minor issues.

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The hospital will have an extensive outreach program covering patients in the great Krabi area through it’s network of ambulances and partner hospitals. So if you are visiting Koh Lanta, Ao Luk or possibly Phang-Nga their umbrella of service of Wattanapat Hospital is only a phone call away.

for inquiries or questions about Wattanapat’s highly anticipated hospital currently under construction in Krabi please contact the marketing team at: wichittra@wattanapat.co.th

47 November I 2017


Friends with Fins These apex predators are essential to our ecosystem but they’re being eradicated by humans, and might not be around in our grandchildren’s lifetime. An international couple founded Shark Guardian to help bring awareness and understanding of the situation to try to make our world a little better.

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49 November I 2017


them. These longlines have been seen to be up to 60 miles long at times, but regular links are more commonly around 20-30 miles long‌.. Think about that a 20 mile long fishing line. Sharks then bite these hooks and are then dragged on board theses ships where if they are still alive at that point are held down as their fins are all cut off and kept in the ships cargo hold. The de-finned still alive sharks are often then just thrown overboard at this point as the rest of their body does not carry much of a market value. One thing worth knowing is that sharks need oxygen just like humans do in order to live. They get this oxygen by their gills filtering it out of the water around them, but in order for this process to happen these sharks need to swim in order for water to move through their gills. Once they’re fins are removed they simple cannot swim and therefore usually sink to the bottom of the ocean and slowly die of suffocation. A pretty cruel way to go all so humans can get a bowl of soup?

Sharks have been on this planet for the past 400 millions years, thats a long time, that makes them one of the most prolific and adaptive species on planet earth. They have survived the past 5 mass extinctions, you remember the big one which wiped out the dinosaurs right? Sharks survived. Pretty impressive right? Then why are we (humans) doing such a good job pushing this animal to the brink of extinction? Primarily money. The shark finning industry carries an estimated value of or roughly $1 billion USD, making it a difficult industry to go away. The primary markets for shark fins are Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. In fact in Hong Kong an estimated 85% of adults have eaten shark fin soup as some point or another.

port their entire cargo is bought up in an instant. How is this done? This is one of the wort parts to the trade. Small to medium sized fishing vessels are outfitted with longlines which are basically massive thick fishing lines with hooks attached at various intervals on

What are we doing about this? This is where Brendon and Liz come in. Brandon had begun giving talks in 2008 about the real threat humans play to sharks survival as a species on our planet and how their disappearance would have devastating effects on our planets ecosystem. When the couple met on Koh Lanta in 2007 Liz decided to join Brandon in his mission. Through many events, talks and educational seminars the couple were able to officially register Shark Guardian as a charity based in the UK back in 2013. Their work was essential but it was not how you might think it would be done, their was was more focused around education, about helping empower the next generation with the mindset and knowledge to change the planet. If they can change the mentality of next years adults then maybe there is a chance they can stop the demand and therefore stop the industry in its tracks. Forming an registered charity in 2013 together Brendon and Liz made their way

Why are we doing this? as just stated Money, Shark fin is one of the most valuable products harvested form the ocean, carrying a market value of approximately $400-$600USD/ Kilogram. It’s extremely difficult to convince poor fisherman to stop doing something which is earning them a salary and putting money on the table for their families especially if every time they come back to

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into a new life and began their quest to change the world. Funding primarily coming from donors or purchases of apparel bearing the Shark Guardian logo they continue to make headway inspiring and educating todays tough about the realities of sharks. Did you know that on average only 5 people have died annually for the past 30 years from shark attacks. This does not compare to the 70+ million sharks which are killed annually. Why do we have this deep seeded fear of their seemingly harmless creatures? Well there are many factors to this way of thinking, mainly media hype though. When the iconic film JAWS was released in 1975 this began the world wide general public’s shift in their opinion of sharks, from another creature of the sea to be regarded with an eye of caution, to a vicious man-eating vengeful beast of the sea who would stop at nothing to kill humans who got into the water with them. This is utter nonsense and nothing else has single handily has done more to slander the reputation of sharks than this single movie. How do we stop this? Education. Brendon

