KRABI APR-MAY 2015
magazine
Travel Guide and Maps Inside
SONGKRAN
GETTING WET AND WILD IN KRABI
STAYING SLIM IN PARADISE
YOUR BEST BEACH BODY
SOLAR ENERGY
how it’s changing the planet.
Travel | Food | Culture | Lifestyle | Entertainment | Wellness
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Where people passionate about food gather to wine and dine in comfort
Located on the ground story of the Alisea boutique hotel on Soi Klong Heang Umberto’s Italian Kitchen offers you a range of Traditional homemade Italian dishes as well as imported Australian steaks. hours of operation: 11:30am-10:30pm 8
Call us at 084-627-2991 www.umbertorestaurant.com
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GROWTH OF THE MANGROVE FOREST
L’EXPERIENCE ANNE SEMONIN FACIAL COLLECTION
Layana Resort and Spa, managed by MBK Hotel and Tourism, MBK Group recently hosted the project ‘Growth of the mangrove forest’ in order to honor His Majesty the King on the occasion of his 87th birthday on December 5th, 2014.
Encounter this unique collection of facial therapies that combines elegant French skincare with results-driven, madeto-measure therapies which transform and re-sculpt your face contour. Every facial includes an exclusive Anne Semonin lymphatic massage, designed to gently release toxins from the dermal tissues, increasing blood flow resulting in radiant skin. Fusing this specialist massage, classic ingredients and a holistic approach, each Anne Semonin facial is a tailored experience, just for you.
More than 300 people including the Chief Executive of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO), villagers, teachers and students lent helping hands in planting the trees, almost 2 kilometers in length along the road, starting from Baan Rama port and ending at the Baan Rama School. Layana Resort & Spa is nestled on Koh Lanta Yai Island in Mu Koh Lanta National Park. The park is a marine archipelago, home to verdant tropical rainforests and undersea kingdoms of colourful coral rich in natural marine diversity. The resort enjoys a spectacular beachfront location on three kilometers of white sandy beach, situated about 2 hours south of Krabi International Airport. Environmentally-conscious design throughout the property results in a simple and elegant Thai atmosphere.
Anne Semonin Cryotherapie Age Defying Facial (60min) Immediate radiance, toning, brightness. Anne Semonin Ultra Firming Phyto-Aromatic Facial (60min) Anti-aging, firming, toning. Anne Semonin Soothing Repair Phyto-Aromatic Facial (60min) Calming, hydrating, restoring
Layana Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta Yai A haven of pampered indulgence, tranquil vistas, manicured landscapes and personalised service, at the Layana Resort & Spa you will find turquoise seas showcased by lush green vegetation and soaring blue skies. Nestled on Koh Lanta Yai island, this adults-only intimate resort sits on a three kilometre long white sandy beach and features accommodation in contemporary Thai style, complete with natural and luxurious décor and furnishings. Facilities include a stunning newly renovated Spa, library, infinity pool enjoying sea views, Sundowner bar and Tides restaurant, perched on the very edge of the beach overlooking the sea. An ideal choice for a luxurious and romantic stay.....
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Tel: + 66(0) 75 607 100
WWW.LAYANARESORT.COM Fax: + 66(0) 75 607 199
Email: resa@layanaresort.com
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KRABI
LETTER FROM
EDITOR
magazine
EDITOR - KitDee Media info@krabi-magazine.com - 093-685-4415 PRESIDENT- Pamela Huxley pamela@krabi-magazine.com - 093 658 4415 MANAGING DIRECTOR - Joe Alonzo joe@krabi-magazine.com - 085 069 4752 FINANCE & ACCOUNTING - Punch Whitfield punch@krabi-magazine.com - 089 287 0163 OPERATIONS MANAGER- Pimpimol “Mem” Wongkajorn info@krabi-magazine.com - 093 658 4415 CREATIVE DIRECTOR - Paul Stretton paul@krabi-magazine.com - 093 658 4415 GRAPHIC DESIGNER - Bad Bull info@krabi-magazine.com PUBLISHER - KitDee Media & Design Co. Ltd CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS ZINA DOCTO SAL ALONZO LINSEY HURLEY WAYNE LUCAS PER JULHANDER RED BULL SUZI HALL ALEXANDER STEPHAN TERENCE LOYDALL KRU MOD-THAI TALK PROJECTS ABROAD-KRABI
KitDee Media & Design Company Limited 335 Moo 5, Tambon Sai Thai, Amphur Muang, Krabi 81000 Tel: 093 658 4415 E-mail: info@krabi-magazine.com www.krabi-magazine.com online.krabi-magazine.com Please send submissions and subscription inquiries to info@krabi-magazine.com Krabi Magazine is published and produced by KitDee Media & Design Company Limited and is protected by Copyright. No parts of this publication can be used or reproduced in any form – printed, electronic, photocopy or otherwise – without the written permission of the publishers. The publisher reserves the right to refuse to publish adverts, texts or advertising features. Advertising terms and conditions are to be obtained at: info@krabi-magazine.com
DISCLAIMER While great care has been taken in the receipt and handling of material, production and accuracy in this magazine, the publisher will not accept any responsibility for any errors, loss or omissions which may occur. The information and stories published are those of the writers and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or the editor. The description of properties, the contents, whereabouts and price are given in this magazine as a guide only. Please request further details from the advertiser and seek legal advice before entering into any contract to purchase. All information and prices were correct at the time of going to press.
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W
elcome to the Thai New Year! You are about to experience a nation-wide water fight called Songkran! That’s right, if you’re hearing this for the first time, you’re in for a surprise that’s for sure. Songkran is the Thai New Year festival, and happens to be the biggest celebration of the year in Thailand. Anywhere you might find yourself within Thailand around the 12th-13th of April you will see for yourself what we mean when we say “nation-wide”! In Ao Nang, from The Red Devil corner down to the Ao Nang beachfront there is only “stop-and-go” traffic with people sitting in the back of pick-up trucks that are loaded with barrels of water – ready to hurl it at one another. You have come to Thailand in an amazing month, truly one of the most interesting, shocking, fun and adventurous festivals
celebrated anywhere in the world. Just remember one thing, when you’re in the middle of a water fight, please don’t take a bucket of water in the face personally! As well as Songkran, we delve into the topics of health and fitness, discover some new excellent restaurants, interview a fire-juggler and take a longtail trip to the laid-back paradise that is Koh Jum. Thank you for coming to Krabi to visit our wonderful province in the South of Thailand. We are working around the clock to inform you of what’s happening in Krabi province and give you recommendations on what to do during your stay. So sit back, relax and prepare to be introduced to Krabi like never before. Enjoy!
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16 | WONDERS OF KRABI
18 | FIT AT 50 How others have done it and you can to
26 | SONGKRAN A celebration that could only take place in Thailand
34 | DINING GUIDE The hottest eats in the region
45 | PLASTIC SURGERY IN KRABI
50 | BAMBOO A wood so prolific we had to talk about it, Bamboo and all it’s wonders
54 | THE FRUITS OF THAILAND
66 | WELCOME TO KOH LANTA
72 | LOOKING FOR SOME CROSS TRAINING? You’ve come to the right place! 75 | KOH JUM That lovely, lonely escape
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WINDOW
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ON KRABI www.krabi-magazine.com
AO NANG BEACH at 20km from Krabi Town is the most developed of Krabi’s beaches; a long stretch of white sand with limestone karsts as a backdrop. All of your accommodation, shopping and service needs are found here. This is the hub from which to plan your trip at sea and to the nearby islands on a typical longtail boat.
TUBKAEK BEACH
KOH LANTA
Another real place to hide away; long, clean and powerful, the area boasts breathtaking views over the Koh Hong archipelago and provides for wonderfully charming sunsets. From Tubkeak beach you can venture inside the National Park and try the nature trail to one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Krabi.
the developing island at the southern end of the province known for its prime sunset viewing spots , heaps of activities, and glimpses into sea gypsy life, is where you will meet nature and tradition. It’s also a National Park area that comprises many different islands surrounded by coral reefs, such as Koh Ngai, Koh Mook and the remote Koh Rok.
NOPPHARAT THARA BEACH KOH PODA just around the corner from Ao Nang, is 3km long yet still undeveloped, with only a few resorts and bars. Attractive because of its natural setting, this is where local youngsters and families gather at sunset and on weekends with picnics. Savour some local Muslim snacks at the beach stalls, or fill yourself with seafood in the local restaurants at the very end of the beach, near the Noppharat Thara National Park headquarters. At low tide, walk out together with millions of small crabs on the sandy pathways to the small islands near the beach. KLONG MUANG BEACH is a further 20km away from Ao Nang; it is the up-market side of Krabi, the place to be if you are after a peaceful holiday. Catering to families and couples, it is here that you really get that well deserved repose, surrounded by pristine nature. RAILAY AND TONSAI BEACHES are split and separated from Krabi and Ao Nang by monumental limestone mountains. Railay has two sides, east and west, and its settings are simply marvelous: crystal clear waters, pure sandy beaches, lush mountains, and rocky islands emerging from the sea. Both beaches are known the world over for their majestic climbing routes. They can only be reached by boat, a 15-minute ride from Ao Nang or 30 minutes from Krabi Town. Enjoy a cocktail in one of the beach bars, visit the Phranang Cave, challenge yourself on a rock climbing or cliff jumping course (yes, into the sea!), hike the limestone massif to a lagoon and a viewpoint, or simply chill out.
This is the iconic island of Krabi and the first and most dramatic one you seem from Ao Nang beach. Hop on a longtail boat - the local wooden boats with their picturesque prow and sail away surrounded by turquoise waters. CHICKEN ISLAND This should be next on your list as it is right next to Koh Poda. From the right angle when passing Chicken Island (Koh Chicken) you can catch a glimpse of a chickens neck and head, some would argue more like that of a turkey but it’s up to you. You know those postcards with people walking on a sandy isthmus that connects to another island? Yep, here the second island is Koh Tub and is only accessible at low tide. THE KOH HONG This island archipelago demands everyone’s attention as it is one of the highlight of Krabi province. The Archipelago, a group of limestone islands with many a hidden caves and lagoons make it perfect for snorkeling and exploration. Make sure you stop at Lading island after Koh Hong as it is much less visited and sports a blend of both lush jungle and tropical waters. KOH PHI PHI Private bays, limestone cliffs, waters rich in marine life and caves where swallow’s nests are harvested are all here on the island that Leonardo Di Caprio once rolled his hot bod in while filming “The beach” at the now iconic Maya Bay.
KOH LANTA BEACHES
KOH JUM & KOH SIBOYA
have a wide selection of resorts for all tastes and pockets. Lanta Yai island has long stretches of gleaming white sandy beaches and shallow emerald waters. Lined with tropical vegetation, a private spot is never more than a short walk away on a southern beach at Lanta Yai.
Both are unspoiled tropical hide-aways that have a unique atmosphere. Tune in to the slow culture here, imbibe the peace, and recharge your batteries with the soundtrack of lapping waves.
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LIMESTONE MOUNTAINS or karsts characterize most of the inland Krabi area, the most spectacular being the crags of Sai Tai. Susaan Hoi is a 40 million year-old seashell cemetery; once a large swamp where freshwater crustaceans proliferated, today it’s home to 40 centimeter thick, shell encrusted limestone slabs, a geological uniqueness not far from Ao Nang. KHAO PHANOM BENCHA NATIONAL PARK at 20km from Krabi Town, comprises waterfalls, streams, lush forests and caves. It is home to all kind of flora and wildlife and to the highest mountain in the region from which it takes the name. One of the features of the park is Huay Toh Waterfall where water runs down onto several huge pools that you can swim in. TARNBOK KHORANEE NATIONAL PARK in the north of the region, consists of limestone mountains, verdant tropical forest, caves and beautiful islands. It is well known for its different species of trees growing around a large natural crystal clear pool, and for the hundreds of birds’ species. SA MORAKOT, THE EMERALD POOL is a natural wonder: a pond of turquoise water with an average temperature of 3040C, fed by a hot spring in the middle of the jungle. HOT SPRINGS Hot Springs of Klong Thom, natural Jacuzzis that melt away tensions and relieve body and mind with the mineral enriched waters falling into rocky ponds.
