www.krabi-magazine.com
June 2011
ISSUE 66
CLIMBING
•TRAVEL•CULTURE•AO NANG•LANTA•LEISURE•NATURE•
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Editorial
Welcome to Krabi June 2011– ISSUE 66 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 – Paul Stretton – Pamela Huxley Steve Crawford – Jeff Flint – Gidi Mevissen 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
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. Green season is on! As May turns to June, people in Europe and elsewhere are thinking of the summer, with sunny skies, warm balmy days and BBQ’s in the garden. Here in Krabi, from May to October we enter the monsoon season, meaning prevailing winds are from the South West, coming across the Indian Ocean and bringing rain. The weather is of course not always bad and we do have numerous activities to choose in this perfect time of the year to visit. So long as you don’t mind occasional rain and don’t want to sit on a beach for 2 weeks. We at Krabi Magazine chose to relax in Railay trying our hand at rock climbing, a safe activity for the whole family when done with the right people! We also follow our friends there on a boat trip for a rare treat: shark watch. As Krabi turns greener, June is a fruity month, and amongst the tens of succulent fruits available in the summer is the beautiful and yummy Mangosteen. Our team discovers Thai spirit houses and local produce cashes nuts, learns the tricks to the perfect massage, and follows a group of local residents bringing relief to Krabi’s victims of the March 2011 flooding. Our people in Koh Lanta list up the numerous activities still available on the island in the green season, explores undisturbed east and west of this stunningly exotic island, and get pampered at Layana Resort and Spa. If you are after a property in Krabi, there is lots to read in our real estate section: K.Karn at Ton Company uses her webmaster skills to sell villas to the world; opening a Thai bank account: learn how; MD kids’ bedrooms showcased; get the right assistance when purchasing your property in the sun.
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
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.
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.
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!
Climbing Cover picture courtesy of:Natt®
Thomas Gennaro Executive Editor
CONTENTS
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June 2011, issue 66
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A Window on Krabi
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Cover Story
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Highlights of this amazing province: town to temples, beaches to Islands, natural hotspots to cultural places.
There is no way some people visit the rockclimbing mecca of the world and not get roped into having a go. Follow us on high ropes.
PLUS:
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Factfile: Railay and the Climbing Lingo People: An Interview with veteran climber instructor Jay
Underwater World
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Culture
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Sometimes the days that start out the quietest can sometimes end in the greatest adventures. April 2011 was one of those days, when we got to see Whale Sharks!
In Thailand, Thai devotion to the spirits and especially the guardians of the land often reveals itself via ornate little houses in their own front yards, called Thai Spirit Houses.
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
June 2011, issue 66
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Flood Relief
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Fruits of Thailand
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Flora of Krabi
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Wellness
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Event
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Koh Lanta
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A journey to the flood affected area in Krabi to deliver money and goods. Part 1.
Its flesh is sweet and creamy, its flavour citrusy with some peach. Mangosteen, or Mangkut in Thai, is indeed a real treat.
We’ve all seen them in supermarkets or adorning the top of cakes and pastries. It is the humble cashew nut.
So You Want To Have a Massage? Learn the tricks to a good choice.
Marina Yoga is having an Opening Party!
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Get the most out of Koh Lanta. Highlights, maps, reviews and articles: Koh Lanta Highlights: Lanta Features Destination: Lanta Exotica Hotel Review: Eat & Relax at Layana
Real Estate
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Purchasing and making real estate investments made simple with Krabi Magazine. Architect Tips: Selling Your Villa to the World Know the Law: Opening a Thai Bank Account Showcased: Kids’ Bedrooms Property Search: Getting the Right Assistance
Directory
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Media Kit and Businesses listed in the Krabi Magazine
Aning Restaurant Thai & International Cuisine
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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.
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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 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.
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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.
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.
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Krabi Magazine
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Cover Story
Story by : Paul Stretton l Photos by : Paul Stretton & Pamela Huxley
High Ropes
It was with slight trepidation that I agreed to go to write an article on rock climbing in Railay to open the Green Season for Krabi Magazine. I was fully prepared to come in a purely supervisory capacity, take photos and make encouraging noises, but it was not to be.
T
here is no way I can visit the rock-climbing mecca of the world and not get roped into having a go. I had tried it before in Europe, once, and it was not my finest hour as I found myself frozen and trembling, stuck to a sheer cliff face I don’t know how many meters up in the air and suddenly finding religion. I finished that day with mixed feelings: I was glad I did it but not convinced I would ever want to do it again. We took a longtail boat from Ao Nang beach and were soon standing in the Hot Rock Climbing School shop in Railay. Our guide for the day warmly greeted us. He asked us about our previous climbing experiences, and before I knew it I was stepping into my harness and trying on climbing shoes. Pamela is a seasoned climber and was looking forward to the whole experience. I slapped an inane grin on my face and babbled incessantly all the way to the wall on the east side of Railay. I was put at ease a little by the arrival of Aor, an aspiring Thai journalist based in Koh Yao Noi. She said she had never tried climbing before so at least I didn’t feel like the new kid on the first day of school by myself.
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Once at the wall, we were greeted by a dozen or so other climbers from all over the world. I heard accents from USA, Australia, Russia, the UK and Japan all within a few minutes of arriving, proving Railay’s international reputation as one of the premier climbing destinations in the world. The instructor went through the basic skills such as how to tie a non-slip knot properly. I asked him to show me again. And again. And again… He then put his life in my hands by letting me ‘belay’ him as he climbed the ‘nursery’ wall for beginners. The belayer stands at the bottom of the wall with the other end of the climbing rope attached to their harness and gives slack or tension to the rope, as the climber needs it. They are also responsible for the climber not plummeting to the ground if they should fall off. No pressure then. Of course, I thought: he is a seasoned pro and could probably claim the wall in his sleep, so he was up and down in no time at all. I was already starting to feel more confident. On to the grown-up route, he flew up the wall to clip the rope through the steel ring at the top and came back down. It is this end of the rope that is attached to the climbers harness to support them if they lose their grip or nerve - whichever comes first. Pamela was the first of us to go, and she attacked the wall with the ease of someone with the luxury of long legs. She was like a spider up the wall to touch the ring at the top before I barely managed to get my shoes laced up.
It was finally my turn. I took a deep breath and started up the wall. I was using my arms too much to try and pull myself up, rather than my legs. This had the effect of exhausting me very quickly and I even reached the point where I could no longer lift my arms above my head. To compound this, I also made the grave error of looking down; take it from me, this is not a good idea. I then tried to concentrate on just the wall in front of me and trust that the rope attached to my waist can in fact hold my weight. I made it to the top of the first ring without incident and leaned back as the instructor lowered me down to earth, where I arrived with jelly legs and a stupid look on my face. I had done it! Aor was next and she did extremely well for never having done it before. The instructor was very patient with us all and encouraged us all the way up to the top of each route that day. Our morning session came to a close and it was with regret that we returned to the shop. I realized that I had actually enjoyed myself this time and I was glad I decided to have another go at Rock Climbing. I am still not fond of heights, but I would happily go climbing again, especially under the expert and patient supervision of the staff at Hot Rock Climbing School. Hot Rock owners Luang and Saralisa’s motto is “come as our guest and leave as our friend”. Hot Rock Climbing is registered at the Tourist Authority of Thailand, has full insurance for their customers, and can arrange accommodation and sailing trips. Check their website’s guestbook, www.railayadventure.com and contact them on 075 621771 or 085 6419842.
