tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73498165501565513262024-03-14T05:20:41.769-07:00Thong Nai Pan Magazine BlogThong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-82286180999217246342021-04-07T09:03:00.000-07:002021-04-07T09:03:15.908-07:00Why I Love Koh Phangan<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4e4F9EgHw385Jh95v7p3o9Qewk1p7pyQz3Tm9tfHLN0CbVxxnoQ0HF52JdHVQyRbWe0SADisvHP1gIfa8493UTJ8UVh5KWWW3vglPE_l2TGv-d-6-cZaSVBYa-KqV8RXLsei37FDJtjA/s0/Noi-Beach.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4e4F9EgHw385Jh95v7p3o9Qewk1p7pyQz3Tm9tfHLN0CbVxxnoQ0HF52JdHVQyRbWe0SADisvHP1gIfa8493UTJ8UVh5KWWW3vglPE_l2TGv-d-6-cZaSVBYa-KqV8RXLsei37FDJtjA/s0/Noi-Beach.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>I first went to Koh Phangan in 1997 for a holiday with my new girlfriend. We still hadn’t decided on where to stay. I asked a man with dreadlocks in his hair and beard. He was very pleasant. He explained that all the beaches were great, but if you were a couple looking for a quite beach then Thong Nai Pan Noi was perfect. If you wanted more nightlife then Haad Rin was a good bet.</p>
<p>We watched from the deck as the Songserm ferry slowly approached <a href="http://www.srithanu.info/thongsala.html">Thongsala Port</a>. The weather was perfect and the blue of the sea and green of the island tree line made the area look like paradise. At the pier we said goodbye to the hippy who had given us advice and went to find a taxi for <a href="http://www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/">Thong Nai Pan Noi</a>.</p>
<p>The rest is history; my then girlfriend and my now wife and mother to my child loved Thong Nai Pan Noi and Koh Phangan on that first holiday to Thailand. It was not only the perfect antidote for living in a Chinese City being a teacher for 2 years, but it also coincided with my how I imagined a tropical paradise should be. Blue skies; warm, clear ocean; overhanging coconut trees; and an atmosphere where nothing mattered and nothing was stressful.</p>
<p>Every day we swam, played cards, chilled out, played Frisbee, read our books and had a great dinner on the beach gazing at the stars. We met several of the locals including the famous Mr. Handsome with his monkey.</p>
<p>We stayed in a simple wooden bungalow with a thatched roof and coconut floor. It didn’t have a toilet, just a fan, mattress, light, plug socket and a mosquito net. It was $3 a night and just a minute’s walk from the beach.</p>
<p>The 2 weeks on the beach flew by and we had to say goodbye to Koh Phangan.</p>
<p>Since then we’ve visited Koh Phangan nearly every year and at one point found ourselves almost living there. Although we keep returning to Thong Nai Pan Noi we have also tried several of the other beaches around the island. All those years later it is exactly as that hippy said: all the beaches are great but if you want to meet lots of people go to Haad Rin.</p>
<p>The roads have improved in Koh Phangan. The electricity supply has been upgraded and has reached all but a few beaches. The shopping options have improved tremendously. You can now buy a wide range of food items in the supermarkets. Car hire is simple. Wifi is everywhere. Most beaches have resorts with 3 or 4 star quality accommodation. Koh Phangan is rapidly developing but not in bad way. Most of the island is forest and remains protected from felling or developing by Thai law. There is limited space for new hotels, businesses, estates so development in Koh Phangan has been more channeled into improved infrastructure. It looks unlikely that Koh Phangan will become like Koh Samui.</p>
<p>That’s why I love Koh Phangan. It has a timeless quality. The beauty of its beaches doesn’t diminish over time. The laid back friendly way of Koh Phangan beach life doesn’t lose its charm. The sight of birds, monkeys, fish in the sea, butterflies, flowers of paradise, coconut trees; the smell of Thai cooking; the taste of cold beer at the end of the day; the sound of the waves lapping on the shore; and the touch of the sun on my back are experiences that I never weary of having.</p>
Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-58223913717180465002020-02-06T03:35:00.001-08:002020-02-06T03:35:32.461-08:00Review of Yukinoya Japanese Restaurant at Rasananda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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High end resorts are always looking to refresh their brand and gain a steal on their competitors by changing their food and beverage offerings. At its inception, the Rasananda restaurant in Thong Nai Pan Npoi was conceived along European lines of fine dining. The restaurant offered 'Michelin themed' food along with expensive wines. That was more than 10 years ago, and a new notion of luxury dining has long been overdue.<br />
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It is no surprise that the owners signed off on a Japanese make over for the restaurant menu.<br />
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The Yukinoya is not that different to the previous 'Bistro@theBeach'. It overlooks the swimming pool and has sea views. There is an outside veranda and the open kitchen is kept. The soft furnishings now have a more Oriental feel and the bar seats are adorned with koi carp images. It is a clever make over in the sense that a new look and feel was created with minimal effort.<br />
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For the past few years in Thailand, Japanese cuisine has exploded. Thais love Japanese seafood dishes. They enjoy the new and clean tastes offered by Japanese style cooking. Seafood is relatively cheap in Thailand, and preparing it Japanese style is easier than most imagine. Moreover, European cities have also been inundated with Japanese restaurants such as the chain Wagamama. Every few years a new national cuisine comes into vogue, and the current trending cuisine is Japanese. Even the Japanese sandwich or 'sando', which are essentially normal sandwiches but without bread crusts, are being critically lauded and flogged for high prices in most European capitals.<br />
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The <a href="https://www.anantara.com/en/rasananda-koh-phangan/restaurants/yukinoya" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">menu at the Yukinoya</a> features sides such as miso soup, soy bean snacks and dumplings (originally Chinese food, adopted by the Japanese). There are also things not even remotely Japanese such as Peruvian ceviche on offer.<br />
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The sashimi menu offers tuna, yellow tail, prawn, sea bass and salmon. Three pieces of raw tuna will set you back 240 Thai Baht. That is more expensive than a Japanese restaurant, and probably not as good.<br />
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Whereas sashimi is raw fish with wasabi, pickled ginger and soy sauce, sushi is the same cuts of fish attached to vinegar-flavoured rice. It is also called 'nigiri'. The nigiri section of the menu has the same fish as the sashimi menu plus avocado and beef. Sushi is cheaper because less fish is used (and rice is cheaper).<br />
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Other dining options include sushi rolls (maki), spicy cucumber and, one of my favourites, eel with teriyaki sauce on rice. This is a seasonal dish in Japan. There is also tempura and teppanyaki (grilled meat).<br />
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Desserts are not Japanese - creme brulle and ice cream.<br />
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Those with money to burn or to indulge every whim can dip into the sake (nihonshu) menu. Prices start at 1,100 THB for a 300 ml bottle. For that money you could wine and dine very well in Japan! My sage advice is stick to the local lager if your wallet doesn't match your pretensions.<br />
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Tripadvisor at the time of writing place Yukinoya as the 100th best restaurant on the island. And raters give it an overall 4.5 out of 5. The vast majority of reviews are good, but a few are terrible. The negative comments mention poor cuts of fish and small cuts of fish.<br />
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The restaurant is open in the evenings only from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm. It makes a good night out in a luxury location. The food is not Japanese high quality but perhaps Thai high quality. The prices are high; but nevertheless plenty of people with a large enough budget will enjoy dining at Yukinoya.<br />
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Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-60589317669510922322018-11-30T02:24:00.002-08:002021-03-14T10:55:26.503-07:00New Review of Thong Nai Pan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Katie, the crazy cat lady who has spent over 14 years travelling the globe, finally alit at Thong Nai Pan. She got in touch recently and asked us to showcase her writing. Rather than copy and paste her original article from her excellent travel blog (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://theworldonmynecklace.com/" target="_blank">The World on My Necklace</a>), I thought I would summarise her findings for our readers.<br />
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The reason for my decision? Well, search engine algorithms take a dim view of scraping content, and besides creation is better than repetition.<br />
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Katie, who hails from New Zealand, starts her TNP piece by stating her initial aversion to going to Koh Phangan, primarily because the clichéd spectacle of the Full Moon Party didn't appeal. And who can blame her? However, a last minute change of plans because of potentially heavy rain in Koh Kood and Koh Mak meant Koh Phangan was a goer.<br />
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Like so many before her, Katie had the feeling of 'discovering' Thong Nai Pan, a double beach bay in a remote part of the island. The four luxury hotels in Thong Nai Pan Noi should somewhat temper this notion. These beaches are well known and famous, and the road to TNP is no longer infamous. The secret of Thong Nai Pan as a happy hippy enclave is no secret anymore. And it isn't really a hippy hang out anymore.<br />
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So what did Katie like?<br />
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In Thong Nai Pan Yai she recommends the<b> 2C Sunset Bar</b> with its elevated views of the bay. A big thumbs up went to <b>Ram and Pha Restaurant</b> for its deep fried fish with pepper and garlic. She didn't have much else to say about Yai other than it was bereft of tourists.<br />
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Katie preferred Noi. The village vibe attracted her. Moreover, she encountered a few more people than on Thong Nai Pan Yai. As for eating, she raves about the gorgonzola ravioli at <b>That's Amore</b>. She rates the falafel pita at <b>Pita Restaurant</b>. The 'ambience' and 'tasty stir fries' at <b>Baan Tapan Noi </b>also get honourable mentions.<br />
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As for accommodation tips: Katie felt<b> Longtail Resort</b> (Yai) was a bit pricey. She liked her 450 Thai Baht <b>Sandee Bungalow</b> but would have liked a hot water shower. Interestingly enough, <b>Bamboo Bungalow</b> in Yai was cheaper (400 THB) and had a warm shower but it is described as 'rustic' in a negative way.<br />
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Other interesting information provided in her blog is a section on getting there. Those hard to love scoundrels, the taxi drivers, are always hard to pin down with prices. Katie paid 300 Thai Baht in a shared taxi to the beach and 600 Thai Baht for a solo hire. Not bad bargaining skills! <br />
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You can find the original travel article at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://theworldonmynecklace.com/2018/11/21/thong-nai-pan-koh-phangan/">http://theworldonmynecklace.com/2018/11/21/thong-nai-pan-koh-phangan/</a>. The photos featured in this blog post are taken, with kind permission, from Katie's post.<br />
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Finally, it just leaves me to thank Katie for reaching out to <a href="http://www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/" target="_blank">Thong Nai Pan Magazine</a>. We enjoyed her review of Thong Nai Pan Noi and Yai, and wish her happy and safe travels in the future.<br />