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news CHINESE CAR MANUFACTURER COMING TO THAILAND After little success with its first product in Thailand, Chinese-owned automaker MG has decided to launch its second model here, but this time the company is making sure prices are attractive. The MG3 subcompact follows the MG6 compact into the highly competitive Thai auto market. It is priced from Bt479,000Bt559,000 for the hatchback and Bt595,000 for the top-of-the line Xross model. Wu Huan, president of the ChineseThai joint venture SAIC Motor-CP, the manufacturer of MG vehicles in Thailand, said the launch of the MG3 signified the JV’s commitment to the Thai automotive industry. SAIC Motor-CP has based the production of right-hand-drive vehicles here for export to Asean as well as other markets. The MG assembly facility is at the Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate in Chon Buri and has a production capacity of 50,000 units per year. “In close collaboration with the MG global design centre in the UK and SAIC Motor, we strive to innovate new vehicle ranges to delight Thai consumers with more functionality and cater to more lifestyles,” he said. MG plans to grow its product line-up in Thailand gradually to reach a wider group of customers. MG will officially launch its new GS sport-utility vehicle in China today, and the new model is also expected to be offered in Thailand in the near future.
WALKING DEAD RACE FOR YOUR LIFE ZOMBIES HAVE BEEN very much in the hot seat recently with two Thai zombie movies due in cinemas and the popular TV series “Walking Dead” back for its fifth season. Now the brave and the fun-loving can try to outrun zombies in real life as the adventure-run series “Run for Your Lives” finds it way next Saturday to Wonder Water Fun Park in Bangkok.
then roam around the course grabbing the life flags from “survivors”.
A combination of an obstacle course, fun fair and music festival, the event offers adrenaline-seekers a chance to test their mental prowess and physical strength over a 4.5-kilometre course, as they, in the role of “survivors”, navigate hostile terrain and overcome challenging obstacles to reach the Safe Zone. Participants can also assume the role of a “zombie” and
Introduced in 2011 by Reed Street Productions in Baltimore, Maryland, the race series quickly spread to other cities around North America then to Asia, where it has been held in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
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JANUARY TOURISM JUMPS 16% DESPITE RUSSIAN MARKET COLLAPSE
COOLING SUMMER PACKAGE AT SO SPA WITH L’OCCITANE AT SOFITEL KRABI PHOKEETHRA GOLF & SPA RESORT
A year after the “Bangkok shutdown,” tourists have flocked back to Thailand, with arrivals in January jumping 16.3% despite a 46% plunge in Russian visitors. Statistics released by the Department of Tourism this week showed 2.65 million international tourists arrived in the kingdom during January, up from 2.28 million in January 2014, when the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) mobilised oftenviolent street protests across Bangkok. More than just a rebound from last year’s protest-marred high season, this January’s tourist numbers have also surpassed the 2.31 million tourists who arrived in January 2013, Tourism Department records showed. The gains came despite a tremendous drop in arrivals from Russia, where a historic drop in the value of the Russian currency, the Rouble, has forced most International travellers to stay home. Arrivals from Russia plummeted 45.97% to 145,605 visitors in January, down from 269,479 in the same month last year. The huge drop followed year-on-year declines of approximately 27%, 23% and 21% in the previous months, respectively
Keep cool this summer throughout the month of April. Retreat into So SPA with L’Occitane and enjoy a 30-minute Jacuzzi bath followed by a 60-minute Shea Moisturizing Body Scrub to help repair sun damage and eliminate dead skin cells, and complete the pampering experience with a 60-minute Aromachologie treatment to relax your mind and body. Price: THB 3,800 per person, THB 7,000 per couple. **** Sofitel, World Class Hotels & French Elegance Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five continents with 120 addresses, in almost 40 countries (more than 30,000 rooms). Sofitel offers contemporary hotels and resorts adapted to today’s more demanding and more versatile consumers who expect and appreciate beauty, quality and excellence. Whether situated in the heart of a major city like Paris, London, New York, Shanghai or Beijing, or nestled away in a country landscape in Morocco, Egypt, French Polynesia or Thailand, each Sofitel property offers a genuine experience of the French “art de vivre”. Sofitel Legend and & Sofitel So are two labels that come to enrich Sofitel Luxury hotels. Sofitel Legend hotels are iconic and mythical; they are often centuries-old listed heritage buildings: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam and Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan. Sofitel So hotels are new « boutique hotels » characterized by a stylish focus on contemporary design by famous architects and/ or embellished by international celebrities from the world of fashion, design or art: Sofitel So Mauritius Bel Ombre, Sofitel So Bangkok and Sofitel So Singapore (2013). For more information and reservation, please call +66 (0) 75 627 800 or write us an email to H6184-TH@ SOFITEL.COM .
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TIGER CAVE TEMPLE A 1,237-step climb to astounding views, the hike is a mixed bag of emotions: exhaustion, exhilaration, and bewilderment. The hilltop temple is worth the effort for the 360 view of the surrounding countryside laden with swathes of lush greenery by the monsoon rains. Although there are no actual tigers at the temple, there is monkey business (hold on to your cameras!). Visit the temple at the bottom, built into a cave, and for a small donation receive a blessing and a special magical bracelet from a resident monk or nun, sure to secure prosperity and health.Â
MARKETS Krabi and Ao Nang are blessed with some great markets everyday of the week, day or night, food or fun. Krabi Town boasts the largest covered market in southern Thailand. A visit to any of these is a real glimpse into local life and a chance to shop for something unique.
KAYAKING Whether through mangroves and caves or over clear ocean waters amidst the islands, kayaking is a great adventure into the spectacular surroundings of Krabi. Hit up Ao Thalane bay or navigate into the open sea, the choices are yours and they are endless.
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NAK HILL NATURE TRAIL At the end of the road in Tub Kaek is a well-shaded hike up to yet another remarkable viewpoint of Ao Nang and Noppharat Thara beaches, and Ao Thalane Bay. For the decently fit, the ascent should take about two hours and is a wonderful exploration off the beaten path. Find the potato chip looking perch at the top and you’ve found your next profile pic.
HONG ISLANDS The beaches of Koh Hong never cease to amaze with their crystal clear water and stunning white sand. With two glorious beaches, a lagoon and national park land, this is a real island paradise.
THA POM CANAL Rent a motorbike and enjoy a highly scenic drive through local villages to Tha Pom Klong Song Nam, where freshwater and seawater from nearby mangrove forests meet. Walk through the nature preserve and admire the beautiful blue water and maze of mangrove, and end it with a cool dip in the natural pool at the end. Rarely visited by tourists, its quiet and uncrowded, save for the few local families cooling off from the sweltering heat.
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Fit In
500 I can remember the conversations as if they were yesterday. A group of us young girls in our 20’s sitting around the table laughing and talking it up about the latest fashion craze, coolest make-up and hair styles and what we were going to do on the weekend. There never once was a conversation where boys were not mentioned or who was dating the ‘perfect guy’ at the time...
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TEN YEARS PASSED, NOW IN OUR 30’S,
We would sit around the table almost rolling out of our chairs as we laughed and talked about the men we married and how we were managing to shuffle being a wife, working a full time job (in our desired or not-so-desired professions), as well as trying to hit the gym two to three times a week. Boasting proudly and knowing full well that we were ‘super women’ because we could do all of these tasks and more. Bragging about how we could have dinner prepared and placed on the table every night even after managing our own lives and that of our children, with their equally active schedules. Yet during this time, there never once was a conversation where we would not mention how we couldn’t wait to get some ‘me time’, amidst the business of our lives. I remember well how much I contributed to these conversations and was so thankful to have great friends to banter with about the day to day challenges and obstacles of trying to live ‘the dream’. As we entered our 40’s our table talk had began to shift quite a bit. The conversations where we once laughed and challenged one another to experience life to the full became more sobering. April-May | 2015
Laughter was replaced with tears being shed over financial burden, weight gain, health concerns and relationship issues. Talk about lives filled with stress took precedence around the very table that used to be a place of relaxation and joy. I listened to my dear friends who had found themselves stuck in critical areas of their lives. I remember sitting around the table with a sudden realization that I did not fit in “40”. I myself was not being challenged with most of what these close friends were facing. This sudden realization came as an after effect from a decision that I had made about 10 years earlier. While in my very early thirties, I made a decision to make some lifestyle changes. They were proving themselves to be ever so faithful, as I realized I was alienated from these dear 40’s.
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I HAVE HEARD RUMOR THAT 50 IS THE NEW 30.
Well if this be true; then I guess I’m now a member. I will always remember the table of my 20’s, 30’s and reflect deeply on the table of my 40’s. Now I sit at the table of my 50’s and the question is; do I fit in 50? Did I have a hiccup in my 40’s and time has finally caught up with me? My answer would be, “absolutely, YES”. No, there was not a hiccup in my 40’s. My yes resonates; I fit in 50 because I’m fit in my 50’s. I love sitting around the table of 50’s. Around this table come decades of wisdom and life experience that the 20 year old table just doesn’t have nor is it necessarily looking for. When I sit around the table with my peers in their 50’s many of them struggle with diseased bodies, obesity and challenges to keep living ‘the dream’; I’m humbled. However I discovered that it is never too late for change and restoration in any area of our lives; be it mind, body or spirit. Nowadays because of the lifestyles of most, I sit at the table of 20’s, 30’s, 40’s or 50’s and meet many who are ‘stuck’, regardless their age. Conversations most often times direct towards how healthy, young and happy I appear.
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I’m privileged to share my journey and how initially I changed my diet, to what I call a lifestyle of ‘nutrient intake’. I began eating living whole foods as well as preparing fresh vegetable and fruit juices daily. I chose to eliminate meat and decrease consumption of cooked or processed food. I followed and still do to this day a ‘nutrient intake’ of 80% living fresh food and 20% cooked and/or processed food. I had always been fairly active and if you would have taken a look at my busy lifestyle you would never question inactivity. However, I began to try different physical activities that I could enjoy as not to get bored (which is a huge issue for me-I’m pretty curious). I experienced water and snow skiing, bicycling, various dance forms, various aerobic forms, weight training, swimming, yoga, tennis, basketball and even Muay Thai kickboxing. Although, to date I have experienced much much more. Back then I stayed physically active, ate well and began to take inventory of my personal life and lifestyle. I found that making these changes to my life caused me to have physical health and an overall sense of well being. I began to educate myself about how to care for the number one asset that I possessed; ME! www.krabi-magazine.com
As the years proceeded I became a Certified Health Minister and have spent the last 15+ years of my life helping others uncover where they are ‘stuck’. Joining them in the process to overcome, move forward and discover their health and beauty from the inside out. I found what I believe are the seven key areas of our lives that constitute overall health and personal wellbeing. They are air, water, food, exercise, sunlight, rest and relationships. If we learn how to care for these seven areas of our lives then we will live a life without weight issues, chronic illness, disease, emotional and spiritual turmoil. I jumped for joy (literally) alongside budding models in a recent photo shoot for a young designer launching her “Casually Uncommon” swimwear line. Each of these beauties were young enough to be my children and they were inspired as I shared with them that I know that women have been seeking the fountain of youth for hundreds of decades. I confessed when I was in my 20’s; this was my desire as well. And even today, I’m fortunate to be able to wear adorable
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swim wear, just as they are. However, I’ve discovered that the fountain of youth comes from the inside out. I no longer dread the idea of grey hair, wrinkles and age spots that will eventually find their way on to the skin that I love. I’ve learned to care for me, all of me. I look forward to fit in to my 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and even my 90’s. Feeling confident that each of my days are ordered and that as a good steward of my body, mind and spirit I will reap the benefit of many more incredible years, in hopes of graciously being invited to the table of 100.
Zina is the founder of “i AM WOMAN”. Educating woman to discover their health and beauty from the inside out; overcome weight issues, sickness and disease. Want to know more? Contact: info@getjuicedforlife. com or info@beautyfromtheinsideout.org
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technology
SOLAR PANELS Looking for a change you can make at your house? Solar panels are part of a growing sector to our global economy, and they could be the solution for a global problem.
W
e are all part of this growing planet, each year millions more enter it, and with them the growing desire for more food, clothes, cars, phones and so on. We all need the basic necessities of life to live on this amazing planet, but how do we get these things?
