Krabi Magazine May/June Issue

Green Season Activities What to do when the rains come page 19

Thai Food

Spicy or very spicy? Either way, we love it page 27

Hot Springs and Waterfalls Get hot and steamy at this amazing natural spa page 17

Ton Company Ltd. (since 2000)

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

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

Call us 075 695 633 Krabi most experienced villa manager 10 holiday pool villas for rent in Ao Nang Top ranking websites available in many languages Secure payment online (Visa / MC / PayPal) 12 years of experience in Krabi 25 years of experience in hospitality industry Top ranking manager on TripAdvisor.com We speak French, English, German and Thai

KRABI VILLA

www.KrabiVilla.com Krabi Villas by Ton Company Ltd.

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

WINNER 2009-2011

MAY/JUNE 2012– ISSUE 76 EDITOR: Paul Stretton krabimagazineeditor@gmail.com - 087 2664876 EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Thomas Gennaro krabimagazine@gmail.com - 089 9085990 ART GROUP

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

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Stretton - Thomas Gennaro - Daniel C. Docto Nattapat Sunthonphuriwat - Ton Company Projects Abroad - Vishal Pawa – Linnea Bargdahl

DISTRIBUTION AO NANG – KOH LANTA KOH PHI PHI – KRABI TOWN - KOH JUM KitDee Media & Design – 075 637459 DISTRIBUTION KOH SAMUI - PHUKET BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI - PATTAYA Bookazine - AsiaBooks Bangkok MARKETING Pamela Huxley krabimagazinemarketing@gmail.com - 088 4512178 KitDee Media & Design Company Limited 247/13 Moo 5, Ao Nang, Krabi 81000 Tel: 075 661144 - 075 637459 - Fax: 075 637460 E-mail: krabimagazine@gmail.com www.facebook.com/krabimagazine Krabi Magazine is published and produced by KitDee Media & Design Company Limited and is protected by Copyright. No parts of this publication can be used or reproduced in any form – printed, electronic, photocopy or otherwise – without the written permission of the publishers.

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

Cover Designed by: Andy Dayton

Welcome to Krabi If you are a recent visitor to our shores, you may have noticed that it’s been getting a little soggy lately as the beginning of the Green Season arrives in earnest at the beginning gof May. Called the “Green Season” for a good reason, you will start to see the effect all this extra moisture in the environment has on the varied flora the Krabi region is home to.

The rains can also mean the stopping of a few activities that many people come to Thailand to enjoy - usually based in or around the ocean as it gets a little rough out there for a few months. But where there is a will and all that - you can still find operators that will go scuba diving and snorkelling to more sheltered areas, and there are absolutely loads of thing to do that don’t give a fig about the weather. There is also the added bonus of less crowds and cheaper excursions, so can’t complain really!

This month’s issue focusses on just such activities, as we take a look at how to have a blast if you’re at a bit of a loss for what to do. Our Green Season Activities section gives you some ideas and valuable tips. Our cover story takes an in-depth look at one of the more unique attractions of our area - an all natural hot spring that rivals any health spa.

You can’t come anywhere near Thailand without smelling chillies and garlic, which is a good indication about the country’s love affair with food. even if you aren’t of the spicy persuasion, there are more than enough delicious morsels to sate your appetite for the duration of your stay here. We take a look at this incredible cuisine and discover how the Portuguese managed to add some fire into their dishes.

If you go down to the beach today, you could be in for a big surprise as a weird-looking resident of our seashores will be lurking there. We take a look at a nippy little critter that has a name entirely appropriate for our part of the world.

You might be forgiven for thinking that there is a large pile of rotting onions somewhere on the outskirts of Krabi this month, but fear not - it’s simply the return of the infamous Durian fruit to our local market stalls. Banned by hotels, airlines, bars and many other public places, this fascinating fruit is strangely hailed as some as the King of Fruit. We find out why...

Our regular Muay Thai Guy, “Doc” gives us an energetic story about his epic fight in the paradisiacal island of Phi Phi against a local Thai fighter. He lived to tell the tale, but did he prevail? Find out more within.

As well as all this, we have our usual look at the real estate market and have plenty of tips on how to go about securing your own place here in Krabi.

We have sipped, munched, massaged, scuba dived and hiked to the best restaurants, bars, spas and islands and more to bring you the definitive guide to Krabi, Ao Nang, Koh Lanta and more this Green Season. So go ahead, turn the page and see what we’ve learned!

Paul Stretton

contents MAY/JUNE 2012, issue 76 A Window on Krabi

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

10 activities

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

Hotel PR News

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Brand, product and services from our sponsoring hotels.

NATURE TRAILS

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Hot Springs & Emerald Pool. Where else in the world would you see these words in the same sentence? And yes, it is a good as it sounds as we investigate these local phenomena.

ACTIVITY 19 Don’t fret if your plans for a day sunbathing at the beach are a wash out - we have plenty of suggestions to keep you amused on those rainy days.

SPORT 20 Our resident Thai boxer tells us all about his big fight on Phi Phi.

MARINE LIFE

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If you look down when at the beach, you may see something odd waving back at you. The Fiddler Crab is a long term resident here, and is something of an oddity.

FRUITS OF THAILAND

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Love it or hate this stinky, spiky fruit - you just have to try it!

CHARITY WORK

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Local conservation group Projects Abroad grab their black bags and get cleaning the beaches - and you’ll be shocked at what they come back with.

GETTING AROUND

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The Samlor or Tuk Tuk is everywhere in Thailand, and is a great way to get around. But there are a few things to watch out for, as we explain.

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CULINARY 27 Thailand and spicy food go hand in hand, and this month we take a look at how it all came about.

KOH LANTA

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Get the most out of Koh Lanta. Highlights, maps, reviews and Koh Lanta Highlights: Lanta Features Activity: What to do as the Green Season descends in Lanta Local Life: Rubber and Palm Oil produce explained

39 REAL ESTATE

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

Architect Tips: Local architects Ton Company produce stunning homes Travel Destination: If you’re thinking of popping the question to someone special here in Krabi, then you really want to take a look at our piece on nuptials in the land of smiles.

Property Search: We give you the top 5 tips to snagging the home of your dreams In the Know: Land Titles can be a minefield of bureaucracy here in Thailand. We explain what it’s all about.

Property Review: The all-new all Thai luxury apartments are going to be a sight to behold. We take a peek behind the scenes.

Media Kit Specs, dates and advertising rates.

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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 that divides it form Railay West. Tonsai has a shallow beach with slow gradients out to sea which is profoundly affected by the tide.

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

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

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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.

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 mineral enriched waters falling into rocky ponds.

THE ISLANDS

Hop on or hire a longtail, the local wooden boats with their picturesque prows. Sail away to Koh Poda, surrounded by turquoise waters, or to Koh Kai, shaped as a chicken and therefore called the Chicken Island, from where a walk on a sandy pathway connects it to Koh Tub. Make a longtail boat or speedboat trip to the Koh Hong archipelago, a group of limestone islands with hidden caves and lagoons perfect for kayaking or snorkeling. Join an organized tour to amazing Koh Phi Phi islands, full of marvelous bays, limestone cliffs, waters rich in marine life, caves where swallow nests are harvested, and much more.

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

THE CULTURE

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

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

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

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

THE TOWN

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

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

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

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

Wat Tham Suea A hike to Wat Tham Seua, otherwise known as Tiger Cave Temple is exhausting, exhilarating and ultimately hugely rewarding.

Once you’ve climbed the 1,257 steps that lead to the hilltop temple, you’ll be met by stunning views over the surrounding Thai countryside having been transformed into swathes of lush greenery by the monsoon rain. Combine the temple with trips to other destinations like Sa Morakot or visit as a separate Krabi Town day trip and combine with trips to the market.

www.artsphoto.ru

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

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

Evening in the Last Fisherman Bar/Sea Food Restaurants at Noppharat Thara and Ao nang After a sunset stroll there’s no better way to finish off your evening than chatting over a cocktail or two or indulging in some great seafood. If you finish your walk in Ao Nang continue along the road by the police box until you come to the Last Fisherman Bar, one of Ao Nang’s best night-spots. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a drink by the ocean. The seafood restaurants at the other side of Ao Nang Beach or by the very end of Noppharat Thara beach are a must for local fish fare.

Rock climbing and Railay Beach Combine a trip to Railay Beach with some rock climbing and serious beach time and then sample some of the local nightlife.

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

Hong island or Local islands tour with special designed longtail boat and unique lunch set up

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

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

Try the Thursday market or Saturday markets in Klong Haeng.