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Factfile RAILAY Even if you are not staying in Railay, try to pay the Railay Beach a visit, if only to see magnificent sunsets. The geographical position of Railay West Beach is such that it offers its visitors an excellent vantage point to view the sun setting in the most harmonious blend of colors. If you are based in Ao Nang, catch a longtail boat at any end of Ao Nang beach. The sun sets at around 6.15pm and by 6.45pm it is already dark. Try to get back to Ao Nang before 6pm as it may be difficult and much more expensive to get a boat back after this time. From Railay West to Railay East is a 5 minutes walk, and 10 minutes more along the cliff base to reach Pra Nang Beach. There you can find vendors selling shaved ice with a choice of native fruits or beans and melon syrup, peeled pineapple, BBQ chicken, and if you are in for a quick bite you can get hot food from a longtail boat snack bar. Finally, don’t miss a bit of a solo adventure. Somewhere along the cliff base between Railay East and Pra Nang Beach, a little shelter hut marks the start of a climb to an amazing viewpoint. After a good 10 minutes of uphill climbing, the trail forks: take the left to reach the viewpoint, 3 minutes downhill. From the fork, you can turn right and descend into a hidden lagoon in the middle of the limestone cape. The descent is hard and treacherous; avoid it if it has been raining, as it can be slippery and dangerous.
THE CLIMBING LINGO Multi-pitch climbing is the ascent of climbing routes with one or more stops at a belay station. Each section of actual climbing between stops at the belay station is called a pitch. The leader ascends the pitch, placing gear and stopping to anchor himself to the belay station. Belaying is the technique of controlling the rope so that a falling climber does not fall very far. While this task is typically assigned to a belayer, self-belaying is also possible as an advanced technical climbing technique. The term belay is also used to mean the place where the belayer is anchored; this would typically be a ledge, but may instead be a hanging belay, where the belayer is suspended from anchors in the rock. Quickdraws are used by rock climbers to connect the climbing rope to bolt anchors or other protection while lead climbing.
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People
An Interview with Jay Jay is a veteran instructor in Railay. Krabi Magazine had a friendly chat with him:
Krabi Magazine: So Jay, how long have you been in the climbing game then? Jay: I learned to climb around 8 years ago, right here in Railay. KM: What made you want to get involved with rock climbing in the first place? J: I saw how much fun people were having doing it. Some of my friends were into climbing as well, which helped introduce me to the sport.
KM: One of the first concerns absolute beginners like me usually ask is: - is it dangerous? So is it?
J: Only if you don’t know what you’re doing! If you take care to look after your equipment and ensure all your knots are tied correctly, then there is very little risk in climbing.
KM: Have you ever suffered any injuries? J: No, not really. The most common thing we see is scrapes and bruises from bumping into the wall or from sharp edges. A few pulled muscles as well, but nothing really serious.
KM: There were a lot of people at the wall today; are you busier at certain times of the year than others?
J: Not really. We have a pretty steady amount of climbers all year round. KM: That is a big bonus for you as a lot of businesses in this area rely on the tourist trade. Tell me about the people that come to climb here.
J: Well, they can come from all over the world, but we do have a lot of Scandinavian people come to see us. We can take kids as young as 7 years old and we have had climbers in their 40’s. It really is a sport for all ages and abilities. As we say here in Thailand, it gives you power!
KM: If someone wanted to become a teacher of climbing, how long do you think it could take from complete beginner?
J: That depends on a couple of things. For example, if they are naturally a good climber, they will progress more quickly. Also, they need to have a decent standard of English as this will make the whole teaching process go smoother. But for from never having done it before to trainer, around a month or so of climbing as much as you can!
KM: How many routes does Railay and nearby Tonsai bay have to offer? J: Around 500 or so. There are a number of books available that accurately map the routes around this area. They are graded on a difficulty scale that runs from 4 all the way up to a 9A. At the moment, I could manage a 7A.
Krabi Magazine
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Underwater World
Story & Photos by : Jeff Flint
Whale Tale
I find that sometimes the days that start out the quietest can sometimes end in the greatest adventures. April 2011 was one of those days, and one that I will remember for as long as I live.
T
he day began on the fabulous beach of Railay West in the Krabi district of southern Thailand. I had been volunteering my services for a month to the Railay Beach Club by cleaning the beachfront property of the excess of trash that comes with the night tides. I was still relatively new to the peninsula and every day I was learning something new and exciting about the beach and the wonderful surrounding area. It was around 8 A.M. and I had just finished my morning coffee and was out on the sand with my trash bag about to begin my day’s work when I saw my good friend JK coming my way. JK was moving at a good clip, almost jogging over the sand with an exited look on his face. “Good morning”, he shouted to me, still a few meters away. “Good morning”, I replied in a flat tone, not quite sharing his enthusiasm. He was almost next to me when he said: “Jeff, come out on the boat with us, let’s go”. His smile seemed to grow wider with each word as he scurried on by, his eyes where wide behind the sunglasses. I turned to hold his gaze as he raced to the boat. “Why, what’s up?” I replied, intrigued by this point. “Whale sharks! Right off shore here!”. I thought to myself, whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, rarely seen from shore, right here off this beach? That was all the self-coaxing I needed; I dropped my bag and broke into a jog to catch up with him. When we got to the long-tail boat we were greeted by a crew of equally exuberant faces: my friend Kelley, the manager of Railay Beach Club, and three other newcomers to the area, John, Jean and Gretel. I climbed into the slim wooden craft, I shook hands with the three other people aboard, and with a loud revving of the engine and a quick lurch we were off into the bay. As we cut through the waves I was given the details on what was going on. Earlier that morning one of Kelley’s friends, Luang, of the Hot Rock Climbing School, was out on his sailboat - which offers charter tours of the area surrounding Railay - and had caught sight of the whale sharks feeding nearby. Luang, who knows these waters well, had never seen such a sight in all the years he’d been sailing, and had quickly radioed in the discovery.
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Krabi Magazine
When we reached Luang’s sailboat that was about ten minutes offshore we immediately saw what we had come to see. At a distance, the whale shark fins looked ominous in the sunlit water. There were massive fins coming out of the churning water; at first it looked like there where a several different sharks, but as we got closer we learned that there were only two of them, each about 7-8 meters in length. They were so close to the surface that both their dorsal and tail fins where breaking the surface. As the boats started to circle them, we saw that the majestic giants were skimming the surface with their mouths wide open, feeding on microscopic plankton. I had never seen anything like it; both whale sharks had a kind of white polka-dot pattern on their rough oily-looking dark blue skin, and with their broad faces and tiny black eyes, they slightly resembled two enormous catfish. It was truly amazing to watch them from the front of the boat as they gracefully swam around us and under the bow. The sharks seemed to be totally unafraid of the boats and even playful at times. Everyone knew this was probably the only time in our lives we were going to see something like this, so cameras were in full use at all times snapping pictures and videos. At one point JK announced that he wanted to get into the water and swim with the sharks! I knew very little about whale sharks at that point, but from what I had learned watching the Discovery Channel, I knew at least that they are not man-eaters like the other giant predator of the ocean, the Great White. Still, everybody stared
in amazement and stammering protest as JK donned his snorkel gear and plunged into the water not ten feet from the giant feeding creatures. These gentle giants seemed to welcome JK, flippers and all, into their midst. We continued to follow the sharks around laughing and staring with wide eyes trying to reach out from the bow to touch them as they slowly swam along beside us. As the morning wore on, John also climbed warily into the water with JK and a third shark, even bigger than the first two, was spotted far in the distance. By this time we had been out shark watching for an hour or so and more boats had gotten word of the spectacle and were racing out to see the beasts. We all decided that since all these boats where probably putting a great deal of stress on the sharks, we had better start heading back to the beach. It was hard letting go of that special opportunity to spend more time with these fantastic creatures, but finally we reluctantly said goodbye to our new aquatic friends, turned our bow away from the rising sun and headed east back to shore. What had started as “just another day� on Railay West became a spectacular adventure into shark country where new marine friends were made and everyone learned a little something about these elusive water giants. I know for me it introduced a new meaning and purpose to my beach-cleaning job: to help preserve the environment of my new friends.
