Krabi Magzine July 2011

www.krabi-magazine.com

FREE COPY July 2011 ISSUE 67

ELEPHANT EXPRESS

•TRAVEL•CULTURE•AO NANG•LANTA•LEISURE•NATURE•

Ton Company Ltd. (since 2000)

318 Moo.2, Ao Nang, Krabi 81000 Thailand Tel. 075 695 633, Email: info@TonCompany.com Website: www.TonCompany.com

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Architecture, Construction and Engineering Project Management 11 years of experience in Krabi 60 completed projects in Krabi, Trang & Lanta Full time licensed architects & engineers Offices in Ao Nang Website: www.TonCompany.com Email: info@TonCompany.com

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KRABI VILLA

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Ao Nang beach, Krabi, Thailand Tel: 075 695633 Mobile: 084 1540808 Email: info@KrabiVilla.com Website: www.KrabiVilla.com

Editorial

Welcome to Krabi July 2011– ISSUE 67 EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Thomas Gennaro krabimagazine@gmail.com 089 9085990 ART GROUP Creative Director: Nattapat Sunthonphuriwat [Ton®] tonidesign@gmail.com - 089 7727858 Graphic Designers: Bandit Kanjanavarodom [Lim] CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Thomas Gennaro – Nattapat Sunthonphuriwat Lim Zenith – Steve Crawford– Gidi Mevissen Kristin Bergdahl – Ton Compan DISTRIBUTION AO NANG – KOH LANTA – KOH PHI PHI Guava Corporations: 075 637459 DISTRIBUTION - KRABI TOWN Globe Evolution Co., Ltd. – 083 5251978 PHUKET - KOH SAMUI – BANGKOK – CHIANG MAI Asia Books Co., Ltd. – 02 7159000 MARKETING Parita Khojongdee (Nok) – 089 2512367

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

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 Please send submissions to krabimagazine@gmail.com DISCLAIMER 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.

Elephant Express Cover picture courtesy of:Natt®

K

rabi Province is considered to be one of the most beautiful regions in a beautiful country.

Krabi has it all, from the limestone karsts that characterize the region to world-class beaches, islands, temples, markets, nightlife and shopping, the list is seemingly endless.

Gastronomes will find Krabi a sanctuary of fine dining and lovers of the great outdoors will find plenty to keep them occupied - waterfalls, hot springs, national parks, elephant treks are all on offer and Krabi is also one of the world’s premier destinations for rock climbing and scuba diving. The coral reefs of the Andaman Sea are among the world’s best and the Railay Peninsula attracts climbers from all over the world.

Let’s admit it: Krabi in green season is not that bad. For a start, tropical rainstorms happen but are rare and can be avoided under a roadside shack; most of the times the skies are blue, the sun shines every day, and forests and parks smell of earth and are alive with nature. And then it’s cheap; in a time when we all watch the pennies, hotel rooms, restaurant meals, tours and Thai massages are a good deal in this time of the year. Activities are plenty, and this issue is all about trekking on the back of a pachiderm, but there is more to do: kayaking on mangrove canals, some decent diving, a cooking class or just lying on the uncrowded (some empty) beaches. And finally, as there is not many tourists around, it’s nearly all yours! It pays sometimes not to follow the crowds.

Our ever-popular magazine is being successfully distributed all over Thailand in most Asia Books/Bookazine stores, including at the main Thai airports, and Krabi is being given the attention it deserves. This will help tourists plan their trip to our province in advance, it will make Krabi an interesting option for potential visitors to the area, and it will give our sponsors a much wider exposure.

It does not end there! Watch out for our extremely popular Krabi 81000 Miniguides and Maps that will be massively available to visitors to Krabi and Islands during green season, complementing the magazine and helping you with your search for the best eats, nightlife, activities, boats and buses timetables, doctors and banks, events; an endless array of information to make your stay reasonably organized from Kitdee Media & Design. Find the above products in your hotel lounge, in restaurants and pubs, at airports and boat piers or in your favourite local travel agency. Browse them avidly and make use of our local expertise.

Look out for our logos, and BEWARE OF IMITATIONS! We hope you find Krabi Magazine inspirational and helpful whether you come to Krabi to eat, drink and relax on the beach or participate in any of the numerous activities on offer here in Thailand. And if you are not in Krabi yet, what are you waiting for? Find us on Facebook: www. facebook.com/krabimagazine - Enjoy the magazine, enjoy our printed products, and above all enjoy your holiday in Krabi!

Thomas Gennaro Executive Editor

CONTENTS

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July 2011, issue 67

12

A Window on Krabi

9

Cover Story

12

Underwater World

16

Geographica

19

Flood Relief

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

Climbing a 3 meters staircase on top of a wooden platform to ride a huge living being is a marvellous experience available in Thailand.

PLUS: The Elephant: Thailand’s National Symbol

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The Krabi province is known for its excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. But the high popularity and the growing tourism are not only for the good for the coral reefs.

Corals

Young coconut water: Krabi’s elixir of life.

A journey to the flood affected area in Krabi to deliver money and goods. Part 2.

www.amari.com

loves your indulgences

Dive into new sensations at Amari Vogue Krabi. The soothing touch of Thai massage and captivating floral aromas of Sivara Spa. The crisp taste of a wood-fired pizza enjoyed by the beach or the zest of an authentic curry in one of our three signature restaurants and bars. Toast the sunset with a fresh tropical cocktail or unwind to a massage set to the soundtrack of Andaman waves. Whatever your choice, we invite you to find new ways to tantalise your senses at Amari Vogue, inspired by the beauty of Krabi.

For more information contact +66 (0) 7560 7777 Bangkok | Pattaya | Koh Chang | Hua Hin | Koh Samui | Phuket | Krabi | Maldives

OPEN ALL YEAR

CONTENTS

July 2011, issue 67

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24

Cultural

22

Fruits of Thailand

24

Koh Lanta

28

Real Estate

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Thailand is justly celebrated for its tolerance and hospitality and the average tourist will have no difficulty in adjusting to the local customs. Follow our do’s and don’ts and thus avoid giving accidental offense.

Ruby red and covered with fine green-tipped hairs, the rambutan is one of the most attractive Thai fruits and also one of the most delicious.

Get the most out of Koh Lanta. Highlights, maps, reviews and articles: Koh Lanta Highlights: Lanta Features Adventure: Lanta Elephant Trekking

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

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Architect Tips: Designing for the Future Property Guru: 10 Tips for selling your Home Know the Law: Thailand on the Road Notions: Time in Thailand Property Search: Buying Off-Plan

Directory

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Media Kit and Businesses listed in the Krabi Magazine

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Aning Restaurant Thai & International Cuisine

High quality fresh seafood Choise of 12 different cuts of steak Thai food Pizza & Pastas Selected wines Our speciality: Cheese platter Homemade selection of our delicious desserts Gin Long Drink Cider Finnish, Swedish and English menu Daily Finnish and Swedish newspapers Aning Restaurant has become the most renowned and well established restaurant in Ao Nang

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A window on Krabi

THE BEACHES 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 which 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.

Krabi Magazine

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NATURAL HOTSPOTS 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.

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 mineralenriched 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 hide-away 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.

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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 Chao 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.