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

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

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

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

Hong island – øyhopping med spesial designet longtalbåt

Inkludert i turen er: · · · · · · ·

Transport til og fra hotellet Et lekkert lunch set up Frukt, vann og brus er inkludert hele dagen Matter og parasoller Snorklings utstyr Skandinavisk / Finsk guide AIA internasjonal forsikring

Thai Culture and Making Merit

Inkludert i turen er: · · · · · · · ·

Transport til og fra hotellet Frokost på lokal restaurant i Krabi by Mat til munkene Longtailbåt til Koh Krang Frukt, vann og brus er inkludert hele dagen Donering til skolen Skandinavisk / Finsk guide AIA internasjonal forsikring

126 Moo 3, Ao Nang, Muang, Krabi 81000 Thailand Tel: +66 7563 8097-8 Fax: +66 7563 8089 Mobile: 08 0691 5119

Hotel PR News

SUNDAY LUNCHEON TO LANTA OLD TOWN

SPLASH & SPICE

Every Sunday from May onwards, treat yourself while staying at Layana Resort & Spa and join a half-day luncheon cruise on our luxury Layana 1 boat:

-- Depart from our Saladan Pier, visit the beautiful scenery of “Hua Laem” on Lanta Noi and see the lifestyle of this local fisher village.

-- Arrive at Lanta Old Town for a stroll of the local shops -- Stopover for lunch at “Fresh Restaurant” in Old Town -- Depart from Old Town to see Macaque monkeys on the way back between Lanta Yai and Lanta Noi. Light refreshments are served on board.

-- Disembark at the small town of Saladan, 5 km from Layana Resort & Spa and return to the resort in one of their private minivans.

Explore the delightful of the flavors, textures and aromas of the much celebrated Southern Thailand cuisine as recreated by our supreme Thai chef. We feature a special and just updated a-la-carte menu, with an original range of outstanding dishes specially prepared for you.

About Layana Resort & Spa

Layana Resort & Spa is an exclusive boutique resort facing a fine white sandy beach and set against a picturesque backdrop of forested hills. Laid out amid tropical gardens and designed to harmonize perfectly with its natural surroundings, the resort comprises of low-rise, contemporary Thaistyle buildings that combine spaciousness with an open, cool and natural ambience. The guests have the opportunity to appreciate an idyllic island world far from the pressures of the city. As an exclusive haven of luxury, Layana Resort & Spa aims to offer the ultimate in individualized service.

Throughout, guests appreciate the hospitality that is unobtrusive to preserve privacy, and yet attentive to give a sense of privilege and to fulfill every wish.

For more information or to make a reservation, please call + 66 (0)75 665 144 or email reservations@thehouben.com

ABOUT THE HOUBEN

The Houben is a private family run villa-style hotel comprising 15 sea view rooms graciously perched on a cliff. The hotel overlooks a striking panoramic view of the Andaman Sea, just a few steps to Kantiang Bay - the best hideaway sandy beach on Lanta Island.

The Houben concept combines modern style living with a touch of Thai, creating a simply irresistible experience. Our design is thoughtful, minimalist, relaxing, inspiring and yet eco-friendly. The Houben is the ideal place to escape from city life and for anyone who loves to pamper themselves in a natural environment. The Houben is where comfort meets style; where the sun dives into the tranquil horizon; where your vacation feels like home. We can’t wait to see you there.

BAHT FOR A BETTER LIFE

84 Schools to Celebrate H.M. The King’s 84th Birthday Amari Hotels & Resort’s overall objective of the 84 Schools Project is to facilitate disadvantaged children in rural poor schools to become independent and lifelong learners with the necessary life skills and occupational skills to solve problems.

Amari Vogue Krabi this year will support the Ban Bang Dong School in Phang Nga together with Amari Coral Beach Phuket and the Vogue Resort & Spa in Ao Nang. To achieve this, we are working together with the Raks Thai Foundation from Bangkok. Amari is encouraging its team members to participate as volunteer teachers or helping to organize children’s activities. Amari will also promote the program to the resort guests through fund raising activities.

About Amari

Amari is the centerpiece of the ONYX portfolio of hotel brands reflecting modern Asian hospitality, a down to earth vibe and embodying Asian flair.

ONYX Hospitality Group operates four diverse yet complementary hotel brands – Saffron, Amari, Shama and Ozo - each catering to the distinctive requirements of today’s business and leisure travellers. ONYX reaches beyond its Thai roots to offer innovative management solutions across the Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf and Asia-Pacific regions. Visit www.onyx-hospitality.com.

Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort is serious about the environment. In a Province with huge infrastructure development and rising tourist numbers impacting the natural make up of the area the resort has a vital role in leading the way in creating a more sustainable community for everyone.

As part of the Accor group’s global sustainable development project, named Planet 21, all hotels worldwide participated in various awareness raising activities and events. The first project for Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra was mangrove planting in conjunction with the Krabi Mangrove Development Station, funded by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

All head of departments, General Manager, Mr. Robin Deb, HR team and another 40 members of staff attended to assist in the mangrove planting. A total of 350 mangrove saplings (one for each member of staff ) were planted across a large area of swamp land in part of the protected area of Khao Thong, in the Muang district of Krabi Province. All staff were encouraged to car pool or make their own way to the plant site rather than coming to the hotel first thus reducing our carbon footprints with lower emissions.

The staff at the Mangrove Development Station promised to keep the resort up to date with the progress of their new mangroves and the staff plan to visit again in 6 months to see them. As part of the same project Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra also arranged the staff into a Human Tree in the Spa Garden, again to raise awareness of the importance of this project in the resort and local community.

The next step for the resort is to continue the sustainability awareness with energy saving activities and specific training for all staff.

All of us and each of us can make a difference with PLANET 21!

Sofitel Krabi’s truly amazing

swimming pool Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort features one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in all of South East Asia, the length of which embraces the entire front of the resort. With a total area of 7000 square meters, it is a space to fully explore and find that hidden corner. Our resort’s spacious, exclusive Opera Suites allow guests full access to the secluded lagoon area of the pool.

With separate pool areas just for the kids and a dedicated Sports & Recreation team providing a range of fun aquatic activities or for those looking for more relaxed pursuits, simply chill out on one of our comfy loungers and let our attentive pool butlers fulfill your every need.

After a lap or two, take a swim up to our pool bar for one of our revitalizing shakes or other healthy treat from our extensive menu.

Located in the centre, and just like your own private island, the pool pavilion offers a full range of spa treatments throughout the day and turns into the perfect space for candlelit dinners come sun down. Ideal for wedding ceremonies, or other personalized events, with sea breezes and sweeping garden and ocean views.

At the end of the day, why not order one of our signature cocktails and relax in the free-form infinity pool with uninterrupted views overlooking the shimmering waters of the Andaman Sea. For unlimited access to Sofitel Krabi’s truly amazing swimming pool purchase our exclusive Annual Phokeethra Membership priced at 33,000 THB. Along with pool access throughout the year also enjoy complimentary green fees at our 9 hole golf course and special discounted rates for up to 3 other golfers playing together. Phokeethra Membership also includes access to our other resort facilities such as Gym, Steam Room and Sauna and a 10% discount on Food and Beverages as well as Spa Treatments.

For more details, please feel free to contact us on 075627800 or email info@sofitelphokeethrakrabi.com

Hot Springs & Nature Trails A day spent at the most luxurious, all-natural spa you will ever experience - and right here in Krabi.

As we drift into the green season here in Krabi, you might be left wondering what you can do as many places shut up shop for the next few months as the daily downpours dampen their prospects of any good business. While it’s true that it may be a little difficult to get a good days diving in and your suntan may suffer a little, there is no reason to be downhearted as we take to the road and head inland to discover a wonder of nature

The area we are going to explore is the Khao Nor Chuchi Wildlife Sanctuary, also called Khao Phra-Bang Khram, a place of extraordinary beauty situated in the southern Klong Thom district of Krabi. This nature reserve is home to two of the most visited natural spots in the region, the hot springs and the enchantingly titled emerald pool. As well as this, the area is also

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the only place in the world where the extremely rare Gurney’s Pitta bird (not bread!), previously thought to be extinct, still lives and breeds - a discovery made only 15 years ago.

Our minibus drives along the road that flanks the river; the tide is very low and the thousands of mangroves show off a beautiful tangle of roots that are exposed from the water. It is a glorious day; the sun hits the Tiger Cave Temple at the top of its hill an gleams like a beacon. This is rural Thailand, at only a few kilometers from town: swamps and endless fields where herds of buffalo graze, bamboo forests, date palm plantations, mosques, messy gasoline stations, modern villas and shanty shacks.

Emerald Pool and the high level of minerals in it such as bicarbonate calcium, fluoride, magnesium, nitrate and sulphur, make it a perfect hydrotherapy bath.

It is so relaxing to plunge into the cold stream and shower in the hot water from the springs above, or simply lie inside one of the 5 pools, your back against smooth and rounded rocks, taking a hot bath that relieves stress and tension and soothes aching muscles.

The pool area is shady and it’s very tempting to spend a long time in the pools, but it is advisable not to spend longer than 30 minutes at a time in the water, which can even be drunk in small amounts: its minerals will stimulate your metabolism.

In years past, Klong Thom was a trading stop along the ancient marine silk route; millions of ancient beads and artifacts found in this district are on display in the museum of Wat Klong Thom.

Khlong Thom is less than 50 kilometers south of Krabi town and the main intersection, home to a daily market, is buzzing with activities.

The last part of the road is a dirty track that can be negotiated by any rented car.