21st century, we are still burning fossil fuels to run steam generating electrostations. This is the worst and most polluting form of fuel for our planet and yet still even now over 70% of the power plants on our planet use coal as a means to generate this much needed power.
We all need to power our homes, cars, computers, TVs and refrigerators, but how should we get this power we need for the amenities of life?
If we had the equipment in place to collect all the energy from the sun in only 1 hour, this would-be enough for us to power our entire planet’s population and infrastructure for a whole year.
The major electric generating power plants throughout the globe do a very good job in providing the much needed power to our cities, factories and homes but they do it in a way that isn’t conducive for the long term survival of our species and planet’s habitat. Still today in our modern times of the
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Doesn’t this make you think? Why are we continuing to spend time, energy and money pulling this black sludge from the earth’s depths only to burn it and send it’s toxic effects into our air. Wouldn’t it make more sense for us to
use the endless, clean and free power provided from the sun? Numerous governments all around the world have already signed into incentive programs that reward those who install solar-collecting devices on their roofs or cars. Thus making the prospect of installing these wonderful inventions on ones home more and more attractive. Large corporations like Apple, Google, Tesla and Solarcorp are donating hundreds of millions of dollars into the industry to make it easier and more affordable for the individual to purchase such devices and help change the planet.
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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS WITH SOLAR PANELS HAVE MADE THESE SYSTEMS MORE EFFICIENT AND AFFORDABLE TO PURCHASE. NOW IN THAILAND IT IS POSSIBLE TO PURCHASE A SOLAR SYSTEM POWERFUL ENOUGH TO POWER AN ENTIRE HOME FOR A FAMILY OF 4 FOR AROUND 300,000THB =$10,000. CONSIDERING THE COST OF ELECTRICITY CAN BE UPWARDS OF 30,000THB/$1,000USD/YEAR THESE SYSTEMS WILL PAY THEMSELVES OFF AFTER ONLY 10 YEARS, AFTER THIS THEN IT’S FREE, CLEAN AND SAFE ENERGY FOREVER.
There are a number of solar companies in operation throughout Thailand already a number of them are: • Bangkok Solar Co., Ltd WWW.BANGKOKSOLAR.COM • Siam Solar Power WWW.SIAMSOLARPOWER.COM • Thai Solar Energy Public Company Limited WWW.THAISOLARENERGY.COM There is even a business in Krabi that sells electric motorbikes and small solar systems which can power the motorbike for less than 30,000 THB. find them at: WWW.KRABIGREENBIKE.COM/ELECTRIC-PEDAL-BIKE The world is changing, our population will not cease to rise in number. It is up to the current generation to think about our planet’s future. What will our children have, what kind of role models will we make if we openly throw aside widely understood technology that has been developed to help our planet but not put to use because gas and fossil fuels are easier and more convenient…. We write this to you and ask you think about your actions and if it possible to inspire the change inside yourself, and hopefully in others as well.
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French/Thai cuisine Charcuterie
Private catering Daily specials
5-star French chef imported deli products
454/1 Moo 1 Aonang Muang (Na Thai Road)
Tel: 081 273 2029
Sushi Restaurant & Grill Opening time
11.30 hrs. – 23.00 hrs.
Tel: 075-637-030-5 TIMBER HOUSE
KON TIKI
SUSHI HUT
KRABI RESORT
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event
Songkran A nation-wide water fight celebration - sounds crazy? Only in Thailand! Songkran, the Thai New Year, is a time of celebration, food, festivities, and tons and tons of water! That’s right, the Thai New Year celebrated in the Buddhist calendar that lands around the 12th of April, is celebrated not by a ball dropping or champagne sloshing. Thai New Year is celebrated by super-soaking, buckets of water splashing on top of one another, music playing, people having a great time and plenty of singing and dancing. Songkran is an amazing time when everyone is having a ball, and most of all everyone is smiling. This is by far one of the best ways to enjoy a New Year’s celebration, with a huge, wet smile on your face.
PLEASE REMEMBER 3 THINGS ON SONGKRAN: Donít keep anything valuable that isnít waterproof in your pockets Be ready to get wet! Donít plan too much as things seem to always change Have fun, this is Thailand 26
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ongkran is celebrated nationwide, from Krabi to Chiang Mai and everywhere in between. Whether it be a densely populated area of the Kingdom or a rural back road, you will see people sitting roadside, in trucks or even on top of elephants, throwing water at each other. You will find people everywhere celebrating this wonderful time of year. Celebrating Songkran this way is great, since it is already so hot for all of us, but more importantly it’s just one of the most intense festivals in the world. Songkran is a holiday you will never forget. A friend of mine came for a visit last year, but he didn’t know about the extent and magnitude of Songkran. Upon leaving, he was bombarded at the airport by super soakers and small buckets of water. He later told me; “I loved and hated it at the same time. It was an amazing experience though - it made me realize that I can control nothing and I should just relax and go with the local flow.” Now lets back up a bit into the history of Songkran: Resting in April, one of the hottest months of the year in Thailand, Songkran is celebrated as not only a means to bring in the new year but also as a way of refreshment from the hot sweltering months that everyone is enduring. The water fight side of things was not a part of the original celebration but a modern adaptation developed to make the holiday both a celebration and refreshment for everything and everyone. Typically among local people, paying respect to elders is a common part of the ceremony of Songkran. Tradition is for the younger generation to pour water over the clasped hands of the elders of any given village and to wrap their hands in flower bracelets praying to them for their gifts and knowledge. It is a beautiful time in Thailand, some people celebrate a more traditional means of Songkran, and some focus more on the water-fight side of things. There is something for everyone on Songkran. Enjoy this wonderful festival in Thailand but one thing you must always remember – and that is to smile.
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Ao Nang opens another unique hangout welcome to all (if you can manage to get a seat) Opened only this past December Funky Bar in Ao Nang has become a go-to place for locals and tourists alike for its convenience, warm inviting vibe and range of cocktails. Located on Ao Nang on the main (and only) road going through our little town Funky Bar is easy to spot and always has a warm vibe flowing from its bar. Come by and see what’s making this the new place to be in Ao Nang. Check out what some of the loyal patrons are saying about this new great place:
Cumulus Nimble, USA —DANGER DANGER! This place should be named ‘The Qucksand Bar’ cuz once you step in it’s gonna be real tough to get out. It’s insidious and diabolical how the host’s, who are waaaaay too good looking, trap you by being so sweet and nice, making delicious cocktails and generally making a person think they’re in someone’s livingroom rather than a bar. USE CAUTION! Sammy also has a irritating habit of giving me a free drink when I’m not looking. Pure evil. I’m never going back, except for tonight, where I’m really going to give them a piece of my mind.
Roger Kleinert, Switzerland — Best Bar ever But don’t go there for only one Drink......... It’s not possible The owner’s are so lovely Thank you for the best time in Krabi
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Amie Louise Warrilow, England — Unbelievable. I had the bestest time ever here. Snazzy drinks with the locals and many giggles. It was a job well done all round. The perfect set up. One of my best nights whilst travelling in Thailand.
Tania Figueira, Portugal — If you are ever in Krabi, Ao Nang this is the place to be! Great cheap strong cocktails, snacks, shots and laughs! Best customer service in Thailand! And if you lucky you will get a few cheeky shots.
Lucy Reaney, England — Such a lovely place with amazing, welcoming hosts and locals! Definitely one of my favourite places in Thailand! Our trip wouldn’t have been complete without it!
Megz Lanne, USA — What an amazing bar! The music is perfect, the staff are so friendly, the drinks are beautiful, and the people are so fun to talk to.
Ben Jamaal, Thailand — Nice place , lovely hosts, good music selection, best cocktails.. Well done big Sam and Natalie, well done..
Annie Georges, USA — lovely place, lovely hosts! comfy seating and good drinks too!
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u n k y !
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Beach club KRABI STYLE The Andamana is Krabi’s first beach club, a true feat of architectural innovation built from a range of natural materials - primarily bamboo and rustic furniture created using local hardwood. Many of us are looking for that special place to rest, socialize, listen to music and chill-out but where to go to in Krabi? The Andamana is your new go-to place for everything. Nestled amid the trees and nature on the shores of Ao Nam Mao beach, The Andamana offers a unique chance to enjoy a meal, play a game, have a cocktail and just hang out with friends and family in a safe and comfortable environment.
The Energy mocktail is a must try for everyone
taking the time to stop at The Andamana, a zesty blend of lemon and lime juices, freshly shredded mint and seltzer water make this an absolute must have for everyone no matter what time of day.
The Chef of The Andamana is a former royal chef who previous culinary positions have taken him to a variety of renowned locations in Bangkok and abroad. He has cooked for a number of the royal family members and will continue to do so at future events he travels upon special request to.
If there is a dish thought simple then I would put my finger on the great
Pad Thai as I always thought this to be the case. Not after trying the Pad Thai at The Andamana, it’s full of large succulent tiger prawns that seem to come crawling out of the mountain noodles drizzled in sweet tamarind sauce and topped with crispy fried shallots and fresh herbs and vegetables. The Andamana is the place to be if you want fine dining in nature, listen to the waves crashing at the shores and spend quality time with friends. Sporting a number of parties throughout the year which can be found on their website at: www.aonangcliffbeach.com
Free shuttle service to and from The Andaman beach club is available from the Ao Nang Cliff Beach and leaves every hour throughout the day You can call the staff to arrange a pick up by calling: (66) 75-626-888
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KRABI GUIDE
TANT ONAL ASSIS YOUR PERS ROVINCE TO KRABI P AD FROM TO DOWNLO AVAILABLE RE E PLAY STO THE GOOGL
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Dining guide / Krabi CARNIVORE | STEAK & GRILL Soi Klong Haeng opposite Thai Village Resort, Ao Nang. They say that the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the same goes for steaks. The quality of what this kitchen produces is extremely hard to beat - and the experience of the owner Gidi is evident. Gidi worked for 15 years in the restaurant business before starting Carnivore back in 2003 - and he has never looked back. All main courses come with salad and a choice of six different potato dishes that include home-made french fries and mashed potato to die for. As well as the 5-star meat selection, Carnivore also offers some of the finest salads, soups, crispy baguettes, grilled sandwiches and warm starters around - as well as no less than 60 beers from around the world. Yes, 60.
Average price: 400-900+THB What to Try: The “Carnivore” signature Steak Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Open daily from 3pm - 11pm. Tel:+66 (0)75661061 Website: www.carnivore-thailand.com
DA CARLA | ITALIAN & THAI Noppharathara Beach, inside Sabai Resort. Nestled just off Noppharathara Beach and next to Sabai Resort, Da Carla & Poan is a small, informal place owned and managed by an Italian couple who are long-time residents here. As well as great Thai food, this is the place for some real-deal homemade pasta just like it should be made. The hand-filled ravioli and homemade desserts that are on the menu are very hard to argue with. Great meat selection too, with quality steak and the freshest seafood you could hope to find. As you would expect, a good selection of imported wine is also available, as well as imported Belgian beers.
Average price: 250+THB What to Try: The hand-filled ravioli Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Daily from 7:30am - 2:30pm and 5:30pm - 9:30pm Tel: +66 (0)75637791 Website: www.sabairesort.com
U & P | HOME MADE BAKERY 401/4 Ao Nang, Krabi. End of Na Thai Road. U&P Homemade Bakery has secured itself a place in the hearts and stomachs of many locals and ex-pats in the Ao Nang area. Being one of the very few bakeries in town that bakes a good loaf of bread, U&P also have a great array - and display - of pastries, cakes, flatbreads, rolls, buns and even breadsticks to choose from. They have a fairly extensive menu as well, meaning you can get more than just a decent cup of coffee and croissant in the morning. Lunchtime is sorted with a great selection of western and Thai dishes the sandwiches being a firm favourite thanks to the freshness of the bread being used and the decent sized portions served up.
What to Try: Sandwiches Free WiFi?: Yes Average Price: 100THB Opening Hours: 6am - 5pm Tel.: 081-8956670
TIP ANDA | THAI, SEAFOOD & FUSION 79/45 Moo 3, Nopparat Thara Beach Designed as an eclectic mix of modern décor and vintage flair (retro bicycles!) in an open concept, Tip Anda sits front and center on the tranquil beach of Noppharat Thara . With ample space on its large terrace, guests can enjoy views of the sunset while sipping that well-deserved cocktail. Average price: 100-300THB The menu offers a wide selection of Traditional Thai food , Seafood, and some international dishes including
What to Try: Tom Yam Pizza
a specialty fusion Italian-Thai dish, Tom Yam Pizza. The Chicken Cashew Nut is particularly delicious, and
Free WiFi?: Yes
the Steamed Fish with Lemon Sauce is one of the finest Thai dishes you can find. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is attentive and ready to welcome you.