THE TEMPLE Located just 9 km from Krabi Town the Wat Tham Seua, or Tiger Cave Monastery, is one of south Thailand’s most famous and interesting forest temples, as the monks live, meditate and worship within a maze of natural caves in an overgrown jungle valley. Many Thai women live out their old-age there as nuns. Explore the inner cave used by monks for meditation. Climb the 1,237 steps up a limestone tower to see the statue of the Buddha and the “footprint of the Buddha” embedded in the rock, and to enjoy one of the best viewpoints of the area. Take the circular walk through Krabi’s rarest of all features, a pocket of primary lowland forest, a circular rocky basin enclosed by high cliffs. Here, along a pathway used by monks to meditate and amongst a number of magnificent trees you can be amazed in front of the largest flared root base of any tree remaining in Thailand.

Cover Story

Story by : Thomas Gennaro l Photos by : Nattapat Sunthornphuriwat

Elephant Express

Climbing a 3 meters staircase on top of a wooden platform to ride a huge living being is a marvellous experience available in Thailand.

A

sia elephants weigh an average of 5.000 kilograms and measures 2,5 to 3 metres in height, with columnar legs, huge head, elongated nose and large ears; grayish to brown in color – at times a rare white; sparse and coarse body hair; tusks and ever-growing upper incisors are present in the male species but usually absent in the females; the nostrils are at the end of their trunk, the tip of which has a small fingerlike projection that enables these creatures to pick up even a peanut.

They drink by sucking water up into the trunk and then squirting it into the mouth. Well the puzzle is complete, is it not! It is the Asiatic species of elephant, Elephas maximus, which differs from its African counterpart, with smaller bodies and ears.

A climb aboard an elephant is in itself out of the ordinary for obvious reasons; there are no elephants – out of zoos – in the European and American continents, and that these mammal finds no equal in man’s history Hannibal, the Carthaginian General made large use of them against the Romans; in countries like Thailand,

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Krabi Magazine

Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, elephants have been depicted in many episodes of the Lord Buddha’s lives in mural paintings. The elephant is one of the various animals in Hindu mythology: AIRAVATA the elephant - celestial vehicle of Indra, and of course the elephant-headed god Ganesha; and finally you see it depicted as icons all around Thailand in restaurants, bars, shops, and the name of one of the popular Thai beers is ‘Chang’ which in Thai language means elephant.

I was in Krabi and already intrigued by the importance of the elephant in the Thai Culture. A fortunate encounter with a group of travelers who strongly recommended an elephant trekking tour made me book with their recommended tour operator for the mythical 2 and half hours trekking with the national animal of Thailand. We were transferred from our hotels to the Elephant Trekking Camp in the forest at Khao Thong (30 minutes drive from Ao Nang). The elephant approached the platform and, one by one, the group climbed on the saddled bench on its back. As the elephant firmly stomped its legs, I suddenly realised that I was high above the terra firma. After a short ride off the beaten track the elephant headed straight into the thick jungle. The saddled bench started to quake due to the uneven terrains but I was safely strapped to the saddles with a safety belt. I was in safe hands of the animal

and its rather young master. I was further reassured by my travel companion who was on his fourth elephant trek – the previous ones taken in an African safari.

The entire tour was slow-paced and rhythmic; the mahout allowed the animal to stop at leisure and I observed that these creatures had ravenous appetites. Their contorting muscular trunks pulled and tore up huge bulk of vegetation as I had never seen before.

One of the elephant attendants told me “Our elephants are not working elephants, they work only with tourists; all our elephants are well looked after, well fed, and above all we love and respect them”.

After the trek, full of unexpected surprises including the elephants answering to nature’s call (that, you to discover for yourself), we were given a chance to feed them - apparently they don’t forget acts of kindness, a nice thing if you have a face-to-face encounter with these powerful creatures. It was then time to say goodbye to these amazing creatures before being transferred back to our hotels. They say an elephant never forgets; one thing is for certain - I will never forget this encounter with these animals and the trek on their back. There is no better way to enjoy some of the most spectacular sceneries Krabi Province has to offer than from the back of one of these gentle giants.

Krabi Magazine

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Geographica

Story by : Steve Crawford l Photos by : Nattapat Sunthornphuriwat

The Elephant Thailand’s National Symbol T

he Elephant has been a national icon of Thailand since ancient days. Inhabiting the lush mountain forests long before the rise of the first civilizations in the land that is now modern-day Thailand, these intelligent pachyderms (as zoologists insist on calling them) were found apt to domestication by man. Their great size and enormous strength were harnessed in many ways, and they became man’s ally in labour and warfare. It is doubtful if the abundant teak trees of the northern woodlands could have been exploited so fully without these leviathans to haul the trunks (pardon the pun) to the rivers that were the highways of old. Elephants played their part too in the numerous battles fought between the armies of Thailand and Burma. Towering over the field of combat, fully panoplied and girded for war, they must have been an awesome sight.

But the elephant came to mean much more to the Thai people than a mere beast of burden. It has become a symbol of fortune, and the superstitious will pay to pass beneath the animal’s body and receive a share of the luck that it carries.

White elephants, through their very scarcity, adopted an importance of their own, and became the rightful property of the reigning monarch. This led to the super imposition of a white elephant on the red field of the national flag of Siam, as Thailand was once known. Early Siamese coins featured an engraved elephant, and their images can be found in abundance in the compounds of many of the older temples.

The Asian elephant, the species found in Thailand, is renowned for its intelligence and is known to actively think about its actions, rather than merely memorize instructions.

The creature also has a fine memory and the expression “An elephant never forgets” entered the English language long ago. The term “White elephant”, meaning something given that is not wanted, entered western speech many years back, and it is reputed that this originated in old Siam. It was the custom of the monarch to bestow the highest praise by giving a royal white elephant to a courtier as a mark of especial favour, together with a tithe of land to support the animal’s needs of grazing and forage. The same gift could also be given by these shrewd rulers to show displeasure, as no land would be provided, and the gift that could not be refused had to be fed at the offender’s expense.

Nowadays the elephant is more fully occupied entertaining the multitude of tourists who visit Thailand, but its magnificent image lives on, advertising many modern events or attracting visitors to the numerous shops and factories that cater to their demands.

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CM

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AO NANG BRAND NEW

CENTERPO NT Kr Bar & Pub

Oldest established in Ao Nang Newly refurbished bar with original design and features Real fishpond, waterfall and lots of traditional woodwork. Friendly staff and good value drinks.

The Airport

Getting into the mile-high club has never been so easy! Real scale 1:10 Boeing 767 hanging from the ceiling. Staff dressed up as pilots and air stewardesses.

Former Apollo Bar

The Cave

A full bar that boasts a cavernous interior.

Beers, wine and cocktails - exceptionally friendly staff.

MAP CENTER POINT Top Charoen Optic Soi Seafood

Burger King

Aonang Beach

The Airport The Cave KR pub

Underwater World

Story by : Kristin Bergdahl

What is happening to the coral reefs? www.dmcr.go.th

Beautiful coral reefs, in all the different colours and shapes you can imagine. The reef is home for plenty of marine life, both big and small. Together they create a stunning ecosystem, full of life. Are these just memories from the past or can it also be reality for the future?