and Liz host events in schools throughout Asia and Europe educating the youth about sharks, how dangerous they are and why they are essential to our oceans and works ecosystem. Through these seminars, classes and events they are working to change the public opinion towards these essential and wonderfully misunderstood creates of our sea. What can you do? Speak out! When you see a menu serving shark fin soup, or a market selling shark products don’t shop or buy from these establishments. Swim in sharks! Thats right, nothing does more to ease the public opinion of sharks than to see other people swimming with these mystically dangerous creatures, and then thinking to themselves “hummm, maybe they’re really not that dangerous” Talk to people! When people say silly things like sharks are dangerous and will eat you, talk with them about this and try to convince them otherwise. here are some statistics of other things on our planet which kills more people than sharks annually: Obesity - 30,000 people die annually of organ failure due to obesity Lightning - 10,000 people die annually from being struck by lightening or accidents caused by lightening strikes Texting - 6,000 people die annually while texting and not watching what they’re doing (driving, walking, etc) Hippos - 2,900 people die annually from hippo related incidents Airplanes - 1,200 people die annually form plane crashes. Autoerotic Asphyxiation - 600 people die while accidentally taking that sex act a little too far… Falling out of Bed - 450 people die annually from falling out of bed Bathtubs - responsible for 340 deaths annually Deer - 130 people die annually from deer related incidents Icicles - 100 people die annually from falling icicles Hot Dogs - 70 children die annually from choking on hot dogs Tornados - 60 people die annually from tornados Jellyfish - 40 people die annually from jellyfish stings Dogs - 30 people die from dog attacks in the United States alone Vending Machines - 13 people die annually from machines malfunctioning and/or falling over on top of people Roller Coasters - 6 people die on roller coaster crashes or related incidents Sharks - 5 people die annually from shark attacks

Brendon and Liz are amazing people dedicating their lives to the betterment of our planet through education. If you are interested in donating, getting involved or just learning more about this courageous couple please visit their website:

www.sharkguardian.org

51 November I 2017


JOIN IN THE FIGHT TO STOP THIS UNNECESSARY SLAUGHTER

LEARN MORE AT: WWW.SHARKGUARDIAN.ORG 52

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WHAT IS SHARK FINNING? ENDANGERED RATE

WHATS HAPPENING?

SOME SHARK POPULATIONS HAVE DECREASED

AN ESTIMATED

32%

AN ESTIMATED

100 73

BY

99%

MILLION

OVER THE LAST

50YEARS

OF OPEN OCEAN SHARKS

ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION

MILLION ARE FOR KILLED FOR

SHARKS ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR

WHAT IS SHARK FINNING?

SHARK FIN SOUP

MOST SHARKES ARE STILL ALIVE WHEN THEIR FINS ARE

SLICED OFF 98%

SHARKS ARE CAPTURED AT SEA

OF THE KILLED ANIMALS’ BODIES IS NOT USED AND

AND HAULDED ON DECK

THE MAIMED ANIMALS ARE USUALLY TOSSED OVERBOARD TO DROWN OR BLEED TO DEATH

THE BUSINESS OF SHARK FINNING

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$100

FINS CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS.... $800USD Per Pound

COUNTRIES ENGAGE IN THE TRADE OF SHARK PRODUCTS UNITED ARAB SPAIN EMIRATES SINGAPORE BIGGEST CATCHERS TAIWAN UNITED INDONESIA STATES

MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE A SINGLE BOWL OF SHARKFIN SOUP CAN SELL FOR AS MUCH AS $100USD PER BOWLA SEAFOOD PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD

THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARKS

2

$

SHARKS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, THEIR DEPLETION CAN DRASTICALLY AFFECT THE ENTINRE MARINE ECOSYSTEM

SHARKS ARE SLOW GROWING, LATE MATURING, LONG-LIVED AND GIVE BIRTH TO ONLY A FEW YOUNG, MAKING THEM EXTRA VULNURABLE TO OVERFISHING

THROWN OVERBOARD

50% OFTHROUGH FINS COME − HONGKONG 80%

MILLION DOLLARS THE TOURISM VALUE ON EACH INDIVIDUAL REEF SHARK CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A COASTAL COMMUNITY OVER IT’S LIFETIME

108

$

DOLLARS

THE VALUE OF A SHARK KILLED FOR CONSUMPTION


New means to keep you looking good A procedure has taken off in Thailand and it’s helping an ageing population maintain their tight soft skin just the way they want, all the while it’s not invasive or involving a process of injecting any chemicals into ones body, it’s called Fat grafting or fat transfer. Grace Clinic in Krabi town is leading their new technologies development among the Krabi population.