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Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-46374537055414133742018-01-26T02:16:00.000-08:002018-01-26T02:16:11.512-08:00Reviews of Thong Nai Pan Accommodation 2018<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBLttTp47Pe38P1xBZZav3a7Sc-qx13pHXPxBMky_gxMMxmf_nVEYjOdb7-Kp8cWkP4Vpk2NXp0iXZd7fTMrSSbjA-HxSGB5-G57_clvqzj8PJtFiW2ZtkYEAUnFXaEpgwqnV7-SyJik/s1600/longtail-beach-resort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="400" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBLttTp47Pe38P1xBZZav3a7Sc-qx13pHXPxBMky_gxMMxmf_nVEYjOdb7-Kp8cWkP4Vpk2NXp0iXZd7fTMrSSbjA-HxSGB5-G57_clvqzj8PJtFiW2ZtkYEAUnFXaEpgwqnV7-SyJik/s320/longtail-beach-resort.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longtail Beach Resort</td></tr>
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Every year that I update (or try to update) prices for the hotels, lodges and resorts in Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai I note down the changes in ranks for accommodation providers as supplied by Agoda and Tripadvisor. It's not that I trust these review sites more than others, it's just that they have the best coverage for the area.<br />
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Mention should be made that Tripadvisor continually adds establishments to its lists, and thus more competition for high ranking spots. The amount of lodges listed has gone from 329 in 2017 to 408 in 2018. Similarly, the B&B section has expanded from 129 entries to 139 entries. Only the hotel list has got smaller - changing from 92 hotels to 91 hotels. Life is too short to figure out the difference between a 'lodge' and a 'B&B' according to Tripadvisor.<br />
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Winners</h3>
<b>Starlight Resort</b> on Yai beach has made small inroads up the ranks: while remaining the 49th best hotel on the island according to Tripadvisor, it has gone from 6.7 to 6.9 on Agoda. It is still a fairly low score, but it is movement in the right direction.<br />
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The resurrected <b>Pingchan Resort</b> on Yai has entered the Agoda system with a 9. It also does impressively well by moving categories on Tripadvisor: last year it was 45 in lodges now it is 16 in hotels.<br />
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I have always had a soft spot for <b>Sandee Bungalow</b>. It is thus pleasing to see that they improve on Agoda: going from 7.4 in 2017 to 7.5 in 2018. They also jump up the B&B list on TA, going from 51 to 38.<br />
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<b>Thong Tapan</b> can be classified as a winner in this year's review ratings. The resort has gone from 7.8 to 8 on Agoda and dropped just one place on Tripadvisor from 31 to 32 in the hotels section. Why it is considered a 'hotel' is a mystery. They have increased their prices.<br />
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A clear winner is <b>Panviman</b>. Last year it dropped out of the top 3 best hotels in Koh Phangan to 7. This year it is back at number 3 according to Tripadvisor. The Agoda rating has gone up from 8.7 to 8.8. The cheaper rooms at Panviman are slightly cheaper this year as the more expensive rooms are more expensive.<br />
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<b>Rasananda</b> has jumped right back up the hotel rankings on Tripadvisor. Whereas in 2017 it languished in 6th spot, in 2018 the luxury hotel can be found basking in the glory of being the 2nd best hotel in Koh Phangan. The Agoda score of 9.2 stays the same.<br />
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Losers</h3>
<b>The Great Escape Chalets</b> is over its initial popularity. It drops slightly on Agoda from 9.8 to 9.7 and falls from 33 to 41 in the lodges section of TA.<br />
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<b>Candlehut Resort</b> on Yai still resists OTAs and so has no Agoda score. It goes down from 78 to 82 for B&Bs in Koh Phangan.<br />
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<b>Havana Beach Resort</b> is in Yai not Cuba. It stays steady on Agoda at 8 but falls from 22 to 26 in the list for best hotels in Koh Phangan on Tripadvisor. They have put their prices up and ditched the idea of an 'Aquarium Suite'.<br />
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One imagines that review site ratings are an irrelevance to the owner of <b>Paradise Garden Resort</b>. After being on TA for a number of years it has managed only 10 reviews and only 1 photo has been uploaded. On Agoda only 1 person has left a review. I suspect that it is because it is very hard to book Paradise through the net as they remove themselves from the booking system regularly. The budget place stays at 3.3 on Agoda and falls dramatically from 105 to 215 in the lodges section for Tripadvisor.<br />
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<b>Phuwadee Resort and Spa</b> while nudging from 7 to 7.1 on Agoda, tumbles 6 places on TA from 58 to 64 in the hotels category. The prices for the bungalows have also gone up.<br />
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<b>Santhiya</b> maintains its 8.9 score on Agoda. Despite its magnificence it falls from the third best hotel in Koh Phangan to the fourth. Perhaps it is time they offered a free taxi service from the hotel to Thong Nai Pan Noi. I'm tired of receiving emails asking how to get from Santhiya to the main beach.<br />
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<b>Baan Panburi</b> surely cannot limp on for much longer. It was a resort transplanted from Noi to make room for luxury hotel rooms. The bungalows could do with being knocked down and re-built. The resort can only be booked online using obscure OTAs. It hasn't bothered with a website, and finally, it drops from 56 to 62 in the hotels category for Tripadvisor.<br />
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<b>The Four Resort</b> (formerly Central Cottage) stays 6.1 on Agoda but falls from 101 to 108 on the B&B section of Tripadvisor. The re-branding does not seem to have produced better accommodation or service.<br />
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Non-movers</h3>
<b>Longtail Beach Resort</b> has been slowly going more 'up-market' over recent years. They have built a swimming pool and they have decided to join the Agoda booking system. Their opening score on Agoda is 8.3. No movement on Trip Advisor - Longtail remains the 13th best 'hotel' on the island. Not sure why this resort is classified as a 'hotel'.<br />
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<b>Dreamland Resort</b> in Thong Nai Pan Yai remains at 7.7 on Agoda and falls slightly on Tripadvisor from 33 to 36 in the lodges category. Prices are up on average 100 Thai Baht a night for Dreamland Resort.<br />
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<b>Buri Rasa</b> maintains its place as the number 1 hotel in Koh Phangan. I guess partly because it is not so outrageously expensive that more people can afford to stay there and give it good ratings! The Agoda score for Buri Rasa remains at 9.2. The room prices are roughly the same in 2018 as they were in 2017.<br />
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Mixed Bag</h3>
<b>Pens Bungalows</b> have never found that apostrophe. The budget resort in Yai improved its Agoda score from 6.9 to 7.1 in 2018 but dropped from 143 to 174 in the lodges category for Tripadvisor.<br />
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It's a similar story for <b>Dolphin Bungalows</b>. They go up on Agoda from 7.5 to 8.2 but drop on Tripadvisor from 37 to 44 in the lodges section for Koh Phangan.<br />
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Conclusion</h3>
The battle of the luxury hotels continues on Tripadvisor. The management of Panviman, Santhiya, Buri Rasa and Rasananda take comments left by guests seriously. I find it a bit irritating that people are paid to reply to negative comments. Generally behind the apologies are veiled suggestions that the reviewer made a mistake. This is a trend found generally on the net.<br />
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Why is Buri Rasa better than Santhiya or Panviman? It's pool is smaller and its rooms are a lot smaller. In short it is less luxurious. I guess people value being on the beach and not having to pay a king's ransom for a night's stay.<br />
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To crunch the numbers: I count 6 winners, 8 losers, and 5 others. Competition in Koh Phangan for higher paying customers is getting more fierce every year. Outside of Haad Rin and maybe obscure spots such as Haad Khom, the business model of cheap bungalows for long stay guests is being abandoned. Instead over-priced dormitories are popping up around Haad Rin and Baan Tai to cater for backpackers who stay just a couple of nights and who drink their body weight every night of boozy buckets.<br />
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Thong Nai Pan Noi and Yai have so far resisted the dubious charms of backpacker hostels. The two beaches remain popular but they no longer seem like the pre-eminent spot for those looking for luxury. Swimming pools are appearing around the island like a rash; everyone is keen to upgrade and get more stars - even Longtail Beach Resort. You can find expensive hotels all over the island now. The challenge for Thong Nai Pan is to find a new identity, a new unique selling point.<br />
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Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-78552386049945162112017-09-15T01:36:00.001-07:002021-03-14T10:57:58.050-07:00How to Get from Thong Nai Pan to Koh Samui AirportFor many visitors to Thong Nai Pan the end of the holiday is a bitter sweet time. Sad to say goodbye to beach life, but looking forward to sharing memories of a wonderful time with friends back home. Many people opt to squeeze the most out of their holiday and take a Bangkok Airways flight back to Bangkok. This article will look at how to book tickets online for the journey between Thong Nai Pan and Koh Samui Airport. Use the search box below to book tickets online and check travel times.
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<script src="//cdn0.trainbusferry.com/tools/form/en/?id=3571675" data-one2go="3571675" data-color="blue" data-language="en" data-adaptive="1" data-border="1" data-origin="Koh Phangan" data-destination="Koh Samui Airport"></script><div id="powered">Powered by <a href="https://12go.asia/?z=3571675">12Go Asia</a> system</div><br />
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Powered by <a href="https://12go.asia/?z=3571675">12Go Asia</a> system</div>
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Below I set out the stages in the journey to the airport
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Taxi to Thongsala</h3>
Koh Phangan being what it is, there is no option to book a taxi to Thongsala online. Ask your hotel the night before you leave for a taxi to Thongsala. You can also ask in Yai and Noi villages for morning taxis. Unless you are staying in one of the big hotels, the price will be the same - about 250 Thai Baht per person. Taxis leave at 10 am. The road between Thong Nai Pan and Thongsala is all concrete (as you will have noticed on the trip to the beach) so the journey only takes 40 minutes or less.<br />
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If your flight is later you might be able to find a shared taxi leaving Thong Nai Pan at 4 pm. Many of the accommodation providers send out taxis in the afternoon to pick up new guests.<br />
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If not you can hire a private taxi. This will be a 4 wheel drive pickup truck. The cost is between 1,000 and 2,000 Thai Baht.
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<a href="https://12go.asia/en/travel/koh-phangan/koh-samui/?z=3571675" rel="nofollow">Book Online for Thongsala to Koh Samui Airport</a></h3>
Here is the timetable for joint ferry and taxi tickets from Thongsala to Koh Samui Airport:<br />
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<li> 8.00 am - Arrive 9.30 am price 450 THB </li>
<li>10.30 am - Arrive 12.00 pm price 450 THB </li>
<li>4.30 pm - Arrive 6 pm price 450 THB </li>
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The Seatran ferry is used to take passengers for the airport to Bangrak (also known as Big Buddha) pier in Koh Samui. This is a ferry port in the north of the island and close to the airport. The Seatran is a big boat and fast. It is reliable even in choppy waters. Drinks and snacks are available on the boat. The ferry trip takes about 45 minutes.<br />
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Once you disembark from the ferry you will be ushered to a waiting minivan that will transfer you to Koh Samui Airport where you can check in for your flight. Happy travels!
Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-51204903799372517692017-01-07T10:00:00.001-08:002017-01-07T10:00:14.186-08:00Thong Nai Pan Accommodation Update 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C_L0BWPSxHSuCYmTQls7hbQKQ6TS0Hb23rVTIH7rqPq-eQp7VhIXQHpLrT-G_ghSr9s_ZRo-sQTxJngMutqYkjmNYAEDG9baPB7wkeQq85zplRMptiw9Qwgu6LAtLZyZzsYfwWw1ziw/s1600/Pingchan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C_L0BWPSxHSuCYmTQls7hbQKQ6TS0Hb23rVTIH7rqPq-eQp7VhIXQHpLrT-G_ghSr9s_ZRo-sQTxJngMutqYkjmNYAEDG9baPB7wkeQq85zplRMptiw9Qwgu6LAtLZyZzsYfwWw1ziw/s1600/Pingchan.jpg" /></a></div>
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Every January sees us hard at work updating Thong Nai Pan Magazine. This year has seen a general improvement in the ranking for Thong Nai Pan accommodation on Trip Advisor as well as Agoda. Meanwhile prices for some places have gone up and others have gone down.</div>
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Price is perhaps the key factor when booking accommodation on holiday. Sadly, the rates for hotels and resorts in both Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai are hidden behind impenetrable 'check availability' boxes. Only Longtail Beach Resort remains 'honest' in displaying their full range of prices. Panviman, in contrast, hasn't even told Agoda what its Christmas rates are going to be!</div>
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Here is a list of the accommodation providers in Thong Nai Pan along with notes,</div>
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Thong Nai Pan Yai</h2>
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Starlight Resort.</h3>
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This resort has made ground in terms of reviews: the Agoda rating has gone from 6.5 to 6.7 and the Trip Advisor rating from 60th best hotel to 49th best hotel on the island. Starlight has kept the same price for its fan bungalows (700 Thai Baht) and increased the cost of renting an air-con room.</div>
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Baan Panburi</h3>
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Baan Panburi has had a recent change of management. They don't seem to have halted the decline of the once leading resort. Agoda rankings have dropped from 7.3 to not available and Trip Advisor rankings from 49th to 56th best hotel in Koh Phangan. They have decided to pull out of the Agoda booking engine, no doubt for short term reasons. Less obvious is why they have let their website URL expire.</div>
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Candlehut Resort</h3>
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Candlehut Resirt has never been on Agoda. They are ranked on Trip Advisor, however. They fell from 59 to 78 in the B&Bs category.</div>
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The Four Resort</h3>
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Very little has changed at the Four Resort. They stayed at 6.1 for Agoda and improved slightly in Trip Advisor going from 103rd to 101th best B&B in Koh Phangan.</div>
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Pens Bungalow</h3>
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The same for Pens Bungalow: no change for Agoda (still 6.9). They jumped 40 places to 143 in the B&Bs list.</div>
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Dolphin Bungalows</h3>
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Since announcing to the world it is online Dolphin Bungalows has been improving. They went from 7.5 to 7.7 on Agoda and climbed impressively from 64 to 37 in the B&Bs category on Trip Advisor (B&Bs and speciality lodging).</div>
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Dreamland Resort</h3>
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Dreamland Resort stayed at 7.7 out of 10 on Agoda but rose slightly from 39th to 33rd out of 92 hotels in the Trip Advisor rankings. Prices remain the same as in 2016.</div>
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Havana Resort</h3>
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Prices for Havana Beach Resort remain mostly the same. The hotel remains at 8 on the Agoda scale of excellence and goes from the 39th to 22nd best hotel in Koh Phangan according to Trip Advisor contributors.</div>
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Indian House Buddha Raksa</h3>
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This place remains in relative obscurity and has dropped from 109 to 168 in the B&Bs list on Trip Advisor.</div>
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Pingchan</h3>
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As we suggested, the resort has abbreviated its name to Pingchan Beach Resort. From no rating for Agoda it enters at a high 9.8. It has moved from lodging in Trip Advisor to the 14th best hotel in Koh Phangan according to Trip Advisor. Amazing what new bungalows can do for the ratings!
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Great Escape Chalets</h3>
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Similarly, Great Escape Chalets enter Agoda at 9.8 and climb from 79 to 33 in the hotel rankings for Trip Advisor. The price for the chalets has gone up by about 1,000 Thai Baht.</div>
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Longtail Beach Resort</h3>
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This once obscure backpacker resort is quietly doing very well. They put in a pool in 2016 and have been reclassified by Trip Advisor as a hotel rather than a lodge. They stand as the 13th best hotel on the island. Well done!</div>
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Paradise Beach Resort</h3>
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In contrast Paradise Beach Resort is not doing well in terms of reviews. They remain on an unimpressive 3.3 in Agoda and have slumped from 13th best lodge to 105th best lodge.</div>
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Thong Nai Pan Noi</h2>
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Buri Rasa</h3>
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Buri Rasa is the winner for 2017. It moves from 2nd to 1st in the best hotels in Koh Phangan list compiled by Trip Advisor. Its Agoda score also improves from 9.1 to 9.2. They have also increased prices for all but the cheapest rooms.</div>
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Santhiya</h3>
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Santhiya also climbs from 5th to 3rd in Trip Advisor and goes up from 8.8 to 8.9 on Agoda. The powers that be at the hotel have changed the room names to cram in more 'supreme' and 'deluxe' adjectives. That will convince everyone they are getting better value for money no doubt.</div>
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Rasananda</h3>
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A previous number one on Trip Advisor, Rasananda further slips in the rankings from 4th to 6th best hotel. The Agoda ranking for Rasananda remains at 9.2. This perhaps explains why the beachfront hotel has increased the price for its most basic villas and decreased the price for the luxury villas.</div>
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Panviman</h3>
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Panviman, in contrast to Rasananda, has improved its Trip Advisor position from 7th to 4th. Its Agoda rating remains surprisingly average at 8.7</div>
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Sandee Bungalow</h3>
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Sandee Bungalow continues to upgrade from fan to air-con and move out of the backpacker market which they clearly see as a dying thing. Their Agoda score remains at 7.4. However, Sandee Bungalow leaps from 83rd best B&B to 51st. Sandee Bungalow unlike other accommodation options in Thong Nai Pan tends not to block dates on their Agoda availability calendar. This is to their credit.</div>
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Phuwadee</h3>
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Phuwadee had a change of management in 2016. Thankfully they didn't change the name of the 'pink bungalows' resort. Have they had any joy reversing the fortunes of this mid-range option? According to Trip Advisor the answer is no as they have fallen from 58th to 68th best hotel in Koh Phangan. The Agoda score remains at 7.</div>
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Thong Tapan</h3>
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Thong Tapan have slightly lowered their prices. They have also made modest gains in reviews: the Agoda score is up from 7.7 to 7.8 and the resort has risen from 35th to 31st best hotel.</div>
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If you take out the big hotels from the picture the prices for accommodation in Thong Nai Pan have stayed about the same. Clearly a weakened pound, the Euro crisis and the uncertainty created by the Brexit referendum win has meant tourist numbers are not expected to rise sharply. The Chinese aren't interested in Thong Nai Pan because Chinese tour operators don't see the same margins of profit as they do in Pattaya.</div>
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The hotels continue to fiddle with prices, offers, room names and those other variables they love to tweak. If only they put as much effort into customer service and offering real value for money. The beach is more online than ever before, this means most rooms are booked in advance and that customer feedback is more important than ever.</div>
Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-29084089687807967052016-12-10T09:34:00.000-08:002016-12-10T09:34:05.984-08:00Monsoon 2016Have you ever wondered why you never visit Thong Nai Pan in November? Well maybe not. But if you have then take a look at the photos below. A quick look will tell you why. It is because the monsoon rains and winds wreak havoc with the beach making it a difficult place to stay.<br />
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Those who can get out do. The best direction to head is north where the monsoon storms have already passed. You might as well close up your business during the worst of the weather because you aren't going to get any tourist trade.<br />
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Hotel staff are reduced. A core are kept on to protect the hotel grounds from storm damage, to keep open supply chains if possible, to build flood defences and to clean up the mess if the waters do breach the sandbag barriers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/pingchanbeachresort.html" target="_blank">Ping Chan in Yai</a> was wiped away by the monsoon. It is back but the owner must have sweated over his business this year. Yes, being right on the beach is awesome for business, but traditionally local people built well back from the water's edge because they were fully aware of how the sea creeps inland and meets with the torrents of water flooding off the mountain side. Although the heavy jungle vegetation absorbs much of the rain water, there is always the inevitable gushes of water as the ground reaches saturation point.<br />
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Big chunks of sand get displaced. Paths disappear. Holes appear on the beach. You can see a hole under the balcony taken at Longtail Resort.<br />
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The photos of the pick-up truck and the flooding outside a building and inside a building were taken at Buri Rasa. Note Buri Rasa is on the beach. The building flooded is a staff building.<br />
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The other photos are of the road between Thong Nai Pan and <a href="http://www.baantai.info/" target="_blank">Bantai</a>. Power lines go down, banks subside, rubble and fallen trees litter the road and sometimes cause a block. That has all happened this year.<br />
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If the road is blocked then drivers co-ordinate on both sides of the blockage to transfer supplies and people and keep these vital arteries of the island open. The bad weather can't defeat the Thais but it does keep the tourists away until just a few days before Christmas when magically clear skies return and the sea retreats.<br />
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<br />Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-84864887493113796282016-08-23T03:11:00.001-07:002016-08-23T03:11:21.175-07:00Weddings at Buri Rasa<div style="text-align: justify;">
Weddings in Koh Phangan have always been popular. I see a few every year. The difference is that the wedding industry in Koh Phangan has stepped up a gear. It is no longer just hippies, former hippies and ex-pats getting married on the beach at Thong Nai Pan and elsewhere in Koh Phangan. It is now a holiday option, like diving or <a href="http://www.srithanu.info/therapyandyoga.html" target="_blank">yoga on the west coast</a>.</div>
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There is usually some type of floral gate on the beach, maybe even a priest or Buddhist monk to add a note of solemnity. And there is the men in morning suits and bride in full gown. The juxtaposition of seeing these expensive, formal clothes on a beach where people usually wear informal and light clothes and swim wear is a thing in itself.</div>
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However, getting married on a beautiful, tropical beach is a dream come true. Tropical flowers, stunning blue skies, soft white sand underfoot and the turquoise sea glimmering in the sunshine. What is not to love?</div>
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Well the practicalities of getting married in Thong Nai Pan are something to contend with. Getting the wedding guests to the beach, getting them suitable rooms, getting the clothes ironed, getting button holes, organising the catering and so on. There can seem to be a million details to organise for a wedding. That is where wedding planners step in. That irritating breed of people, akin to urban, metro-sexual interior designers. All fabrics, flowers, superlatives and supposed added value billing; these are the dream makers.</div>
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Buri Rasa in Thong Nai Pan Noi joins several other high end resorts in offering wedding services. There website supplies absolutely no details or costs, just pictures. You can also get Panviman to do your wedding. They are a bit more forthcoming on prices - the 'Western' costs 88,000 THB and the 'Thai' also costs 88,000 THB. The website gives a long list detailing what you get for your money. Santhiya also offer wedding packages starting at 100,000 THB with a free bowl of fruit thrown in. The Buri Rasa webmaster must find detail tiring.</div>
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Below are some pictures from a wedding at Buri Rasa taken recently. Congratulations to the couple.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAfsubjND7pnmNMiuQXntJbwwUkJd8LmbkqH_RJYZrgnC29zeTgw0La1SFdlwvdIGWsadYQNE1pPWLbi9d6TCbO5QooQWZnJ_Ue_KE4QA4JxohfmK0dp3hyphenhyphen2omg58-3EEEaie1Blo4_Y/s1600/Buri-Rasa-wedding-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAfsubjND7pnmNMiuQXntJbwwUkJd8LmbkqH_RJYZrgnC29zeTgw0La1SFdlwvdIGWsadYQNE1pPWLbi9d6TCbO5QooQWZnJ_Ue_KE4QA4JxohfmK0dp3hyphenhyphen2omg58-3EEEaie1Blo4_Y/s320/Buri-Rasa-wedding-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-13520187945947295162016-04-10T14:00:00.001-07:002016-04-10T14:00:26.622-07:00Jet Pack in Thong Nai Pan - New Business IdeaHere is the video of a man in Koh Samui attempting to use a jet pack:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZiUQnkWACzQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
Here is a promo video of jet pack made in America:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/im1iNq02Kz0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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At the time of writing I found 1 company in Koh Samui offering jet pack sessions at the beach. The cost is 3,000 Thai Baht. For that you get 10 minutes training and 20 minutes of 'flying'. Presumably the second time you sign up, you would be able to get the full 30 minutes flying.
This is my business idea for Koh Phangan. </div>
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I am sure I am not the first to have this thought. It's a beach 'activity'; it looks fun, you don't need special waves or wind or anything else, just calm sea. That is easily provided in Koh Phangan. </div>
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Surely guests at Santhiya or Rasananda in Thong Nai Pan Noi would be curious if they saw someone flailing around above the sea looking like an out-of-control inspector gadget. </div>
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A turnover potential of 6,000 Thai Baht an hour must be tempting. As is the prospect of flying over the water in Koh Phangan. Put the two together and you have the future. </div>
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The caveat emptor aspect will naturally be the 'insurance' dealing with damage to the wondrous jet pack and the handing over of passports. </div>
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I suspect the jet pack enterprise is a tad polluting and probably not a force for the good in the battle against global warning. But what do I know I'm just an old hippy?