Krabi Magazine
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Culture
Story : Steve Crawford l Photos : Nattapat Sunthonphuriwat
Thai Spirit Houses I
n Thailand, devotion to Buddhism often defines itself via ritual within a temple. Thai devotion to the spirits and especially the guardians of the land often reveals itself via ornate little houses in their own front yards. These are dedicated to the guardian spirits of the land. Whilst travelling in Thailand it is more than likely you have seen a ‘Spirit House’. Spirit worship or animism is as old as mankind itself. It was a religion by which the entire world lived at one time, and when Buddhism came to Southeast Asia, it developed side by side with this ancient spirit religion. The spirit house is one of the most visible fundamental features of Thai life and culture. There are spirit houses everywhere in Thailand, and just about every home has one, this can also encompass schools, businesses and even petrol stations. The purpose of the ‘Spirit House’ is to provide an appealing shelter for the spirits, or celestial beings, who would otherwise reside in the heavens. A spirit house, or ‘san phra phum’ in Thai, is a shrine to animist spirits found in the Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Most homes and businesses have a spirit house placed in an auspicious spot, most often in a corner of the property. The location is often chosen after thorough consultation with a Brahmin priest, with the spirit house normally in the form of a miniature temple mounted on a pillar or dais. When people build homes on the land it is believed that they disturb the local spirits. In order to pacify these spirits you need to build them a house more splendid than your own. This house is intended to provide a shelter for spirits which could cause problems for the people if not appeased. There are numerous gods and other celestial beings in Thai folklore. The primary spirits the Thai’s are concerned with, however, are called the ‘Phra Bhum Jowthee’, or guardian spirits of the land. According to folklore, the spirits themselves are either good or evil, but most are just finicky and mischievous, demanding respect from humans and capable of disastrous consequences if they don’t get their way. Offerings are left at the house to pacify these spirits. Traditional offerings may include flower garlands, betel leaves, bananas, rice, chicken, duck, and a wide range of other edibles and no edibles. Candles are often used while incense is usually lit daily before a spirit house. The house may be permanent or temporary, made of wood, concrete or brick. There are nine spirit guardians and each offer a different type of protection. The guardian of the House and the guardian of the Garden are so frequently consulted with and prayed to that they are the only two that have permanent spirit houses specifically built for them.
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The houses are decorated with statues, small figures, or symbols of many other sorts in the center within the spirit house. In addition, there may be various animal figures, such as elephants or hones; figures of people, such as a married couple or other images; and even furniture. Outside, around the balcony that usually surrounds a spirit house, incense holders, candle sticks, and vases for flowers are placed. Thai families who believe wholeheartedly in the spirit house and its importance light incense every morning and ask the spirit to watch over and protect the home. Others do it on ritual occasions. Various temporary spirit houses are built when requiring the mediation of a particular spirit, and can be constructed at any time and at any place. At certain times the spirits are invited down only for special occasions and this is when temporary spirit houses are built, while the size may vary from the very small to a large walk-in, ground-level affair. The style and construction of a spirit house may be as simple as a typical Thaistyle shelter or as elaborate as a Thai palace. The exact style often depends on two factors, which spirit the person wishes to invite, and how much one can afford for the construction. This is a specialized field and only an expert Spirit House builder would be considered for proper construction. His responsibility, in addition to construction, is to be familiar with all the necessary rituals involved so that the spirit to be invited will find it an acceptable earthly abode. So what happens to old spirit houses? When changes dictate that a new spirit house be created, a ceremony will be held to transfer the spirit from the old spirit house to the new one. After that, the old spirit house can be discarded. Many are discarded near a temple or ‘wat’, but usually at a place where other spirit houses have been discarded so it is common to see many old spirit houses jumbled together.
Flood Relief
Text & Photos by : Gidi Mevissen
Visit Krabi flooding victims Chapter 1 T
he 7th of April was the day that we made the journey to the flood affected area in the Southern part of Thailand. Svein and I departed at 10.30 to meet Sayaan at his family’s house in Krabi town. On arrival it was clear we were not going to be with a few people only. Altogether we were with over 20 people, mostly Thai, 3 Swedish ladies and us. Sayaan and his staff where all present; during the previous week they had collected money, clothing, drinking water, soaps, shampoos, rice, noodles and more. The first stop would be Khao Phanom, an area that got badly hit because of a major landslide. 10 bodies had so far been discovered, 2 more people were still missing. On the way there, which took about 40 minutes, you could see from far away that many mountains had suffered landslides. You could easily understand that if you lived in a village that was in the path of the slides, you had little chance to survive a disaster of that scale. Khao Phanom had already received a lot of media attention; luckily for them they had already received a lot of help from the Thai people, and from foreigners living here. The Thai government assigned the Thai Royal Army to help in the recovery of the bodies and to repair the main infrastructure. The amount of rain that came down washed away sections of the road, water level that Svein and me calculated must have been 1 to 2 meters above the riverbanks. When we arrived at Kao Phanom, we were sent to the temple where there was a makeshift donations center; there was already a lot of drinking water and clothing there so we decided to keep the collected items and donate them to another area. The people at the temple brought us to an improvised morgue: in a small hall there where the coffins of 8 people, surrounded by their grieving families. Sayaan and his staff had also collected lots of money at the KR Bar and he made donations to the families who lost somebody. They donated 1000 thb to each family; one man who was given a donation had lost 3 of his family members. We wanted to see the devastated area but were not allowed to as the search for missing people was still on. Our good friend Mr Band the policeman had heard about a place 100 km from where we were, an area more devastated than this. We made our way to the North of the province to a place called Bang Sawan, getting there after driving for about 2 hours. This place had not received any help yet from the government - probably because luckily nobody got killed there. It was shocking to see how much water had gone thru this place; the river was about 500 meters away and the houses did get flooded about one meter. All the houses had their furniture standing outside; mattresses where lying outside to dry, and everywhere were piles of damaged TVs, tables, chairs, wardrobes.
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We stopped at the school where there was a collecting point, and dropped off all the collected items. Somebody came to tell us that one house located at about 7 km from the village got destroyed. We decided to travel there, but as it was a dirt-road we needed to go with pick-up trucks. During our drive, we observed that the water must have been 2 meters high into the trees, yet the river was now 15 meters below. At some places the river was 1 km away but still the areas got flooded. After maneuvering the cars on the still slippery road, we came to a point where the road was totally gone; a 30 by 5 meters wide and 3 meters deep huge crater was now there. We left the cars there and walked further until we reached the place; instead of 1 house there were 7 houses, and 2 of them where totally destroyed. The river was 20 meters lower; we could see the water must have been at least 3 to 4 meters high. The owners of the buildings where sitting outside, still dazed and in shock. When they saw us arriving - a group of more than 20 people they came up to us. We where the first people who had come to help them. Listening to their stories, we learned that when the water came they fled to a cave which was located about 10 meters higher than their houses. They stayed there for 3 days and 3 nights, without drinking water, food and electric. We decided to donate some of the money here; distributing them according to the damage suffered by each house. When we donated cash to the first person - a young man of about 30 - he started crying and we cried with him; he sobbed that nobody had come yet to bring any help. It was a touching moment. We stayed with these people for about one hour and then drove back to previous village. At that moment we still had money to donate so we started looking for other people. The choice was to either donate more today or come back in 2 weeks time and see if we could help them with building materials for their houses. We arrived back at 7 p.m. after driving 270 km and we would be going again the following week‌ 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
Fruits of Thailand
June, a fruitful month
T
hough Krabi may be impoverished in terms of rice production, it is a province busting at the seams with family fruit orchards. Few tourists realize that all of that lush greenery they see surrounding rural houses and settlements are actually fruit trees, a cornucopia of tropical delights: mango, durian, rambutan, lychee, guava, cashew nut, pomelo, rose apple, banana, papaya, jackfruit, lime, and many others. Mangos are the first crop to hit the market in April, just as Krabi’s tourist season comes to an end. But it is the onset of the rainy season in June and July that really gets the fruits. One need only savor a bite or two of a creamy rice jackfruit, or the indescribably delicious mangosteen, to understand why the hornbills, gibbons, and giant fruit bats are frugivores in this part of the world. If you find yourself among the few people traveling through Krabi province in the low season, not only will you see the landscape in its loveliest green attire, you will have the opportunity to sample a dozen or more fruits you have probably never tasted before in your life.