T

he Krabi province is known for its excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. The many islands in the archipelago offer a huge variety for snorkelers and divers. But the high popularity and the growing tourism are not only for the good for the coral reefs.

The life of corals The coral is an animal that lives in a close relationship and symbiosis with algae, which give the coral its color. Many corals together form a reef. Coral reefs like it best when the water temperature is between 18-30 C, they need to be submerged all the time and can only live in saltwater. The coral reef need sunlight since the algae has photosynthesis, a process used by all plants to produce sugars from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water. That’s why they are very sensitive to sedimentation, which makes the water too dark for the photosynthesis to work properly. This is the reason why corals are found in the shallow part of the oceans where the sunlight can reach them. Deeper down it is too dark for them to live. Corals feed both on the algae’s photosynthesis and on a sticky mucus layer that cover the coral and help capture plankton which get stuck on in. The coral animal then feeds on the plankton. The mucus layer also serves as a protection shield for the coral: it refrain chemicals, bacteria and pollution from getting into the coral.

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The situation in the Andaman bay Malene Jensen is General Manager at a dive business. She has been diving in the Andaman Bay since 2003 and she can tell that a lot has changed: “The first years I dived here we had a lot more Black Tip Reef Sharks around the Ao Nang islands. There were some specific dive sites where you saw them almost every dive. Today they are not easily spotted, and it’s the same with sea horses. Before you could easily find sea horses at a dive site called Koh Talu; today their population is a lot smaller. Their relative, the Ghost Pipefish, used to be quite common around the Phi Phi islands at certain times of the year, but not anymore”.

Malene is also concerned about the increasing amount of Crown of Thorn Sea Stars, which eat the corals, and if they are too many they can destroy whole reefs. “A couple of years ago we didn’t have many of them around the Ao Nang islands, but now more is coming”.

According to Marlene, the last couple of years the corals have been covered with a lot more sediment, compared to eight years ago. In 2010 a weather phenomena called El Nino raised the sea surface temperature in the Andaman Bay up to 32C, which is far too warm for many corals and make their symbiotic algae turn toxic. The corals then shed their algae and as a result they turn white; this is commonly known as coral bleaching. “In May and June last year you could see many of the corals suffering from bleaching”, adds Malene.

Why this is happening

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There are many factors that affect the coral reefs, the two biggest ones being global warming and pollution. Global warming is a threat as it raises the temperature of the water, which can cause coral bleaching. Another big factor is the increasing tourism since coastal development is one of the reasons why many mangrove forests along the coast are disappearing. This results in more run-offs from land because there is no more root system that can catch sediments. There will be less visibility in the water and the corals will not get enough sunlight.

More tourists lead to more charter boats. “All motorboats let out an amount of carbon dioxide that contributes to the global warming. Many of these boats don’t use buoy lines; they hover around instead, letting even more oil and diesel out. If they don’t hover, they might anchor on the reef, which breaks the corals”, Malene Jensen explains. She states that many charter boats feed the fish to make them come closer to the guests. “If you feed the fish you disturb the ecosystem. Some of them are supposed to eat algae; if they get fed with bread instead, the population of algae can grow. Too much algae can make the ecosystem unbalanced” Malene Jensen continues.

It’s not only the charter boat traffic that has increased; the fishing industry has grown as well. “It’s not uncommon to find broken fishnets and fish cages stuck on the reefs while you are diving. They can destroy the corals and fish might get caught and killed in them”, Malene Jensen explains, adding that you can find all different kind of trash on the bottom. The trash come either from boats or from land and has drifted out to sea, sunken and got stuck on the reef, and is now slowly killing the corals.

As a snorkeler or diver visiting the coral reefs, it is very important to not touch or stand on the corals. When you touch the corals you get the sticky mucus layer on you, leaving the coral unprotected and more exposed to bacteria and pollution.

If you stand on the corals they might break and it takes a long time for them to grow back.

There is still hope

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Even though the damage has been done to the coral reefs, there is still hope. Corals that have been damaged by bleaching have a chance to recover. The chances of recovery increase if the corals don’t have to fight pollution and other threats at the same time. Experiments have shown that tourists who received a briefing about why they should not touch or stand on the corals before their in-water activity were more concerned about the reef during their dive or snorkeling, compared to those who received a normal briefing. If the anchoring on the reefs stopped and a proper recycling system for rubbish came into use, it would give corals a better environment to live in.

Today no one knows if the coral reefs will ever be able to recover completely, or if it is too late to save them. Only the future will tell.

Krabi Magazine

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FACTFILE Corals are animals Corals look like plants, and they don’t move around like a lot of animals, but they are animals. What we see as branches actually are whole colonies of coral animals. Each animal, called a polyp, has a hard skeleton and a soft body. This is attached to rock, or to the skeletons of dead polyps. What we sometimes see as flowers actually are the tentacles with which they capture food from the water. One of the main differences between plants and animals is that plants make their own food, whereas animals must eat plants or other animals.

Coral reefs mayhem Ten percent of the world’s reefs have been completely destroyed. Human population has become very large, and the Earth is warming up. There are two different ways in which humans have contributed to the degradation of the Earth’s coral reefs, indirectly and directly. Indirectly, we have destroyed their environment. Coral reefs can live only in very clear water. The large population centers near coasts has led to silting of reefs, pollution by nutrients that lead to algal growth that smothers the coral, and overfishing that has led to increase in number of predators that eat corals.

Warming of the ocean causes corals to sicken and die. Even a rise of one degree in the average water temperature can hurt the coral. 1998 was the hottest year in the last six centuries and the worst year for corals. The most obvious sign that coral is sick is coral bleaching. That is when either the algae inside die, or the algae leave the coral. The algae are what give coral its color, so without the algae the coral has no color and the white of the limestone shell shines through the transparent coral bodies. People have been noticing coral bleaching since the turn of the century, but only since the 1980s has it gotten really bad. The warmer water and more nutrients also encourage the growth of harmful algae on top of corals. The pollution humans dump in the ocean is just what the algae needs to grow and be healthy, which means covering and eventually killing the coral reefs.

The direct way in which humans destroy coral reefs is by physically killing them. All over the world, divers catch the fish that live in and around coral reefs. They sell these fish to fancy restaurants in Asia and to fancy pet stores in the United States. This would be OK if the divers caught the fish carefully with nets and didn’t hurt the reefs or take too many fish. But the divers want lots of fish and most of them are not very well trained at fish catching. Often they blow up a coral reef with explosives and then catch all the stunned fish swimming around. This completely destroys the reefs, killing the coral polyps that make it as well as many of the plants and animals that call it home. And the creatures that do survive are left homeless.

Another way that divers catch coral reef fish is with the poison cyanide. The divers pour this poison on the reef, which stuns the fish and kills the coral. Then they rip open the reef with crowbars and catch the fish while they are too sick from the poison to swim away. This poison kills 90% of the fish that live in the reef and the reef is completely destroyed both by the poison and then by being ripped apart.

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Geographica

Young Coconut Water Very few realize the nutritional importance of young coconut water, and I was one of them until few days ago. As it often happens in these modern days, I found out its importance not by asking local people but by browsing the internet. What I discovered is that young coconut water is not simple water, but more: a real elixir of life.