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55 November I 2017


F

at Transfer is a natural solution to restore subtle volume and shape, as well as rejuvenate certain areas of your body. Fat is taken from your body fat via liposuction and transferred to areas of the body where volume is needed. If you’re looking for a natural and subtle volume enhancement. You can add a natural and subtle plump to your breast and buttocks by means of fat transfer. In addition, Fat Transfer procedures to the Face and Hands plump and revitalise areas of the body that suffer heavy from fat loss as we age. the medical team at Grace Clinic has performed many hundreds of procedures to date and therefore can guarantee utmost care and professionalism when it comes to caring for your body. Fat Grafts or Fat transfer can be done on the following areas of the body: • Breasts • Buttocks • Face • Hands Fat Transfer, also known as Fat Grafting or Fat Injections is a natural, minimally invasive treatment for those seeking breast/buttock augmentation or replacing age-related lost volume and subtly smoothing out wrinkles. Fat is removed from various parts of the body where there is a substantial amount, such as the thighs, abdomen and/or buttocks. The fat is then centrifuged, or purified, to separate the healthy fat cells from the damaged ones, and injected into another area of the body that is lacking in volume. Fat Transfer, as a volume enhancing treatment, has been around for several years, but it is the skills and expertise of the Doctor that allow for long-lasting, youthful results. Fat Transfer to the Face and Hands Our face and hands are the first things people see and present a significant challenge for anyone trying to prevent fat loss which can leave our faces looking sunken and aged, while our hands look brittle with protruding veins, bones and tendons. Ageing has its effects on everyone’s skin, and unfortunately due to nature’s way of tell us that we are advancing in years, skin, all over your body, can lose its volume and become loose and relaxed. Medical and scientific advancements have paved the way for natural alternatives to synthetic fillers and implant procedures. When compared to fillers and implants, the results of Fat Grafting last 10 times longer

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Keep the face and body you know and love so much for year to come, heathily and safely procedures is a more natural and now increasingly popular alternative to dermal fillers. Fat Transfer procedures can not only smooth out wrinkles and lines but can add volume to sunken cheeks, with an indirect boosting effect on the texture and tone of the skin. As women and men seek out the latest in cosmetic treatments, more and more patients are choosing Fat Transfer procedures as their treatment of choice over temporary dermal fillers. With one procedure, you remove the need for all those regular top-ups, leaving you to enjoy superior and natural-looking results for many years. Furthermore the stem cell technology involved – stem cells are naturally present in fat – boosts the rejuvenating effect of the treatment, helping you to look glowing and more even in tone.

– up to 10 years, and because the source of the ‘organic filler’ is already in your body, it is perfectly well tolerated in the long term. Advantages of Fat Grafting and Fat Transfers • More economical than synthetic fillers in the long-term. • Not only does the Fat Graft result in increased subtle volume and ‘plumpness’, but also improved skin texture and quality due to the stem cells contained in the fat.

• The results can bring back 5-10 years on the treated areas. • Natural-looking results • Minimal downtime – return home the same day and just a couple of days downtime for many of the procedures • Only local anaesthetic is necessary

Using your own fat to smooth out wrinkles and plump up the skin with our Fat Transfer

Grace Clinic is pioneering their new technology in Krabi and leading it’s access and growth among the tourists and locals alike. If you are interested in getting more information about this procedure please visit their clinic in krabi town at:

232/14 Maharat Street, Krabi town 081-329-3564 Juve_note@yahoo.com

57 November I 2017


Back bends, dancing, downward dog and paddle board yoga

Last month Krabi hosted Thailands first International Yoga convention aptly names Yoga Fest 2017, in quiet and serene Ao Nang, drawing in hundreds of participants and teachers for the week long festival.