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Opening Hours: Daily 7am - 10pm Tel: +66(0)75661179
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VENEZIA {SOFITEL | ITALIAN & SEAFOOD 200 Moo.3 Klong Muang Beach, Tambon Nongtalay, Muang, Krabi Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort’s Ristorante Venezia serves up gourmet cuisine featuring traditional Italian recipes, pizzas straight from the wood-fired oven, and a large selection of wines from all over the globe. Dining is available either indoors or on the outdoor terrace, al fresco style, with panoramic views of the ocean and tropical gardens. Specialties include the Albero di Antipasti, at 600THB, a delicious selection of of of your favourite antipasti choices, perfect when you can’t decide from their extensive menu choices. Another must try is the Ravioli Frutti di Mare at 440THB; a delectable homemade ravioli stuffed with the Andaman seafood and served in a mouthwatering creamy crab meat sauce!
Average price: 400++THB What to Try: Antipasti & ravioli frutti di mare Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Daily from 6pm - 11pm Tel: +66 (0)75 627 800 Website: www.sofitel.com/6184
UMBERTO’S ITALIAN KITCHEN| ITALIAN & SEAFOOD Located in the ground story of Alisea boutiquw hotel, Klong Heang Rd. Ao Nang Where magic happens in the kitchen Umberto’s Italian Kitchen is a newly opened restaurant in Ao Nang featuring a wide array of traditional Italian dishes complimented of Fresh Andaman seafood and imported Australian steaks.
Average Price: 200 - 600+
Owner operated by an internationally recognized chef born in Italy and with long standing roots in Krabi.
What to Try: The Seafood pasta
A warm personal feeling descends over those who visit this wonderful eating establishment. Come and be amazed by the range of dishes, be careful though you might find it hard to choose from the number of tasty looking meals.
Opening Hours: 11am-10pm
Wifi: Yes Tel: 084 627 2991 Website: www.umbertorestaurant.com
SUSHI HUT | JAPANESE, THAI & WESTERN FOOD Muang Krabi, Ao Nang Krabi, Krabi, 81000 Are you craving that wasabi flare? Look no further than the The Sushi Hut and Grill, centrally located across from Krabi Resort on the main drag going through Ao Nang.
Average price: 200-450THB The Sushi Hut and Grill offers not only freshly prepared Sushi, Sashimi, and other traditional Japanese
What to Try: The Nigiri rolls
cuisine, but also a range of both Thai and Western food to keep the whole family satisfied and full, such
Free WiFi?: Yes
as Australian steaks, American burgers, and Thai curries. Come for a taste of Japan right here in Ao Nang.
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-11pm Tel: 075-637-0305
KRABI VILLA CAFE | COFFEE & SANDWICHES Klong Muang Beach Road Nestled next to the Krabi Villa Company Ltd. in Klong Muang, the Krabi Villa Café is a great little place to grab a bite to eat and some fresh coffee. Comfortable sofas and chairs are available for lounging in with your drink and the staff are friendly and very welcoming. If you want to take a load off for a while, high-speed Internet access as well as a selection of newspapers and magazines make spending an hour or 2 here as easy as pie. If you fancy more than a drink, there is an impressive array of sandwiches prepared with fresh bread, as well as cakes and muffins. Even breakfast is catered for, with a selection of pastries as well as eggs, bacon and toast to start your day in style. Fresh coffee, home made food, WiFi, sofas and magazines. What more could you ask for?
Average price: 100THB What to Try: Sandwiches, organic coffee Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Tues - Sun from 9am - 5pm Tel: +66 (0)75 600 141 Website: www.krabivillacompany.com
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Dining guide / Krabi DIVER’S INN | GERMAN & STEAKHOUSE Ao Nang, opposite the Siam Commercial Bank, Near Mc Donalds. The oldest German restaurant in Ao Nang focuses on hearty meat dishes and offers an array of savoury items on its menu. Enjoy one of the renowned juicy and tender Australian Angus steaks, duck or chicken breasts, or pork tenderloins, all accompanied by a selection of potato dishes and the famous salad buffet.
Average price: 150 – 900+ THB
You can also enjoy traditional German wheat beers or a nice imported wine like a German Riesling as you munch on tasty appetizers such as tempura shrimp or maybe a full plate of steamy spare ribs.
What to Try: The Angus steaks
For patrons who are not too much into meat dishes there is a selection of traditional Thai food and seafood as well as crispy and fresh salads.
Opening Hours: Daily from 11am - 11pm
Free WiFi?: Yes Tel (Th/En): + 66 (0)75-637 297 Tel (En/Ger): + 66 (0) 89 587 3533
ANDAMANA BEACH CLUB | THAI-BEACH CLUB 328, Moo 2, Ao Nang,, Krabi Town 81000 Looking for a cool place to relax and chill out beachside? Then look no further then the Andamana beach Club, Ao Nang’s first real beach club with a touch of Krabi flavor. With distinct architecture The Andamana Beach Club will impress anyone coming for a visit, as it has been built with twisted bamboo stalks and large overhanging roofs the beach club is truly a unique place to dine on those hot afternoons. If you’re looking to swing and sway then head to the beach where you can find beach lounge chairs and hammocks to relax in as you listen to the waves gently lap away at the beach. Open to the public all year round and only a quick 5 minute drive to Ao Nang towards the Fossil Shell beach. If you prefer you can use the free transfer service from Ao Nang Cliff Beach to The Andamana Beach Club every 2 hours starting at 9am-7pm.
Average price: 180 What to Try: Pad Thai WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Daily from 10am-7pm Tel: 096-371-4656, 092-995-2039 Website: No
FOODIES DELI AND CATERING | FRENCH & THAI Address: 454/1 Moo 1 Ao Nang (Na Thai)
Owner and head chef Fredric Molinie former head of the 5 star beach resort The Sheraton Krabi has opened his own deli and cataring restaurant in Ao Nang. Located just outside of the main area of Ao Nang on Na Thai road. He opens his ovens daily to serve you creative cuisine from Europe and Thailand giving you 5 star flavors at an affordable price. Cooking various daily specialties from Waugh beef massaman curry to a robust and hearty ratatouille you’re sure to find your senses tested. Foodies also caters private functions and parties, so if you have a special party give them a call
Average price: 120-500 THB What to Try: Lamb Provincial Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Daily from 9am - 6pm Tel (Th/En): + 66 (0)81-273-2029 Tel (En/Ger): + 66 (0) 89 587 3533
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GECKO’S SHERATON | ITALIAN FOOD 155 Moo 2, Nong Thale, Krabi The signature restaurant of Sheraton Krabi features fresh pastas, salads and delicious selections from authentic Italian home cooking to pizzas baked in a traditional wood-burning oven. Enjoy breathtaking ocean views and the Andaman Sea breeze while dining at this prestigious resort, known the world over for its top quality dining experiences. With a mouth-watering array of choices on the menu, you are quite literally spoiled for choice when it comes down to it. Great food in a 5-star location with meticulous attention to detail. What more could you ask for?
Average price: 400-900++THB What to Try: Pizzas Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Daily from 11am - 11pm Tel: +66 (0)75 628 000 Website: www.sheraton.com/krabi
JESEAO | ITALIAN, THAI & SEAFOOD Ao Nang beach road next to Ao Nang Princeville Resort. Jeseao was the first Italian restaurant in Ao Nang, established 1999, and has since developed a reputation for being one of the best in town. Since then it has undergone considerable expansion and has tripled in size. Jeseao stocks its kitchen with fresh seafood from local markets daily, so it can offer you nothing but the best of Andaman cuisine. Enjoy Italian cuisines, even hot wood fired pizzas, or Indian delights such as Tandoori and naan breads.
Average price: 150-500
Jeseao also offers traditional Thai cuisine from green and red curries to Tom Yum and everything in between. Come to Jeseao to experience a fusion of east and west, and offers something for all the family to enjoy.
Wifi: Yes
What to try: The traditional wood oven pizza’s
Opening hours: 11:00am-11:30pm Tel: 086-978-7949
THE HILLTOP | FINE THAI 99 Moo 3, Ao Nang, Krabi An idyllic dining spot with the breathtaking views of Ao Nang and Noppharat Thara beaches, the Hilltop Restaurant is located on one of the most phenomenal perches for a panoramic sunset. Furnished with a stylish and spacious design, both the restaurant and HIlltop Sky Lounge are perfect for hosting both romantic couples or big party groups.
Average price: 400-900+THB
Pamper yourselves with fresh Andaman lobsters, King prawns, crabs and giant oysters carefully chosen and prepared. The menu is always evolving in an effort to create new, mouth-watering dishes such as “Duck, the Hilltop Style”, “Southern Curry with Crabmeat & Local Herbs” & “Prawn Salad in Taro Pastry Basket”.
What to Try: Southern Crab Curry, Duck The Hilltop Style
There is a wide range of local brews, wines and thirst-quenching cocktails to soothe your throat. “Hilltop Sunset” & “99 Ao Nang” are among the list of signature cocktails that are a must try.
Tel: +66 (0)75 637 195
Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Daily from 11am - 12am Website: www.thehilltopaonang.com
AO NANG CLIFF BEACH RESORT | PLAZA BUFFET 328, Moo 2, Ao Nang,, Krabi Town 81000 This is a new venue at Ao Nang Cliff Beach Resort - The Plaza Buffet open Friday nights in the Ao nang Cliff Beach Resorts open air Cliff Restaurant which overlooks Ao Nang and affords stunning views of the mountains, the ocean and the sunset. The food is all delicious and abundant. This is an all you can eat buffet, so it is a wonderful way to spend a Friday night. There is a delicious selection of seafood, soups, curries, fresh and, raw vegetables to make your own salad with, as well as a beautiful array of desserts to finish off your meal. Also for an added variety there are delicious Thai-style oyster omelets with bean sprouts and scallions, made to order.
Average price: 400 + THB
Live entertainment is lovely to enjoy but it’s not over imposing so that you can still enjoy quiet dinner conversation.
Opening Hours: 6:30-10 pm every night
What to Try: Fish cakes, oyster omelet Free WiFi?: Yes Tel: 075-626-888 Website: www.aonangcliffbeach.com
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ANANDA POOLS “water is joy”
10
E TE
GUARAN
YEAR S
Quality fiberglass pools with low maintenance Sparkling gel coat with granite finish Quick installation - your dream pool is just 7 days away!
Desert Sand Australian Shimmer Sand Shimmer
Soft Blue Lagoon Blue Bermuda Shimmer Shimmer Blue Shimmer
Oxygen Shimmer
Coral Blue Shimmer
Tropical Shimmer
Twilight Shimmer
Gel coat from Australia available in 11 color shades
www.anandapools.com 084-022-9928 All major credit cards accepted
Aqua Jade Shimmer
Emerald Green Shimmer
Thai Restaurant & Bar Sky Lounge & Lush Garden Free Shuttle Service
Chill out with your friends or enjoy a romantic dinner at The Hilltop Open Hours : 11.00-24.00 Tel: 075-637-195 | 085-099-6316
email: hilltop.aonang@gmail.com web: www.thehilltopaonang.com
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Wooden handcrafted utility vehicles or longtail boats for short 40
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ince you’re visiting one of the places in Thailand where these great boats have made such a name for themselves, it’s our turn to give you a little information about these age-old creations. Dating back thousands of years, wooden boats have always ruled the seas in this region of the world. Traversing dangerous passages, connecting people from different coastal regions and creating commerce among people are the main functions of this local boat we have come to know and love; the longtail. Now with the boom in tourism over the past 20 years, these boats now fill half of Ao Nang beach, as longtail boats have now become the main forms of transportation throughout Krabi. If you are looking for an immediate means to get to the local island that populate the Ao Nang bay head down to the beachfront of Ao Nang, look for the ticket office right at the corner. From the ticket office you can buy seats to a number of the local islands; Koh Poda, Koh Hong, Railay or Tonsai bays (although technically peninsulas they feel like islands just the same). The Longtail boat has more influence than just ferrying people around the province, they are also to go-to boat among fishermen. The same boat design can be seen in the larger boats that take overnight trips to fish for squid. Made of the strong yet watertight tropical hardwood “takien”, most of which has already been harvested throughout Southern Thailand so new boards must be shipped in from neighboring Malaysia or Myanmar, making longtail boats more expensive to produce. Not all longtail boats in Thailand are the same. Krabi longtail boats have a distinct difference in the amount of adornments they wear and the size of their front nose. Typically each province will have its own traditional style but they all share something in common, they all have engines that extend far beyond the boats stern, giving them their distinct name, ‘Longtail’. They can be a bit loud at times but this is just a part of the experience. Riding one will give a sense that you are still in a boat, not in some plush room floating on the water as many larger vessels do. Enjoy the ride!