W

elcome to Krabi, southern Thailand, a province with plenty coconut trees plantations and therefore plenty of coconuts. Found in Krabi’s markets, fruit stalls, bars, restaurants and beach, coconuts provide not simply a quenching drink; the water contained in them can be compared to a wave of pure energy which eliminates fatigue and is biologically pure, full of natural sugars, salts and vitamins.

For the modest price of 20 to 40 bath (price has recently increased due to shortage of coconuts) you can even scrap off a coconut’s creamy flesh, which makes it the perfect organic and cold dessert.

Since I have discovered its elixir properties, whenever I see a coconut vendor I simply get one – they cost less than a bottle of fizzy drink and are much healthier, since they are more hydrating to the body and an incredible energy buzz too! It’s an excellent all-natural water to drink while undergoing rigid physical activities, or exertions of any kind, such as Detox and fasting therapy. Young coconut water is a healthier alternative to popular electrolyte energy sport drinks found today in supermarkets. It’s high in electrolytes and potassium with fewer calories and no artificial additives. 8 oz of Gatorade has 63 calories while the same serving of coconut water has just 46 calories. Hence, many professional sport people are replacing their conventional sport drinks and drink coconut water before and after their physical activities or sports to keep there body hydrated.

The coconut itself is a natural water filter that takes almost 9 months to produce each litre of its water. The water purifies by travelling through many fibres before being stored away sterile in the nut itself. Coconut water is a universal donor being identical to human blood plasma: it is sterile, it does not produce heat, it does not destroy red blood cells and it is readily accepted by the body. Hence, drinking coconuts is like giving yourself an instant blood transfusion.

The calming, cooling benefits of coconut water relieve burning sensations and hot flushes; coconut water has been used for re-hydration and as a health and beauty aide in tropical regions around the world for centuries. This property of coconut water also makes it an excellent choice for liver problems, hepatitis or inflammation. Young coconuts have not fully reached their maturity; hence their properties are different from mature coconuts. A young coconut has to be consumed as soon as it is opened because when the coconut water is exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its nutritional characteristics and begins to ferment. Young coconut water is the ideal drink to order during your holiday in Krabi – and it doesn’t give you a hangover, either.

Let’s end this tribute to the young coconut with a curiosity: during 1941- 1945 in the Pacific War both conflicting parties regularly siphoned coconut water directly from the nut to give emergency plasma transfusions to injured soldiers.

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Flood Relief

Text & Photos by : Gidi Mevissen

Visit Krabi flooding victims Chapter 2

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n the 16th of April, at around 2pm, Svein and I went out to buy different things at the Makro store. With the donated money we bought rice cookers, water heaters, cooking oil, fruit juices, mosquito coils, bags of rice, oyster-sauce, washing powder and many, many other things. Makro gave us a small discount being it for a good cause. With two cars full with goods we went back home to fill all the different goods in boxes that could be handed out to people. Svein and I started with the task, with Oy (Svein’s wife) caming later to help us with the job.

Finally, at around 9pm 40 boxes had been filled and loaded on Svein’s car, parked safely in his garage.

On the morning of the 17th of April we took our 2nd trip to the flooded areas. In the first area we visited, near Krabi town, most of the houses where already cleaned and people were living in them. There we spent a couple of hours and left some of the boxes and the cookers. We then went on to the second destination, an area about 15 km from Krabi town, called Huay To. There, the houses located next to the river were badly damaged. Our help was much appreciated; 7 houses next to the river were either damaged or completely gone. One person was killed when the water took over his house, the poor man was invalid and had no legs so getting away on a short notice was impossible and the rising water became fatal for him.

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Our Swiss friend Sven (the baker) donated clothing. Mr. Band helped a lady by putting Sven’s jacket over her shoulders. She had already got new cookers so we gave her other things as food, blankets, mosquito nets and rice. There was a bit more fortunate old lady; everything around her house was missing but she survived as water did not come to high. Watt (Sayaan’s brother) gave her some blankets and a bag of rice. The power of the water was so strong in some places that it washed away a bridge connecting a village to the mainland; in its place the villagers had erected a bamboo bridge that was only passable on foot.

There were 10 of us on this trip. It was a hot sunny day with the occasional downpour, which got us wet. Coming back home, I noticed that the place in my head where I used to have hair was now red and burned, as I had forgotten to put my cap on. We are planning another trip to the affected areas to an area further away, in Nakorn Sri Thamarat, about a 2.5 hours drive away. We have managed to distribute so far about 2/3 of the donated goods; the other 1/3 will be donated during our next and last trip.

We are very proud that we collected more than 100.000thb; thanks to you all we were able to help these people. Again thank you very very, very, very, much.

Sayaan, Noi, Svein, Bas and Gidi.

For those of you who still would like to make donations, please feel free to do so; your money will be spend for a good cause. We all want to thank you so much for the help you will give to these people. Thank you! For those connected to Facebook, all 50+ pictures will be there soon – Facebook type Gidi Mevissen. Email me at gididoesit@hotmail.com

Cultural

Getting Along in Thailand

T

hailand is justly celebrated for its tolerance and hospitality and the average tourist will have no difficulty in adjusting to the local customs. All the same, as when coming into any unfamiliar society, a visitor may find it helpful to be aware of certain do’s and don’ts and thus avoid giving accidental offense.

Basically, most of these are simply a matter of common sense and good manners, not really all that different from the way one would behave in one’s own country, but a few are special enough to be pointed out.

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The Monarchy The Thai people have a deep traditional reverence for their Royal Family and a visitor should also be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen and the Royal children. In a cinema for example, a portrait of the King is shown during the playing of the national anthem and the audience is expected to stand. When attending some public events, at which a member of the Royal Family in present, the best guide as to how to behave is probably to watch the crowd and do what it does.

Shopping Advice A great variety of souvenirs made from local products are available at fair prices in Thailand.

For those who have not got very much time and do not want to bother bargaining, certain items are available at fixed prices in several department stores, while a bargain can be made at small shops or with street vendors. Some of the preferred items include silk products, leather products, silverware, ceramics and wood products.

Jewelry and gemstones from Thailand are also a favorite item for many visitors to the kingdom. Their beauty, quality craftsmanship and reasonable price have earned Thai precious and semi-precious stones a worldwide reputation.

Religion

Social Customs

When visiting a religious place: - Dress neatly. Don’t go shirtless or in shorts, pants or other unsuitable attire. If you look at the Thais around you, you’ll see the way they would prefer you to be dressed which, in fact is probably not very different from the way you’d dress in similar place back home.

- It’s acceptable to wear shoes while walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. Don’t worry about dirt when you have to take them off; the floors of such places are usually clean.

- In a Muslim mosque, men should wear hats and women should be well covered with slacks or a long skirt, a long-sleeved blouse buttoned to the neck and a scarf over the hair. All should remove their shoes before entering the mosque and should not be present if there is a religious gathering.

- Buddhist priests are forbidden to touch or to be touched by a woman or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk or novice, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Or in case of a woman who wants to present it with her hand, the monk or novice will spread out a piece of saffron robe or handkerchief in front of him and the woman will lay down the material on the robe which is being held at one end by the monk or novice.