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Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-30628253919346022912016-01-09T08:31:00.004-08:002016-01-09T08:31:46.807-08:00Price Changes for Thong Nai Pan Accommodation in 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPXl6Vr6Lmpc8AIt9vxFPjhJaOJKdhUs1qcdtd7e7O61LtVNjJrb88lJeC-iX_19YVfgWKurqL8iDuY4X_E61WIUycplg4Wb6H7tjIY1MsFS1OmHiF6nVa4xa09vjmqF5phVmMu-jHTQ/s1600/Boats-in-the-morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPXl6Vr6Lmpc8AIt9vxFPjhJaOJKdhUs1qcdtd7e7O61LtVNjJrb88lJeC-iX_19YVfgWKurqL8iDuY4X_E61WIUycplg4Wb6H7tjIY1MsFS1OmHiF6nVa4xa09vjmqF5phVmMu-jHTQ/s320/Boats-in-the-morning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With each passing year the practice of hiding prices becomes more widespread in Thailand. Especially among mid-range and high end resorts the modus operandi is to adopt a pricing system that changes according to availability and the source of the inquiry. With this in mind, the prices I have found may well change over 2016. Here is a summary of how prices for accommodation in Thong Nai Pan have changed since 2015.<br />
<h3>
Thong Nai Pan Yai</h3>
The prices on Thong Nai Pan Yai are more stable than Noi. This is because the resorts are not part of big corporate entities with managers keen to squeeze extra profits out of a business. The resorts in Yai tend to have only 3 prices - for low season, for high season and for peak season. These prices tend to rise or fall by small amounts from year to year.<br />
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Here is a list of Thong Nai Pan Yai resorts and their price changes:<br />
<ol>
<li>Four Resort - from 450 Thai Baht (no change)</li>
<li>Baan Panburi - from 500 Thai Baht (up 80 Thai Baht)</li>
<li>Nice Beach Resort - from 500 Thai Baht (no change)</li>
<li>Longtail Beach Resort - from 550 Thai Baht (no change)</li>
<li>Pen's Bungalow - from 1,000 Thai Baht (up 500 Thai Baht)</li>
<li>Dolphin Bungalows - from 400 Thai Baht (down 100 Thai Baht)</li>
<li>Dreamland Resort - from 600 Thai Baht (up 90 Thai Baht)</li>
<li>Starlight Resort - from 700 Thai Baht (no change)</li>
<li>Great Escape Chalets - from 1,500 Thai Baht (no change)</li>
<li>Havana Beach Resort - from 1,800 Thai Baht (no change)</li>
</ol>
It is good to see that several bungalow resorts have not put up their prices. Baan Panburi and Dreamland Resort have made small increases to their starting prices. Dolphin Bungalows has become the cheapest outfit on Yai by dropping its prices by 100 Thai Baht to 400 Thai Baht.<br />
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The biggest mover is Pens which has increased its online starting price from 500 Thai Baht to 1,000 Thai Baht. This could be because they have taken their wooden fan bungalows off the Agoda listing to try and fill their more expensive accommodation first. The way around this is to contact Pens directly about booking a cheaper bungalow or to risk turning up and booking on the spot.<br />
<h3>
Thong Nai Pan Noi</h3>
Here is a list of Thong Nai Pan Noi resorts and their price changes:<br />
<ol>
<li>Sandee Bungalow from 500 Thai Baht (down 10 Thai Baht)</li>
<li>Sunrise Villa from 4,900 Thai Baht (no change)</li>
<li>Phuwadee Resort and Spa from 750 Thai Baht (no change)</li>
<li>Thong Tapan from 490 Thai Baht (down 1,010 Thai Baht)</li>
<li>Buri Rasa from 5,000 Thai Baht (up 2,180 Thai Baht)</li>
<li>Panviman Resort and Spa from 6,500 Thai Baht (up 3,120 Thai Baht)</li>
<li>Santhiya from 7,729 Thai Baht (up 3,142 Thai Baht)</li>
<li>Anantara Rasananda from 8,171 Thai Baht (up 409 Thai Baht)</li>
</ol>
The non 5 star places on Noi have had only small price changes - Sunrise Villa, Phuwadee have kept the same prices as in 2015. Sandee Bungalow has slightly dropped its prices. The big reduction in Thong Tapan's prices is because they have started renting out some of the wooden fan bungalows formerly belonging to Tapan Noi. The prices for their better bungalows remains virtually the same.<br />
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The hotels are a different matter. They have all put up their prices. Most noticeably both Panviman and Santhiya have increased prices by over 3,000 Thai Baht. Buri Rasa have made good on their promise - the starting price of under 3,000 Thai Baht was meant to be an introductory offer, and this has now been removed. I suspect that Buri Rasa will re-introduce special offers as many potential bookers will see the upgrade to Panviman as good value for money.<br />
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In 2015 Santhiya was voted the 8th best hotel in the world by Expedia. It seems they have taken this to heart and added $100 to its starting price.<br />
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Rasananda is so expensive that it presumably could only justify raising prices by just over 400 Thai Baht.<br />
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As mentioned in earlier posts, these hotel price increases don't reflect inflation or increased oil, food or labour costs. Rather they suggest the hotels had high occupancy levels in 2015 and are betting that even with slightly lower occupancy levels under a higher room rate system they will still increase profits. If that is looking not to be the case they will no doubt start offering promotion deals. They can do this effectively since most of their customers book well in advance.Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-80083054976834636592015-11-12T09:23:00.004-08:002021-03-14T11:02:29.508-07:00Animal Spotting in Thong Nai Pan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk8kF-q0MZamSaZ3Qqkopx4sML0qtM2r2_9gMu6amxP0S3NI9zJntpzoIa7LU19PPOCeX1EHohJ7kfbfW5IfheGTHqegx3Ddw1dZculYrkIx4ltMT69t9Ixg22zRyfJphsWquKwIuZsw/s1600/Sunrise-Villa-garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk8kF-q0MZamSaZ3Qqkopx4sML0qtM2r2_9gMu6amxP0S3NI9zJntpzoIa7LU19PPOCeX1EHohJ7kfbfW5IfheGTHqegx3Ddw1dZculYrkIx4ltMT69t9Ixg22zRyfJphsWquKwIuZsw/s320/Sunrise-Villa-garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunrise Villa garden</div>
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On more than one occasion I have read that Thong Nai Pan is a ‘nature lover’s paradise’. I have tried over the years to document all the different flora and fauna I have identified in the wider area of TNP. I am happy to announce that now I have a few animals to add to the list. All the following have been seen near Sunrise Villa.</div>
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The villa is located in the hills behind Phuwadee Resort, where there are a few other residential properties. Behind this area is virgin rain forest. It is a perfect place to observe some of the rarer species that inhabit Koh Phangan.</div>
<h3>
Golden Tree Snake</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5hXFD6LsflPe0hD0pJLsKyCpnW30d1iNTnXzZ7MxLK-jLZqjVP3fTj0TOQOVH0QPbPKi2zzQlDbnpM0FYJKsXfKf7_WBLplrxMRk4TlJ-mPrjWrLUU3mmW6PgXUVQdIeG6peWjd2ERM/s1600/golden-tree-snake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5hXFD6LsflPe0hD0pJLsKyCpnW30d1iNTnXzZ7MxLK-jLZqjVP3fTj0TOQOVH0QPbPKi2zzQlDbnpM0FYJKsXfKf7_WBLplrxMRk4TlJ-mPrjWrLUU3mmW6PgXUVQdIeG6peWjd2ERM/s320/golden-tree-snake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a mildly venomous tree snake that is not a danger to humans. It has a distinctive black and gold pattern. A few years ago the owner of Sunrise Villa spotted a tree snake living near the villa.<br />
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It seems the mother has gone but has left an infant that has grown from about 20cm long to 150cm long. It has been seen flying down the lawn trying to catch frogs. Indeed for locals this snake is called a ‘flying snake’. They are notoriously difficult to catch on account of their speed and aerial prowess.<br />
<h3>
Black Giant Squirrel</h3>
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Numbers of black giant squirrel have declined by 30% over the last 10 years due to human encroachment on habitat and predation. It is no surprise that none of the Thais I have spoken to have seen a black giant squirrel or garrock see dam as it is known in Thai.<br />
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One was spotted in the garden of Sunrise Villa A very rare spotting since the squirrel rarely leaves the forest canopy.<br />
<h3>
Malayan Weasel</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnte3Rq6GmKVe6puzyk0LcAb10UANb6cC5roOoyiPr_yojNuMai45uIRQRxR73G1zzNGyzA7mA0BHF9kvDG8CdMOlbdCfo53FYbOMlYyFHRQNxO4kFs4lyAEYsBV6c-8FPv352ts2w58/s1600/MalayanWeasel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnte3Rq6GmKVe6puzyk0LcAb10UANb6cC5roOoyiPr_yojNuMai45uIRQRxR73G1zzNGyzA7mA0BHF9kvDG8CdMOlbdCfo53FYbOMlYyFHRQNxO4kFs4lyAEYsBV6c-8FPv352ts2w58/s320/MalayanWeasel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This little critter has been spotted on the fringes of the forest. He or she was an elusive animal and didn’t co-operate to pause and pose for a photo. The photo above is taken from the awesome website <a href="http://www.all-about-ferrets.com/malayan-weasel.html">www.all-about-ferrets.com</a>.<br />
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Typically a Malayan weasel will have a body length of 30-36cm and a tail length of 24-26cm. The body is reddish brown and the head has a lighter colour to the body.<br />
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Little is known about the Malayan weasel except that it appears to like Thong Nai Pan Noi.<br />
<h3>
Shikra</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcPSpqx40aWWJgavuG4vbvoAEyQtkVuz4S5hB1gozTAYKq3zIsugDLhQiaRBqQGOHK6FRZokwwmYgsWAQXvYrNgAOnwbC5i8D-D7YJVdcFt8k9nhl7GMsY0OQWNLTyzHmJdUbcSWfz_Q/s1600/Shikra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcPSpqx40aWWJgavuG4vbvoAEyQtkVuz4S5hB1gozTAYKq3zIsugDLhQiaRBqQGOHK6FRZokwwmYgsWAQXvYrNgAOnwbC5i8D-D7YJVdcFt8k9nhl7GMsY0OQWNLTyzHmJdUbcSWfz_Q/s320/Shikra.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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This small raptor is found over Asia and Africa. Many are found in India. In a tree near Sunrise Villa there is a pair nesting. We wonder whether they have a visa.<br />
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The shikra is also known as the little banded goshawk. The bird is 26-30cm long. They have short brown rounded wings and fine rufous bars on their breast. The birds have a sharp 2 note call and a typical flap and glide style flight.<br />
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A siting of the beautiful and graceful shikra will no doubt elevate the spirits of bird spotters / twitchers visiting Thong Nai Pan.<br />
<h3>
Conclusion</h3>
Nature continues to thrive just 800 meters from the popular beach of Thong Nai Pan Noi. One of the great things about Koh Phangan is that it remains still mostly virgin forest, much of which is protected by park status. It is the pristine nature of the island that makes many prefer Koh Phangan to Koh Samui.Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-10522567577802020082015-10-14T13:50:00.000-07:002015-10-16T11:48:09.816-07:00More Changes in Thong Nai Pan<div align="justify">
Just as the shoreline continually changes, so does the mix of shops, bars and restaurants in Thong Nai Pan. This is particularly true of Thong Nai Pan Noi. Every year people give up the lease of their plot to let others have a go at attracting the tourist Baht. Here are a few of the notable changes in the Thong Nai Pan area. It is probably not exhaustive. By the time you read this no doubt a new shop will appear, or a restaurant change its name!<br />
<h3>
Thong Nai Pan Yai</h3>
Of the two beaches Thong Nai Pan Yai is the most stable in terms of businesses. Many of the businesses are on family land; they have evolved over the years and produce a stable income and life for those working the businesses.<br />
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In Thong Nai Pan Yai Village there is one notable addition. That is an Irish Bar located at the start of the village (on the left as you enter Yai). The bar is pleasant place to down a few cold beers. They don’t have draught Guinness but they do have a range of bottled beers and branded spirits. They can also rustle up a bar snack if you ask. What makes the bar ‘Irish’ is the Irish manager, a friendly chap happy to have a chinwag with whoever enters the bar.<br />
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Bamboo Bar on one of the roads leading down to the beach appears to be the latest drinking venue favoured by the small ex-pat community in Yai. It looks like Flip Flop is slowly being wound- down, and is no longer the bar in Yai.<br />
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On the beachfront, Nu Bar has disappeared and has been replaced by a generic bar. Watch this space. No doubt it will become a more successful and branded commercial venture.<br />