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With it’s crystal-clear blue waters, Sa Morakot is one of the more popular destinations when visiting Krabi. Located only 45 minutes from Ao Nang, Sa Morakot is a great place to visit with friends and family, and can be done comfortably in a single day. Taxis are available to take you there all day everyday and you can hire one from a range of locations throughout Krabi or Ao Nang. You might prefer to book a full tour package including lunch and National park entrance fee (200THB/person/day), these tours can be booked throughout the touristed areas of Krabi. Be aware that there is no skinny dipping allowed at the pool, and please bring some suntan lotion as the shady areas of the pool are sometimes full and you might have to spend some tim in the sun. You can also visit the National Park Hot Springs, which is located right down the street from Sa Morakot, there is also a national park entrance fee of 200THB/person/day but it is well worth the price. Take a quick and pleasant day trip to the nearby islands of Ao Nang, but of course, don’t forget to bring your camera.
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SA MORAKOT
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PLASTIC SURGERY improving the way we look
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You can get in touch with Dr. Somrit Sittipongpittaya M.D, FRCST and his staff to schedule an appointment by email: juve_note@yahoo.com or by calling them at: 081-329-3564 or 093-409-2234
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imes are moving at astronomical speeds lately, Apple is developing a new device every 6 months, electric cars are becoming more and more popular, people are more in contact with one another at all times. The many ways we look, feel and perceive one another is more and more readily available, therefore the look we project out into the world is important to us all. With more technological developments in plastic surgery, it is now becoming a more affordable, safe and convenient means for all of us to achieve the looks we are striving for. Grace plastic surgery, recently opened in 2014 by head plastic Surgeon Dr. Note after his extensive experience with Bangkok international hospital and Krabi Nakahrin hospital allowed him to gain a client base in the area and open a private clinic. Grace plastic surgery in Krabi Town is dedicated solely to the improvement of everyone’s cosmetic features.
Grace Plastic surgery clinic in Krabi Town offers a range of services, from botox injections, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty and breast augmentation to facial reconstruction and liposuction. Grace plastic surgery clinic’s head surgeon Dr. Note has been trained by a range of international institutions and has also worked in a range of hospitals giving him a well rounded background for all plastic surgery services. Located only a short 20 minute drive from Ao Nang, Grace plastic surgery clinic is convenient to get to as well as the fact that it is close to a range of hotels and facilities catering for those looking to stay overnight for more extensive services needed. April-May | 2015
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THE LONG WAIT IS OVER,
Umberto’s new kitchen is now open for business.
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Internationally acclaimed Chef and restaurant owner Umberto has just opened his new masterful creation at Umberto’s Italian Kitchen this month
eaving his kitchen in Italy some 15 years ago, Umberto travelled the globe in search of great food and atmosphere. After coming to South East Asia, Umberto first stopped in Singapore where he worked as a variety of locations, but still he felt unsatisfied in Singapore. Soon after he travelled to Krabi where he put down his roots some 10 years ago and opened a local Italian restaurant. “The Tsunami of 2004 was a difficult time for all of us” Umberto tells, “but we pushed on. “I have always been one to try new things and give them all of my energy and power, so when facing challenge I only get more energy and motivation” Umberto continues. “This is what led me to open my beachfront business Sala Bua & Lo Spuntino Restaurant which was operated with a friend for a number of years. Then it was time for another change. The Red Devil was opened in 2012 when I craved a place I could come and hang out with friends in a relaxed and comfortable environment without blaring music and bar girls, but there was nothing, so I opened it myself and gave my new business the name The Red Devil.”
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been easier. Located directly between Ao Nang and Noppharat Thara beaches Umberto’s Italian Kitchen is on Klong Heang road next to Pakasai resort and The Best Western. A more upscale style has been given to the new location, a wider selection of wines are now available as well as a range of seating options for those with families, couples or simple casual business lunches on a quite side street. With a huge menu of traditional Italian dishes, homemade pastas and desserts as well as a range of imported Australian meats and a hand-picked selection of fresh Andaman seafood, there is a little of everything for everyone at Umberto’s Italian Kitchen. “I want to create a place for people, where they can feel the same experience and warmth they felt at The Red Devil but in a different location and with different kind of ambiance” Umberto tells. The new location is like stepping into a little piece of Italy, stained glass windows adorn the southern facing wall and the front of the restaurant is completely open to the fresh outside air, allowing cool air to flow in and the the scents and smells from the kitchen to waft over the passers-by as they wander the streets outside. Truly a culinary experience to behold, Umberto’s Italian Kitchen will not disappoint anyone looking for a good meal in a warm inviting atmosphere.
The Red Devil was in operation for over
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3 years where it become one of the most popular restaurants on Trip Advisor and among Ao Nang locals. Serving affordable, authentic Italian cuisine with traditional Italian street songs to serenade patrons as they dive into a dish of pasta or crack fresh pepper over a salad. The Red Devil has become a staple in the Ao Nang community for the dedication Chef Umberto and his staff have for their food they prepare. In addition ,Umberto knows the value of customer service and therefore makes it a point to personally visit each visitor to his restaurant to make a recommendation off the menu if needed, or to have a quick chat.
Now it is time for the next step on the staircase for Umberto. Taking on a new friend and partner, Umberto has decided to take his culinary expertise to the next level. His new restaurant is nothing less than spectacular as it offers the same great menu selection as the former Red Devil plus a number of new items, such as their freshly grilled salmon steak served with fresh steamed vegetables or a huge platter of mixed cheese and fresh cold cuts named the Montebianco. The location for Umberto’s Italian Kitchen is stellar; comfortably located only walking distance to a large number of hotels and guest houses in the area makes getting to Umberto’s Italian Kitchen to try some of his amazing food has never April-May | 2015
Open daily from 10:30am-10:30pm You can reach the staff to make a reservation by calling 084-6272991 or by going to their website: www.umbertorestaurant.com
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Nadivan Apartm a en ts
Ao Nang Gardens
SO I8
Exotiq Property
T O KRABI T OWN
PhuPimaan Resort
KITDEE MEDIA & DESIGN (Krabi Magazine)
CTOP Nice Nature Homes Nice Day Resort
Cobra Show
Umberto’s
Italian Kitchen
Andakiri villas
t Theshi Hu Su
POST OFFICE Fullmoon House
AO NANG VILLAGE
Ao Nang Mosque
Emerald GYM Muay Thai Center
rant
The Lai Thai Condominium
estau le R Nood SOI 13
German Beer Gardern
Krabi Apartments
Ao Nang Whisky
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Pams Pub
Glur Hostel
Boat
The Earth Cafe The D ive
First Standard Clinic
Diver’s Inn
Ao Nang Haven GH Ao Nang Paradise Resort
Entertainment Bamboo Restaurants
n rma she fe’ t Fi t Ca Las Las The The
Ao Nang Villa
Krabi Heritage Resort
Peace Laguna Resort
Somkiet Buri Resort Taj Palace
The Massaman Spaghetti House McDonalds
Plaza Buffet Starbucks
Oceanmart Bernies
Walking Street BOATS TO PHRANANG & RAILAY BEACH
BEACH ROAD
Jeseao Green Restaurant Curry
CENTER POINT
Lae Lay Grill AONANG Restaurant VIEWPOINT
The Hilltop Restaurant
Thai Village Resort
Burger King
BOATS TO PHRANANG & RAILAY BEACH
SEAFOOD STREET
Azzurra Restaurant Jeanette's Restaurant
SupsaengDao Resort
THURSDAY MARKET
KLONG HAENG VILLAGE Klong Haeng Mosque
TOURIST POLICE
Krabi Resort
Condominium
Emerald
Devanna place The
Krabi Spesialisten Carnivore Steakhouse
Palm Paradise Emerald Gardens ChaWan Resort Pavilion Queen's Bay
SATURDAY MARKET
WALKING STREET MARKET ON WEDNESDAY AO NANG BOXING STADIUM
Tip Anda
Luna Bar
Resort & Restourant
BOATS TO PHRANANG & RAILAY BEACH
Ao Nang Beach Resort
T O K L ONG M UANG Natin Spicy Garden
Mandawee
ST.AGNES CHURCH
Connecting Krabi Tour
Sabai Resort
Ben Beach Bar
T O KRABI T OWN
Foodies Del & Catering
U&P Bakery
WEDNESDAY & SUNDAY MARKET
T O KRABI T OWN
Jungle Village
AO NANG SCHOOL
MONDAY-TUESDAY FRIDAY MARKET
Ao Nang Travel & Tour
Vipa Resort
AO NAMMAO VILLAGE
Ao Nang Mountain View
Centara
T O FOSSIL SHELL BEACH
Andamana Beach Club
KRABI A QUARIUM
A O N AMM A O PIER
BOATS TO PHRANANG KRABI & RAILAY BEACH
Centara Grand Resort and Villas
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KLONG UANG
TIONAL RK HOLD ME CLOSE Tsunami Memorial Sculpture
OPPHARAT THARA PIER, OATS TO KOH LANTA, OH PHI PHI, PHUKET
Hippy Bar
Sabai Residence
Ayudhya Suites
April-May | 2015
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feature
BAMBOO AND IT’S MANY USES
I am a builder, and I always observe how things are put together. What struck me after living here in Ao Nang for a while was how many places I saw bamboo being used. It is not only used decoratively in restaurants and such, but it is used everywhere! I see bamboo commonly used for everyday needs such as cooking as well as in construction, housing, sign-making, transportation, furniture, food, clothing and so on. In a world of throwaway products, bamboo is one of the most perfect renewable resources, and it’s great that Thailand utilizes it so well
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M
ajor research on bamboo didn’t start till the 1920’s, and it was found that bamboo has been commonly utilized for over 5000 years. What was once the symbol of the Orient, bamboo is a beautiful combination between the strength of hardwood and the sustainability of grass. There are native species of bamboo everywhere, including in the United States and Europe, where many consider it an invasive plant. Because it grows so quickly, bamboo has the ability to take over areas of a garden, if not taken care of. This makes it feel like an invasive plant, however it’s just that it has good propagation ability in most soils. Bamboo grows in two styles, clumping and running. Technically a type of grass, bamboo grows faster than any woody plant in the world. Typically, most species of bamboo will grow between 1”- 4” (inches) a day, but some species can grow up to 98” in a day. A bamboo forest can grow to maturity in 5 years. The Giant bamboo, with a diameter
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of 6-8’(feet), can grow to heights of up to 90’ in a 5-year period. Globally, bamboo is finding its way into home flooring and trim applications. Typical hardwood trees need 40 to 120 years to reach maturity, so a great deal of planning to maximize yield over the years must be sustained. This non-renewable aspect makes hardwood harvesting of some of our old growth forests less appealing. Bamboo will grows in temperate zones in most places of the world. The United States also has a native bamboo strain, which can reach a height of 15’ to 40’. Here in Thailand you see bamboo growing everywhere, along the side of a road, or in a thicket of rubber or palm trees. Bamboo is a natural product that can easily grow on your property with little or no effort, and has the benefit of cash crop at harvest time.