- All Buddha images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred objects. Hence, don’t climb up on one to take a photograph or generally speaking, do anything that might show a lack of respect.

The do’s and don’ts of Thai social behavior are less clearly defined than those concerning the monarchy or religion, especially in a city like Bangkok where Western customs are better known and more widely accepted. However, what is acceptable in Bangkok may be much less so in the countryside where the old ways are still strong. Here, there are a few things to keep in mind: - Thais don’t normally shake hands when they greet one another but instead press the palms together in a prayer like gesture called a ‘wai’. Generally, younger people will ‘wai’ an older person.

- It’s considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to avoid doing so when sitting opposite anyone and following the concept that the foot is a low limb, don’t point your foot to show anything to anyone, but use your finger instead.

- Thais regard the heads as the highest part of the body, both literally and figuratively. As a result they don’t approve of patting anyone there, even in a friendly gesture.

- Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon.

- Don’t be surprised if you are addressed by your first name as for instance, Mr. Bob or Miss Mary, instead of by your surname. This is because Thais refer to one another in this manner, usually with the title ‘Khun’ (Mr., Mrs. or Miss) in front.

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Fruits of Thailand

Rambutan [Ngo]

Nephelium lappaceum

T

hailand is home to a large variety of delicious fruits, both seasonal, such as durian, rambutan, mangosteen, longan and lychee, and all-year-round such as papaya, guava, coconut, orange, banana, pineapple and rose apple, all of which are as nutritious as they are delicious. The huge variety of local produce, combined with the culinary art of the Thai people, has resulted in a wealth of ways that Thai fruits can be enjoyed all-year-round.

Ruby red and covered with fine green-tipped hairs, the rambutan is one of the most attractive Thai fruits and also one of the most delicious.

In the months of July and August, fruit stalls and cart vendors in Thailand present an extra colourful picture: the rambutan is in season and abundant with bunches of this strange-looking oval fruit with its bright crimson or yellow skin covered with short fleshy hairs, displayed in great heaps in roadside stalls and local markets.

Rambutan, a native of Southeast Asia, now grows in tropical climates all over the world. The leaves differ from one variety to another, but the hairy or spiky red (when mature) fruits are unmistakable. In Thailand, there are two varieties of Rhambutan: Ngoh Rong Rian has sweet, succulent flesh that clings to the seed, while the oval-shaped Si Chompoo, the pink Rambutan, has crisp, white flesh that comes off the seed easily.

The rambutan name comes from the Malay, ‘rambut’ meaning hair, which refers to its spiky rind. To people of Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Borneo, and other countries of this region, the rambutan is a relatively common fruit the same way an apple is common to cooler climates.

Thai rambutans are noted for their sweetness and considerable quantities are exported both fresh and canned; rambutan’s sweetness intensifies when eaten at the peak of ripeness between May and September, when it is most plentiful. The rambutan flourishes from sea level to 500 or even 600 mt, in tropical, humid regions with well-distributed rainfall. Without the soft spines on the rind, the rambutan would resemble the lychee, which is in the same botanical family. Rambutans make a lovely addition to a selection of dessert fruit. Leave some whole for guests to admire.

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Origin and Distribution The rambutan is native to Malaysia and commonly cultivated throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia. Many years ago, Arab traders introduced it into Zanzibar and Pemba. There are some plantations in India, a few trees in Surinam and in the coastal lowlands of Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Cuba. The rambutan was taken to Thailand and the Philippines from Indonesia in 1912.

Further introductions were made in 1920 (from Indonesia) and 1930 (from Malaya), but until the 1950’s its distribution was rather limited. Then popular demand brought about systematic efforts to improve the crop and resulted in the establishment of many commercial plantations.

How to open a rambutan Never cut the fruit in half right through the seed. Make a cut with a sharp paring knife and remove part of the skin leaving the rest as a decorative holder, especially when presenting rambutans as part of a fruit platter. Alternatively, squeeze the rambutan till the skin breaks, then peel half the skin off, leaving the other half to hold in your hand like a wrapper.

Inside is a narrow seed covered with semitransparent flesh, which is crisp and mainly sweet. If using a knife to make an incision into the skin, beware not to cut through the seed.

When starting to eat the translucent flesh, eat around the seed and avoid biting too deeply - you want to avoid the tough, papery skin surrounding the seed. Eating the seed or the rind is not advisable as they contain toxic saponins and tannins and are therefore bitter and narcotic. If the flesh sticks to the seed and is difficult to separate, the rambutan is probably overripe.

Medicinal Uses Unripe rambutan is astringent and stomachic; they act as a vermifuge and febrifuge, and are taken to relieve diarrhea and dysentery. The leaves are poulticed on the temples to alleviate headache. In Malaya the dried fruit rind is sold in drugstores and employed in local medicine. The astringent bark decoction is also a remedy for thrush - decoction of the roots is taken as a febrifuge.

Harvesting In Thailand, the rambutan generally fruits twice a year, the first, main crop in June and a lesser one in December

Nutritional value High vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus

Fruiting season July-August

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Seafood Street

Sala Bua The Longtail Boat & Lo Spuntino

RA BIENG TALAY

Best Terrace Hotel

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta Highlights

K

oh Lanta is situated in the southernmost tip of the Krabi province. It consists of two islands, Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai. Koh Lanta Noi is the smaller of the two islands and does not have tourist facilities.

Visitors traveling by road from the main land pass through the smaller island on the way to Koh Lanta Yai, the center of the tourist operations.

Ban Sala Dan village, in the north 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 new comers 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.

The east coast of Koh Lanta Yay 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 see 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. For boat schedule to/from Koh Lanta consult our Krabi Miniguide 81000.

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 an 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 - www.tungyeepeng.com, or book a tour with friendly and experienced Sun Tours - www.lantalongtail.com

Nature 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, these Chinese timer shop-houses date 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.

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 to 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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Adventure

Lanta Elephant Trekking

S

norkeling and diving during Krabi green season might be disrupted in Koh Lanta due to rough seas during rainy days. One activity that can perfectly be done in a rainy day is elephant trekking. The powerful creatures will challenge mud and rivers and take you to the rainforest hills of Koh Lanta National Park, observing the full rich of plants and small creatures of the island’s wildlife.

On a recent trip to the island I hooked up with a friend and went elephant trekking on an early morning. The tour started with a truck ride to the other side of the island where we boarded our elephant, and away we went. The morning began with a ½ hour trek into the jungle on the back of the elephant, a resting stop for water and feeding for our ride, and then a hike into the jungle without the elephant.

The jungle walk lasted about an hour each way; we went to see a waterfall and a cave, and made our way back toward the elephant. On the way we saw monkeys, a monitor lizard as well as some local plants supposedly having aphrodisiac value according to the guide. We then backtracked downstream to the elephant resting point and back to base via top of elephant.

I have been on elephant treks before in other parts of Thailand, but this time was different. There was more walking involved, and on the way out the guide stayed on the ground and gave the elephant voice commands, instead of sitting on it with us. Also, he gave us chance to feed the elephant, which added to the experience.

Get a new experience, it’s fun and another good way to explore Koh Lanta’s rainforest and lush hills: sit on the elephant’s back and let him guide you to waterfalls or viewpoints.