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Mangosteen Its flesh is sweet and creamy, its flavor citrusy with some peach. Fruit of ultra-tropical tree Garcinia Mangostana, Mangosteen, or Mangkut in Thai, is indeed a real treat. Southern Thailand is the home of the Mangosteen, which appears on markets in May and continues through most of the rainy season. This delicious fruit considered to be the “Queen of Tropical Fruits” has a thick, dark-red skin, inside which are creamy white segments with a sweet, slightly tart flavour; as a general rule, the more segments a Mangosteen has, the fewer seeds one will find. Usually, five or six small segments of white flesh are contained within the hard, dark reddish purple outer shell. Being an ultra-tropical tree, the Mangosteen must be grown in consistently warm conditions, as exposure to temperatures below 4C will generally kill a mature plant. When ripe, the outer shell yields to slight pressure and cracks easily to reveal the soft, white flesh with a refreshing sweet and tangy taste. This is the Thai way of opening it, sucking the segments out of the ripped shell. Remember though that Mangosteen’s purple inky exocarp juice contain pigments that can stain skin and fabric. Rip into it and watch your hands turn purple. To avoid crushing the delicate flesh within, a knife is used to slit the skin and make a continuous clean cut around the circumference around the middle by turning the Mangosteen clockwise or counter-clockwise through the dark beetrootcoloured pith but without cutting through the flesh. After this, Mangosteen opens easily and the flesh can be eaten with a fork as a memorable after-meal treat.
Today, the Mangosteen is the subject of thousands, maybe tens of thousands of web sites because of its alleged health benefits. Several products out there with untold numbers of formulations as beverages, lotions, teas, pills, powders, extracts, and so on use the Mangosteen as a main ingredient. Apart from the edible treasure inside the hull, the rind has also been part of Ayurvedic medicine and has been valued throughout its native range for its medicinal qualities. As a final thought, remember that despite its name, Mangosteen has no relations to the Mango, only share several of the same letters.
Uses : You can eat Mangosteen fresh or process it in a blender for juices and smoothies. It is also a great addition to any salad. Its juice contains potent antioxidants that derive from the Xanthones found in the Mangosteen pulp and outer rind. Mangosteen related products are freeze-dried fruit and nutritional supplements.
Nutritional value:
High calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B and C
Fruiting season: May - September
Selection & Storage: Choose each fruit by weight, picking the heaviest ones you can find. Store the fresh fruits at room temperature (2530 C), where they can be kept for 5-7 days. They can also be stored in the fridge for up to a week or more for optimal flavor.
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Flora of Krabi
Story by : Paul Stretton l Photos by : Paul Stretton & Pamela Huxley
The humble Cashew Nut
We’ve all seen them in supermarkets or adorning the top of cakes and pastries. But did you ever wonder where they come from and how they ended up on the market shelf?
W
ell we did, and thanks to ever-knowledgeable friends, we got a chance to go and see the whole process for ourselves. We drove for about 30 minutes towards the locality of Nua Klong, just out of Krabi Town, and pulled up outside the most wonderfully smelling building I have ever been to. The source of the delicious aroma was soon apparent as we jumped out of the van and were faced with thousands of cashews drying in the sun. We were introduced to Ja Dee, the owner of the business here, and through our friends’ kind translation we learned a lot about how the nuts are processed. First of all, the nuts are separated from their fruit and laid on mats to dry. The actual nut itself is encased in a very hard outer shell that is poisonous if eaten. So after drying, they are taken to a large furnace like pit and the casing is burned. The case is filled with a hard oily substance, which fuels the fire to a tremendous temperature, but ultimately leaves it weakened enough to be cracked open. We were shown to a ‘cracking station’, which consisted of around a dozen local villagers banging away at the blackened nuts with short iron bars to extract the nut inside. Even more interesting than the actual process itself were the people doing it. Ja Dee told us that the locals all came here to work when they wanted to, not because they were under any obligation. They are paid by the kilo, so the more they work, the more they earn. Even more interesting was the sight of a couple of very young children working. They had to be no more than 8 years old, and we were told that some kids as young as 5 come here to work. They get to learn the value of their money, we were told. If they want to buy sweets at the local shop, then they have to earn that money.
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After they are shelled, the nuts then get roasted in large gas-fired ovens. They are sifted in wooden bowls to separate them into different sizes. Whole cashews are more expensive than the split ones, for example. They can be processed again to remove every trace of the papery outer skin that clings to the nut. The finished article can then be sold wholesale in large sacks to resellers, or to passing customers in smaller plastic bags. The whole process takes around 4 days, from when the raw plant arrives to being ready for sale, and they are distributed all over the region – sometimes as far as Chiang Mai. The reason for this is that cashew nuts only grow here in the South of Thailand. Krabi has some plantations, but a lot come from places such as Ranong and Nakon Si Thammarat. In Krabi there are 12 processing places such as the one owned by Ja Dee, and she started up here 12 years ago from nothing. The season for picking the nuts is relatively short – with March and April being the busiest times. So the nuts are bought in bulk and stored in huge sacks to keep the workers going all through the year. Our hosts were so friendly and accommodating, and we realized we were getting a glimpse of this part of Thailand not a lot of people get to see. The workers were simple, poor people who spoke no English and stared at our pale skin and blond hair. These people were a refreshing change from the Thais that work in places such as Ao Nang, who rely on tourists for their bread and butter, and were delighted to get their photo taken with us. We noticed that there was not one item of machinery to be seen – the whole process from start to finish is done by hand. In true Thai hospitality, we were given a ton of still warm cashews to take away with us, and we left our new smiling friends, grateful to having been given this glimpse into their lives.
AO NANG BRAND NEW
CENTERPO NT 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
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.
Wellness
So You Want To Have a Massage? Should I shower beforehand? Yes, if possible. Most flashier places will have a shower you can use, but ask first before booking if it’s an issue for you. For beach massages, just have a swim first.
What’s with foot massages? Foot massages rule are one of the best ways you could ever spend an hour of your life: totally relaxing, soothing and great for the circulation. A perfect way to end a trek, marathon or walk around the block.
Thai massage, oil massage: What’s the difference?
Experience: Are you experienced? Every masseuse in Thailand will say they are Wat Po trained. This may prove meaningless. Wat Po is a massage training factory and not all students achieve the same quality and levels. A better gauge of talent is how long they have been massaging for. Ask! Customer levels can also be a handy guide to how good they are.
Pain: Should I be in it? No. Thai massage is also dubbed ‘lazy’ or ‘slow’ yoga and is not supposed to be overly painful. If a massage is hurting, tell the masseuse and they will adjust and soften their touch. Customer feedback is encouraged as it allows the masseuse to apply their techniques with your comfort level as a guide, to gain the maximum results in the session. If you are hurting let them know!