T

he event was Thailand’s first of it’s kind offering teachers from all around the world to come and share their knowledge of various practices, from Thi-chi and Chigong, to yin yoga and dance classes. It was a full body experience where participants could partake in one of many classes offered and enjoy a berth of fresh air in terms of spiritual awakening. The Naga Pura resort was hosted the event and has plans to host additional events in the coming years. Ao Nang as you might have seen is a relatively quiet and peaceful town, home to about 5,000 year round inhabitants and another 30,000 seasonal inhabitants has a certain ebb and flow to the busyness the town enjoys. The event held in early October was the first of it’s kind and despite the fact that there were relatively few people in Ao Nang the classes were all full, the booths sponsoring various goods and products were all full. The practice of yoga many think is only about doing a class, stretching, breathing and then going about your day afterwards. Our take-home from this unique and special event was considerably different. Meeting people and taking whole classes just about such things as the breath, meditation, relaxation, focus, dance, diet and much more really give a new perspective to the idea of yoga. For myself when I began my journey into yoga I must admit I was only focused about one thing, to be able to hold grand poses and relax while holding them. There was some sort of deep seeded infatuation with this need to push myself and body to the limit. I guess there was a certain level of ego

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which took over my practice. After I began to meet more and more people who had extensive knowledge which they were willing to share readily with me, I began to loosen up and begin a journey into new parts to the practice of yoga and it’s many limbs of development. Yoga is a practice between you and yourself, thats it, never compare to another, never judge another, never focus on another, all that matters is your ability to be in tune with your body and it’s needs. The event brought in teachers from around the world, some of the countries which were represented are: Italy - Odaka yoga USA - Yoga of sound India - Astanga yoga UK - Yin & Yang yoga Singapore - Elemental yoga Malaysia - prenatal yoga Japan - Zen yoga Korea - Kanesha Phillipines - Female energy cycle Indonesia - Chee Yoga Dance Thailand - Laughter yoga China - Ci Gong Russia - SUP Yoga Hong Kong - Yoga for Inner awakening

It was a humbling experience learning and practicing in a place with so many other people of passion, love and energy, I enjoyed every minute of it and look forward to the next event.

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THE SUNSET ISLAND

Koh Lanta is made up of 2 main islands, Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai, Koh Lanta Noi is the smaller and less developed of the two but offers some special adventures for a certain traveler. Koh Lanta Yai is fully loaded with resorts, restaurats, activites such as kayaking, islands hoping, scuba diving companies and more.

Welcome to Koh Lanta

Saladin is the main township located in the north of Koh Lanta Yai, it is home to the majority of the islands banks, restaurants, cafes and general shopping areas. Saladan is also home to a number of stilted houses and businesses which extend out into the ocean on the Northern most edges of town. Each shop is different in it’s

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own right but they all have the same relaxed feeling much of the island is famous for. There are a number of other regions all over the island though and each has it’s one little charm to offer, and truth be told a great way to see the island is to rent a motorbike or car and just go North to South, it’s cheap, fun and offers

numerous opportunities to stop and explore at your own leisure. To the South of Koh Lanta is the famous Lighthouse which features a nature walking trail, 2 beaches and one of the best vantage points for dramatic cliff photography on the island. So what are you waiting for, get going and explore this not so small island.

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L A N T A Scuba diving at OK Club Diving Center

Thai cooking classes at Time for Lime

Help local animals at Lanta Animal Welfare

If you want to discover scuba diving and the amazing

If you are looking to learn how to cook authentic

Rated on Tripadvisor as the No 1. Thing to do on Koh

underwater world of Koh Lanta with all its great dive

Thai food then you must stop by Time for Lime

Lanta, Lanta Animal Welfare (LAW) is a non-profit

sites and marine life, Ok Club Diving Center will make

where cooking classes are conducted in an open-air

organisation working to relieve the suffering of local

your dream comes true.

beachfront cookery school kitchen by the foodie lover

animals through sterilization, vaccination and medical

Junie Kovacs.

care.