We arrive at our destination, are charged the 90 baht ticket and follow the first nature trail. The path takes us to the main pools is flanked by lush bamboo bushes and other exotic plants with thorns big enough to scare off any unwanted visitor. After a short walk, we arrive at the hot pools. The pools are hollow basins of old rock carved out by the water originating from a hot waterfall, so that the basins upriver contain the hottest water that goes decreasing in temperature as it descends towards the river, emptying into its cold stream below. The water is 38-40°C

We leave the hot springs and on the way to the crystal pool we stop for lunch in the Morakot Restaurant, a simple, traditional Thai place with a rustic ambience that serves good local and foreign food.

After lunch, we head the short distance to the start of the Emerald Pool forest trail. We stop to bathe to the least visited pool called “Sa aKew”, its water warm enough for us to enjoy the bath and rest our bodies. We skip the crystal pool, populated at this time of the day by a few locals, and carry on through muddy streams and low waterfalls that have made the rock slippery, and we struggle to keep the balance and to avoid falling. At the beginning of the next trail we come across a thatched temple where the statues of two funny-looking gurus sitting cross-legged and dressed in leopard robes meditate, the palms of their hands joined together above their pelvis. They have garlands of yellow flowers wrapped around their necks, and in the platform in front of them people have placed all sort of offerings, from incenses to all kind of flowers, incense holders,

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pots of tea, porcelain glasses, bottles of water, little statues of Buddha and some food. We are told they are vegetarian deities that live in the forest and are guardians of the river; they are so synonymous with the natural world that ladies wishing to get pregnant come here to ask for their blessing.

We set off for the final leg of our journey, along a narrow path that crosses a forest of ferns 2 meters high - a very impressive sight. We do not see anyone along the way and we assume to be the only people to venture beyond the crystal pool.

After about 10 minutes, we reach a pool with a sanded floor the color of the sky. From the base of the pool an underground hot spring feeds hot water into it, creating a turbine that swirls continuously - another incredible sight that has to be seen to be fully appreciated. From the rest of the pool floor, escaping natural gases create small bubbles that make their way to the surface like a natural jacuzzi. We enjoy this amusing natural display for a while before returning to the crystal pool.

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There, at the Sa Morakot, a few tourists are enjoying a swim in the pool. The intensity of its turquoise colored water, a phenomenon created by the algae and bacteria present in its floor, can vary according to the light and time of the day so if you are determined to see the real emerald color you should plan to visit at dawn or early in the morning. We take the last dip of the day while we watch the late rays of the sun setting behind thick foliage coloring the area of a palette of oranges.

Once again I am reminded that Krabi is an amazingly diverse region and not just about sea, sun and sand. Just a few kilometers are enough to plunge into the wildest nature and the rarest bio-diversity. Amaze your friends at home and entertain them with a traveler’s tale from the forest, as Krabi is an eco-friendly destination that will keep amazing all nature lover visitors.

Green Season Activities OK, so it rains. A lot. But that’s no reason to sit in your hotel room and play Jenga all day. There is a veritable Smorgasbord of activities to take part in that don’t give two hoots about the weather...

Sunset Gazing

I dare you - no, double dare you - to find a more breathtaking sunset than one on a stormy evening in Southern Thailand. As 6pm draws near, find a spot at a beach bar like the aptly named ‘Sundowners’ at Layana Resort & Spa in Koh Lanta and get ready for a spectacle you won’t forget. An incredible display of orange, yellow and purple splashes across the sky to the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of spectators. Take your camera and prepare to be amazed.

Muay Thai

Otherwise known as Thai Kickboxing, this ancient art is practised all over Thailand and is becoming more and more accessible to everyone of all ages and fitness levels - not just the ‘John Claude Van Dammes’ of the world looking to avenge the death of their brother.

Muay Thai is a lot of fun and the trainers are generally world class fighters that can impart a lot of wisdom on how to get fit, stay fit and even fight in a local competition if that’s your thing.

Traditional Longtail Boat Trips

Most of these wooden workhorses have canopies to protect you from the sudden yet predictable cloudbursts at this time of the year, so this coupled with a raincoat and drybag you can pick up in most shops along the beachfront are your arsenal against those Jenga-bedroom woes. Club together with some friends and hire a boat with driver for the day and set out on a voyage of discovery to the islands and waterways that crisscross the Krabi, Ao Nang & Lanta region.

Many tour operators can arrange these trips complete with an English speaking guide as well as lunch, fruits and water thrown in.

Elephant Rides

Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

Get wet all over by booking a day out diving on the amazing coral reefs around here and feel suitably pleased with yourself for beating the weather at it’s own game. As a bonus, the prices at this time can be a little cheaper and the boats and dive sites

Keeping more inland can be a good idea for those that prefer their ocean ripple-free and smooth - something that doesn’t happen every day in the green season. Elephant trekking is a popular attraction here and there are many operators that can offer a full or half day’s experience on the back of these impressive pachyderms, again with food, refreshments and transport to and from your accommodation as part of the package.

Massage & Spa Days

Thailand is one of the best places in the known universe for pampering oneself. There are more spas here than you can count, and all of them offering a plethora of treatments in lush

quieter than the really busy peak times of the year.

If complete immersion isn’t quite your thing, then snorkelling can offer you a birds-eye view of the reef instead. All of the dive boats can take snorkellers along to the dive sites as well, and there are also trips designed especially for you that can hit 5 islands in a single day. Even if you have never tried it before, they can cater for you.

surroundings that will have you drifting off to another place (figuratively speaking, of course) and forgetting all about the rain outside. For those of you on a tight budget, the massage huts along the Ao Nang beach are the places to go for a bit of pummelling and kneading of your weary body. If you fancy something fancy, then take a look at the dozens of spas that offer pure indulgence at a fraction of the price you would pay back home.

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Muay Thai

Back in The Ring S

awasdee krap - Hello, my name is Daniel C. Docto aka Khru “Doc”, I am a Muay Thai Instructor from California, USA and I have been living in Thailand for almost 6 years. I just turned 49 years young, I have not been in the Muay Thai Ring for over 2 years and I got invited to the Paradise Island of Koh Phi Phi for a Special Night of Muay Thai Fights. How could I refuse?

I started to train in Muay Thai 20 years ago and the sport has been terrific at keeping me in shape. My first teacher - Khru VUT Kamnark - is 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighs 110 lbs. and is smaller than my wife! I am 5 feet 8 inches tall, I weigh 175 lbs. and Khru VUT can knock me out cold in the blink of an eye! Thailand Muay Thai Fighters are - kilo per kilo - the best stand up ring fighters in the world. Compared to western fighters they are small, but they all have big hearts and are known as the “Kings of the Ring.”

We took a big boat from Ao Nang to Phi Phi island at 9am in the morning. The trip was beautiful, a spectacular way to see this paradise of South Thailand, and it just made the beginning of my Muay Thai experience even more amazing. The first time I was on Phi Phi island was a week before the Tsunami struck in 2004 and heavy emotions fill my soul whenever I think of that time. My wife and I went to the Memorial of the Tsunami in 2006 and my last visit there was in 2009.

A couple of hours later we docked at the main island of Phi Phi Don. As we disembarked, we were greeted by a huge sign welcoming everyone to Phi Phi island, as well as a large banner advertising the fight that had my name and picture on it! I had no idea that the Phi Phi island promoter was going to post my picture all over the island to say there was special Muay Thai fights that night. Many of the Thai residents on the island recognized me and said good luck in my fight. I felt like a celebrity!

I do most of my training in Ao Nang, and one day my instructor Khru Kiti toml me that his promoter friend was organising a fight night on Phi Phi Island and would I like to take part? “Sure” I said, thinking that it would be a great goal to work for. I had just over 2 weeks to train for the event, so I started my running, cardio and fitness workouts in the mornings and my sparring, bag and pad training in the evenings.

A typical Muay Thai fighter tries to train for three weeks for every fight before taking a week off in order to be in good shape to fight every month. This workout schedule can be a gruelling 4 to 6 hours per day and it is a serious commitment. I have a lot of past experience but am rusty in the ring, which is a real wakeup call when you step under those ropes and begin sparring in this bone-on-bone sport! I trained well over the 2 weeks and was fortunate to not end up withr any serious injuries, which are par for the course in this sport.

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We walked around the right side of the island and discovered their brand new Muay Thai Stadium. Again, it was humbling to see posters promoting the fight which had my smiling face on them. I even wondered how he managed to get that photo of me in the first place. I found out later that he got them off my Facebook page. Thank God for Facebook and the future we now live in! We arrived at the new stadium and it was awesome

- an old school style with a modern twist. It was a good size, had many seats and on one side it had three levels with bar stools.

Any seat in the stadium was a good place to watch the fights and I personally loved the feel the whole place had.

tried some kicks of my own but I could not just get in to punch him. Muay Thai is a counter fighting system, they allow the opponent to do something first and then do a strike in return. I had to do something like this - but how?

That night the stadium was packed full, so the promoter decided to add three more fights to the schedule which would make a total of 12 fights. I found out that I was the last fight and my opponent was a 23 year old Thai from Lanta Island. He had been fighting foreigners in South Thailand because he is one of the few big Thai fighters around! His fight last month was against a foreigner that weighed 220 lbs. and he got knocked out really bad, so the promoter gave him the chance to cancel our fight after meeting me. I thought that was fair - after all, who wants to get KO’d every month by big foreigners?