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To my surprise, Panviman has given up on its toe hold on Thong Nai Pan Yai beach. Their small café / bar is not used much by either Panviman residents or people staying on Yai Beach. It looks like Panviman, despite straddling the headland between the beaches, remains very much a Thong Nai Pan Noi based business.<br />
<h3>
Thong Nai Pan Noi</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa6s_16kmPfcQdiIOzX25yqLxJG6vfr_A6UMElNBmcjXue81ZQ9xcmxzZZi998drhcdr0ovrNQXEVUPceCe-urh4JB1P-cJ9CEPd5snVd2oYa5zgPZI-7nSvKO5VbOgLxJp5cWpQZaOA/s1600/new-shop-at-Handsome-Sandwich-corner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa6s_16kmPfcQdiIOzX25yqLxJG6vfr_A6UMElNBmcjXue81ZQ9xcmxzZZi998drhcdr0ovrNQXEVUPceCe-urh4JB1P-cJ9CEPd5snVd2oYa5zgPZI-7nSvKO5VbOgLxJp5cWpQZaOA/s320/new-shop-at-Handsome-Sandwich-corner.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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New shop where once Handsome Sandwich was</div>
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Change happens more rapidly in Noi, especially in the village. The road going back from Buri Rasa is full of businesses. Every year it seems there is a new supermarket that pops up. And the first change to mention is that the Handsome Sandwich corner is being turned into a big white shop that will inevitably be a supermarket selling food, drink, sundries, clothes and souvenirs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlFSMLokRHtQg2pjw2pjClT8xjy_vLBF0oaR6IdvoQRXdCPunLmqLsrarg7CZVw8GvP5lVVejEhWRSQ_mmYS68xchL9_sPmEqWK4sJQCRbKT7Ukqhs-eK_H1eBUNSlaK-MWCBKaeKD60/s1600/Happy-Mon-Massage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlFSMLokRHtQg2pjw2pjClT8xjy_vLBF0oaR6IdvoQRXdCPunLmqLsrarg7CZVw8GvP5lVVejEhWRSQ_mmYS68xchL9_sPmEqWK4sJQCRbKT7Ukqhs-eK_H1eBUNSlaK-MWCBKaeKD60/s320/Happy-Mon-Massage.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy Mon Massage</div>
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Further up the road Bamboo has gone and has been replaced by Happy Mon Massage. Next door is Som Tam Restaurant. Despite its name it serves the normal array of Thai dishes rather than specialising in hot papaya salad. On the same side of the road, Mango has gone. This surprised me a little as I thought the idea behind the restaurant was sound.<br />
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For those who remember the legendary Jungle Bar, it has now become Aownoi Shop that sells clothes. And those who remember Sorn’s restaurant near the beach end of the village road should note that his restaurant has expanded and taken a patch farther back from the beach. The restaurant is called Country E-Saan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY7t4dCtHeWWc3dg8dvEZ8oQ3uTgyiY1eeAcv0VY5rXkVB95ZNt0SXjEYPdJX15Z8P_UI4yqRRkP9b88jTLxYN_EaY8Jr85YIRrHgMwnKnhTKyEialPe_e34X-qq44LL5XOdzIJEAiR8/s1600/Country-E-Saan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY7t4dCtHeWWc3dg8dvEZ8oQ3uTgyiY1eeAcv0VY5rXkVB95ZNt0SXjEYPdJX15Z8P_UI4yqRRkP9b88jTLxYN_EaY8Jr85YIRrHgMwnKnhTKyEialPe_e34X-qq44LL5XOdzIJEAiR8/s320/Country-E-Saan.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Country E-Saan</div>
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Whereas the Jungle Bar is never coming back, the popular restaurant on the beachfront between Phuwadee and Rasananda is. This site that used to be the location for the original Flip Flop Bar and Pong’s Restaurant (and before that several other restaurants) has finally sprung back to life. It was disused for over a year but as of September 2015 is now a restaurant called ‘Sand in Your Toes’. The place has a Thai menu. It is early days yet. Let’s hope the place gets a bit of personality and finds its own niche in the Thong Nai Pan Noi business world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NYV_p5eOP99HCekX04leg8BqOYEl_gbLRQhDXYkWBSnO-LA9lbYqo4IzWPRNxHS_vw2jLe6vjS9gzR8pwbWwuJLx4NYjvev9AAsfhx53x2TRhf7qNBtT4ZWXyFQMBlW9-bVCXiWEMh4/s1600/Sand-in-Your-Toes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NYV_p5eOP99HCekX04leg8BqOYEl_gbLRQhDXYkWBSnO-LA9lbYqo4IzWPRNxHS_vw2jLe6vjS9gzR8pwbWwuJLx4NYjvev9AAsfhx53x2TRhf7qNBtT4ZWXyFQMBlW9-bVCXiWEMh4/s320/Sand-in-Your-Toes.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sand in Your Toes</div>
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This is only a summary of the most notable changes in Thong Nai Pan. If you feel passionately about keeping the record correct send in your amendments and photos to <a href="http://www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/" target="_blank">Thong Nai Pan Magazine</a>.<br />
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Apologies to Thong Nai Pan Map - it is still going, but the website has lapsed.</div>
Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-19335794783497694562015-07-29T01:12:00.000-07:002015-07-29T01:12:38.702-07:00Santhiya Grabs 8th Spot in World’s Best Hotels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The poll for the World’s best hotel was conducted by Expedia. It was crowd sourced from the reviews on the travel giant’s website. Hotels from as far apart as Edinburgh and Okinawa in Japan made the list. This year, <a href="http://www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/santhiya.html" target="_blank">Santhiya Resort and Spa</a> came 8th. This is quite an achievement for the 5 star hotel. It shows not only the great feedback customers are giving Santhiya but also the growing popularity of Thong Nai Pan Noi in the luxury travel niche.<br />
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To be eligible for the list a hotel must consistently score 4.7 out of 5 from customer reviews. So in effect one bad review can disqualify a hotel from entering the competition to discover the world’s best hotel.<br />
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Here is the full top 10 with prices:
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<ol>
<li>Royal Palms Hotel, Bermuda $416</li>
<li>Calenga Apartments, Croatia $256</li>
<li>Pumilio Mountain & Ocean Hotel, Costa Rica $97 (on a deal at the moment)</li>
<li>Woolleys Classic Suites, United States $179</li>
<li>Dormy Inn Sapporo Annex, Japan $103</li>
<li>B+B Edinburgh, United Kingdom $157</li>
<li>Hotel Panorama, Italy $117</li>
<li>Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa, Thailand $233 (on a deal at the moment)</li>
<li>Hotel Orion Motobu Resort & Spa, Japan $341</li>
<li>Best Western Premier Weinebrugge, Belgium $131</li>
</ol>
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The Expedia survey has now been running for 8 years. Doing well on the list obviously gives luxury hotels as well as B&Bs and other style accommodation great bragging rights over their rivals, and no doubts boosts sales (and possibly prices) for the following year.<br />
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Japan has 2 hotels in the Top 10. One B&B made the list, albeit a Bed and Breakfast establishment with hotel style furnishing and service. The USA only had one hotel in the top 10, although the country got 50% of the complete 650 list of entrants, up 37% on the year before.<br />
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So what swung it for Santhiya? Why did it do better than Rasananda, Panviman and even Buri Rasa? One of the better decisions of the Santhiya owner was the new raft of hotel rooms on the cliff facing Thong Nai Pan Noi beach. In front of the rooms is a shallow pool with sun loungers just above the water’s level. This is a perfect place to sunbathe, stay cool and take in the breath-taking views of the bay. This is something that none of the other hotels can boost.<br />
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This showpiece addition to the hotel obviously persuaded guests to not bother with the main beach of Thong Nai Pan Noi. Guests complaining that the beach route between the beaches has been blocked off didn’t damage Santhiya’s ratings.<br />
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Another factor must be the heavy burden of expectation Rasananda carries. It is a very expensive hotel to stay in without a ‘deal’. It is easily as expensive as the number one hotel located in Bermuda. For thousands of dollars a night guests are bound to expect a ‘perfect’ stay at Rasananda. Poor weather, a customer service mistake, one meal not quite up to standard can quite naturally result in a negative review.<br />
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For those wondering if Thong Nai Pan hotels regularly make Expedia’s list of top ten hotels around the world, the answer is no. In 2014 six of the top ten best establishments were American hotels. The list also reflects trends in travel. <br />
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It is amazing that despite Thailand’s woeful inability to heal a divided body politic; and a junta government’s ineffectual efforts to enforce the law (rather they add more laws to the statute book), Thailand remains as popular as ever for luxury holidaymakers as well as backpackers. And now leading the pack is a hotel on Thong Nai Pan Noi. <br />
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All those years ago when Thong Nai Pan Noi had an opium den and a scattering of wooden bungalows for hirsute hippies to camp out in for months at a time seem like ancient history.Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-76525738665399719112015-06-27T02:20:00.005-07:002021-03-14T13:02:19.083-07:00Travelling to Thong Nai Pan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnO7ANrBpVoahyphenhyphenvMpnReE3bZB9fscoPvdJsSIWRuRejGoJSmd_pO-wLYmJLk7JVvKJTyM1q-DjcxN3ShQi6jKQ7ObavvrASzZ2FyRwBt_G7Ege4lSsje6JOPZ8zYPXfF8TuYdG36dp_Y/s1600/seatran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnO7ANrBpVoahyphenhyphenvMpnReE3bZB9fscoPvdJsSIWRuRejGoJSmd_pO-wLYmJLk7JVvKJTyM1q-DjcxN3ShQi6jKQ7ObavvrASzZ2FyRwBt_G7Ege4lSsje6JOPZ8zYPXfF8TuYdG36dp_Y/s320/seatran.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The dream of just being able to hop on a plane in Bangkok and be in your favourite hammock on the beach in a couple of hours is for Thong Nai Pan devotees still just a dream. Yes, Koh Phangan Airport construction plods on without any vim or vigour. It appears the man behind Kan Air is scrambling around for ‘partners’ in the project. I predict that people in the future will counsel patience by saying, “Koh Phangan Airport wasn’t built in a day!”<br />
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So until then those who know that Thong Nai Pan is worth it will continue to catch a taxi from either Thongsala Port or Haad Rin Pier up the vastly improved road to TNP.<br />
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Indeed the road improvement means that you can get between Thongsala and Thong Nai Pan in less than 30 minutes. They are currently working on the bit of road by Wat Pho but that will only extend the journey by a few minutes.<br />
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For those really adverse to taxi travel Santhiya and Panviman have their own speed boats and will organise transfers from the beach to Koh Samui. A slightly cheaper option is to rent your own speed boat. For a group of 5 or 6 people this is not too expensive (around 1,000 Baht a person). Depending on the season and the tides they can drop you directly on Noi or Yai or at Baan Tai Pier.<br />
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In other road news, it looks like work has also begun on upgrading the dirt track between Thong Nai Pan and Bottle Beach. When this is concreted it will allow people on scooters to easily go between the fabulous beaches of Thong Nai Pan and beautiful Bottle Beach. Having the double beaches of Thong Nai Pan as well as Bottle Beach within easy reach will bring a tourist boost to the region. It might also herald the construction of a 5 star hotel in Haad Khuat.<br />
<h3>
Getting to Koh Phangan</h3>
The last few years has seen the rise of the fly and ferry option. Budget airlines offer cheap flights from Bangkok to Surat Thani Airport and Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport with a combined ferry ticket for around 3,000 Thai Baht one way. You can book in advance or even just turn up at Thongsala Port and get a ticket. Travel time is about 5 hours – slower than a flight to Koh Samui and a short hop to Koh Phangan, but much cheaper. <br />
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However, for those spending hundreds of dollars a night for hotel rooms in Noi, the saving in money seems insignificant. For this reason Bangkok Airways flights between the capital and Koh Samui remain as popular as ever.<br />
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For those not doing Thong Nai Pan in luxury the options on getting there remains the bus or the train. Neither option is particularly pleasant. You can get a sleeper on the train but Surat Thani train station is a long distance from the ferry port and not even in Surat Thani – it’s in Pun Pin. In contrast, the coach will take you directly from Khao San, <a href="http://www.silomguide.com/">Silom</a> or <a href="http://www.sukhumvitguide.com/">Sukhumvit in Bangkok</a> to Thongsala. You don’t have to organise your own transfers.<br />