Beach massages: Why so cheap? Usually lower overheads and plentiful competition keeps the prices low. The training and quality of the masseuse is often - but not always - lower than what you would get in a spa. Spa massages: Why so expensive? Because all the rose petals for the rose petal baths are pricey, because they are often in high-rent locations and most importantly because it is what people will pay. More often than not however, the price will reflect the level of professionalism and skill that your masseuse has achieved over years of practice, 1000-1,500 Bht for an hour’s massage seems to be a fair price and should be in a splendid and soothing environment anyway.
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Thai massage is a dry, pressure-point massage, with very little (if any) oil used, while with an oil massage you are smothered with anything ranging from Johnson’s baby oil to super aromatherapy magic potions. Thai massages are good on the beach, and being reasonably priced, can add that special something to a lazy day of relaxation.
What is the best combination? A favourite for many is to begin with a shower, then have a herbal steam for 15 minutes. Take a break, steam again, have another break, then go have a Thai massage followed by a foot massage or a facial massage. It can prove to be one of the most relaxing ways spend 3 hours or so, can be budget priced and is highly recommended.
Tipping: Don’t be tight Tipping is not expected, but very much appreciated. In any of the standard shop-front massage shops you’ll see the masseuses are paid very little and the bulk of what you pay goes to the owners. As always with tipping it is up to the customers’ discretion, and what if any you tip, usually reflects the level of satisfaction you receive from the service provided.
Marina Yoga Party! Marina Yoga has moved to a new bigger center not far from her previous location and is inviting all her fans, acquaintances and new people too to her ”Opening Party” that will take place on SUNDAY JUNE 19th, 4PM TO 10PM
IRISH ROVER LIVE MUSIC MON: Jovie TUE: Mat Paradise WED: Jovie THU: Mat Paradise FRI: Jovie SAT & SUN: All live sports
M
arina Yoga is the first Yoga place in the Ao Nang area, and quite close to Krabi Town too. She runs a good variety of classes; yoga, dance, pilates and reiki treatments, all under the same roof. The new centre is double the size of the old one, and it’s now possible to introduce a variety of different kinds of disciplines. There will be special offers and bargains to be had if you sign up on Opening Party day and up to 3 days later: • 3 months unlimited Yoga card at 7,900thb (5 classes a week guaranteed) • Kids Yoga once a week, 3 months paid in advance 2,200thb • Kids Yoga once a week, 6 months paid in advance 4,000thb The new location is only a hundred metres away from the old yoga centre, so it’s still very easy to find. You can enjoy a great cliff view and the same lovely atmosphere as before. There will be small fireworks on the party day. Marina Yoga also offers Reiki, dance, pilates and personal training and more to clients of any age and condition. Feel free to call 087 8981506 if you have any question or if you like to visit Marina Yoga center. You can also visit www.marinayoga.com
GREAT FOOD, LIVE MUSIC, LIVE SPORTS
NASHA RUSSIA BAR & RESTAURANT AO NANG - CHECK ON MAP OPPOSITE SIAM COMMERCIAL BANK
Foto Weddings
Events
Hotels
Tel. 08 9772 7858 E-mail: toidesign@gmail.com 247/13 Moo5, Ao Nang, Krabi 81000 Thailand w w w . i n l ov ef ot o. c om
The Rooftop bar, Krabi Town
Roof of Hello KR Mansion Happy Hours 4 – 7pm Chao Fa Rd, Krabi Buy 1 get 1 free from 8 – 9pm Tel 075 612761 Great food available Next to 7- eleven The best views & sunsets in town
MARINA
• therapeutic exercises to provide relief to severeback pain • global postural re-education • stretching and strengthening paraspinal and abdominal muscles • correction of posture MARINA
Yoga & Reiki
NA THAI ROAD
YOGA
SOI AO NANG 1 500 METERS
FOLLOW THE ROAD OUT OF AO NANG FOR 4 KM AND TURN RIGHT INTO SOI AO NANG 1, AT THE NA TAI INTERSECTION TO KRABI TO AO NAM MAO - SHELL FOSSIL
Teacher of Raya-Ashtanga-Hatha Yoga PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL YOGA - REIKI - YOGA - REIKI FOR KIDS CLASSES AVAILABLE AT ALL LEVELS AND FOR ALL AGES AND CONDITIONS
AO NANG - KRABI 087 8981506
Mc Donalds Longtail boats
Ao Nang Beach
Email : yoga.krabi@gmail.com • www.marinayoga.com
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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Destination
Lanta Exotica Koh Lanta is fast emerging as one of the most soughtafter destination of the Krabi province, and judging by its rapid growth and rising tourist numbers, this seems to be one of the new islands earmarked for greatness.
E
ver since the film The Beach hit world audiences, the lush, luscious islands of Krabi have become one of the biggest attractions in the Land of Smiles. Amongst the newest of these is Koh Lanta in the southern-most tip of Krabi province. There are roads and resorts, colourful shops and markets, accommodation of every range, and what is really fascinating is that there are still undiscovered territories, and during the green season you will have most of the island for yourself. Some roads are still a bit bumpy. Drive around Lanta and amuse yourself at tourists sitting on the side-seats of quaint motorcycle taxis, while others whiz through the roads in hired motorcycles. Amongst popular activities are walking, camping, mountain biking and elephant trekking, canoeing, snorkeling or diving in the neighboring islands. Saladan is the first inhabited center you encounter after disembarking from the ferry. Saladan is a vibrant village with bustling food and souvenir outlets, tour and travel companies, bars and Internet cafes. I drink a coffee before starting the drive along the over 30km eastern beach-line of Koh Lanta, from Saladan in the North to the National Park in the south, passing Phra Ae Beach and Khlong Dao Beach. The drive is charismatic. The first thing I notice about Koh Lanta’s landscape is that it is not uniformly green like Krabi’s other luscious islands but dry and wild in many places. It is only the National Park that is really lush and commands a great view of the Andaman Sea.
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Having explored the east, I cross over the island and head towards the Sea Gypsy Village, Ban San-Ka-U, stopping over for some food at the Khao Yai Restaurant, famed for its astounding views of the entire Koh Lanta west side seascape with its bays, beaches, mango groves and rubber plantations. Ban San-Ka-U is populated by dark-skinned, curly haired gypsy tribes who live in stilt huts and still follow many old traditions such as building ceremonial boats to propitiate the sea goddess. Time to drive back as the day is nearly gone. At my resort, I change into a comfortable swimsuit and walk down the long white beach, fascinated by the varied sights: local fishermen, kids playing volleyball on the beach and sun-bathing tourists. As I sip a special cocktail at my resort seaside bar and hear the splash of the waves all around, I feel drifting into a beatific slumber. An hour later, the moon is glimmering against the swaying sea and the mountains. A perfect setting for a wonderful break in exotic Lanta Island.