When we met, his trainer had us take our shirts off and compared our bodies. I smiled at him and he gave me the thumbs up. I was humble to my opponent and showed honour to his trainer and they quickly saw that I was different from the typical macho foreigners they usually encountered. I told them I am old, love the sport and I am still having fun fighting in the ring.

Round Three: Between rounds my trainer tried to mop up the ring floor, he slipped and fell and the crowd all had a good laugh. I then thought about one of my trainers, he was a champ boxer too and he did well in fighting Muay Thai by allowing his opponent to kick and then throw a hook punch. That was my game plan for this round and seconds into the fight it began to work. I am right-handed but I fight in a left-handed south paw fighting stance which the Thai fighters love to do. My opponent threw a power right-kick and I stepped in and delivered a long right hook … my fist hit him right on the jaw. He went down, but got right back up and I knew then this was my chance maybe my only chance to win.

The historical purpose of Muay Thai was to teach young men to be humble and that is another reason I like to fight in Thailand.

Being humble to me is the secret to fighting in Muay Thai as it relaxes your emotions, fears and heart. In this “humble mode” you can feel and see your opponent’s movements and look for that all-important knock-out strike. But the challenge to us in the west is practicing this respect and honor to someone you are trying to knock out! Well, Thailand is teaching me that and it is a practice that I am lovingly learning.

My fight time arrived at 1:30am and by now the ring is a swimming pool from all the water they throw on the fighters during their fights. I am all greased up, taped up and ready to get into the ring.

Round One of Five . I try to fight Thai style so I like to use this round as a warm up but I quickly discovered my young opponent did not think the same … he wanted to hurt me as soon as he could. He got a couple of good kicks to my right leg and I decided not to let him kick it any more. There were only two spots on the ring floor where we had good footing, so we did show honour to one another and allowed ourselves to move to those spots to fight.

I came right back in with big punches. I then tried some knee strikes and clinches and was able to throw him to the ground.

He was so tough! I tried a couple of elbow strikes and one hit but no final KO. I kept the pressure on, as I could see he was getting really tired. I was getting tired too and soon knocked him down again until the referee counted up to 8. Then another series of strikes, one more 8 count by the referee and he said he was done. He could not continue. I won! Wow … thank God …

I was so tired!

This was a great fight, I felt calm and humble through it all and even managed to show honor to this amazing young South Thailand fighter. What an amazing night.

Anyone that steps in the Ring is a Winner.

Muay Thai, Thailand’s Championship Ring Fighting Sport is my “Fountain of Youth”, it is great for Health, Fitness, Self-Defense and Weight Loss. Many all over the world are doing it and ages 6 to 60 plus are enjoying this amazing sport … You can do it too!

Round Two: I quickly woke up … this is a real Muay Thai fight in the Ring of Thailand.

I am half Filipino so I have some PAC-Man boxing skills in me and on a floor of slippery ice the hands might be easier to deliver. Just as I was thinking that my opponent got a big punch in to my head and I was surprised it did not hurt. He had a very strong front kick, every time I stepped in to punch him, he would kick me and leave his big footmark on my stomach. I

If you want to learn more about Muay Thai or even take a lesson, please feel free to contact Khru “Doc”. DocThailand@gmail.com – Cell 087-810-2177

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Marine Life

Crabby in Krabi

The reason they are called Fiddler Crabs is the way they look when feeding. They use their tiny claw to pick up morsels of food from the sand and pop them into their mouths, while the larger claw stands guard for any potential predators. This gives the illusion of ‘Fiddling’, as if the crab is playing a very small violin. Like all crabs, they have the ability to regrow a claw if one is lost in the course of it’s life - a pretty handy ability you have to admit! Although once the larger claw has been lost, the succeeding ones tend to grow only about half the size of the original, for some unknown reason.

Thailand is a country filled with all manner of weird and wonderful creatures, one of which is the Fiddler Crab. Yes, it’s a great name and one which becomes fairly obvious when you finally come across one of the little critters.

You may have seen crabs before - who hasn’t? But the Fiddler Crabs of Krabi are one of the weirdest specimens you are ever likely to come across. If you are getting out of a longtail boat at Ao Nammao or strolling along the rock pools in Ao Nang at low tide, you may come across one of our local inhabitants waving it’s oddly oversized claw in the air in a sort of awkward greeting.

While most crabs have 2 claws the same size, the fiddler crab is unique in that it has one tiny claw and one huge one.

The first time you see one you may think it’s a freak of nature, an accident - some sort of genetic mutation that just looks wrong.

But when you see another one the same,and another, and another - it becomes apparent that this is no ‘mistake’.

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If you come close to a Fiddler Crab, it will most likely stop what it’s doing, turn to face you, raise itself up and wave it’s large claw in your direction as a warning. It can be quite an amusing sight to see this tiny crustacean threatening you like this and you can imagine what it must be like if you were just a few inches tall and happen to wander into the path of one of them!

Fiddler crabs feed by scooping little pieces of sand into their mouths, filtering out any edible pieces and depositing the unwanted parts in the shape of a little ball back on the beach.

If you look closely at the sand during low tide, you will see millions of these little sand-balls outside of their burrows which are just small holes in the sand. As well as being interesting to look at, scientists believe that this constant filtering of the sand plays an important part in maintaining the health of the coastal areas by aerating the sand.

So the next time you’re on the beach, drag your eyes away from our stunning horizon for just a moment, and you may be rewarded by a waving claw from one of our more unique residents.

Fruits of Thailand

the Durian The King of the fruits makes it’s return this month, and there is no getting away from it...

Thais that stand testament to the apparent deliciousness of the fruit, so those like me are most definitely in the minority here.

If you go down to the market today, you could be in for a big surprise as the infamous Durian fruit makes a return to the stalls - and there’s no denying it.

Taking a stroll through a local market during these months will present you with the Durian both intact and also cut open to display to all the yellow flesh that lies within. It’s actually a great sight to watch the vendors break into the fruit, as many of them handle the spiky shell with their bare hands, thickened to a leather-like consistency with years of this kind of work.

You may be familiar with the more stereotypical image of the exotic fruits Thailand has to offer, such as papaya, mango and bananas - but there is one that yo may not know about, which is very different from the rest.

It looks like some sort of medieval torture implement - a football-sized green spiky thing that really doesn’t scream ‘eat me’.

Although to be honest eating it might be the last idea on your mind as soon as you step within a few feet of it. The aroma of the Durian is unique. Not in a particularly good way either, I’m afraid. Nope, while mangoes smell sweetly of mango and bananas are unmistakably banana-like - the Durian has the unmistakable aroma of a couple of rotten onions wrapped in cheese festering in a used rugby player’s sock.

If you happen to be in Krabi during the months of April to June, you will most definitely experience this for yourself, as these are the Durian Months here.

With a fruit that smells like this, you might think that it would be avoided by any sane person at all costs. Ironically, the opposite is in fact the case and the Durian is actually revered as the ‘King of Fruits’ in Thailand. Believe it or not, the taste of the fruit is a lot different to the smell - more sweet and creamy than sour and stinky.

I’m actually telling you what others have sworn to me as my own brief foray into the world of the Durian was short lived and disastrous - leaving me with ‘fruit issues’ I still find difficult to come to terms with to this day.

There is a fantastic myth that surrounds the Durian that I feel is worth mentioning. It has been said that drinking beer after eating it can cause your bowels to explode due to some kind of fermentation process. Yes, I’m serious. Although I have never - thankfully - seen this happen to anyone or heard of it happening to anyone I know, It’s a terrific story that I have never heard about any other foodstuff to date. No-one seems to know if there is any truth in this, so I’d err on the side of caution and avoid that Chang for a few hours afterwards if I were you...

If you are leaving Thailand via an airport, then there is a good chance that you will even spot a ‘No Durian Allowed’ sign that spells out the dangers of travelling with the fruit. The next time you catch a whiff of it, try to imagine sitting next to someone carrying one in their bag on your 11 hour flight back home, and you will see why these signs are necessary!

The fruit itself can weigh up to 4kg and the razor-sharp outer hide has been known to be used as a weapon. Can’t say that about a banana now, can you? It’s one of those things that you just have to try, even just so yo can boast to your friends and family back home that you tasted the infamous Durian fruit and lived to tell the tale. So the next time you’re wandering around a market and you smell the unmistakable aroma, pluck up the courage to try a sliver and you may just surprise yourself...

It has spawned the saying ‘Tasting like heaven, smelling like Hell’, which to my mind is a perfectly accurate description of the spiky behemoth. It’s not for everyone, but there are millions of

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CHARITY WORK Story by : Linnea Bergdahl (Marine Biologist/Field Coordinator Projects Abroad Thailand) Photos by : Projects Abroad Thailand

A drop in the ocean

It was a beautiful Sunday morning, with a clear blue sky and a slight breeze from the sea sweeping over the Ao Nang beach.

Sunbathers laying out their towels and preparing umbrellas and longtail – boats busy transporting people out to the islands. At the same time around 30 concerned people were gathering together on the beach to make a difference.