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This was a great way to spend the afternoon; it provided us with a little exercise, a great view in the jungle, as well as a few good laughs along the way. Riding on this gentle giant is quite fun, like sitting on a gentle swaying hammock. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for this kind of excitement or enjoys the outdoors.

INFO There are 3 companies offering elephant trekking on Koh Lanta. 3 hours tours are inexpensive and inclusive of drinking water. Contact them at your resort or in any tourist office. Three hours tours are best taken in the morning or at around 3 pm, avoiding the 12 noon sun which is at its hottest.

Factifile

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Elephant Trekking

I

n former times wild elephants roamed Krabi but as tin mining and rubber plantations changed the natural environment elephants slowly disappeared.

The only elephants to be found on Krabi are at Elephant Trekking Farms on the mainland and in Koh Lanta, giving the opportunity to visitors to the province to ride on an elephant. When regulated and controlled properly, elephant trekking can offer a much-needed lift to the tourism industry, and generate the funds to assure the survival of thousands of elephants in a dignified manner.

Unfortunately, the opposite is equally possible in the current uncontrolled rush to ‘cash in’ on this latest business opportunity. As the number of new elephant camps increases, so do the reports of overworked and abused elephants.

Informed visitors who demand humane treatment for the elephants may be the last best chance to save many of these majestic creatures.

The unpleasant reality is the natural habitat of the Asian Elephant has diminished to the point that only an estimated 2,000 survive in the wild. A number not generally believed large enough to maintain the essential geneticdiversity to ensure the survival of the species in the wild.

Traditionally domesticated elephants were used as transport, and in the logging industry moving cut timber. All logging was officially banned in Thailand in 1989. Elephants that had been employed to move logs in the forest became unemployed, which is why they can now be seen in Bangkok and tourist areas literally ‘begging’ for a living, though they have recently been banned from Bangkok and other cities. It costs approximately US$500 per month to feed and care for an elephant in captivity. In the modern world elephants have an almost human-like problem of needing to be gainfully employed in order to survive. With the survival of these majestic and highly intelligent creatures increasingly in doubt, it is more important than ever for visitors to understand they have the power to make a positive difference.

lephants are the largest living land mammals on Earth. Thai history is rich in elephant lore and this venerable beast and plays a major role in Thai culture. Ancient Siam (Thailand) was constantly at war and in warfare of that day elephants had a tactical importance similar to that of tanks today. As a beast of burden, the elephant is not a great success, for the average load it can carry is no more than about 270kg, though it is claimed that the Japanese, during World War II, loaded four tons of ammunition on individual animals.

After a day’s work an elephant needs to be released into the forest and allowed feed itself for much of the night to ingest the necessary 350kg of vegetation required for an adult. It is when foraging for the more nutritious food that can only be found in forested areas that elephants often clash with local villagers and farmers. For example, elephants are fond of pineapple and are apparently delighted to find them planted in neat rows, irritated farmers have been known to poison or shoot the elephants for damaging fences and crops.

It is estimated that at least several thousand elephants are now being used by illegal logging operations that have sprung up since Thailand banned legal logging a decade ago.

Today, many unscrupulous operators drug the elephants to make them work harder. No law protects these majestic beasts from cruelty at the hands of their owners despite the fact that Thailand’s former national symbol is now an endangered species. Many underfed elephants addicted to amphetamines die or suffer horribly as a result of cruelty and ignorance.

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KOH LANTA YAI NORTH

Passenger Post Office Ferry Car Ferry to Lanta Noi & mainland

KAW KWANG BEACH Kaw Kwang Resort Blue Planet Divers

Lanta Diver Lanta Sailing Ko Lanta Diving Center Blue Planet Divers The Frog

BAN SALADAN

Minivan Station

to Lanta Old Town

Sunday Market Costa Lanta Resort Laguna Beach Club Mike’s Collection Eden Bar&Dining

Phone +66 (0) 75 68 41 24-27 Fax +66 (0) 75 68 41 28 E-mail : info@lantaislandresort.com Website : www.lantaislandresort.com

ar B n ing e d E Din &

Enjoy tasty Thai dishes European Food New Zealand Beef Fillet Pizza & Pasta Wines & Cocktails

Cafe’au Lait Southern Lanta Resort The Retreat Chaba Bungalows Maneelanta Lanta Island Resort

KLONG DAO BEACH

Mike’s Collection

Minivans to Krabi/Phuket Congrit Resto Everything Shop Ancient Realm Resort & Spa

Elephant Trekking

Time for Lime Cooking School & Restaurant Klong Dao boxing stadium Holiday Villa Lanta Resort Expat Cafe’ Lanta Sand Resort Escape Cabins Poseidon Villas Lanta Diver Lanta Tavern Ozone Bar Dreamy Spa I-Yarade Real Estate Lanta Palm Beach Lanta Law Thanee Layana Resort & Spa Tides Restaurant Lanta Casuarina Resort Dive & Relax

KOH LANTA

Klong Dao Main Road Beside PT Petrol Station For Reservations Contact Khun Supavadee [Azmi] : 086 8840052 - Mr. Markus : 083 1066606 www.eden-restaurant-lanta.com, e-mail : mail@eden-restaurant-lanta.com

Lanta Car Rental SK Optik

PHRA AE LONG BEACH

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Lanta Castaway Resort EXOTIQ Koh Lanta Real Estate Lantanian Center Desjoyaux Pools Andaman Sunflower Red Snapper Relax Bay Resort

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Lanta Sunset Living

Elephant Trekking to Lanta Old Town & eastern islands

Custom made clothes for ladies and gents

Choose from our large selection of material and style Free pick-up from any hotel on Ko Lanta Your satisfaction is our motto

KLONG KONG BEACH FERRY TIMETABLE: to Koh Phi Phi 8am & 1pm to Ao Nang/Railay 8.30am & 1.30pm to Phuket 8am &1.30pm to Koh Lipe 1pm

Contacts:

Ko Lanta, Klong Dao main road (beside Eden Restaurant)

Restaurant

Fun & Professional evening Cooking Classes on the Beach Front FANTASTIC 6 dish Tasting Menu that changes every evening

8 years with Quality & Funky Atmosphere

Beach Bar

HAPPY HOUR 5.30-6.30 On our FAMOUS Cocktails

Bungalows

BUILT AND MARKETED BY

Saneh Villas LPH Kirikan LPH Klong Kon Villas

tel. +66 (0)899085990 thomas@exotiqproperty.com www.exotiqproperty.com

MARKETS: Ban Saladan Sunday mornings Lanta Old Town Monday mornings Klong Nin Saturday mornings

to south of the island

LaNta aNImaL WELfaRE

DID YOU KNOW....

Our profit goes directly to the charity LANTA ANIMAL WELFARE So.. come Learn, Eat & Drink your hearts out!

AND FEEL GOOD

Cooking School

Chaw Ka Cher Resort

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

083 106 66 06 Mr Markus 075 668 390 Shop

thai & fusion

Sunrise Creek Villa Project

8 cozy air-con & fan

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

Is a Non - Profit organization.

We help keep the Island safe for you by conducting Sterilization & Rabies vaccine programs. We give first aid to injured & abused animals.