Ok Club Diving Center is the opportunity to dive with

Junie started Time for Lime out of a love of food. She

The rescue center is open daily to visitors who can

highly qualified instructors in a very well organised

wanted to give people amazing food experiences on a

tour the facilities and meet the animals. Whether you

establishment and learn through a friendly and

full-time basis. Her passion for food led her to create a

are interested in taking a dog for a stroll on the beach

professional approach. The courses and programs are

well designed and laid-back atmosphere for people. Her

(some of the dogs love to swim) or are happier cudling

available in english, german, italian, polish, french and

work is known for its cross-cultural and disciplinary

one of the many affectionate cats, LAW is the place

russian. The Center offers unique sessions of cave

surprises.

where you can get your furry fix while contributing to

diving, an extreme activity demanding high requirements

She also founded Lanta Animal Welfare out of a love

a worthwile cause.

for equipment configuration and reliability, as well as

of animals and the profits from Time For Lime goes to

divers skills, physical condition and mental strength.

LAW.

If your wish is to explore some underwater treasures

Phone number : +66 (0) 75 68 4590 / +66 (0) 89 967 5017 www.timeforlime.net

then opt for safari diving tours and choose between exotic Myanmar, the famous Similan Islands or Komodo

Phone number : +66 (0) 84 304 4331 www.lantaanimalwelfare.com

Park in Indonesia.

Phone number : +66 (0) 88 019 5640 www.okclubthai.com

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AC T I V I T I E S Namaste at Oasis Yoga

Enjoy fire shows at Why Not Bar

Snorkeling and fishing at Lanta Dream & Paradise

Yoga is a great way to take back control over your

Located right on the beach at Kantiang Bay View

Looking to discover the beauty of the Andaman Sea

holistic, mental and emotional health and Oasis Yoga is

Resort, the Why Not Bar host live appearances from

in a friendly and easy going atmosphere then look no

an exceptional place to do so.

popular bands in Thailand and hold beach parties about

further than Lanta Dream & Paradise, a company

once a month. With a live band every night, fireshows

specialized in private snorkeling and fishing trips.

Situated at Klong Dao Beach, Oasis Yoga welcomes

on the beach and great cocktails, there’s a buzz going

Aboard authentic longtail boats with a professional

you to discover restorative health with laid back island

on there every night.

team, Lanta Dream & Paradise offers you unique trips

relaxation and a chill seaside attitude. Whether you

with exclusive itineraries by discovering and exploring

are a seasoned yoga practioner or want to try your

Fire shows at Why Not Bar are some of the best you

the heart of Marine National Parks of Koh Phi Phi,

first practice in a unique atmosphere, Farra Williams, a

will see on the island and are a must see during your

Koh Bamboo and so many more. If you want to cut

certified yoga instructor, is here to help you develop

stay in Koh Lanta. They normally start after 10pm but

off of the world for a short time you can choose a

the tools to take the peace of holistic health home

if you want a good seat in the bar you will need to

camping trip program in Koh Rok and Koh Kradan or

with you.

get there a little earlier. Just sit, relax and enjoy a laid

pass a fishing day on the sea in Koh Haa with Captain

back atmosphere, great vibe and a very entertaining and

Boo.

Phone number : +66 (0) 85 115 4067 www.oasisyoga-lanta.com

welcoming staff.

Phone number : +66 (0) 83 644 1333 www.facebook.com/ WhyNotBarKohLanta

All tours include transfers go and back from your hotel to the boat, Marine National Park entrance fees, snorkeling equipment, Thai buffet, fresh water, fruits, fishing equipment (for the Fishing Trip), camping tents 2/3 people (for the Camping package), life jackets and insurance for passengers.

Phone number : +66 (0) 890 999 423/ +66 (0) 861 114 054 / +66 (0) 855 790 178 www.lantalongtailboat.sitew.org July I 2017

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HELLO (M) / (F)

THANK YOU (M) / (F)

SAWADEE KRAP / SAWADEE KAA KHOPUN KRAP / KHOPUN KAA

HOW ARE YOU? SABAI DEE MAI I’M FINE SABAI DEE HOW MUCH IS THIS?

KNEE KUR TAO RAI

WHAT IS THIS? NEE A RAI? YES CHAI NO MAI CHAI I CAN’T SPEAK THAI

POOT PASSA THAI MAI DAI

SORRY / EXCUSE ME KOR TOHT CAN YOU SPEAK ENGLISH

KHUN POOT PASSA ANGRIT DAI MAI?

I DON’T UNDERSTAND MAI KHAO CHAI DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

KHAO JAI MAI?