FACT FILE Koh Lanta is about two hours by road from Krabi and Trang and an hour by boat from the nearest island Koh Ngai. One can drive by car to Koh Lanta and use the car-ferries through the Ban Hua Hin Pier and Lanta Noi Pier. There are 2 main islands comprising the archipelago: Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai, the latter having the touristy bays and beaches. For those intending to remain indoors, rainforest mountains and aquamarine waters provide the perfect atmosphere for rest and relaxation. 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 trafďŹ c areas for less than 10 baht an hour! Contact us today to set up a free consultation to learn more about this innovative and proďŹ table way to advertise your business! For more information: krabi@sanukcards.com
stay@escape-cabins.com www.escape-cabins.com
C
M
Y
CM
Stylishly decorated cozy villas nestled
MY
in a peaceful and private setting
CY
In-room PC, LAN / Wi-Fi internet, satellite
CMY
K
TV and DVD player Fine quality Belgian mattresses for your restful night every single day Never crowded swimming pool with panoramic view of lush tropical nature Single to family size, with or without kitchen, daily to monthly
For more information, contact: krabi@sanukcards.com For more information: krabi@sanukcards.com
Visit our web for availability calendar
Krabi Magazine
33
Hotel Review
Eat & Relax at Layana
T
hey had even folded my clothes and stacked them on the daybed for me, which I thought was just great! It was another example of the ‘little touches’ that I was coming to realize made this place different. After cranking up the aircon and snuggling under the goose down duvets, I was unconscious within minutes…
…I returned to my room after a yummy dinner at Tides Restaurant, to discover that the cleaning staff had been in to ‘turn down’ the place. The curtains had been drawn, the lights came on when I opened the door, and yes, there was even a chocolate and fresh orchid waiting on my pillow…
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Krabi Magazine
The next morning I awoke after the best nights sleep I’ve had in a long time, and wandered over to the restaurant for breakfast. I was greeted with such a dazzling array of exotic fruits, juices, cold cuts, cereals and the like; I really didn’t know where to start! There was fresh bacon English back bacon, I might add - as well as sausages, beans, tomatoes, and an ‘egg chef’, standing by to prepare your eggs just the way you like them. French toast, freshly baked bread, cold meats, cheeses, waffles and a dozen different types of pastries, croissants, muffins and cakes were complimented by hot, freshly brewed coffee and tea, served constantly at your table by the consistently helpful staff. There was even a couple of Thai breakfast dishes available that looked and smelled delicious, but I opted for another muffin instead. Well, I don’t get this every day!
After breakfast, I decided to explore some of the beach that lay only yards from my table. The water on Lanta is incredibly clear and blue, and the sand powder soft. The resort cleans the beach outside it to add to the experience. After my walk, I decided to take more advantage of the facilities of my room, namely TV and aircon. I wandered over to the library, where guests can borrow an impressive array of books and DVDs, as well as surf the Internet for free. I chose a couple of movies to watch and headed back to my room. Deciding to go the whole hog, I slipped into my provided robe and slippers, and called room service for lunch. I think one of my fondest memories of my stay at Layana was sitting in bed, with the aircon on, watching a dvd and eating a huge chicken burger and potato wedges! After another great night’s rest, I was up for another gourmet breakfast by the sea the next morning and truly regretting that I had to return home soon. I had noticed that the on site spa had a special offer on that day, of a massage and coffee scrub for a reduced price. I was soon lying with my face in a hole getting a gloopy coffee ground mixture rubbed all over. It was a thoroughly relaxing experience and one I really enjoyed. I also took advantage of the sauna, rushing out when I couldn’t take the heat any more and plunging into an ice cold Jacuzzi! That is an experience not to be missed! There are many activities organized by Layana, from a sunset cruise along the mangroves, to mountain biking, wine tasting and even Thai boxing lessons. This, I thought, was a great and unique idea to get guests trying new things, and giving them a chance to learn something about the local culture - all in the Layana’s inimitable style, of course!
Krabi Magazine
35
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
White Flower Bajen Sports
Lanta Castaway Resort EXOTIQ Koh Lanta Real Estate Lantanian Center Desjoyaux Pools Andaman Sunflower Red Snapper Relax Bay Resort
White Flower Apartments Bajen Steakhouse & Nintendo Wii Minigolf
Lanta Garden Hill Faim de Loup bakery Retro Restaurant Lanta Loft
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 SOON AVAILABLE IN KRABI, KOH LANTA & KOH PHI PHI
Promotion Team
Our Displays
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! Contact us today to set up a free consultation to learn more about this innovative and profitable way to advertise your business! For more information: krabi@sanukcards.com
For more information, contact: krabi@sanukcards.com For more information: krabi@sanukcards.com
Story : Pierre-Yves Loriers
REAL ESTATE - Architect Tips
Selling your villa to the world
Do you have a new holiday home in Krabi that could be earning you income? Ton Co. Ltd., the leader in property management in Ao Nang, will do everything possible to promote it with a comprehensive rental program and dedicated website marketing team
J
ittakarn Hemjit (Karn) is a graduate of Bangkok University, majoring in English. After embarking on a career, her first employer tasked her with creating a website – something she knew little about at the time. Through self-tuition, she discovered a passion for web design and has since followed up with specialized courses in Photoshop and web marketing. Since 2008 she has been working for Ton Company as webmaster and in that time has tripled their portfolio of websites, as well as updating each in terms of design and technology. “I really enjoy my work because it’s quite complex. Our websites have to serve many purposes: they are a marketing tool for the company; a ‘shop window’ for all the villas we manage; and a place to interact with current and future customers. So there are already three interest groups that need to be catered for: this requires careful planning and execution. “Customer experience is top of the list when we design a website. We focus on making the site easy to use, with good navigation and of course ample opportunities for guests to book and pay! This is very important for our other client group, the villa owners. Many people have a beautiful home and hope to rent it out while they are away, but it can be disappointing if the management company does not have a good system in place to attract bookings.
Krabi Magazine
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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR PROPERTY
“We aim to offer a very fast turnaround for new villas. It takes only a few days to put a listing across our whole network. We use a professional photographer and copywriter to create the content, in order to make sure that the villa is presented in the best possible light. Then our software provides a dedicated availability calendar and an instant quotation and booking system with secure online credit card payment, which are key features that customers look for in any accommodation website. “The online availability calendar can also be used directly by villa owners to view their bookings and to block the dates when they will be in their home. “Our other focus alongside great customer experience is search engine optimization (SEO) and improving page ranking. This determines where a website will appear in search engine results. The parameters are constantly changing but I keep up to date with courses in Bangkok and we have a clear strategy to maintain our first page listing for certain keywords on all the major search engines (Google.com, Yahoo and Bing). “In addition we are always developing new websites to build our brand, which has been in existence for ten years, and we have made professional translations of our content to push the brand into new markets in Asia and Europe – we recently started offering a Russian version of our main booking site, www.KrabiVilla.ru, for example. “We are also pro-active in seeking online partners to market the villas. We have listings that have garnered excellent reviews on Trip Advisor and work with several travel agencies that increase the reach of the properties worldwide. “This is really a never-ending job! Things move so fast in the internet world, whether you are talking about design or software and it is important to keep up, so we can maintain our position and improve sales.”
Ton Company is a full service provider of property management and rental. We are committed to maintaining and monetizing owners’ valuable investment; as well as simplifying life for those who do not plan to live in their property year round. For our villa guests, we strive to offer both luxury and convenience, coupled with a highly personalized service, ensuring an unforgettable experience of Krabi. Complete satisfaction and peace of mind for both property owners and guests is our goal. We offer villa owners the freedom to choose when they will occupy their home, with no blackout periods. Expected occupancy rate at other times is 60 – 75% depending on which periods are made available for rental, and owners can benefit from a full 60% of rental income. If you have a recently completed pool villa that you are considering renting out, do not hesitate to contact us to discuss the services we can offer. We are continually looking for high quality properties to add to our portfolio as the number of inquiries we receive from new and returning guests far exceeds our current availability.