DOGGIE WALKING at 5 PM ! !

30 shelter dogs would be truly grateful to get your love & affection.

You can adopt as well!

Volunteers & donations are greatly appreciated and NEEDED. PLEASE HELP US TO CONTINUE THIS WORK www.lantaanimalwelfare.com 084 304 4331, 089 967 5017

Yoga & meditation

Closed 31/5 – 12/6 Only private teaching during June, July & the beginning of August.

Open for the season at the end of August

Mem´s fruit bar

fruit & detox bar, fruit catering & shop for body, spirit and mind Closed during June & July.

Open for the season at the beginning of August Koh Lanta, Klong Dao Beach, behind ChaBa/Picasso www.theretreatthailand.com the retreat 08 4675 1094 Mem´s fruit bar 08 7624 4963

RENT YOUR OWN HOUSE ! private villa & apartment rental

www.visitlanta.com

ESCAPE CABIN FEB09+.pdf

1/19/09

2:06:43 PM

SOON AVAILABLE IN KRABI, KOH LANTA & KOH PHI PHI

... escaping into the nature and seclusion Phra Ae, Koh Lanta

Promotion Team

Our Displays

TEL: +66 (0)8-4446-8909 FAX: +66 (0)75-684-240

Our Sanuk Promotion Team meets customers and tourist groups at busy locations to provide personalised, friendly, and competent guidance toward the companies that choose to advertise with us.

With such a high level of competition in the tourist and service industries in Krabi and Islands, local businesses need a personal touch to be successful.

While you may not have the resources to reach out and touch each one of your customers, Sanuk Cards found the way to deliver this personal touch on your behalf!

Imagine your own sales force of 8-10 highly trained, English speaking promotion specialists making face to face contact with your customers in high traffic areas for less than 10 baht an hour!

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REAL ESTATE - Architect Tips

Designing for the future

How do you find Krabi compares with other tourist areas in Thailand in terms of the rate and quality of housing developments?

I would say Krabi is most similar to Koh Samui, as it was maybe 3 – 5 years ago. Many people compare Krabi with Phuket, but actually in Phuket the trend is now for very luxurious residential property and at a much higher density – in town homes and condominiums. In Krabi, I think the great advantage is that you have so much space and land is not so expensive. It is still possible to build an affordable individual villa on a large plot, which is ultimately what most people prefer.

Ton Company Ltd continues to invest in people, recently bringing in new talent to join its in-house architectural team.

Here, we meet Somphong Yeabsul (Khun Tae), an accomplished licensed architect with 9 years of experience following his graduation from Mahasarakham University and Masters Degree from Chulalongkorn University. A specialist in building and environmental technology, he has worked in all the major tourist areas of Thailand – Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Phuket – before his move to Krabi to join the area’s leading architecture and construction firm.

You have worked in an international setting and with many foreign clients for the past 5 years: what would you say are the main issues for them when planning a holiday or retirement villa in Thailand?

The biggest issues are usually climate related. The weather in Thailand is much more hot and humid and also there is a lot of torrential rain during monsoon season. These factors influence the design a lot more than many clients imagine. I try to design homes that blend western functions and facilities with local architectural features to create comfortable and practical living spaces with good airflow. Shaded outdoor space is also very important, as most people will end up spending much more time outside than they may first imagine.

In terms of style, my portfolio is quite varied, which fits well with Ton Company’s own range of residential projects. I like to work across the board from simple, but functional town homes to modern and innovative statement villas – it depends what the client wants from the project.

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How do you use your training in building technology on the job?

Building technology involves incorporating the latest scientific research into the project design to make it environmentally friendly on various levels. For example, I am very interested in energy conservation and designing energy-efficient homes that work with the natural environment. So it is important as an architect to choose appropriate and durable building materials to reduce power consumption and wear and tear; and also to design spaces that maximize natural ventilation and ensure natural light and shade at the right times of day. These things help to protect and reduce the impact on the environment, and also keep running and maintenance costs down for the owner – both major concerns for Ton Company.

A technical understanding of the construction materials also allows me to work more effectively with our in-house engineer, Khun Sittiporn, which means a smoother design process for the client.

What happens after the design has been completed and approved? Do you then move on to the next project?

No, not at all! In my previous employment I was also a “site architect”, which I will continue to do here at Ton Company. This means I will work on site during construction to ensure the plan is delivered correctly by the building team and also be on hand to make updated drawings or corrections to the original plan as work progresses. This allows us, for example, to make sure tiles are laid without breaks if the actual floor space differs from the plan dimensions by a few centimeters; or to offer immediate solutions if the clients change their mind about anything.

What are you working on at the moment?

Our latest project is creating a group of five villas in the Ao Thalane area, for some clients who work in the construction industry in the Middle East. It’s been a very interesting process as they have a lot of knowledge about the building techniques for hot climates, though not so much about high humidity. We have had a good exchange of ideas and now we are working on the designs.

I am really looking forward to working here at Ton Company and also in Krabi. This seems to be an exciting time for the area and it is very open to fresh ideas and innovation, especially in the field of environmentally friendly housing. Krabi is famed for its natural beauty and we should want to protect it as much as possible.

For more information on the comprehensive villa design, construction and management services offered by Ton Company Ltd, please contact 075 695-633 or by email at: Ton@TonCompany.com. www.KrabiArchitect.com - www.TonCompany.com - www.KrabiVilla.com

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INTRODUCING

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The Property Guru

10 Tips for selling your Home

Below, Krabi Magazine property guru offers ten top tips for selling your home, and hopefully, help you achieve the price you are after.

1 – Before you put your home on the market it pays to do some research. The quickest and easiest way of doing this is by looking at a few property classifieds in your local newspapers, or by going online. This way you can gather information regarding what prices houses similar to yours, are currently selling for.

2 – It’s important that you find yourself a good agent to sell your home. Rather than going with the first one you come across, spend time doing a little research into each one. Don’t be afraid to ask friends, family members and work colleagues, if they can recommend someone to you. Exotiq Real Estate is a good starting point for real estate brokerage in the whole Krabi area including the islands. The other choice is to sell it privately through the property classifieds, but you need to be aware of the right legal procedures.

3 – It’s vital that you put yourself in the shoes of any potential buyer and make a list of the house’s positive features. Think of ways you can enhance these to get a more positive reaction from those that view it.

4 – Getting your house looking great inside is crucial but you need to make sure that it looks great outside as well. Remember the first thing that is going to be making an impression on any prospective buyer of your home is the front area. Make sure that this area is kept clean and tidy at all times.

5 – Although you may like the lived-in feel to your home, if you want to sell it then you need to make sure that you show it to its full potential. You need to remove as much clutter as you can from your home. If there is too much in any room it can make them look much smaller than they really are.

6 – Repair jobs that seem like a waste of time and money to you, can actually stop you from getting the price you want when selling. Spending a little could end up making you a lot more than you originally expected. No one wants to buy a home where they are going to have to spend money on making it livable for them.

7 – Although you don’t think your home needs it, repainting the main rooms in your home in neutral fresh colours is a good idea. Prospective buyers will be able to see the rooms more clearly, and get a feel for whether their own belongings will fit into them.