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The problems with the buses are the terrible videos they play, the other passengers, and the possibility of having your bags rifled through while they are in the hold. Lomprayah do the best coach and ferry service, and returning from KP to Bangkok can be done during the day, avoiding the over-night discomfort.<br />
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One small ray of convenience in all this is provided by 12go.asia. They now allow internet booking for trains, buses and ferries heading between Bangkok and the islands as well as elsewhere in Thailand.<br />
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<a href="https://12go.asia/en/travel/bangkok/koh-phangan?z=3571675" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here to book travel tickets online</a></h2>
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For those wandering about train travel in Thailand, I found a new site (<a href="https://12go.asia/en?z=3571675">www.12go.asia</a>) that not has timetables and maps of trains in Thailand. There is also a luxury train run by a private company that goes from Malaysia up to Bangkok. If you are touring South East Asia this train option might appeal.<br />
<h3>
Finally</h3>
Another interesting development in the travel scene in Koh Phangan is the emergence of the first car vendor that doesn’t insist on taking a passport as surety against paying for damages. We all know the temptation to over-charge is one that many Thais fall prey to.<br />
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Phangan Car Rental (<a href="http://phangancarrental.com/" rel="nofollow">http://phangancarrental.com/</a>) has a small fleet of cars. They give customers the choice of leaving a passport or 10,000 Thai Baht as damage deposit. Naturally, the insurance policy includes a waiver forcing the customer to pay the first 10,000 Thai Baht in repair bills. 10,000 Thai Baht is $300. It is not cheap, but some peace of mind that a crash or bump won’t leave you buying your passport back for thousands of dollars. <br />
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For the latest in the car rental scene in Koh Phangan check out <a href="http://www.kohphangancarrental.com/">www.kohphangancarrental.com/</a>Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-77593748226592481152015-04-15T01:49:00.001-07:002015-04-15T01:49:08.742-07:00Songkran at Buri Rasa<div align="justify">
It's that time of year again when Thailand celebrates Songkran, which marks the New Year in the ancient Thai calendar.<br />
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Songkran is the biggest occasion in the religious and cultural year in Thailand, as well as in other countries such as Laos, Cambodia and even parts of Indian. Songkran is associated with Buddhism, and much of the symbolism in the festivities relates to Buddhist beliefs. The main part of the celebration is the pouring of water on others - a chaotic water fight in the Khao San Road area but a calm and ordered religious rite in Thailand's temples - which symbolises the washing away of the year's bad actions and re-birth.<br />
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For most Thai people Songkran means 3 or more days off work. However, for staff working in the hospitality industry with guests to cater for, Songkran is celebrated at work and this is what they did at Buri Rasa Village, a luxury resort in Thong Nai Pan Noi village on the island of Koh Phangan, which is famous for its Full Moon Party.<br />
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At <a href="http://www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/burirasa.html" target="_blank">Buri Rasa Village</a> the celebrations started with a visit from the local monks, who gave a blessing to the staff and guests who were assembled in Buri Rasa's 'Village Square'. The staff and guests then gave alms (gift pack of toiletries) to the monks for distribution to the other monks at the temple and to the poor on the island.<br />
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With the serious part of the celebration finished, the fun started with a water fight and the application of <i>din sor pong</i>. <i>Din sor pong</i> is the Thai name for the white chalky powder which is thrown around at Songkran. This powder is as much of a part of Songkran as the water throwing. If you are in Thailand for Songkran expect to have your face smeared with it. Everyone gets it from policemen to politicians.<br />
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After the water fight and the din sor pong, the party moved to the beach where the staff created a range of colourful and creative sand castles and sculptures.<br />
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The event was well organised and gave tourists staying on Thong Nai Pan Noi a better understanding of what Songkran is really about. It is more than just a massive water fight: it is a religious holiday with a fun element, and an important part of Thai culture.</div>
Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-84966494034264277162015-04-07T12:22:00.001-07:002015-04-07T12:28:02.654-07:00Thong Nai Pan and the Full Moon Party<div align="center">
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One of the most common questions we get in emails is about transportation from Thong Nai Pan to Haad Rin during the night of the Full Moon Party. This clearly shows that lots of people opting for TNP as a holiday destination are not turning their noses up at the party. I think it is more the case that many tourists want to go to the Full Moon Party but they also want to stay on a better beach than Haad Rin. And indeed, why not?<br />
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To answer the question about getting to the Full Moon Party – there are lots of shared taxis going to Haad Rin from both Noi and Yai. Just walk down the road and spot the signs advertising taxi times. The first taxis are normally 10pm and the last 12pm. The cost per person is 250 or 300 THB. <br />
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If you want to travel independently you can usually hire a private taxi. Expect this to set you back 1,000 THB or more.<br />
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During the calm tidal months from April to November you can often find a speedboat going to the party. A place in a shared speed boat costs a little more than a taxi. However, it is a great way to arrive at the party. You get to see the beach from the ocean and arrive at the heart of the action.<br />
<h3>
Cautions</h3>
A word of caution: I have seen the police arrive at Thong Nai Pan on the night of the FMP. They searched all the foreigners waiting at the beach for the boat to the party. They caught two foreigners with illegal substances and drove them off in the pack of their pick-up truck.<br />
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Another word of caution: Think twice about renting a bike or car to go to the party. Haad Rin hill is steep and winding and on the night of the party there are always a few drunk drivers and taxi drivers in too much of a hurry to get back for another run.<br />
<h3>
Returning from the Party</h3>
Most beach resorts in Koh Phangan offering a free transfer to the <a href="http://www.haadrinhotelreviews.info/category/full-moon-party/" target="_blank">FMP</a> don’t offer the same service for the return journey. It is not surprising really – who wants to wait around all night waiting for some group of youngsters to tire of drinking buckets and want to return home.<br />
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There is no need to panic. There are taxis going all night from Haad Rin to all parts of the island: just head for the taxi rank at the start of Haad Rin. You will soon find a taxi going your way. Then you will embark on the frustrating and thankless task of negotiating prices and then having to wait for the taxi to fill up enough for the driver to feel he has made enough to start the journey. Taxi drivers often revert to type all over the world. They feel they have the upper hand and won’t budge an inch.<br />
<h3>
Other Parties</h3>
Orders have come from the Governor of Suratthani Province to close down all the other ‘moon’ and ‘jungle’ parties. Whether the police will do their job we don’t know. It is a couple of weeks to the next Half Moon Party. We will have to wait and see. If it does turn out to be true then going to the Full Moon Party might be your best chance to attend a big party in Koh Phangan.<br />
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Read more about the decision to ban parties on KP - <a href="http://www.baantai.info/blog/party-ban-koh-phangan/" target="_blank">click here</a></div>
Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-28396183918754737542015-02-20T02:12:00.002-08:002015-02-20T02:12:29.806-08:00Dolphin Bungalows Booking Online<div align="center">
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While most people will have been blissfully unaware that Dolphin Bungalows has been the only bungalow operation in Thong Nai Pan without any type of online presence, I have not had the benefit of such ignorance. Through one channel or other I get random emails from people wanting to book a room at Dolphin Bungalows.<br />
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While answering these emails (or not) has not been that burdensome, it has got to me that the management at Dolphin Bungalows seem uninterested in their business. Sandee Bungalow in Noi is on Agoda. Pens (Yai) is on Agoda. Longtail Beach Resort has its own website. Indian House has dropped their website but they are heavily into Facebook and seem to communicate with guests of past and future.<br />
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It was only Dolphin Bungalows that resolutely stuck to the policy of walk-in trade only. That has now changed. I suspect they signed up with Agoda a while back; it is just that I didn’t notice till now since the emails continue.<br />
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The modern version of the backpacker and those with a bit more cash (the flashpacker) there is a strong compulsion to plan that never really bothered the hippies of the 1980s and 1990s. They want to know when the next <a href="http://www.baantai.info/parties.html">party at Baan Tai</a> is going to be; they want pictures of bungalows along with reviews; and they want to be able to book online using a credit card or PayPal. This is all easily achieved using the internet. It is great to welcome Dolphin Bungalows into the fold.<br />
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Dolphin Bungalows has been a firm favourite with Thong Nai Pan fans for a long time. They have kept to the traditional formula of wooden bungalows near the beach but have made subtle improvements. The bungalows have space to hang clothes; they have basic interior design touches. The restaurant has a menu that breaks out of the mould of offering noodles or curry with pork, chicken or tofu alternatives.<br />
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Moreover, the restaurant set up shows concern for creating ambiance rather than just putting out rows of bamboo tables and chairs.
The bungalows are behind the restaurant. They are close together but made appealing by being set in a lush garden that forms a beautiful corridor leading towards the beach. See the video above. The smaller bungalows are 600 THB a night, the larger ones 800 THB a night.<br />
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For those who want to book Dolphin Bungalows please go to <a href="http://www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/dolphinbungalows.html">www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/dolphinbungalows.html</a>. Using Agoda is far more likely to get results than firing off emails to various addresses.</div>
Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-85428318245132828982015-01-10T12:09:00.003-08:002015-01-10T12:09:45.219-08:00Changes in Thong Nai Pan<div align="justify">
Happy New Year beach fans! 2014 was a year that marked yet another military take-over of Thai government. That makes 19 coups d'état since 1932 compared with 25 elections. You can draw your own conclusions from that fact. Coups are not a new thing and people in the Kingdom have learnt to get on with their lives regardless of the form of government. None of the changes in Thong Nai Pan have been as a result of regime change. The tragic death of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in Koh Tao in September, 2014 along with the devaluation of the Russian rouble has had some impact on visitor numbers to the area, and how much they can spend.