Ton Company is currently hiring English-speaking staff to work on website projects. Proven programming and design knowledge required. Please contact us for further details. Interested candidates are required to send full CV (English only) with qualification, transcript, expected salary and recent photo to:
Ton Company Ltd. (2000) 318 Moo 2 T. Ao-Nang A. Muang, Krabi 81000 Tel. 075 695 633, Fax. 075 695 634 E-mail :ton@toncompany.com Website : www.TonCompany.com 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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Krabi Magazine
INTRODUCING
THE LAI THAI AO NANG’S ONLY LUXURY SERVICED APARTMENTS
STUDIO, 1 BEDROOM, 2 BEDROOM AND PENTHOUSE LUXURY APARTMENTS FOR SALE C E N T R A L L O C AT I O N : WA L K I N G D I S TA N C E TO B E A C H F R O N T S H O P S A N D R E S TA U R A N T S
UNITS INCLUDE: FULLY FURNISHED/KITCHEN INTERNET HALF OLYMPIC POOL
ACTUAL VIEW
24 HOUR SECURITY/CCTV CABLE TV FITNESS CENTER
FOR MORE INFORMATION 075-695091 (TH) 081-3703080 (ENG) w w w. l a i t h a i - r e s o r t . c o m
You are one step away from your dream property in Krabi. It is one phone call... Complete service, one stop shop The longest established agents in Krabi Lawyer involved in all transactions Freehold, leasehold, land, businesses Call us and visit us for an informal chat You will not regret it
www.exotiqproperty.com - krabi@exotiqproperty.com - tel 075 661144 - 089 9085990
THANEE ATTORNEY & COUNSELOR AT LAW
E-mail: info@thaneelaw.com www.thaneelaw.com
INTERNATIONAL LAW OFFICE STANDARDS YOU CAN TRUST
- Legal advisory - Project management - Company formation - Work permits - Visa and immigration - Business contracts and licenses - Wills and testaments
- Tax and accounting - Real estate expertise - Litigation and dispute resolution - Notary public - Marriages and divorces - Insurances - Mortgages
Ao Nang Exclusive apartments in the center of Ao Nang
lLocation: Ao Nang – Krabi - Thailand l Bedrooms: Studio, 1 and 2 bedroomsl lFeatures: Air-con, lift, terraces, private entrance l Price: From 3,000,000 Thai Bahtl For more information contact:
EN: Thomas +66 (0) 89 9085990 TH: Ton +66 (0) 89 7727858 Web: www.exotiqproperty.com Email: thomas@exotiqproperty.com
Know the Law
Opening a Thai Bank Account
Can a foreign citizen open a bank account in Thailand?
T
he answer is of course yes, or more accurately yes, but‌ As a matter of fact the issue of the opening of a bank account by a foreign non-resident is one of the most confusing issues for foreigners in Thailand because there is a huge discrepancy between the theory and the practice. If you are living and working in Thailand like I am, and even coming here as a tourist you will be, as explained above, in theory entitled to open and maintain a Thai Baht savings account. The number and the type of documents that you will be requested to provide in order to get going will depend of your status. In general there will be fewer documents to provide if you are working or living in Thailand permanently and more if you are only a tourist. Bangkok Bank documents required are as follows: For example below are the documents requirements of Bangkok Bank: APPLICANT STATUS: You are working in Thailand DOCUMENTS: Passport and work permit ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS No other requirements APPLICANT STATUS: You are living in Thailand DOCUMENTS: Passport and house registration ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: No other requirements APPLICANT STATUS: You are living in Thailand temporarily or you are a tourist DOCUMENTS: Passport ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: A letter of recommendation from a reputable organization located in Thailand such as an embassy, or your driving license containing your photo These are the requirements of Bangkok Bank; other institutions may have different requirements. Now, the bank documents requirements do not seems excessively
complicated even if you are a tourist. The catch is that theory is one thing and practice another. Many foreigners have seen their request for the opening of a bank account refused by one bank or another despite having provided all the documents required by said bank. Even worth, there are major discrepancies in the foreign account opening practice not only between banks themselves but also, between a same bank branches, and even sometimes within a branch depending which employees you are dealing with. In other words, yes you can open a bank account, but you might have to go through several trails (several bank or bank branches) before you fulfill your quest. Once you manage to do so, you will only need to deposit 500 thb cash to open a Thai Baht Saving Account. Upon opening a bank saving account in Thailand you will immediately receive an ATM/bank debit card allowing you to deposit and withdraw funds at the ATM machines. This may cost you in between 100 and 300 thb to be issues. Bank credit cards are in general only issued to foreign applicants that hold Non Immigrant Visas and Work Permit, and have a history and proof of income. Banks and/or card issuers will generally request that the applicant has been working between 3 to 6 months with the same employer before he can apply for a credit card.
Krabi Magazine
43
Showcased
Text by : Stefano Gonella
Kids’ Bedrooms
Kids grow fast and become teenagers with ever-changing needs. Furnishing their bedrooms with intelligence and fun is of paramount importance for their growth and wellbeing: the bedroom or portion of bedroom they own represent their nest, their hiding place, the private area where to sleep, study, play and above all to think, to live disappointments, a crisis, and introspections typical of growth. Here is a brief guide to the right choice of bedroom for your kid.
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W
hen furnishing a kid’s bedroom, you need to take into account that kids grow fast and that you cannot give too much importance to a bedroom during the kid’s first few years of life, which later becomes obsolete during adolescence. In a kid’s bedroom you must include a bed, a bedside table, a wardrobe, a bookshelf and shelves, a desk, adequate lighting and a place for friend to have at home for study and play.
The Bed When buying a bed, it is advisable to opt for one that has removable side protections as they are imperative in the first months of the kid’s life, but become superfluous when the kid is over 3-4 years old. For a bedroom that hosts more than one kid, there are solutions that allow space for two in a single bedroom: bunk beds, bridge beds, futon bunks, sliding beds, loft bunk beds that make use of the space under, bookshelves and wardrobes located above the bed, extracting desks and corner wardrobes. To split a single space between two kids may be the optimal solution when they grow and their needs diversify: they can have a corner for themselves which helps develop the sense of privacy and space.
The Wardrobe The wardrobe has to be as spacious as possible, perhaps not too deep but long and tall in order to contain clothes, toys, shoes and accessories that are often present in high quantity in kids’ rooms. Opt for a corner wardrobe of 1mt per side, which can grow bigger with the adding of side shelves. The standard depth of a traditional wardrobe is about 60cm, but there are also 45cm and 90cm solutions available. The wardrobe should not pass 2.9mt in height. Saving space solutions like sliding wardrobes are perfect to avoid the wardrobe doors taking up space when opened. After kids become teenagers, they turn into small men and women and each physical change results in change of clothes and style; their wardrobes need to be roomy!
Corner Study The desk is a key element in a kid’s room. It is here that he studies, reads, learns to use the PC, writes and cultivates some hobbies. Even small kids need a writing desk; it will help them to get used to colouring, drawing, and later study and do online researches. The study area needs to be organized so to favour the kid’s concentration. The desk needs to be spacious enough to allow forearms to be straight, a relaxing position when working. The chair has to have precise ergonomic criteria in order to be adapted to the natural curve of the spine. It needs to have regulatory height and back for the back lumbar region to well adhere, and for the feet to lean flat on the floor. The desk should be placed against the wall that has the phone line for Internet collection, and close to sockets for lamps and PC. The natural light should come from the opposite side of the writing hand. The desk should have an adjustable lamp. Kid’s bedroom bookshelves need to have young and dynamic colours that go with the rest of the furnishing, with ample spaces for books of different sizes, and to have space for CDs, DVDs, magazines, comics, a small radio or MP3 reader with speakers.
Kids’ Bedroom Lighting It is very important to properly light a kid’s room. It needs to have light strong enough to play, draw or study, as well as a comfortable feel that puts them at ease. It is important to have light spots on in the room in the evening or at night so the kids do not grow scared of the dark. Lamps often have congenial shapes: little animals, flowers, suns and moons, cartoons characters; chose a form with your kid!
Kids’ Bedroom Colours There is a wide choice of chromatic ranges for kids’ rooms. We advise water paint for the walls to avoid toxic inhalations, and live colours. Pastel colours are also fine, as long as they are lively. Avoid classic chromatic subdivisions such as light blue for boys and pink for girls; this can be applied to accessories, but not to walls. It is always better to keep neutral colors like green, orange, yellow. Cold colours like blue, light blue, green, purple and lilac are perfect for relaxing. Warm colours like yellow, orange and red are energetical and give vitality. Let’s chose colours that match well with walls, and chose accessories to match: bedsheets, bed covers, curtains, carpets, lamps. Colours will influence greatly your kid’s mood: chose them well, perhaps together with them.