Loving Andaman Sea, a volunteer group with the goal to keep Krabi and the Andaman Sea clean, had organized another beach cleanup to remove the large amounts of rubbish that collects on the beach and to raise the awareness of the problems with marine debris. Also joining the clean up were volunteers from the international volunteer organization Projects Abroad, staff from Somkiet Buri Resort, the Finnish travel agency Aurinko Matkat plus many other environmental –caring people. From the village of Klong Thom, representatives of the reforestation organization, Association for Protection of the Environment (APE), had also traveled to Ao Nang this day to give a helping hand.

In the middle of the beach road, by the tsunami warning tower everyone gathered to be provided with the essentials for a beach cleanup: gloves and a rubbish bag. Paolo Semperboni, of the Loving Andaman Sea, cheerfully greeted everyone before sending them off on their mission along the beach.

In groups and in pairs people walked along the beach with turquoise waters on one hand side and shading trees on the other. Walking, chatting around and enjoying the company

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of others, at the same time as the rubbish bags were filling up, made it a nice social event and a chance to get the daily exercise done.

The rubbish items collected varied, everything from bottle tops to diapers to plastic forks. The most common one was though by far cigarette butts. Cigarette butts might be small, but before you flicker your next cigarette butt on the ground, think about this; • Cigarette butts are made of a plastic material called cellulose acetate that doesn’t decompose and can take 10 to 15 years to break down in the environment.

• They leach toxic chemicals into the water and soil as they corrode.

• When they are washed into the sea they are mistaken for food by birds, fish, turtles and dolphins, causing digestive problems and making them ingest toxic chemicals like arsenic, cyanide and cadmium.

The best way to protect the environment from the harmful small cigarette ends is to simply hold on to your butts, for example in an empty bottle, until you can dispose them properly in a bin.

After about two hours of work and a rehydration stop at the Last Fisherman, where everyone kindly were given a bottle of cold water, the teams had managed to clean the whole beach.

During the day many people, locals as well as tourists, came around to offer help, read the information display provided by the Projects Abroad volunteers and expressed a concern about

the devastating effects of rubbish in the environment. To all of the around 30 concerned people who had devoted their Sunday morning to the environment it was a promising sign for the future. The more people who care and who take action, the better future we are giving our planet Earth.

As the sun was reaching its highest point in the sky, the teams of beach cleaners returned to the meeting point with an estimated 300 kilograms of rubbish removed. Hot and sweating, but in a good spirit, everyone thanked each other for the effort done and great company given. The problem with rubbish in the

environment is far away from solved, but we are at least one step closer.

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop”. – Mother Teresa If you like to join a beach cleanup, or just have a general interest in the beautiful Krabi environment, check out the facebook group Loving Andaman Sea!

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Getting Around If there’s one thing that Thailand is great for, it’s getting from A to B with as little effort as possible. To be fair, there is good reason for this as the stifling heat and humidity can turn even the fittest foreigner into a soggy, panting mess in just a few minutes. One of the most popular and downright ingenious modes of transport in the Krabi an Ao Nang area is the Samlor GaiNa. This is basically a moped with a home-made sidecar welded to the side that is used for carrying anything - and I do mean anything - that will fit inside. Sometimes even things that don’t. You will see them all over the area as they patrol the roads looking for custom, so there is very little chance you will be waiting for long, if you need a lift.

In and around Ao Nang and Krabi, there are official drivers that wear coloured vests and they usually have very affordable set prices for certain destinations - but as usual in Thailand, always agree a price with the driver before you get in.

They are a great way to get around short distances and you might be surprised at how many people can fit into one - but be cautious if your driver tries to cram more than 4 of you in his ride, as he will charge per person and all that extra weight on one side of the bike can make getting up hills and turning corners more “interesting” (dangerous!).

open 7AM - 5PM

But go ahead and flag one down for your next ride around town as they are a great way to see the sights, they keep you cool with the best inbuilt ventilation system ever, and - best of all - they are a loads of fun!

Culinary

Some Like it Hot There is one sure fire way to banish those soggy blues if you find yourself here in Krabi during the Green season and at a loss for what to do. Yes, it’s true that the rain can mean that few outdoors activities are put off for the wetter months, but there are always plenty of things to keep you amused and dry.

Thai food. Everyone loves it, and with good reason - what’s not to like? Even if you’re not a great fan of the chilli, there can’t be many out there that would turn their noses up at a portion of chicken stir fried with cashew nuts or the universally loved Pad Thai. If you’ve stopped to buy food at one of the many street vendors in Ao Nang & Krabi then you have already had a small taster of how easy it is to cook this delicious fare.

What a lot of people might not know is that Thai food is a blend of Asian and European influences that date back hundreds if years. In the beginning, the original style of Thai food was based on lots of herbs, plants and life that came from the rivers and the sea - fish, crabs, shrimp, squid and so on. Meat was rarely used because the only sources around - buffalo and beef - were more wisely used as working animals in farms.

Those deep-fried spring rolls you see bubbling away in the roadside woks are a direct influence of the Chinese, who brought with them the technique of frying in all it’s guises.

Before this, the usual methods of Thai cooking were stewing and baking - a much healthier option!

Believe it or not, the introduction of the now infamous chilli to

the cuisine came about at the end of the 17th Century when Portuguese explorers brought them all the way from South America, where they had developed a taste for them.

Over the years, many of the original spices were replaced by fresh herbs and pretty much anything else that could be substituted if an ingredient became hard to find. This led to more items such as lemon grass, coriander, galangal, ginger and garlic to become included in recipes.

If you find yourself at a traditional Thai meal table, you can expect to find a wide variety of foods of offer, not just the usual red curry! While a curry plays an important part, there should also be a soup, a fish dish and lots of accompanying condiments - not forgetting the all-important rice. Sweet, sour, spicy and salty will all be there in a harmonious balance of tastes that make up a truly authentic Thai banquet.

If you want to get a little deeper into how this fantastic cuisine came about and try it for yourselves, then you could do a lot worse than to book a half or full day at one of the several Thai cookery schools in Ao Nang and Krabi.

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BUNGALOWS AND RESTAURANT BAR - GAMES ROOM - DIVING EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT 90mt from Noppharat Thara Beach

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RISTORANTE-TRATTORIA ITALIAN AND THAI FOOD

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TO KLONG MUANG

Hippy Bar

Absolute Tailor Nok Minimart

Restaurant Review

30

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

The east coast of Koh Lanta Yai is flat and has many local villages scattered along its coastline. Koh Lanta has a very diverse cultural mix of people who have lived on the island in harmony for hundreds of years: Thai-Muslim, Thai-Chinese and the original sea gypsies still inhabit the place in harmony. The biggest town on the island is Lanta Old town.

Boat trips to Koh Lanta are available during the monsoon-free period from October to April. May to November sees the closure of some of the island businesses and of the boat passenger services due to rough seas.

A minibus service is the alternative way to reach the island via land.

Lanta Old Town It was once called Ban Si Raya and was the commercial port for Chinese and Arabic trading boats that sailed between the ports of Phuket, Penang and Singapore. Today it is a village with a few rows of stilted shop houses home to an ancient community that was established on the island long ago. It is a picturesque place with Chinese timer shophouses dating back 100 years, from the old days of sea trading. Near the shacks along the coast, local fishermen dock their longtail boats giving the whole scene a very Thai look.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Green Season Lanta Monsoon? Pah! Let us tell you why Koh Lanta is better in low season July I was off to Koh Lanta for a week and thrilled by the prospect. My friends thought this was odd, given that this was smack bang in the middle of the Andaman coast’s rainy season. People tried to warn me off. “It’s monsoon,” they said. “You’ll be drenched,” they said. “It’ll be a miserable holiday,” they said. This was far from the truth, in fact it turned out to be one of the best beach holidays I’ve ever had. I know firmly believe that wetter is better and this is why.

It’s wet Extolling the weather in a so-called monsoon may seem the act of a crazy person, but really it’s not all that bad. On one week in July I saw two rainstorms, but otherwise the skies were blue and the sun shone all day. With a nice breeze blowing most of the time, it wasn’t too hot: just pleasant basking weather. When the rains do fall, they’re not the pathetic drizzle of Europe but the tumult of a proper tropical storm. Enjoying the flash and crash from the comfort of a roadside shack, or listening to the brutal tattoo of heavy rain on a tin roof, is a mega-cheap thrill – reminding you of the beauty and power of nature.

It’s green Low season is also known in Thailand as ‘green season’, and for good reason. The rains bring new life to the forests of this island, which is known as the Emerald of the Andaman. The island’s jungle centre becomes an overgrown tangle, smelling of earth, in a glory of greens. You can explore it by motorbike, rentable from the main strip, or on the back of one of Thailand’s famous jungle residents at the Sumate Koh Lanta Elephant Safari.

It’s cheap In a time when the world’s leading economies are watching the pennies, many of us are also tightening our belts so the halfprice hotel rooms and happy hour meals of low season are a welcome relief. The beachfront resorts of Klong Khong, with

32

their high-ceilinged concrete bungalows and large pools, will put you up for as little as 300 baht if you shop around, and you can often find off-season deals for flashier resorts on the Internet.

It’s Lanta Lanta – rain or no rain – has more to offer than many Thai islands, in terms of natural terrain, activities and entertainment.