There are a few changes in Thong Nai Pan Noi and Yai that are worth documenting in order to keep those who are not lucky enough to live on the beach up-to-date. It should be mentioned that shops, bars and restaurants come and go; capitalism produces winners and losers and it is impossible to detail all the changes. I will stick to the most notable changes.
<h3>Thong Nai Pan Yai</h3>
The biggest change in Thong Nai Pan Yai is the formation of a new accommodation option. It is The Great Escape Chalets. It consists of a half a dozen concrete bungalows formerly owned by Pen’s. They are set in a garden a short walk from the beach. There is the choice between a normal Chalet and a ‘superior’ Chalet. It is unclear what the extra money for the ‘superior’ chalet gets you. The bungalows are air-con with private bathroom that includes a bath. They have a fridge and free wifi. They don’t include TV (yet). Prices for the chalets are about £30 or $50 a night.
Children can stay for free with their parents. Extra bedding is charged at 300 Thai Baht a day. Check-in is 1pm and check-out is before noon.
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The Great Escape is not really a resort. There is no separate restaurant, bar or communal pool. However, there are plenty of eating and drinking options nearby; and who needs a pool when there is the clear warm sea to swim in? At present The Great Escape Chalets cannot be booked via Agoda or r24.org so we don’t include booking details. Moreover this is a year rental arrangement; so until this new accommodation option becomes more accessible to booking engines and more permanent in nature we are not going to alter www.thongnaipan-magazine.com to include the chalets.
The other news in Thong Nai Pan Yai is that Havana Beach Resort has new owners. At present they haven’t made any changes to the hotel.
<h3>Thong Nai Pan Noi</h3>
Things are changing in Thong Nai Pan Noi Village. It is slowly growing from a one road village to something more extensive. If you walk into the village from the beach then the area of land to the left is slowly being used for things other than staff accommodation for Buri Rasa. La Hacienda is now split in half with a path running between the two establishments. This path goes to a Thai restaurant called Rimtara. This area from left of La Hacienda up to Luna Lounge is likely to see more businesses.
The cul-de-sac where Star Huts Restaurant and Tanaporn Massage House are located is due to be extended to create a road parallel to the main road where more rental plots will be available for bars, restaurants, spas etc. No doubt the preponderance of high-end guests from Rasananda, Santhiya (if they can escape the resort), Buri Rasa and Panviman will mean that the new businesses will be something other than the old-style bamboo huts for bars and tattoo parlours.
<h3>Transport</h3>
The road from <a href="http://www.baantai.info/">Baan Tai</a> to Thong Nai Pan is completed. This has resulted in a higher number of day trippers by motorbike. This is combined with several boats in the bay from tour boats, dive boats and speed boat transfers - it makes TNP seem ‘busy’ during the high seasons.
The other transport topic that concerns Thong Nai Pan is the <a href="http://www.kohphanganairport.com/">airport planned for Koh Phangan</a>. The building site is just down the road at Than Prapad, near Than Sadet. Work continues at an even pace now the rains are over. Kan Air has released renders of the airport. They are, however, unable to provide a completion date.</div>
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Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-6791697978867960132014-08-25T02:57:00.002-07:002021-03-14T13:09:38.313-07:00Central Cottage Becomes the Four Resort<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Central Cottage was among the original resorts on Thong Nai Pan Yai along with Dreamland and Pens. It offered bungalows on the beach, a large restaurant, public computers with slow internet connections and a small shop. Over the years Central Cottage upgraded its accommodation and added a pool and a massage sala. Now in September 2014 ownership has changed and been re-named ‘<a href="http://thongnaipan-magazine.blogspot.com/2014/08/central-cottage-becomes-four-resort.html">The Four Resort</a>’.<br />
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The new owners are Koh Phangan people who have experience in running resorts. They also run the successful Chantaramas Resort & Spa in Haad Rin. <br />
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As yet there are no visible alterations to the resort. It still consists of a small pool with a row of air-con rooms next to the pool as well as a collection of wooden and concrete bungalows. The most expensive bungalow is naturally the beachfront one which has wood panelling in the interior as well as air-con, satellite TV, hot water, private terrace and mini-bar.<br />
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The prices have risen slightly for some of the accommodation. For example the price for the cheapest wooden fan bungalow has risen from 350 Thai Baht to 382 Thai Baht.<br />
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The large restaurant remains the same. They still have the large menu and lots of seating on the beach. No doubt the staff remains mostly the same. So you can expect the same level of service. They are friendly and speak enough English to deal with most requests. <br />
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It is hoped that the food improves in The Four Resort. There has been a definite move away over recent years from resort restaurants trying to sell every type of food. The backpacker style restaurants that offer up mediocre fare are dying out and many places are trying to offer smaller menus with a higher quality of food and presentation.<br />
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It still remains an enigma as to why Central Cottage has been re-named ‘The Four Resort’. At least ‘Central Cottage’ was a clear reference to the location of the resort. I guess the easiest way to re-brand is a name change. The only problem is that ‘The Four Resort’ doesn’t seem to reference anything, and lacks the panache of say ‘The Coast’ or other such new resort names.<br />
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On a positive note, it is likely that the rebrand will also mean that a bit of money is spent on the interiors of some of the rooms. Over the years the paint has peeled and the furniture has picked up a few knocks. Refurbishing or even a new coat of paint will update the resort and make the accommodation more pleasant to stay in. It will also go a long way to justifying the increased room rates.<br />
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The Four Resort is available for online booking as usual. The best rates are given by Booking,com. Click on the book button below to check prices and availability.</div>
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Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-36872248679812717552014-07-25T01:43:00.000-07:002014-07-25T01:44:20.220-07:00Police in Thong Nai Pan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-IjIik7WuLuqMS7O6olKu9cP9SXzIE9d7YJb3b8fKc1FCTPCCOl_vQn4OIbWAoXxKMqXzYCrV127zr0hf3QV73CxWvaxKYDT425FjdXMeY51IZYAGxa5wOqfeFEOKrv_T6W6ePCDwFw/s1600/weed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-IjIik7WuLuqMS7O6olKu9cP9SXzIE9d7YJb3b8fKc1FCTPCCOl_vQn4OIbWAoXxKMqXzYCrV127zr0hf3QV73CxWvaxKYDT425FjdXMeY51IZYAGxa5wOqfeFEOKrv_T6W6ePCDwFw/s1600/weed.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="justify">Way back in the mists of time when Thong Nai Pan was an obscure beach area on an obscure island in Thailand the police never really bothered visiting Thong Nai Pan. The notorious road from the main port town of Thong Sala seemed to deter the police from making the trek over to the north east of the island. They probably felt their time was better spent patrolling the busier beaches of Haad Rin and Bantai.<br />
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Gradually this position has changed. The road is now fully concreted between Bantai and Thong Nai Pan. It appears that the policeman in Thong Nai Pan Yai is not enough of a police presence and now they are planning to build a sub-station on the main road, opposite the turning to go to Thong Nai Pan Noi.<br />
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In the 1990s the police turned up in Thong Nai Pan a couple of times a year looking for people smoking weed. In the first decade of this century they turned up more regularly to catch people with illegal substances on the party nights of Monday and Friday. They also started setting up road blocks on the Bantai road. This was a stop and search operation to again catch people in possession of marijuana. <br />
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Now they are setting up shop at the entrance of Thong Nai Pan. From this position they don’t interfere with the resorts on the beaches and can find their ‘criminals’ by searching tourists travelling between Yai and Noi.<br />
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We cannot condone law breaking but we also cannot applaud Koh Phangan police in their efforts to secure large pay offs from mostly hapless tourists caught with a bit of greenery in their pockets. The end-user is the target. This is contrary to the usual theory of going after ‘the big guys’.<br />
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For those concerned, don’t carry illegal substances when travelling between the beaches. The alternative route is via the headland. There is a path set up by Panviman that connects to the two beaches. Don’t smoke on the beach or elsewhere in public.<br />
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And of course if you have any trouble such as theft you can now easily find a policeman (who probably won’t understand much English). Don’t bother going to the police if you have scratched a motorbike or jet ski and cannot get your passport back without handing over a large sum of cash. They don’t get involved in such disputes.<br />
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As an aside, it is interesting to note that the present military junta seem keen to ‘clean up’ Koh Phangan. They have recently made noises about stopping all the big parties other than the Full Moon Party until December. They have also decreed that shops renting motorbikes can’t park their bikes for hire on the road.</div>Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-27995667900296662562014-06-08T03:21:00.003-07:002014-06-08T03:22:45.692-07:00Pens Bungalows Restaurant Menu<div align="justify">
Pens Bungalows is one of the longest running businesses in Thong Nai Pan. They have continued in a similar vein despite changes in Thailand tourism and advances in information technology. You can book Pens online, but you can also just turn up and have no problem getting a cheap bungalow near the beach. Indeed it is recommended you don’t book in advance if you plan to stay more than 4 nights as you might be able to negotiate (politely) a discount.<br />
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As new businesses enter into the competition for the tourist buck in Thong Nai Pan, there is the strong pressure to try to go up market with the restaurant to capture the ‘luxury visitors’ who are more concerned about restaurant quality rather than price. Pens has incorporated pizzas and cocktails on the menu, but otherwise provide the same dishes they have done for over 20 years – namely Thai curries, noodle soup dishes, spaghetti and burgers. <br />
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Pens is now one of the cheapest places to eat on the beachfront at Thong Nai Pan Yai. Don’t expect any master chef culinary flourishes or even attentive service. But the food is alright. Moreover, they have a quick turn over of customers so the food tends to be fairly fresh – not sat around for weeks waiting to be sold.<br />
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The menu photographs below were taken in 2012. Add 10 Thai Baht or so to each item to account for ‘inflation’. They give you a good idea about prices and what items are available on the menu. Click on the photos to see them enlarged.<br />
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<br />Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-36723193005721289902014-05-28T07:36:00.000-07:002014-05-28T07:36:22.512-07:00Curfew in Thong Nai PanKoh Phangan has its politics but hasn’t seen any political violence caused by the conflict between the yellow shirts and red shirts. The politics in Koh Phangan is mostly do with local elections for key positions such as the major and the head of police. The most recent military takeover in Thailand in May 2014 has had only a small impact on Koh Phangan. The coup has not affected the island other than to deter some tourists from visiting. The same is also true for Thong Nai Pan.<br /><br />Initially the curfew set by the military junta ran from 10 pm to 5 am. This week the curfew has been rolled back from midnight to 4 am. At present there are no plans to cancel any of the parties in Koh Phangan.<br /><br />The police have been visiting Haad Rin and Ban Tai to close some of the late opening bars a couple of hours earlier than usual. This is not a great loss, since outside of the party periods these two beaches tend to be very quiet anyway. Often the bar owners give up and shut up shortly after midnight if their loud music doesn’t pull in any punters.<br /><br />Thong Nai Pan has experienced minimal disruption caused by the ousting of the government. On the night of the coup the police made a brief stop at the beaches just to check nothing political was going on, and probably to assure the big hotels that it would be business as usual. They also insisted the bars shut at 10pm<br /><br />Most of the bars in Thong Nai Pan are normally shut by 12am under normal situations. The party scene has really faded away in Thong Nai Pan as the demographic of visitors has changed more to mid and high end customers. The young people having a holiday in Thong Nai Pan now tend to catch taxis to the Full Moon Party, Half Moon Party etc. when they want all-night mayhem.<br /><br />Often the last place open in either Thong Nai Pan Noi or Thong Nai Pan Yai to get a drink is the 7-11. The convenience shop now shuts at midnight and re-opens at 4 am.<br /><br />For those worrying about travelling to and from Thong Nai Pan during these early stages of the coup should not worry. Tourists using transport late at night and early in the morning have been granted dispensation from the curfew rule. That means the night ferry is still operational, and it is also still possible to catch the overnight train between Suratthani and Bangkok.<br /><br />The tranquillity of Thong Nai Pan has not been disturbed by recent events in Thailand. It should also be stressed that the players in the present political drama have no interest in involving foreigners in their actions and reactions. If you do find yourself caught up in a political disturbance just walk away. It is unlikely that you will encounter any problems getting out of the way. <br />Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-59074661662806218332014-04-14T13:57:00.000-07:002014-04-14T13:58:26.418-07:00Getting a Cheap Room in Thong Nai Pan<div align="justify">