Kids’ Bedroom Features Kids’ bedrooms furniture should have rounded corners to avoid sharp edges causing bruises during kids’ animated games. Drawers should have sliding metal guides with double safety stop, to avoid dangerous spillages. Doors’ hinges should be in stainless steel with docking security system and precise regulation on three axles. Doors should be tested for at least 100,000 opening and closing cycles. Beds’, bedside tables’, chest of drawers’ and desks’ wheels should have safety breaks. Bunk beds should have proper metal protection bars in tubular iron 25/32mm, which guarantee a strong capacity and a good structural stability. Stairs for accessing higher mezzanine beds can be in wood with the steps proportional to the riser, set against the wall, or protected by an aluminium railing, and provided with blocking and unblocking devices. A last recommendation: avoid filling every space with furnitures, frames and shelves. Leave some empty space for kids to hang posters of their favourite musician or sport idols. Use simple and modular furnishing that can mutate in new space distributions. Stefano Gonella is MD Houseware Sales Manager and designer. MD Houseware is located in Krabi Town, on the Uttarakit Road in proximities of Talat Kao, and is opened Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. For further information on their products and ideas for your house, stefano@mdhouseware.com
Krabi Magazine
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Italian Home Furnishings
MAP
PHUKET
Krabi Rd. Krabi Town
Maharad Rd.
TT&T Office
RIVER
KRABI AIRPORT
Phokha Temple
Uttarakit Rd.
Kitchen, bedroom, living room & office furniture made in Italy KRABI TOWN
080 1420044 info@mdhouseware.com www.mdhouseware.com
Property Search
Getting the Right Assistance
When purchasing any kind of property there are so many important details to keep in mind that at times you may feel you are wandering through a minefield of options. A trusted Real Estate buyer agent can be a tremendous tool if you are looking for the perfect property, especially if time, money and your experience are limited.
I
t makes good business sense to have the strength of professionals whose experience you can draw on when making one of life’s biggest investments. Having an experienced person on your side that knows the industry is a huge asset and one that should never be underestimated. This service that is provided by a Real Estate buyer agent has proven to be invaluable too many a ‘house hunter’, and some would say a necessary pre-requisite, since a professional agent will know what to expect, where to look, and have an in-depth understanding of the legal aspects of the overall purchasing process. This is after all the backbone of their business. As always, when it comes to Real Estate, the location and price range are of the upmost importance. The general area to survey may at first be relatively easy to determine, but a specific area requires local knowledge of the towns and neighbourhoods. An experienced Real Estate buyer agent can provide a wealth of local knowledge and assist with all of this as they will know the insides and outs of the entire area, and can therefore make invaluable recommendations.
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Since better areas can cost more money than others that are not so desirable, you will have to know what the maximum amount you can afford. This is not easy to do, but a Real Estate buyer agent can help you with this too. A Real Estate buyer agent may also know about new listings that are suitable for your budget before they are made public on property listings or in classified ads. Since agents usually get the first Real Estate showings, you may have a better chance of making a first offer on a great piece of property than you would without a buyer agent. As they are familiar with the area, they can take you to view properties without the hassle and worry about getting lost. Another advantage of having the assistance of a reputable Real Estate Agent is that they can also give sound professional advice, and have the ability and resources to write up offers for a particular property. These experts know how to bargain and how to get the best price. Many will testify it is a proven recipe’ in ensuring that the best possible deal is achieved for you, the house hunter.
This article is provided to you by Exotiq Real Estate Brokers. With offices in 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 7727858 or 089 9085990 - thomas@exotiqproperty.com for Ao Nang, Krabi and Koh Lanta enquiries.
SUTIN & FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL LAW OFFICE Legal Consultation Litigation through the Kingdom Business Registration Contract Making Legal Services for Alien Family and Estate Law 171/80-82 Krabi Rd, Paknam, Muang, Krabi 81000 Tel. +66 (0) 7561 2259, +66 (0) 7562 0250 Fax. +66 (0) 7562 0249 E-mail. sutinlaw@hotmail.com, sutinlaw@yahoo.com
Labor Law General Legal Services Real Estate Business Translation and Notary Public Work Permit Accounting Services www.sutinlawkrabi.com
COCONUT BAY Resort & Estates www.coconutbayresort.net
IS PROUD TO INTRODUCE
3 stunning seaview houses already built 4 independent and private plots left stunning views on the sunrise coast natural settings, on a green belt area self enclosed gated community of exclusive owners plots from 1 million baht, houses from 3 million baht land freehold with separate chanote title each plot benefit from the freedom of designing your own house building time 8 to 12 months with progressive payments
‘Coconut Bay Resort & Estates' is a bespoke boutique resort development that is offering residents and guests a stylish and opulent accommodation in a picturesque beach front location. The unique tropical properties are located on a sandy stretch of a secluded private beach on Koh Lanta. The properties will compliment the turquoise waters gently lapping the picturesque cliffs enclosing the palm fringed bay. Established developer. Interest free financing is available. Unique investor program. 0898 398 255 relax@coconutbayresort.net www.coconutbayresort.net
EXOTIQ KRABI REAL ESTATE Tel +66 (0)75 637459 Mob +66 (0)89 9085990 krabi@exotiqproperty.com
www.exotiqproperty.com
Directory
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DEVELOPMENTS Thalane Bay Village Sunrise Creek Villa Rattana Nong Thale River Residence The Lai Tai Attico Ao Nang Coconut Bay Lanta DIVERS Lanta Diver Blue Planet Divers
THA POM
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r53"7&-r$6-563&r"0 /"/(r-"/5"r-&*463&r/"563&r
HOTELS & RESORTS Sabai Resort & Residence Layana Resort & Spa VisitLanta.com Lanta Island Resort Lanta Castaway Resort Escape Cabins Lanta Amari Vogue Krabi Krabi Resort Sheraton Krabi Beach
RESTAURANTS Carnivore Steak & Grill Time for Lime Eden Bar & Drink The Irish Rover Paddys Klong Muang Aning Restaurant Aning Seafood Crazy Gringos The Rooftop Bar SERVICES Marina Yoga Lanta Animal Welfare The Lanta Retreat Mike Collection Tailor NewspaperDirect Krabi Newspaperdirect Koh Lanta Lanta Car Rental TOURS & ACTI VITIES Sea Kayak Krabi VILLAS Koh Jum Beach Villas Krabi Villa
LAWYERS Sutin & Friends Thanee Law REAL ESTATE Exotiq Property Attico Condominium LYG Construction Krabi Ton Company MD Houseware Desjoyaux Pools Krabi Consultants
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Krabi Magazine
Nong Thale River Residence Custom designed villas & holiday rentals
NT RR
Modern minimalistic Villa Ao Nang “baan Will”
Nong Thale River Residence
Experience the difference www.kamalot-ltd.com
Kamalot
Your custom built luxury tropical home within the benefit of a community Surrounded by beautiful mountains and a lovely river, just 10 minutes from Ao Nang beach For personal experience make an appointment to visit this unique project T. 0818940675
Wat Klong Son
info@kamalot-ltd.com
T. +66 818940675
l l l l l l l l l l
Quiet and spacious residential area Near Ao Nang beach and entertainment Krabi International Airport 25 kilometer Spacious plots 1100-1600m2 Custom built villas Quality materials Environment aware construction Project management and rental service Good accessibility for seniors Opportunity to experience on site before buying
4034 Krabi
300
350 m
6024 Klong Muang
www.kamalot-ltd.com
Co. Ltd. Land & Development
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