8 - It is important that before every viewing you make sure that your house is clean and tidy. This is especially important if you have pets, as although you may not be able to smell the odours, potential purchases will.

9 – Spend time on ‘staging’ the rooms to show them off to their full potential. Ensure that the focal point in each room stands out.

10 – Put the coffee machine on prior to any potential buyers arriving. It may seem silly, but the smell as they come into your home makes it more warm and inviting, also giving them the feeling of how loved the home has been.

For further tips on real estate, the Property Guru can be contacted through www.exotiqproperty.com , a chain of Real Estate Brokers operating in Thailand, Indonesia and Australia. Grab your copy of Exotiq Magazine with the best properties in South East Asia in Thailand’s best bookstores.

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Krabi Magazine

Know the Law

Thailand on the Road

W

hile public transport is often nice and convenient in Thailand, many people will still want their own car for various reasons, such as exploring on their own, driving to a seaside resort, etc. However, if you haven’t made a decision yet on whether or not to rent or buy a car here, bear in mind that driving has considerable risks in Thailand. Most foreign drivers are not accustomed to looking out for motorcycles or to the customary ‘rules of the road’ in Thailand. Be especially careful about motorcycles, as Thailand is full of them and it is fairly easy to cause serious injury or death to someone on a motorcycle.

In theory, foreigners cannot legally own a car and register it in their name unless they hold a non-immigrant visa and either a work permit or a proof-of-address document from the Immigration Office. Usually, a foreigner who is a shareholder in a company uses the company to purchase the car, or else the foreigners’ trusted girlfriend or ceremony-married wife owns the car. When you buy a car, the dealer normally handles the registration process. However, if you are transferring a car to a new owner privately, then you do so at the Department of Land Transport. Registration cost is based on the engine size. Brand new vehicles come with red registration plates issued either by the main dealer where the car came from. A red plate is temporary until the car has been registered into your name.

This process can take from 2 weeks to 3 months (or more), depending on the source of the car.

Every car must have two stickers on the windshield. One is for the license plate registration and is renewed annually when you pay tax. The other one is your mandatory car insurance. The car vendor will usually get your tag registration for the first year, but you will need to renew it. Make sure both are current, both year and date. The date will be in the Buddhist year, currently 2554. Car insurance is mandatory and inexpensive – it ranges from 3,000 to 20,000 baht a year depending on the level of coverage. Expired car insurance entails a very large fine if the police catch you. Liability has no limit if you’re in an accident without car insurance.

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Notions

Time in Thailand

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hailand’s Buddhist Era years are one year behind that of Myanmar (Burma) and Sri Lanka (the Western Christian world had a similar situation until it synchronized years in 1592, thanks to Pope Gregory XIII’s imposition). The Thai New Year date change now occurs on January 1, not April 13 (the date Buddha attained enlightenment, ‘Songkran’ day), but the latter is still the festive Thai New Year long holiday.

The time zone in Thailand is +7 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). If you’re like most people, you may find it straining to know the time zone in other countries and cities, e.g., for phone calls and bank transactions. Windows has built-in time zones for other parts of the world, available by a right mouse click on the time on the bottom right of your Windows screen, then choose Adjust Time/Date, then the Time Zone tab (just view, don’t change, of course). However, after doing mental arithmetic, many people still forget if we’re X hours ahead or X hours behind our associates. A solution is either a time zone wheel, or a software time zone program listing the cities of key associates and the times there.

The year 2011 in Thailand is 2554.

Thailand uses Buddhist Era (B.E.) dates, not Christian dates (A.D.).

To translate between the two, just add or subtract 543.

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Krabi Magazine

Keep in mind that the day will end in Tokyo and New Zealand before Thailand, and the sun rises here before it does in Europe or America. In fact, if you send international courier shipments to the USA, you will be able to send them ‘faster’ than you will receive them. For example, when it’s high noon Tuesday in Thailand, it’s midnight Monday-Tuesday in Washington, D.C., and the 9pm summertime sun is setting on Monday in California.

Thais keep track of the time of day differently than foreigners, and people sometimes miss appointments due to miscommunications. It’s not common in Bangkok professional circles any more, but it does happen on occasion, especially with Thais who are new to foreigners. The Thais split up the day into four 6-hour sectors, whereby two o’clock could mean 8.00am, 2.00pm, 8.00pm or 2.00am.

Office hours usually start from 8.30-9.00am, with a one-hour lunchtime usually starting between 12.00 and 12.30, and you should be able to catch people back in the office from 1.30 until somewhere between 4.30 and 5.30pm. Most government offices close at 4.30, and many will close their doors from newly arriving people at 3.30. Banks run from 9.30 to 3.30.

Be careful about wall clocks you buy in Thailand.

Most keep accurate time, but some do not. What I do is synchronize them with my watch at the start, and then see how much they drift over time. As for the accuracy of your watch, you can synchronize and recheck it every evening at 6pm when all the radios and TV stations, and most sound-overs in public places, play the national anthem. This is usually preceded by beeps for the last few seconds before 6.00.

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Property Search

Buying off plan?

Weigh up the risks

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enerally speaking, developers use ‘off plan’ as a way to ensure that they build to a scale which accommodates demand and will generally use a combination of deposit funds and project loan or financed backing to commence construction. On the other side, this activity helps prevent a high quantity of unoccupied property appearing in the market. In most ‘off plan’ transactions, a buyer is expected to pay a large proportion of the purchase price prior to receiving legal transfer of title, and the risks involved are obvious: • A developer in an unsuccessful development could suffer financial problems • There could be a defect on the title which the developer is unaware of • If the development does not turn out in the way a buyer expects – practically obtaining a refund of up to 95% of the purchase price without incurring huge costs relies upon ‘trusting’ the developer/seller to be fair…

• If the project is not insured properly during the construction phase both developer and buyer will lose all in the event of serious or complete damage to the property

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You can protect yourself against the above risks by: • Conduct a full title search as soon as possible • Don’t be averse to negotiating the payment structure; developers should be able to offer some flexibility unless they are financed 100% VILLA RATTANA NONG TALEY • Ensure that your real estate agent examines the insurance policy of the development and compares it properly to the terms in the contracts There are obviously benefits for the buyer in the off plan system. An off-plan purchase should result in a saving for the buyer due to their taking on the risk of and being patient in respect to their property being built over time. Additionally, buyers will normally be able to tailor-make their property by consulting the developer and architects regarding modifications in advance of construction. If the buyer is using the property as an investment he will have the time during the property construction-phase to market the property for re-sale or for rental. The legal documents should be robust enough for the buyer to be compensated for unreasonable delays which will prevent an investor-buyer or a home-buyer from being penalized unnecessarily in respect of securing a buyer/tenant or being unable to move into their home on the ‘long-stop’ completion date.

This article is provided to you by Exotiq Real Estate Brokers. With offices in Ao Nang, Krabi, Koh Lanta and other destinations in Bali and Thailand, they offer the largest selection of villas and land for sale in the area, with access to an impressive online database. Visit www.exotiqproperty.com or contact 089 9085990 (EN-FR-IT) or 089 7727858 (TH) for Ao Nang, Krabi and Koh Lanta enquiries. You can also email Thomas@exotiqproperty.com for enquiries and advice related to real estate.

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