Adventure lovers will love diving in its National Marine Park,

Activity kayaking on the mangroves, sailing to neighbouring islands.

Food lovers can learn to cook at Klong Dao’s Time for Lime school, or sample the fusion Muslim Thai cooking at one of the excellent restaurants. And then there are the views from Viewpoint Restaurant and Khao Yai Restaurant, lying in the sand on one of the excellent klongs or watching Muay Thai at the local boxing ring. How will you fit it all in?

yourself is incomparable. The locals have nothing much to do but show you around and chat. Restaurants serve you quickly and you can linger as long as you want over candlelit soups or seafood. Beaches and swimming pools are deserted and you can lie in the sand all day on some stretches and never see another human face.

It’s all yours

So don’t follow the crowds, vote with your feet and head for Lanta from May to August. It’s cheaper, more beautiful and more private than at any other time of year. And when people tell you you’re mad, simply smile a little smile and bask in the knowledge that sometimes it’s clever to be a little bit crazy.

If I had only one reason to give, it would be this: during low season there are only a handful of westerners on the whole island. If silence is bliss then having a whole island almost to

33

Rubber

&

Palm Oil

Koh Lanta’s main agricultural productions Krabi province, and Koh Lanta Island within the province, has earned its popularity worldly amongst sun seeking and adventurebound tourists. However, did you know that Krabi is predominantly an agricultural area, and that its main products are rubber and palm oil?

Various agricultural produce can be seen all around Krabi Province, but rubber and palm plantations dominate the extraordinary Koh Lanta scenery. Most noticeably, these two products are the main cash crop sustaining Krabi’s growing economy. Here are few curiosities and facts that I discovered about them:

34

RUBBER

PALM OIL

Originally, rubber was collected in balls of various rubber producing plants and wild trees in South America by its native population, such as the Aztecs or earlier Mesoamericans and South American tribes that had discovered its water proofing and elastic properties. Nowadays, 90% of rubber production comes from plantations of rubber trees in Southeast Asia, and South Thailand has its own share. Many plants produce latex, which oozes from cuts and injuries as a milky sap.

Palm oil is a form of edible vegetable oil from the fruit of the oil palm. Previously the second-most widely produced edible oil, after soybean oil, it may have now surpassed soybean oil as the most widely produced vegetable oil in the world. Palm oil itself is reddish because it contains a high amount of beta-carotene.

It is used as cooking oil, to make margarine and is a component of many processed foods. Palm oil is one of the few vegetable oils relatively high in saturated fats (such as coconut oil).

Rubber plantation owners and rubber collectors are predominantly Muslim. The rubber trees are tapped during the night, and the white latex collected at dawn. Driving around the province at 6am will give you the chance to observe laborers working inside the ordered lines of old rubber trees. They skillfully practice careful incisions on the tree trunks, as many as 3 per tree, and wait as the milky-looking juice descends and lands into halved coconut husks attached to the trunk, filling them with the sticky substance at a slow pace. Farmers usually cover themselves head to toe in order to protect from mosquitoes in these humid forests. The sight of newly rolled sheets of rubber hanging out to dry is common down every side road. Most rubber tapping families are pleased to show visitors how they turn the latex into sheets. But you have to turn up early.

Among the touted health benefits of palm oil, most notably red palm oil, are: rich in beta carotene, especially red palm oil (crude palm oil is considered the richest natural source of carotenoids about 15 times more than in carrots) it is used by the human body as Vitamin A which enhances eye health and a biological antioxidants (protecting cells and tissues from the damaging effect of free radicals, which could cause cancer); it is an excellent dietary energy source; it is a very rich source of Vitamin A and E. Other advantages to be considered in using palm oil are that it is a stable oil in high temperatures (good for frying) and that it is a cheap vegetable oil (due to the oil palm’s high productivity).

You can enjoy your pancake of choice fried in red palm oil while in Koh Lanta. And why not, have it in you kitchen back home too.

HERITAGE

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KOH LANTA YAI NORTH KAW KWANG BEACH

BAN SALADAN

Lanta Diver main office

Passenger Ferry

Car Ferry to Lanta Noi & mainland

POST OFFICE Kaw Kwang Resort

Lanta Diver Blue Planet Divers The Frog

Minivan Station

SUNDAY MARKET

TO LANTA OLD TOWN

Blue Planet Divers Costa Lanta Resort Laguna Beach Club

Lanta Diver

Noble House branch

Mike’s Collection Eden Bar&Dining

Ca Sven fe’au Lait ’s De li Southern Lanta branch Southern Lanta Resort

Lanta Diver

Cheeky Monkey Bar

Lanta Car Rental SK Optik

The Retreat

Chaba Bungalows Maneelanta

Lanta Island Resort

Phone +66 (0) 75 68 41 24-27 Fax +66 (0) 75 68 41 28

KLONG DAO BEACH

Minivans to Krabi/Phuket

E-mail : info@lantaislandresort.com Website : www.lantaislandresort.com

Congrit Resto

Everything Shop Ancient Realm Resort & Spa

Elephant Trekking

Time for Lime

Cooking School & Restaurant Holiday Villa Lanta Resort Lanta Sand Resort

DID YOU KNOW....

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

AND FEEL GOOD

Funky Fish Indo Furniture Lanta Palm Beach

KLONG DAO BOXING STADIUM Lanta Tavern

Escape Cabins

Dreamy Spa I-Yarade Real Estate

Lanta Law Thanee

Layana Resort & Spa Tides Restaurant Lanta Casuarina Resort Dive & Relax Irish Pubs

Cooking School Restaurant

thai & fusion

Beach Bar

Fun & Professional evening Cooking Classes on the Beach Front

HAPPY HOURS 3 - 6 pm On our FAMOUS Cocktails

PHRA AE LONG BEACH

White Flower Apartments White Flower Bajen Sports

FANTASTIC 6 dish Tasting Menu that changes every evening

Bajen Steakhouse

Lanta Castaway Resort

Bungalows

Siam Pharmacy Lantanian Center

8 cozy air-con & fan

Desjoyaux Pools Andaman Sunflower

9 years with Quality & Funky Atmosphere

Red Snapper

Closed Mondays

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

Lanta Manda Resort Faim de Loup bakery Bootshaus Retro Restaurant

Relax Bay Resort

Lanta Diver

Lanta Loft

Relax Bay branch Elephant Trekking

TO LANTA OLD TOWN & EASTERN ISLANDS Lanta Animal Welfare

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

Chaw Ka Cher Resort

Saneh Villas LPH Kirikan LPH Klong Kon Villas

BUS TIMETABLE: to Krabi every hour 6am to 5pm to Trang every hour 8am to 3pm to Phuket every hour 7am to 4pm MARKETS: Ban Saladan Sunday mornings Lanta Old Town Monday mornings Klong Nin Saturday mornings

TO SOUTH OF THE ISLAND

Sunrise Creek Villa Project Custom Homes

LaNta aNImaL WELfaRE 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

You are one step away from your dream property in Koh Lanta. 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

ESCAPE CABIN FEB09+.pdf

1/19/09

2:06:43 PM

www.exotiqproperty.com - krabi@exotiqproperty.com - tel 081 6778367 - 089 9085990

... escaping into the nature and seclusion Phra Ae, Koh Lanta TEL: +66 (0)8-4446-8909 FAX: +66 (0)75-684-240

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 Visit our web for availability calendar

COCONUT BAY Resort & Estates www.coconutbayresort.net

S A LE S S UP P ORT CONS ULT I NG CONS T RUCT I ON

sunrise creek KOH LANTA ‘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

INDEPENDENT PLOTS CHANOTE TITLES FREEHOLD S T U N N I N G S E AV I E W GREEN BELT AREA G AT E D C O M M U N I T Y DESIGN YOUR OWN HOUSE PROGRESSING PAYMENTS FROM 4 MILLIONS THB

legal sales support consulting management

C A LL U S N O W FO R A G U I D ED VI SI T

+6 6 ( 0 ) 8 9 9 0 8 5 9 9 0 krabi@exotiqproperty.com

ARCHITECT TIPS

Manager profile Ton Company Ltd offers a superior Krabi holiday experience: bringing together experts in the architecture, design and luxury hospitality fields, we have created, built and manage the best pool villas in the Krabi area.

Our concept is simple: to offer a stress-free vacation, with all the services of a luxury hotel in your own private villa compound. Ms. Ching, our dedicated villa manager, is at the end of the provided mobile phone and will act as your personal concierge throughout your stay; while our drivers are on call until 10pm to offer transportation anywhere in the local area. We own our own vehicles, so service is prompt and reliable.

Every villa is equipped to a high standard and ready to live in: all bed linen and towels are provided (and changed daily); kitchens are full-size and have a modern set of appliances and tableware; and all homes have LCD televisions with satellite channels and DVD players. Our guests’ security is our highest priority, so all villas also offer a walled compound, alarm system and personal digital safes in every bedroom.

With one exception (our sea view villa, Baan Breda Beach), all the properties we manage are located in Ao Nang, the main tourist centre of Krabi, less than five minutes’ drive from the beach.