HELP! CHOOEY DOOEY SPICY PET NOT SPICY MAI PET IS THIS TASTY? A ROY MAI? HOT (TEMPERATURE) RAWN COLD (TEMPERATURE) YEN WATER NAAM WHERE IS THE RESTROOM / TOILET?

HONG NAAM YOU NAI?

CAN I HAVE THE CHECK / BILL?

KHEP TANG?

SEE YOU SOON JEUR GAN MAI

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Welcome to Thailand, want to learn some

THAI?

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UNPLUG IN

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KOH JUM

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Koh 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. 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 to the mainland. So now that Koh Jum is plugged-in, has it lost its reputable character that has attracted intrepid travelers over the past couple of decades? We are pleased to report that Koh Jum is still as tranquil and laid back as it always has been. In fact, what is most noticeable are the lack of noisy generators at most of the islands resorts. Folks come to Koh Jum to tune out; the island’s nature and culture dominate the minimal tourist infrastructure. The existing resorts on Koh Jum all have their own family-run character, ranging from the backpackers paradise to luxurious beach villas.....

Koh Pu Mountain is the dominant geological feature on the island at over 400 meters. It’s a great hike for the adventurous and a vital refuge of native habitat still harboring 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 while the resorts are located opposite, facing the open Andaman Sea. This division allows the villagers to remain authentic without a significant tourist infrastructure while the resorts are all located on the beaches. Koh Jum is predominately a large Muslim populated sub-district of Krabi, home to over 1,500 inhabitants. The locals of these villages engage mostly in fishing, rubber cultivation and the local crafts of cloth weaving and painting or ‘batik’ as it is known as here. While the north is mountainous,

the south is comprised of dense jungle, cashew nut trees, rubber plantations, casuarinas and nipapalms. Since all the resorts face West, there are epic sunsets to be had all along the island. The renowned Koh Jum Lodge is an excellent place to stay for a few days, and has superb views to boot. Access to the island is by longtail taxi boats which leave from the mainland at the port town of Laem Kruat. There is now a songthaew you can take direct

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from Krabi Town to Laem Kruat. During the high season most visitors come to Koh Jum using the Krabi-Koh Lanta ferry which stops at two locations on Koh Jum, both of which are offshore so local longtail boats will come from the island to pick up passengers. The lack of any deep ports on the island keep the ferry boats out at sea and almost prevent large masses of tourists from 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 can be very simple or a bit of a nightmare, it all depends on how much you know about it. This is where Krabi magazine can help, we recently took the trip to Koh Jum ourselves and have decided to share the adventure with all of our readers. There are 2 ways to get to Koh Jum- by passing ferry or longtail boat. There are ferries that leave from Koh Lanta at 8am and from Krabi at 11am, both ferries stop as they pass alongside Koh Jum and signal to longtail boats to come and pick up visitors to land ashore Koh Jum. Koh Phi Phi also has ferries which leave at 2pm and operate on the same principle as above. The second way to get to Koh Jum is to go to the port town of Laem Kruat, from where you can catch a longtail boat directly to Koh Jum- this was our favorite of the 2 methods of travel. If you are driving, it takes about one hour to get from Ao Nang to Laem Kruat. You just head to Tesco Lotus and then continue until you see the large overhead signs which tell you to turn right for “Koh Jam”. This road will lead to the small locality of Laem Kruat, where you will find a large pier with boats going to Koh Jum. If you don’t have transport of your own, you can always catch a blue and yellow “songthaew” - the local buses that have benches in the back. On the side of the “songthaew” will be written – Krabi, Bus Station, Tesco, Big C, Laem Kruat, they are frequent and easy to spot.

We got on and soon were chugging along through the mangroves with a boat full of happy local Muslim women that looked as they hadn’t changed a bit since 1925. We arrived at Koh Jum just 45 minutes later, paid our 70thb fare 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.

These buses will leave from all of these locations at intervals throughout the day and will take you directly to the Laem Kruat pier. Now, the pier is a bit misleading. We waited at the end of the pier before realizing the longtail taxis were passing us by and docking at the mainland. Then 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. If you know the name of the pier on Koh Jum you need to get to, just ask anyone in this area and they will direct you to the correct boat.

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