Conjuring up images of Panda bears eating their special diet of bamboo leaves, it’s easy to realize that bamboo was first used in China 5000 years ago. Its wide variety of uses is just now coming to light as being an ecological benefit. Bamboo’s use as a sustainable commodity began long before the term “going green” became a trend. Its history is seen in many aspects of Chinese life and throughout Southeast Asia - in the paintings and antiques as well as the products of daily life. “The plant for the people”, as it is often referred to, there are thousands of uses for this plant. Bamboo is used to make bows and arrows, Japanese Kempo swords, paint and tattoo brushes, musical instruments, scaffolding and it is even used to make wine. Bamboo wine was created in Tanzania from a species of wine bamboo called Oxytenanthera Brauni. Bamboo has a higher compression rate than wood, concrete and brick and a tensile strength that rivals steel. It was abundant bamboo planting that was used to return the landscape back in Japanese cities, after the atomic bombs were dropped there in 1945. You can see the Thai people use it in the simplest of ways, like having a bamboo stick for holding a leg of chicken or some pork to be cooked on the grill at street www.krabi-magazine.com
in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand. This is the second longest foot bridge in the world and the longest in Thailand, at 1500’ in length and a height of 25’ over a river. It was badly damaged in a storm in 2013. The dedicated locals joined forces and replaced the damaged bridge by building a floating bridge in one week – out of bamboo of course. One last application for versatility of bamboo was a bicycle first shown at Stanley Cycle Show in 1894 in London. The developing company went out of business but was revitalized in 2005 as Calfee Design Company, builders of bamboo bicycle frames, in California. The unique properties of bamboo rival those of a carbon fiber frame bike, in strength, weight and comfort. The versatility of bamboo and its multitude of applications are outstanding. So the next time you’re driving or walking around here, take a minute to see all the wonderful things bamboo does to support everyday life in Krabi and all of Southeast Asia. vendor carts. Bamboo makes great huts and furniture, street signs, curtains, shoes and there is even bamboo clothing, which is comparable to the softness of cashmere. Bamboo is used for fishing and as an 8’ pole with a hook to bring fighting bulls under control after a fight. Some varieties of bamboo have medicinal properties in their roots and can also be used in many foods and soups. The edible part of a bamboo is a low-calorie source of potassium. On the totally opposite side of the spectrum are the shoots of the giant bamboo, which contain cyanide. It seems like the versatility of bamboo is endless. There are over 1450 species of bamboo and each region of the world produces its own specific plant. We often remember from a book, picture or a story, different images of bamboo. There are several varieties of giant bamboo; one type, called Moso bamboo, which can reach 7” in diameter, and 75’ in height, grows in large forests in both China and Japan. This type of bamboo is used in flooring and construction scaffolding. The film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed in the forests of China and the bamboo backdrop in the film displayed impressive tall stands of this bamboo. BRIDGE BUILDING - another interesting application - not only has to be flexible to bend to shape, but strong enough to support heavy loads of traffic. One such project is the famous Mon Bridge April-May | 2015
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EXOTIC FRUITS OF THAILAND A visit to Thailand isn’t complete without experiencing some of the foods here. The tropical fruits are abundant, delicious and fascinating! While you are here, be adventurous and give some of them a try!
DRAGON FRUIT (GAO MUNG GORN) This is probably the most dramatic-looking of all the Thai fruits, and the outside appearance gives NO indicator of the inside appearance at all! The fruit is a bright pink oblong shape with pointed green leaves springing out from all sides – hence the name, as it DOES look a little dragon-like. Cutting it open down the middle of the fruit will display a white center, filled with tiny black dots. To eat this fruit, scoop out the filling with a spoon. This fruit is moist, sweet, crunchy and delicious! When picking out dragon fruit, “the redder the better” for ripeness!
G U AVA (FARANG) Looks like a bumpy/wrinkled green apple. Cutting guava is very pretty. Slice ½ way into it, wedge-like, and then slice all around the guava this way. We pulled out the wedges and ate them this way. This doesn’t taste like the Hawaiian fruit. Hawaiian guava fruits (called strawberry guava) are pink and sweeter. These were somewhat bland, crunchy and starchy – a little pear-like.
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ROSE APPLE (CHOM-POO)
SAPODILLA (LA-MUT)
This looks like a cross between a thin red pepper and an apple. Cut them into lengthwise slices and eat the thin pieces. These are delicious – sweet and crunchy. They are also called Bell or Mountain Apples
This fruit looks like a large brown plum. The Thai way is to peel it with a sharp knife directed away from you and with the index finger just in front of the blade, guiding it along. You peel the fruit and then cut it through the middle in a zigzag fashion, for display. Lamut has a subtle flavor that isn’t particularly sweet, and yet seems to taste like brown sugar – if that makes any sense - It’s delicate and delicious! www.krabi-magazine.com
JACKFRUIT (KHANOON)
LONGAN ( L A M - YA I )
MANGOSTEEN (MANG-KUT)
This is a fascinating fruit that comes in a huge spindly ball. Opening it up, you can pull out separate pods, which are around 3” long. These pods have large seeds inside that can be peeled, boiled and eaten with salt. The flesh of the fruit has a pungent taste and smell, somewhat crunchy and a little sour/starchy feel to it. Sometimes they are very sweet, and other times they are pretty bland.
These look like big brown grapes on a branch. They have a thin but hard shell that is easy to break open. The flesh is clear and very sweet with a pit inside. These are delicious but don’t eat too many at one time, as you can get cold sores or even a fever.
Mangosteen is a bizarre looking fruit with a round, deep purple shell. It has flavorful white flesh that is eaten in sections. This has a delicious, distinctive flavor that is also wonderful for juices. Mangosteen is becoming better known globally for it’s remarkable healing properties.
DURIAN (TU-RIAN)
LYCHEE (LINJEE)
R A M B U TA N (NGOR)
Covered by a red, roughly textured rind that is inedible but easily removed, the inside of a lychee consists of a layer of sweet, translucent white flesh with a grapelike texture. The centre contains a single glossy brown nut-like seed that should not be eaten.
The name is derived from the Malay word, rambut, meaning hair, which is a perfect name. The fuzzy, colorful covering of this fruit is unforgettable. Peeling this dramatic covering away reveals a firm, white, translucent flesh. It tastes like a sweet version of a pear, and is a lovely centerpiece for any dinner table.
is one of the most bizarre fruits on earth. It is a rich, unique tasting fruit, but to some, it is a putrid-smelling, lousy excuse for a food. It has an extremely strong and unpleasant aroma, as well as a deadly look. Trying this fruit is a step into another world. Durian is quite expensive and due to it’s powerfully imposing smell; it is actually banned from many hotels, busses and planes. April-May | 2015
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thai talk
Hello (m)
Sawadee Krap
Hello (f)
Sawadee Kaa
How are you? I’m fine How much is this? What is this? Yes No
Sabai Dee Mai? Sabai Dee A Nee Tao Rai? Nee a Rai? Chai Mai Chai
I can’t speak Thai
Poot Passa Thai Mai Dai
Sorry/Excuse me
Kor Toht
Can you speak English?
Khun Poot Passa Angrit Dai Mai?
I don’t understand
Mai Khao Jai
Do you understand?
Khao Jai Mai?
Help!
Chooey Dooey!
Spicy
Pet
Not spicy Is that tasty? Hot (Temperature)
Mai Pet A Roy Mai? Rawn
Cold
Yen
Water
Naam
Where is the restroom/toilet? Can I have the bill/check? See you soon 56
Hong Naam Yoo Tee Nai? Kep Tang Pop Gan Mai www.krabi-magazine.com
Speak Like a Thai Thai lessons with Kru Mod. Sawatdee ka, I have been traveling a lot lately (at least once a month to different parts of Thailand). When visiting a new city which I have never been to before, getting the right directions sometimes is a bit challenging, although there are many helping tools nowadays tholepin you guide through the unknown. l presume that you might have the same problem, so let’s learn to ask directions like a Thai, shall we?
Basic Directions: ตรง /dtrong/ = straight ไป /bpai/ = go ตรงไป /dtrong bpai/ = go straight เลี้ยว /leaw/ = to turn ซ้าย /sai/ = left ขวา /kwa = right เลี้ยวซ้าย /leaw sai/ = turn left เลี้ยวขวา /leaw kwa/ = turn right ขวามือ /kwa mue/ = right hand side ซ้ายมือ /sai mue/ = left hand side ที่ไหน / tee-nai?/ = Where? Asking Directions: Here are a few useful phrases you can use when asking directions. 1. Where is the toilet? สยามแสควร์อยู่ที่ไหน Hong Naam yuu tee-nai? 2. Which way is Ao Nang Beach? สยามแสควร์ไปทางไหน Ao nang Beach bpai taang nai? 3. Do you know my friend? คุณรู้จักสยามแสควร์มั้ย Kun ruu-jak peun pomme mai? 4. How to go to there? How to go there? In Thai pattern is “go there how?” bpai (go) tee-nai (there) yang-rai? (how?) ไปที่นั่นยังไง So in complete: Bpai tee-nai yang-rai? I hope you find this lesson useful. Keep practicing! Mod:)
Kru Mod is a full time Thai teacher based in Bangkok, you can contact her through her website: www.learnthaiwithmod.com April-May | 2015
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Splash into paradise at Andakiri Andakiri is leading the way with luxury pool villa developments in Krabi - its top of the hill property is currently underway in the heart of Ao Nang.
C
ome and be a part of the new wave of serious development in Ao Nang. Andakiri is the first pool villa development with a glorious sea view that everyone can appreciate. The developers taking on the project at Andakiri have been developing in the area for the past few years and they are excited about starting this new project in Ao Nang. There are 1 and 2 bedroom units with a variety of options for every buyer. Every unit comes fully furnished with everything you need from bed and dresser, to living room furnishings, TV and a fully furnished kitchen. The units at Andakiri are designed to make the whole process easier for the buyer. After construction, The Andakiri will be professionally managed and the option to rent each unit will be in place so owners can earn a substantial income while relaxing in their home countries. With prices starting at only 7.9M THB this is a great time to secure your piece of paradise To get in touch with the sales team at The Andakiri please email them at: sales@andakiripoolvilla.com
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GREEN CURRY RESTAURANT
UPSTAIRS BEACHFRONT DINING AT IT’S BEST April-May | 2015
GREEN CURRY SWEDISH HOUSE
JESEAO
AO NANG PRINCEVILLE
AO NANG BEACH
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money
Expat money matters-property portfolios Equity Release - unlocking cash from existing assets to buy investment property. A recent article on mortgage availability for expatriates focused on the very real benefits of accumulating a portfolio of properties to generate a passive income stream from rents and thus to supplement retirement income. Whether you want to buy overseas property to live in, to retire to, or to create income from, you perhaps don’t want to empty your bank accounts of all your savings or sell other assets to do it. Vendor / developer finance is not an option in most cases and traditional lenders may not offer the most competitive packages. But before you abandon the idea completely, it is perhaps worth looking at your existing asset column for alternative ways of freeing up capital.
Home equity loans Releasing equity (the difference between an outstanding mortgage if any and the current value) from your existing overseas property is a well documented method of raising cash via a traditional re-mortgage facility. This is worth looking into if you have some property with equity as well as easy access to a friendly lender who is not allergic to Expatriates! If however, you do not own a property with a high level of equity, then there are other ways to access capital.
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Asset backed lending from offshore portfolio structures
ll a f e to n call ss r e n w margi g cro o i t lua d to a holdin a v olio ry lea o avoid folio f t por n theo re is t port e h if t ould i ion he de the d e lv hich c caut s insi o v s in imit w rd of asset k s i e r tain l a wo risky r a y er re , so The w a c ender and an o bel m the l loans fro rency cur
“
“
Many expatriates and / or retirees living overseas will already have an offshore investment structure or Portfolio Bond that has over the years with ad hoc top ups and investment returns, risen to a valuation of USD1m or more. In many cases that can be used as security to provide access to a cash loan, secured by the portfolio itself. A lending ratio of 50% loan to value would in this example, release $500,000 cash lent to the investor on a rolling term basis. As the asset assigned to the Bank guarantees the loan, the portfolio would have to be of a low risk nature at outset to qualify, and then be conservatively managed going forward, but even so may still provide a return higher than the interest cost of the loan in the current environment . That said, the days of lending against highly aggressive portfolios are largely in the past now as we enter a new world of cautious lending strategies being adopted by banks. Many will now only look to be lending against low to moderate risk asset classes such as blue chip stocks, investment grade corporate bonds, government gilts, and professionally managed multi asset funds. One of the main benefits of asset backed lending of course is that the security that you put up for the loan remains in place and fully invested even after the loan proceeds have been released to you. Furthermore, if your loan is costing say 5% a year in interest and your portfolio is conservatively managed yet still returns 7% pa, then this can be a viable option. With proper ongoing monitoring and a full understanding of the risks involved and how to mitigate them, this type of fund raising can be a very powerful tool for individuals seeking cash for new ventures or who would like to buy a property for retirement income.