Each individual villa offers an instant, no obligation availability check and direct booking system, with secure online payment using a normal credit card (not Paypal or bank transfer).

Combining western professionalism with warm Thai hospitality, our 18-strong staff and more than ten years of experience in Krabi will ensure you have the holiday of a lifetime.

Pierre-Yves Loriers Managing Director, Ton Company Ltd.

Baan Narakorn A smart, modern base for your Krabi sightseeing • Sleeps up to 6 adults • Ideal for: honeymooners, families A brand new, two-storey detached house; Baan Narakorn is a built in an elegant and modern Thai style. The ground floor comprises a small living area with French windows opening onto the garden and pool, and an open plan kitchen and dining area with stylish built-in units and granite countertops. The kitchen is fully equipped and has both a stove and oven, as well as other basic appliances: kettle, coffee machine and so on. The living space has a flat-panel TV with satellite channels and a DVD player.

One air-conditioned queen-size bedroom and communal bathroom are also located on this floor.

A covered outdoor staircase leads up to a large terrace overlooking the cliffs; from here, the two upstairs kingsize bedrooms can be accessed. Each comes with air conditioning, a private balcony and en suite bathroom. The furniture here, like in the rest of the house, is custom-built in dark wood, with intricate detailing.

There is a small garden and sundeck next to the splash pool (6 x 3 meters). Note: there is no shallow area in the pool, so it may not be suitable for toddlers and younger children who cannot swim.

Both house and garden have a high speed wireless Internet connection.

Baan Narakorn is located on a quiet, private road in a residential area, around 4km from the beach. It would make an ideal base for an active couple or family looking to explore the Krabi area and have a relaxing retreat upon their return. The house has off-street parking for up to 2 cars; rental of which can be easily arranged.

Those who do not have their own transport may use the Ton Company complimentary tuk-tuk service to get to and from the beach, and a personal concierge is also available to arrange door-to-door sightseeing excursions.

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Baan Ja Id A four bedroom family home close to the beach • Sleeps up to 8 adults • Ideal for: families on a budget; groups of friends Baan Ja Id is owned by a local lady from Ao Nang village, so is the perfect Krabi villa for those concerned about ethical tourism. It is also a comfortable and cosy choice for families and large groups, with plenty of places to relax: an upstairs TV room; the outside pool (7 x 4 meters) deck with benches and sun loungers; and a shaded terrace with beautiful cliff views. The set-up allows for guests to spread out and have their own space, ideal for families with older teenagers, for example.

In total, there are 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, one on each floor of the house. Three of the bedrooms are king size; the fourth has twin single beds. All are air-conditioned and have simple but tasteful furniture and high-quality linens. A new, semi-open air kitchen allows for easy al fresco dining, or poolside barbecues. The kidney-shaped splash pool (note: no children’s area) is a great place to cool off on a hot day.

The house is located on a quiet side street just off the main road down to Ao Nang Beach – it is an easy 1.3km walk to the sea itself. But Baan Ja Id is not only convenient for the beach: the immediate area is bustling with shops, restaurants and bars – including villa owner Ja Id’s famous pad thai stall, though the house itself remains very private and secure, with high perimeter walls.

A Wi-Fi internet connection is available throughout the property.

Guests of Baan Ja Id will benefit from the usual Ton Company services: a personal concierge; complimentary airport and local tuk-tuk transfers; and in-house catering and massage services (at an additional cost).

Note: Baan Ja Id may be rented in conjunction with neighbouring property Baan Sankar for large groups. This would allow up to 12 guests to live in close proximity.

Thara Bay View Villa A unique and imposing villa with stunning sea views • Sleeps up to 10 adults + 2 children • Ideal for: groups of friends; reunions The three-floor Thara Bay View Villa stands at the summit of a very steep hill, surrounded by a vast garden of terraced lawns and tropical foliage.

Perhaps befitting such a grand and imposing property, the house has a distinct James Bond feel to it: the décor is an eclectic mix of 1970s-style black marble floors and animal prints, with unusual wooden antiques and statues from northern Thailand. Best of all, the villa features a “secret room” accessed behind a wooden panel.

The house is entered on the ground floor, through an antique pointed arch doorway, where a staircase leads straight up to the first floor bedrooms. The master suite is pure 007: a king-size four poster bed; large windows with panoramic views; and an ensuite bathroom with walk-in rain shower and double Jacuzzi featuring massage jets and integrated LED lighting. This bedroom – like the others – is air conditioned. It also has a large LCD TV and DVD player.

Three other bedrooms – two king size and one twin – are also located on this floor, and share one bathroom. All feature rustic solid wood furniture from Chiang Mai. The second floor is entirely open, with a dramatic cathedral ceiling and full height windows along one wall. The space is divided into a kitchen corner, compact but well-equipped with its own breakfast island; a formal dining area; and a large living space with huge black leather sofas and 50” LCD TV. There is also a large breezy terrace with views across Noppharat Thara Bay and the islands beyond.

Above the kitchen is a mezzanine, with double daybed and balcony, accessed by a spiral staircase. This is currently used as a library but could also function as an office or work space, or even as another bedroom for older children.

The fifth, “secret” bedroom lies behind one of the wooden panels covering the walls on the second floor. Simply press in the right place and panel swings open, revealing a narrow staircase leading up to an attic bedroom, with plush red carpet and built in furniture.

Back at ground level, the shaded garden terrace offers a sink counter and barbecue equipment, while to the side of the house, overlooking the countryside, sits a 10 X 4.5 meters swimming pool with surround deck and sun loungers. Wi-Fi internet is available in the house and around the pool area.

Thara Bay View Villa is located approximately 2.5km from Ao Nang beach, at the end of a cul-de-sac. As there is no commerce in the immediate area, guests may make use of Ton Company’s complimentary tuk-tuk service (9am – 10pm) to get around and buy provisions etc. A personal concierge is also on call every day.

40

LIVING

Thailand Wedding travel destination

Scandinavian weddings have found a new overseas destination in Krabi, bounded by the emerald green and blue seas and lush green mountains.

More and more Scandinavians are choosing Krabi for wedding functions for the last three years, say Thai tourism board officials and Norwegian owner of event management company Thailand Travelling, Ingeborg Fallet Christensen. She organized over 80 weddings in Thailand last year, with several functions already booked for next year. Thailand Travelling and Weddings in Thailand take up the entire responsibility of organizing the weddings - right from transfer to and from airport in Krabi, holding the wedding ceremonies, reception, shopping and local transport.

42

Marriage tourism on the rise

A wedding and honeymoon package

Do it

While Bangkok has been hosting the most wedding functions for the last few years, Krabi is increasingly emerging as an idyllic site for such events, say tour operators and Thailand tourism board officials. This has given rise to what is being touted in Thailand as “marriage tourism�, which also affords an opportunity for a honeymoon for the newly wed couple on the exotic beaches and islands in and around Krabi without many additional charges.

The travel to and from Thailand for weddings and the honeymoon can be had as part of a package which works out cheaper for people wanting to avail of the opportunity. The holding of Scandinavian weddings in Thailand has helped give a boost to the number of tourists from Scandinavia to this country whose six per cent of GDP is contributed by the tourism sector.

Krabi is the perfect place to wed in the tropics: immersed in a beautiful landscape with spectacular rock formations, lush tropical forest and crystal clear ocean water and an abundance of stunning tropical islands and white sandy beaches. A rich and exciting cultural life, with friendly and helpful local residents, makes your stay here one you will cherish forever. Imagine your engagement on a beautiful tropical island. Exchanging wedding vows on a powdered white

For enquiries check on www.wedding-in-thailand.com or contact them on +66 (0) 75 639 0978-8.

sandy beach. Being blessed by up to 9 monks in a traditional Thai wedding ceremony performed in one of the most beautiful temples in southern Thailand. Cocktails and dinner on the beach, under swaying palms, by the pool in a private luxury villa, looking at a tropical sunset.

A marriage in a tropical paradise, on a palm lined beach, with warm, turquoise waters lapping at your feet is something many people have dreamed about. Now, Norwegian tour operator Krabi Spesialisten and Thailand Travelling/Weddings in Thailand offer couples the chance of such a wedding.

For enquiries check on

www.wedding-in-thailand.com

or contact +66 (0) 75 638 097-8, + 66 (0) 819797895 info@wedding-in-thailand.com info@krabi-spesialisten.com

5

Essential Steps to Property Purchase

Buying a property is, for most people, a major lifetime event. While on the surface it’s just the simple matter of finding a home that suits you, there are in any property purchase - and more so for one in a foreign country with different laws and languages - a number of issues that may not spring immediately to mind and need to be balanced and weighed before making a final purchase decision.

1. Find a property Whilst this will no doubt be a very exciting time, it is also the time to check that the dream home you have selected is the right one for you. Consider how and when the property will be used to ensure that the home fulfills both your practical needs and lifestyle aspirations.

2. Do your homework Investigate the details related to your potential purchase to discover what you are buying (or more likely leasing). This could be one or a combination of the following: titled land, a building (as distinct from the land), a condominium (a legal title in itself ), or an interest in a company that owns the land.