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We get a couple of emails every year from people asking how they can find a cheap room in Thong Nai Pan. Often it is a long termer looking for tips on places that offer cut price bungalows on a monthly rate. In anticipation of further emails on this topic we thought it a good idea to put down some notes on the how to hunt out accommodation bargains in Thong Nai Pan<br />
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Short Term Rentals</h3>
By short term rentals we mean less than a month. However, if you are staying longer than a week you have some leverage to get a room reduction.<br />
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The first thing to note is that you won’t get any reduced prices on internet booking sites for the cheap bungalow resorts. All the offers are for more expensive hotel rooms in Santhiya, Buri Rasa, Rasananda and Panviman. For those on a tight budget Agoda, r.24.org, Expedia, Hotel.com etc. are fruitless sites to explore.<br />
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You could send out emails to the budget places – Pen's, Longtail, Baan Panburi and Central in Yai and Sandee Bungalow in Noi – asking for a discount. This is unlikely to meet with much success. You can read more about these accommodation options on TNP Magazine's <a href="http://www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/accommodation1.html" target="_blank">accommodation section</a><br />
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The best course of action is to not book in advance. Just dump your bags somewhere when you arrive and walk around asking at the places mentioned above for a cheaper room. During the slow season you might get a bit of luck, especially if you ask nicely and intend to stay over a week. This method might get you a basic fan bungalow for 350 Thai Baht a night.<br />
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For more options check out the villa section on this post<br />
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Long Term Rentals</h3>
If you are looking for a better bungalow with a kitchen (and possibly air-con), there are a few good options. There are already a dozen or so expats living in Thong Nai Pan Yai, and there are more who stay for several months at a time. Thus, there is already a market for cheap long term rentals.<br />
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The most accessible place is <a href="http://www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/paradisebungalows.html">Paradise Garden Resort</a>. It consists of 2 rows of concrete bungalows that have bathroom, TV and air-con. They are rented by the month for about 12,000 Thai Baht. The guy running the place is friendly and will try and help you out. It’s not really a ‘resort’ but it is fairly close to the beach. <a href="http://www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/accommodation1.html">See map</a>. It is also near plenty of shops and cheap restaurants.<br />
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As you leave Thong Nai Pan Yai follow the hill up. Take a left turn half way up the hill and you will find yourself in a wooded area. This is where you will find the Yoga Studio, Wang Thong Waterfall and a few bungalows for rent. Just ask a couple of people and you should manage to get in contact with an owner. Bungalows are rented by the month for 10,000 to 15,000 Thai Baht a month. These bungalows are little businesses for local Thais, some of whom have little English. Some of these bungalows have large balconies, separate bedroom and kitchen and are fairly comfortable for longer term living. The kitchen means you can self-cater and save money. (Beware the 7-11 in Yai is not the cheapest place to shop).<br />
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There used to be a cheap bungalow for rent on the corner opposite the Noi beach turning on the main road. There also used to be bungalows to rent long term on the road to Bottle Beach. <br />
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Villa Rental</h3>
You can find lists of villas for rent in the Thong Nai Pan area quite easily. There are smaller villas (glorified bungalows) as well as bigger and more luxurious villas. These are located in the hills that surround Thong Nai Pan Bay. Most of them are foreign owned.<br />
<br />
One strategy is to email the owners directly and start a dialogue about prices, facilities etc. If you plan to stay a month you are in a strong position to ask for a discount. One bargaining point is to pare down the service package. For example, say you don't need the transfers, complimentary breakfast, maid service etc. This will save the owners money on costs and will put them in a better position to give a discount. You might even suggest to pick up the electricity bill as air-con left on is a big cost.<br />
<h3>
Asking Around</h3>
Nowadays, asking around is so much easier than before. People are interconnected by social media and email. Asking in Thong Nai Pan among those who live there, or even just contacting a friend of a friend who knows somebody living on the beach can produce leads to find the bungalow that suits you at your budget.<br />
<br />
Sadly the days of the 100 Thai Baht fan bungalow without toilet have gone in Thong Nai Pan. The good news is that there is a definite supply of cheaper accommodation available in Thong Nai Pan. Moreover, tourist numbers vary considerably between high and low season. At these times the drop in demand increases your bargaining position.</div>
Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-58317240101807378802014-01-13T06:56:00.003-08:002014-01-13T06:56:52.034-08:00Thong Nai Pan Accommodation 2014<div align="center">
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For the past several years Thong Nai Pan has been at the vanguard of high-end accommodation on Koh Phangan. Back in the 1990s Panviman led the way in luxury accommodation for the island. It was joined in the early 2000s by first Santhiya and then Rasananda. And then a couple of years ago Buri Rasa was built on Thong Nai Pan Noi. Until recently it seemed that all the best hotels and resorts were on Thong Nai Pan Noi. That situation is changing, and this is reflected in Trip Advisor ratings.<br />
<br />
Last year Anantara Rasananda was rated the number 1 hotel in Koh Phangan by Trip Advisor. In 2014 the hotel was downgraded to the 3rd best hotel on the island. Rasananda has been surpassed by Le Divine Comedie (No.1), and the Coast (No.2).<br />
<br />
Here is a summary of the movement of Trip Advisor ratings:<br />
<br />
1) Buri Rasa #1 to #3<br />
2) Panviman #36 to #9<br />
3) Baan Panburi #23 to #41<br />
4) Dreamland #24 to #40<br />
5) Havana #13 to #23<br />
6) Dolphin Bungalows #19 to #44<br />
7) Central Cottage #54 to #66<br />
<br />
Moreover, several of the resorts on both Noi and Yai have seen a fall in their aggregate Agoda ratings:<br />
<br />
1) Phuwadee 7.4 to 7.2<br />
2) Baan Panburi 7.7 to 7.5<br />
3) Dreamland 8.0 to 7.8<br />
4) Havana 8.2 to 8.1<br />
5) Phuwadee 7.4 to 7.2<br />
6) Buri Rasa 9.2 to 9.1<br />
7) Central Cottage 6.5 to 6.3<br />
<br />
The resorts that have bucked this downward trend are:<br />
<br />
1) Nice Beach Resort 6.3 to 7.4 (Agoda)<br />
2) Panviman #36 to #9 (Trip Advisor)<br />
3) Sandee Bungalow 6.9 to 7.1 (Agoda)<br />
4) Starlight Resort 6.4 to 6.5 (Agoda)<br />
<br />
Two things are apparent: the rest of the island have paid attention to the success of Thong Nai Pan accommodation and have improved facilities and service in a bid to rival the popularity of Thong Nai Pan; and complacency has set in somewhat in TNP. It is easy to rest on your laurels and not notice that the tortoise is catching up.<br />
<br />
At the same time as other resorts are rising to rival the big hotels on Thong Nai Pan Noi, the prices for many places in Thong Nai Pan have gone up. In a few instances prices have gone down or stayed the same, but generally business owners in Thong Nai Pan have taken the opportunity presented by a new year to raise their prices.<br />
<br />
Buri Rasa has increased the price of their cheapest rooms by 2,000 Thai Baht; Panviman by 700 Baht; Rasananda by 200 Baht: Havana by 100 Baht: Longtail by 200 Baht, Starlight by 100 Baht: Baan Panburi by 200 Baht. <br />
<br />
Phuwadee, Santhiya and Thong Tapan have kept the same prices as last year.<br />
<br />
Some rooms at Dreamland and Candlehut have been dropped in price.<br />
<br />
Pricing is influenced by a number of factors such as running costs and inflation. Often a business will look at their occupancy rates and seek to boost numbers by reducing room rates. Often the high end and low end in the room range are tweaked to generate more customers and revenue. Moreover, all the resorts keep a close eye on the competition and often price accordingly. <br />
<br />
It is worth re-iterating that Agoda is the most expensive booking engine as they add 17% to the quoted price. We use r24.org since they are considerably cheaper. For places like Pens and Sandee Bungalow the best prices are to be had by just turning up. Dolphin Bungalows only provided an email address last year for those looking to reserve a room. The change in management has obviously seen a fall in customer service which is reflected in their big fall in Trip Advisor ratings.<br />
<br />
Finally Sunrise Villa has kept its March promotional price of 5,000 Thai Baht a night. This is for a 3 bedroom villa. The price of a small room in Buri Rasa is only slightly cheaper.<br />
<br />
Although places in Baan Tai seem to be catching up with resorts in Thong Nai Pan it must be mentioned that new places often attract interest, and that after a couple of years the novelty factor wears off. Also, to be frank, the beach at Baan Tai is not very good.</div>
Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7349816550156551326.post-46158129252082086732013-11-19T02:31:00.001-08:002013-11-19T02:43:19.519-08:00Loy Krathong in Thong Nai Pan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Loy Krathong is the second most important date in the Thai Buddhist calendar after Thai New Year or Songkran. While Loy Krathong doesn’t have the energy or carnival feeling of the water splashing festival, it has a more elegant and overtly religious atmosphere that<br />
reflects the quiescence and hope for peace that is at the heart of the Buddha’s message.<br />
<br />
Loy Krathong means ‘floating container’. Traditionally the krathong were made from the trunk of a banana tree or a spider tree. Nowadays they are made of anything that floats, although a biodegradable material is preferred. A lighted candle is placed inside the<br />
decorative float and on the night of Loy Krathong is released into a river or the sea.<br />
<br />
It is believed that the act of releasing Loy Krathong symbolizes the releasing of negative thoughts and feelings such as envy and anger. People will sometimes cut off a small lock of hair or a finger nail and add it to the float. This is the letting go of negative karma. <br />
<br />
People often release their krathong and make a wish. In some areas they also say a prayer to Phra Mae Khongkha, the Goddess of<br />
Water.<br />
<br />
The festival of Loy Krathong falls on the twelfth lunar cycle of the Thai Buddhist calendar. For the Western calendar that is around mid November. This year (2013) the festival was celebrated on November 17th. It was the actual date of the full moon which conveniently fell on a Sunday when many Thai hotel workers have a day off.<br />
<br />
The celebration was held in Thong Nai Pan Yai on the empty piece of land near the small Wat near the beach. During the drier months this piece of land is waterlogged. November is the time of the monsoon rains and so a river is formed. This is ideal as the floats can<br />
make their way to the ocean, carrying away bad emotions and sending off prayers for a better future.<br />
<br />
While everyone is welcome to join the festival in Thong Nai Pan, it is most years exclusively attended by Thais and migrant workers<br />
from South East Asia. Loy Krathong occurs without any great fanfare (unlike Songkran) so it is easy for visitors to the beach to miss it.<br />
However,, if you are in the area at the time of the November full moon, ask at your hotel or guest house about the date of the Loy<br />
Krathong festival. The sight of lighted floats heading off into the distance is a great photo opportunity and a chance to experience an<br />
important part of Thai culture.Thong Nai Pan Magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556085650179907224noreply@blogger.com0