Jerry Dingley has been advising expatriates & international investors in the Asia Pacific region for 25 years. Specialist areas include expatriate retirement schemes, family trusts, inheritance planning, wealth protection vehicles, private client portfolios & QROPS UK Pension transfers.
Email ppshk@netvigator.com Important Note - This article contains general information only and is not intended to be taken as specific financial advisory, investment, or tax advice. April-May | 2015
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Anyavee Tubkaek Beach Resort The Tup Kaak Tup Kaek Sunset Beach Resort
Hang Nak Nature Hike
Elephant Camp
Khao Thong
4034
Ban Nong Thale Nong Thale School
4033
Ban Chong Pli
Soi 1
Nathai Resort
4034
Ananda Pools
TO: Phuket
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Ruen Mai Restaurant
Karishma 4200 Photography
i
Sai Tai Temple
Krabi Cart
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ha ai T nS Ba
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ah
. Rd
Treansport Department Labour Department Krabi Immigration
Huay Toh Waterfall
Rd.
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it R d.
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TO: BigC, Tesco Lotus, Krabi Airport
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Boats to Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Jum Passenger Port of Krabi
.
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akit Rd
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town, Ao Nammao Long Tail Boats to Krabi to
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KOH PODA An island just off the coast of Ao Nang, Koh Poda, has become one of the iconic islands of Krabi. Finding itself in a large number of postcards, coffee table books and general photos, it is a small and easily accessible island of magnificent beauty.
Actually Koh Poda is part of the Thai National Park system, meaning it is a protected area of Thailand. There are therefore, no permanent structures on the island, only a simple beach bar stocked with Mojitos and Singha or whatever drink you might enjoy to accompany your pleasurable visit. Koh Poda is a short 10 minute long tail boat ride from Ao Nang beach and Railay bay. You can get tickets from the beachfront ticket office at Ao Nang for 100THB/seat each way so you can come and go from Koh Poda all day everyday from 8am-5pm. Behind Koh Poda are two other renowned islands, Koh Tub with the famous talay-way or sunken sandbar and Koh Gai (Chicken Island) with the rock shaped as a chicken’s head extending upwards from the island’s southern point. Take a quick and pleasant day trip to the nearby islands of Ao Nang, but of course, don’t forget to bring your camera.
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Dining Guide / Koh Lanta LAZY DAYS BEACH RESTAURANT | WESTERN 775 Moo 2 T. Saladan Koh Lanta In our menu you will find a variety of western specialties such as fresh fish, meat or chicken as well as delicious salads and desserts. For breakfast we offer 4 different packages which always includes freshly baked bread, fresh fruit and western coffee. For lunch we serve cold dishes like chicken wraps and salads and from 17.00 we offer our full menu. Lazy Days restaurant is located on the beautiful Relax Beach and offers a stunning view at sunset, come join us for a sunset drink. Our professional and creative western chefs will do their best to satisfy your expectations and our staff will look after you with a smile
Average price: 150-400+ THB What to Try: Rack of Lamb Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: 7:30am - 10pm (monday until 4pm) Tel:+66 (0)93-636-8003 | 090-157-0201 Website: www.lantalazydays.com
TIDES {LAYANA RESORT | FINE FUSION 272 Moo 3 Saladan, Phra-Ae Beach A formal restaurant perched on the very edge of the beach overlooking the sea and open to the cooling sea breezes. Guests have the choice of a cool interior venue or an al fresco beachside setting on the deck in front of the restaurant. Serving a mouth-watering a la carte selection of international dishes, as well as traditional Thai fare and seafood specialties all made from the freshest of ingredients.
Average price: 400-900+ THB
The chef, Khun Apichai, grows his own herbs in a beautiful garden right on the premises and the presentation of his food is straight out of a Monet.
Free WiFi?: Yes
The menu quality is matched by an extensive wine list to compliment the food perfectly.
Tel: +66 (0)75 607 100
What to Try: Healthy Spa Cuisine Menu Opening Hours: 6:30am - 10:30am & 11:30am - 6pm Website: www.layanaresort.com
TIME FOR LIME | THAI & FUSION 72/2 Mo 3, Klong Dao Beach, Saladan. Look for the “lime green” sign. A small, funky un-snobbish place with passion and soul, on the beachfront for over 10 years. Not only a famous professional Cooking School, but also now a well know restaurant that serves a high quality 6 dish Tasting Menu (changes daily) with an extremely good value. They also serve great wine with low prices, and their cocktails are the talk of the town. In the tree top adult-zone you can you can relish the sea, while having a peek at what the cooking school “chefs” are creating down below. What also makes this place unique is that their profit goes to the charity Lanta Animal Welfare. So, while you enjoy wining & dining, you support a great cause too.
Average price: 490 THB for 6 dish Tasting menu What to Try: The lemongrass or chili Margarita Free WiFi?: Yes Opening Hours: Happy Hour on cocktails 4 – 6.30pm Tel: +66 (0)75 684 590 Website: www.timeforlime.net
BEACHCOMBER {CASTAWAY RESORT | TEXMEX & THAI 299 Moo 2 Phra Ae, Saladan, Koh Lanta. If you’re searching for a laid-back, yet stylish beach-front dining experience , then Beachcomber is the place for you. The restaurant features a terrific menu selection and is best known for its authentic TEX-MEX dishes. You’ll also want to try the large selection of savory Thai, Western and Seafood BBQ dishes. The open-air restaurant is situated near the beach and there is also plenty of outdoor seating on the beach-front deck and in the garden. You’ll also want to enjoy a before and/or after dinner drink at the beach bar which serves up a wide variety of cocktails and delicious frozen drinks.
Average price: 250 - 350THB What to Try: The Tex Mex food Free WiFi?: Bungalow guests only Opening Hours: Daily from 7am - 9pm Tel: +66 (0)75 684 851 Website: www.lantacastaway.com
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Ferry to Ma
Boat
s to K Ao N oh Jum ,K ang, Raila rabi, Ph iP y, Ph uket hi BAN SALADAN
Koh Lanta
Ferry to Mainland
Crawn Lanta Resort Oasis yoga Thanee Law
Time for Lime
Klong Dao Layana Beach
Lanta int. school
Mangrove Forest
Resort & Spa
Agrotourism Center longtail boat trips
Lanta Castaway Resort
Phra Ae
Thung Yee Pheng village
Long Beach Lazy Days Bungalows
Lanta Animal Welfare
Klong Khong Beach
K
Jee Lee village
Klong Tob Beach Rawi Warin Resort
Lanta Old Town
Thai Island Dream Estate
Klong Nin Beach
Mai Kaew Cave
Pier
Srilanta Resort Tham Seua Cave
Lanta Hospital
Klong Nui Beach
Koh Lanta Yai
Klong Hin Beach
The Houben
Waterfall
Pimalai Resort
Ba Kantiang Bay Ao Nui Bay Klong Jark Bay
National Park Headquarters
May Pai Bay
Lighthouse
Koh Lanta April-May | 2015
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CrossFit Craze
looking for a new addiction? C rossFit, the latest fad sweeping the fitness world. A very high intensity workout, using free weights and body resistance to rev up from the traditional (dull) weight training machines. As it is considered far more beneficial to train functionally, by exercising the body for everyday rather than using a machine, because when was the last time you lifted a box sitting down? CrossFit seems to have the solution, the gyms only contain free weights, step-up boxes, mats, weighted bars, over head bars and so on. It not only promotes functional training and hardcore workouts for fitness gains, it also boasts a community spirit through the class format and to top it all off, it is quick, the results are fast and in our ‘want it now’ culture this is pleasing the masses.
It has now arrived in Thailand with gyms opening in Bangkok www.crossfitbk.com and Phuket www.unit-27.com and for closer to home, Koh Lanta, where classes are run out of Lanta Gym daily and have proved very popular. I have my reservations, partly due to kipping*, but also because it seems to be circuit training on steroids, pushing people, sometimes unconditioned folks to failure unnecessarily which obviously leads to bad technique and injury. The CrossFit equation CVFM @ HI + Communal Environment = Health A regimen of constantly varied (CV), functional movements (FM) performed at high intensity (@HI) in a communal environment leads to health and fitness
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WHAT IS IT? CrossFit started in 2000 and has now gained a fierce following, it began California developed by coach Greg Glassman, Reebok acquired the brand and have started the Crossfit Games with a $2 million prize and the title ‘Fittest On Earth’ They recently announced it had reached 10,000 affiliates for the $40 million company. There are many reasons for the popularity of what has made circuit training sexy but nothing has spawned the growth more than the fact it is very easy to open a CrossFit gym, or ‘box’ as they are referred to. All that is needed is a $1,000 weekend seminar, an essay and a $3,000 annual affiliate fee to use the brand name. Each gym contains a board where the workouts are displayed, with pictures and a list of daily exercises-for example deadlifts, overhead press, squats etc These boards also have names of participants and number of repetitions of certain exercises adding the competitive element. A participant’s nutrition is also key to the CrossFit lifestyle, the paleo diet is encouraged whereby people load up on protein rather than refined sugars and carbohydrates. With CrossFit’s impressive and fair share of followers so also exists the sceptics who criticise the lack of decent technique. They advise fewer repetitions because pushing until failure, can mean falling off a bar or dropping a weight dangerously and so far there are a great deal of injuries reported from classes (CrossFit injury gives 942,000 results in Google.) www.krabi-magazine.com
‘The concept and philosophy of CrossFit, to push yourself to your absolute limits and train like a beast, is completely admirable. However, to do so disregarding safe form and technique is ridiculous. If you watch the CrossFit games on YouTube, it is shocking to see people deadlifting with such poor posture. There is the odd CrossFit Boxes that have great instructors but some of the exercises, for example Olympic lifts, deadlifts etc are complex, technical and to teach these in group environments where the attitude is lift whatever you can, for as many times as possible is just madness and makes physiotherapists a lot of money! Some of their workouts are poorly designed programs that over work and stress the body in areas where people may already have tight muscles. Most people who participate in CrossFit are average joes sitting at desks all day, who do not need to be doing a million squats straight into 100 push-ups and then box jumps. If taught well and safely it can be great. But the majority is not.’ Kabel Cheung, A Personal Trainer from London www.kabelcheung.co.uk A move, that in the military is regarded as cheating deserving punishment, it uses momentum to force the body upwards. An online dictionary definition; ‘A form of cheating while doing pull-ups, whereby an individual struggling to do another abruptly jerks the knees upward to provide extra lift and remove the weight of said body parts from the lift equation’. This movement pattern is encouraged in CrossFit to push out as many repetitions possible, what makes me cringe is the extension of the spine backwards with no regard for safety or care. CrossFit seems an exercise dream come true and as a personal trainer I know firsthand the benefits of pushing the body hard but what about technique? I have taught my clients that shorty sharp bursts are the way to see results, coupling correct form resistance exercise with high intensity cardiovascular work, but punishing the body constantly can lead to injury and muscle strain, pain and niggles.
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There are positive experiences too; ‘My experience was that all of the trainers were knowledgeable, and meticulous. And I’ve worked in and around a lot of gyms’ Andrew Frimpong, Spin instructor. In conclusion, it up to you dear reader, to trust your gut, use good technique, posture and do what feels good for your body.
WANT TO TRY?: Like with any new form of exercise choose your class wisely, observe the instructors and see if they correct customers technique and are approachable, as the barking dog style is good to push you but also injure you. Start with bars (no weights) and watch your technique or even better have a personal training session to teach you correct use and execution of weights. Leave your ego and competitiveness at the door as that can lead to being hurt and what does it matter that dude can press 10kg more if you can not move the next day?
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UNPLUG IN KOH JUM Koh Jum Island is still the quintessential destination in Krabi province if you are looking for authentic Thai village life and development that is still a small footprint.