3. Purchase structure options Find out what legal purchase structure is offered to you as a foreign buyer. Consider whether the purchase can/should be in your own or a joint name or perhaps through a holding company or whether another vehicle is more advisable to your personal status. Some due diligence over the title and often the owner as well (if he will continue as a party/partner to your purchase interest - if the payment terms are extended) is recommended.

4. Check the surroundings Access Physical and legal rights of access for pedestrians, vehicles and utilities should be examined and established.

Infrastructure What infrastructure is available on/for the property? If none exists, can it be obtained? Who will provide it? Access to mains water, electricity, phone and high speed Internet are the main ones to look for.

Location today and tomorrow The location and view may be stunning today but you must examine what is the potential for your view to be blocked, or a neighboring plot to be developed that could be detrimental to your property’s future enjoyment or value.

Construction If the land does not include a building, is there an existing construction permit or can one be obtained? Will the vendor directly provide, or otherwise arrange for, construction, as part of the conditions of sale? If not, are you comfortable with building yourself and all that that entails - typically with the assistance of architects and project managers?

Home inspection If a building already exists then it must be inspected thoroughly.

Check to see if the building comes with a vendor’s warranty and

Phone. EN 0899085990

TH 089 7727858

krabi@exotiqproperty.com www.exotiqproperty.com

BALI - LOMBOK - HUA HIN - KOH SAMUI - KRABI - KHANOM - PATTAYA - PHUKET

Exotiq Property offer brokerage and full ‘Design and Build’ services.

Our dedicated team of architects, engineers and builders can discuss house options on a personal basis.

Contact us on the above phone and email to arrange an appointment and discuss your requirements.

44

PROPERTY SEARCH

if you suspect inadequate build quality then commission a full property survey.

5. Secure your investment Home loans While becoming easier, finance is still difficult to secure locally.

Some developers offer financing although this is a rarity. You could investigate whether you can get the required financing secured against any overseas assets. Please note that purchase contracts conditional upon financing are not typical, so if required this should be prearranged in advance.

Purchase costs and taxes In addition to the agreed price, look at who has responsibility for payment of the agent’s fees, the registration fees, taxes and any other closing costs.

Secure deposit or installment payment Signing a purchase agreement and registering a lease or property sale at the land office are usually separated by time and installment payments. In the case of a property being built off plan, the time and advance payment can get quite large.

Find out what will secure you property and determine how to deal with an unexpected vendor default in that time period.

Foreign exchange rates In times of financial volatility, or where there are long payment terms, consider carefully the currency in which a contract is expressed and the risk of the cost of your home following fluctuation in exchange rates.

Ongoing operation costs All properties require regular maintenance and with second homes, usually some degree of management. Will these be looked after by the vendor/common area Management Company - or will you need to arrange these? Are the stunning architectural details of my dream home likely to stand up well to the local elements?

Potential re-sale costs and taxes While it may not be your first thought when purchasing, you may consider selling your home in Krabi in the future. Some of the conditions and structures of the purchase can have an impact on your tax exposure on re-sale, not only in Thailand, but also in your home country. A point to note is that Thailand does not have capital gains tax for individuals, but rather assesses all sales, with complex variants for length and method of ownership.

45

Nong Thale River Residence Custom designed villas & holiday rentals

c i g a Live am magic life!

Experience the difference

Modern minimalistic Villa Ao Nang “baan Will”

Nong Thale River Residence l l l l l l

www.nongthaleriverresidence.com

l l l

300

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

350 m

4034 Krabi

4024 Klong Muang

Wat Klong Son

Kamalot

info@kamalot-ltd.com

+66 (0) 818940675

Co. Ltd. Land & Development

บริษัท กมล๊อต จำกัด

IN THE KNOW

Land titles 101 Understanding land papers in Thailand If you are thinking of buying land in Thailand, a knowledge of title deeds and land ownership laws are fundamental. Here, we go through the most common land papers you may be presented with as a buyer/lessee.

Land is usually titled according to its survey status. In Thailand not all pieces of land can accurately be mapped in relation to the neighbouring plots - which can obviously cause disputes when they are changing hands. True title deeds, which prove that an individual owns a specific piece of land, can be quite hard to come by sometimes in Thailand. This is because Chanote Tee Din (as these deeds are called in Thai) can only be issued once the land has been accurately surveyed and plotted out against the national land survey grid.

The Provincial Land Office in Krabi is working its way through the province and many densely populated areas in town and around Ao Nang have already been done. The existence of numbered marker posts in the ground are a sure sign of Chanote land. Once out in the countryside, however, it is unlikely land will yet have a Chanote title. In these cases, other official documents proving land use and possession do exist. There are several levels of these titles, but you must be aware that all but one will not have been surveyed and thus the boundaries of the land may be contested.

Nor Sor Sam documents, one step below Chanote Tee Din, are registered with the Land Office and prove that the land in question has been exploited by the possessor and thus he or she has a confirmed right to use the land. These titles can be transferred, leased or sold, but they do not provide the same clear-cut ownership rights as Chanote Tee Din. The newer, Nor Sor Sam Gor papers are slightly more accurate and the land has usually been marked out against the national survey, or at the very least a scaled aerial photograph. This

means that for this newer type of Nor Sor Sam paper, no public notice needs to be posted before a change in status can be made. It is also possible (as with Chanote land) to subdivide and resell smaller plots of Nor Sor Sam Gor land.

Nor Sor Sam are probably the highest type of paper you will find in rural areas and can usually be bought or leased in confidence as most of the requirements for the issuance of a Chanote title deed have been met and it is only a question of time before the paper gets upgraded to a Chanote Tee Din. Below these type of papers are a whole host of others, mainly issued for agricultural land and none of which give a right to build - or even apply for planning permission to build - any permanent structure. Sor Gor Neung is the most basic recorded right to a piece of land. This document does not entitle its owner to lease or sell the land in question (again, not accurately surveyed). If you have Sor Gor Neung land already (say, in your wife’s family), it can, however, like the Nor Sor Sam and Nor Sor Sam Gor papers, be relatively easily ‘upgraded’ to Chanote titles, once the land has been surveyed by the provincial Land Office.

Por Bor Tor Ha and the Por Bor Tor Hok, these are little more than tax receipts from the Land Office, held by people who have paid tax to use the land for farming or grazing etc. They can be considered the same as squatter or settler claims. Again, it is not possible to build on this land, nor use it as collateral for a loan or mortgage, nor register its sale or lease. Under certain circumstances, this type of paper can also be upgraded to a Nor Sor Sam Gor or Chanote Tee Din title.

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PROPERTY REVIEW

the Lai Thai Luxury Apartments Ao Nang, Krabi After 15 years of successful operations, the Lai Thai Resort is being re-developed into the Lai Thai Luxury Apartments.

The Resort was a pioneer in Ao Nang, the first boutique resort opening in 1996 and was listed in the Top 100 Resorts of Thailand. The Lai Thai Luxury Apartments promise to be a pioneer as well, offering the first luxury apartments for sale in central Ao Nang.

The 80 unit apartment complex will sell the apartments via LongTerm Lease (three consecutive 30 year leases to total 90 years) and upon completion the Lai Thai will re-open with its hotel license. Owners of the apartments will have the option to rent out their units through the resort if they wish. The owner’s may choose to live in the apartments 100% of the time, rent it out when it is vacant or participate in the Lai Thai Rental Guarantee Income program. Apartment owners can take advantage of the 15 years of hotel management experience and established clientele and receive a guaranteed income of 7% per annum for 3 years. This 7% is AFTER expenses, and the owners need not pay any maintenance, property tax or insurance during this period. There are visitation restrictions in the program, and a blackout during the peak season of December 15-Jan 15, so this program may be more suitable for owners living in Asia or investors.

Studio, one bedroom, two bedroom and penthouses will be offered. All units will have kitchens and are fully furnished with hand made built in closets and furniture. All kitchen and bathroom equipment are brand name international manufacturers, and all construction and infrastructure are to international standards. In fact, the Lai Thai has received its EIA approval, (Environmental Impact Assessment) from the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning.

Thailand recently implemented tough new EIA regulations, that went into effect on 1 July 2011. Any project with a surface

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area of more than 4000 square meters, or comprising more than 80 units must now comply with rules designed to limit its environmental and social impact. Assessment criteria include building height, green area, waste management and safety regulations.

A minimum number of parking spaces is required, and traffic flow must provide access for emergency vehicles. Proper security must be provided and, in the case of The Lai Thai, 30 CCTV cameras installed throughout the project. Waste treatment is strictly regulated and approval of water and electrical needs is required from the Provincial authorities.

The project must also be wheelchair accessible and fire safety standards must be met.

The EIA process requires several inspections and usually takes more than one year for approval. Now that clearance has been given to The Lai Thai, work on the infrastructure has begun, with the main piling work due to start in June.

The project has a completion date scheduled for the 4th quarter of 2013. Sales are strong, with buyers from both within Thailand and across the globe – USA, Holland, Italy, UK and Australia – and are expected to rise following the EIA approval, as investors can take advantage of pre-construction prices with this additional layer of security.

For information please contact the website at www.laithai-resort.com or the sales office at: Krabi Consultants Co. Ltd 452 Moo 2, T. Ao Nang 075-695091 info@krabiconsultants.com

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