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eography brought electricity to Koh Jum late in 2009 as the island was in the direct path of the new underwater electric cable connecting Koh Phi Phi to the mainland. So now that Koh Jum is plugged-in, has it lost its reputable character that has attracted intrepid travelers over the past couple of decades?
We are pleased to report that Koh Jum is still as tranquil and laid back as it always has been. In fact, what is most noticeable are the lack of noisy generators at most of the islands resorts. Folks come to Koh Jum to tune out; the island’s nature and culture dominate the minimal tourist infrastructure. The existing resorts on Koh Jum all have their own family-run character, ranging from the backpackers paradise to luxurious beach villas. Koh Pu Mountain is the dominant geological feature on the island at over 400 meters. It’s a great hike for the adventurous and a vital refuge of native habitat still harboring Asian Pied Hornbills and Burmese pythons. The three villages; Koh Pu, Ting Rai and Koh Jum are situated on the back side of the island, amongst the mangroves while the resorts are located opposite, facing the open Andaman Sea. This division allows the villagers to remain authentic without and significant tourist infrastructure while the resorts are all located on the beaches.
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Koh Jum is predominately a large Muslim populated sub-district of Krabi, home to over 1,500 inhabitants. The locals of these villages engage mostly in fishing, rubber cultivation and the local crafts of cloth weaving and painting or ‘batik’ as it is known as here. While the north is mountainous, the south is comprised of dense jungle, cashew nut trees, rubber plantations, casuarinas and nipa-palms.
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ince all the resorts face West, there are epic sunsets to be had all along the island. The renowned Koh Jum Lodge is an excellent place to stay for a few days, and has superb views to boot. Access to the island is by longtail taxi boats which leave from the mainland at the port town of Laem Kruat. There is now a songthaew you can take direct from Krabi Town to Laem Kruat. www.krabi-magazine.com
During the high season most visitors come to Koh Jum using the Krabi-Koh Lanta ferry which stops at two locations on Koh Jum, both of which are offshore so local longtail boats will come from the island to pick up passengers. The lack of any deep ports on the island keep the ferry boats out at sea and almost prevent large masses of tourists from overcrowding the island. Getting here is an adventure and this ends up defining the interesting community of resorts and visitors that have made this island their home and the place they return to year after year. Getting to Koh Jum can be very simple or a bit of a nightmare, it all depends on how much you know about it! This is where Krabi magazine can help, we recently took the trip to Koh Jum ourselves and have decided to share the adventure with all of our readers. There are 2 ways to get to Koh Jum- by passing ferry or longtail boat. There are ferries that leave from Koh Lanta at 8am and from Krabi at 11am, both ferries stop as they pass alongside Koh Jum and signal to longtail boats to come and pick up visitors to land ashore Koh Jum.
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Koh Phi Phi also has ferries which leave at 2pm and operate on the same principle as above. The second way to get to Koh Jum is to go to the port town of Laem Kruat, from where you can catch a longtail boat directly to Koh Jum- this was our favorite of the 2 methods of travel.
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f you are driving, it takes about 1 hour to get from Ao Nang to Laem Kruat. You just head to Tesco Lotus and then continue until you see the large overhead signs which tell you to turn right for “Koh Jam”. This road will lead to the small locality of Laem Kruat, where you will find a large pier with boats going to Koh Jum. If you don’t have transport of your own, you can always catch a blue and yellow “songthaew” - the local buses that have benches in the back. On the side of the “songthaew” will be written - Krabi,Bus Station, Tesco, Big C, Laem Kruat, they are frequent and easy to spot. These buses will leave from all of these locations at intervals throughout the day and will take you directly to the Laem Kruat pier.
Now, the pier is a bit misleading. We waited at the end of the pier before realizing the longtail taxis were passing us by and docking at the mainland. We then went back and followed our noses along past the shops until we saw a slipway with goods and people being unloaded. It was the second slipway we needed to get to “Moo Too”, the place on Koh Jum we were being collected from. If you know the name of the pier on Koh Jum you need to get to, just ask anyone in this area and they will direct you to the correct boat. We got on and soon were chugging along through the mangroves with a boat full of happy local Muslim women that looked as they hadn’t changed a bit since 1925. We arrived at Koh Jum just 45 minutes later, paid our 70thb Fare and were taken by “taxi” (a battered old pickup truck) through the winding dirt track until we reached our destination resort. Give it a go and you will see a different side of Thailand from years gone by. Well worth the experience!
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Meet The Locals
DRAGONFLY SILVER Dragonfly Silver has been in Krabi for 8 years, offering a way for tourists to create their own silver jewelry while here on vacation. We sat down and talked to the owner and founder Khun Lee about his time creating Dragonfly Silver
KM: When and how did you start this business?
up with the idea of having the customer make their own creation.
Lee: I first learned jewelry making from a friend on Phi Phi Island. He showed me all the ways of cutting, soldering, bending and mixing silver to make creative pieces. I enjoyed it quite a bit and decided to start my own jewelry business. I wanted help people to let their own creativity come out, so I came
KM: How did you come up with the name Dragonfly?
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Lee: When I first moved to Krabi, this property had a small pond with a few plants growing in it. Some of the plants attracted hundreds of dragonflies, so it seemed appropriate to name the business Dragonfly. www.krabi-magazine.com
KM: How does it work for people to come in and make their own jewelry? Lee: A person will start by coming here and learning the basics, just as I did on Phi Phi. We try to limit a class to 4 people but we’ll make exceptions. We give them a bench with all the tools, 5 grams of silver and individual instructions to work on the silver. They then learn how silver is worked and bent, getting their hands dirty, so to speak, in the creative process. If they enjoy it and want to continue they can sign up for another 2 days to make the jewelry they like. KM: Did you create the space and building here yourself? Lee: I did. I built all the spaces to do this work. I planted some of the trees and bushes around here to create a nice space to work and sit around and talk about Thailand, jewelry making, or whatever. The business and my home are here, on this 2 Rai of land. I came here 8 years ago with my wife, Sian. Our son was born here and then my parents moved here soon after that. It’s set away from the road so it’s very peaceful out here
KM: Do you make your own jewelry and sell it? Lee: I thought of it but felt that having others do their own work and create their own vision is a bit more satisfying. I get to know many more people from around the world on a more personal basis. Working pieces to sell at stores or shows was heading in a different direction from what I wanted. I will do custom pieces if there is a request for it. We’re open all year so people come in at different times who want to do something other than go to the beach. In fact, the rainy season can be a busier time for us. It’s also a nice way for folks to come here and see some local culture firsthand. KM: You also are a fire show performer? Lee: Yes, I have for performed for more than 10 years. I like entertaining and connecting with people. I have won a few competitions at The South Thailand competition in 2007 as well as The Krabi Fireshow at Railay from 2010-2012. I perform at the Krabi walking market on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. April-May | 2015
Lee and his wife Sian live and have their business, Dragonfly Silver, here in Krabi. You can call or visit their website to take a course on jewelry making at 086-593-1530
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property
NONG THALE
RIVER RESIDENCE
“Same same - but different” is a common phrase in Thailand and often used to prepare us that something may be just slightly different from what we expect. It is definitely true for Nong Thale River Residence, a uniquely beautiful residential area with an equally unique concept behind it.
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ith its fabulous views of the surrounding mountains and the lovely crystal clear river running through it, NTRR it is a place of such outstanding natural beauty that once you have found it, you want to make it your home. And indeed, for those who want to avoid those gated communities, those same-same tiny lots with high walls and solitary living it is the perfect place for permanent living in tropical Thailand.
sold and each phase of the construction is personally managed and supervised by Mat Ruijters. Mat has lived in Krabi for over ten years and has gained a lot of experience in controlling Thai construction work. His supervision spans the entire building process, from concept and design, preparation of the plot and close inspection of all building materials to ensure the highest quality available to the construction of each home.
of this world - and yet be only minutes away from the famous beaches of Krabi and the infinite possibilities of lively Ao Nang and Klong Muang. Besides the villas he is building in NTRR one of Mat’s favorite first works is Baan Will, a modern minimalist villa opposite U&P bakery in Ao Nang. Also known as Ao Nang Weather station as it is the place for collecting weather data for Ao Nang and Nong Thale which are dally reported on www. aonangweather.com. Nong Thale River Residence is intended for full time residents and investors who enjoy vacationing in the beautiful province of Krabi. While Kamalot Co. maintain the common areas and infrastructure of the development, they also offer a full range of quality maintenance services to individual clients who may be travelling and not continually in residence. Services may include gardening, house and pool maintenance, housekeeping, and all other necessary services, including a popular holiday rental service.
The brainchild and the passion of Dutch building engineer Mat Ruijters, NTRR is a master-planned development of modernstyle tropical villas on very spacious plots. The large plots and unobstructed views allow you to fully enjoy the beauty of the tropics, to feel the freedom of space and yet retain perfect personal privacy. River Residence is a dynamic development. All villas are individually built as they are April-May | 2015
His expert knowledge of design, materials and construction techniques guarantee the highest standard. Each home is custom-designed to provide cool interiors, with high ceilings and living spaces opening onto large outdoor terraces and extensive gardens with private pools. Enjoy dramatic sunsets from the privacy of your home, a tranquility and serenity that is simply out
The holiday rental service offers owners a chance to rent their private luxury pool villas to others who can enjoy a relaxed vacation. In addition, it provides prospective owners the opportunity to experience the unique RR lifestyle and get a taste of the good life to come... Nong Thale River Residence is located in Ban Nong Thale on the road (6024) in the direction of Klong Muang, at the right-hand side, 350m from the junction with the road (4034) to Krabi. You are welcome to visit The Nong Thale River Residence, or their website at:
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Nong Thale River Residence Custom designed villas & holiday rentals
........ just different
+66 (0) 818940675
l l l l l l l l l l
Quiet and spacious residential area Near Ao Nang beach and entertainment Krabi International Airport 25 kilometer Spacious plots 1100-1600m2 Custom built villas Quality materials Environmentally conscious construction Project management and rental service Good accessibility for seniors Opportunity to experience on site before buying 300
www.nongthaleriverresidence.com
Nong Thale River Residence
350 m
4034 Krabi
4024 Klong Muang
Wat Klong Son
Kamalot
info@kamalot-ltd.com
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Co. Ltd. Land & Development
บริษท ั กมล๊อต จำกัด
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WHOLE WHEAT BREAD Homemade bread is SO delicious, and it’s a lot easier to make than most of us think. Bread baking can be a fun thing to spend time doing with your children. I remember baking with my mom when I was young, and now I love baking my own bread – even here in Thailand!
INGREDIENTS: MAKES 2 LARGE LOAVES OF BREAD 1KG WHITE FLOUR 300 GRAMS GROUND WHOLE WHEAT KERNELS 400 ML ROOM TEMPERATURE WATER 20 GRAMS OF SEA SALT - IODIZED SALT WORKS FINE BUT ISN’T AS HEALTHY ½ TSP. BAKING SODA 1 TBSP WHITE SUGAR 100ML WARM WATER ½ PACKET OF BREAD YEAST 1 TSP BUTTER
Mix the sugar and warm water in a glass. Once all the sugar is dissolved, add the yeast and mix thoroughly. Set aside for 10-15 minutes or until a thick foam appears on the top of the mixture. in a large mixing bowl mix: flour, whole wheat kernels, salt, baking soda Once ingredients are all mixed together then pile it into a large mountain shape in the bowl and make a concave opening in the top. Pour the room temperature water into the concave and let sit for 5 minutes. Add the yeast and water blend to the concave hole, then mix with a mixing spoon until everything is blended together. Once everything is mixed thoroughly, you can remove the dough from the bowl and begin to knead it on a floured countertop for 15 minutes. Kneading is basically just smashing the dough, pushing on it with your palms, activating the yeast and mixing all the ingredients even more evenly. After you have kneaded the bread, place it all back in a clean and oiled bowl, cover it with a towel and let sit in a warm place for 90 minutes. If baking in Thailand, you don’t need to worry, EVERY place is a warm place.... While the dough is rising, prepare 2 baking trays by coating the inside of them with butter 90 minutes later, remove the risen dough from the bowl and cut into two even parts placing each part in one of the prepared baking dishes. Cover again and let rise for another 90 minutes. Heat the oven to 175C and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
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