3 May

3 May - <> What's a flicking shrimp? . . . I hear you ask. Bob, pictured right, is one such crustacean, he was dug out the the muddy mangrove roots near our house in the name of science (and a curiosity about what BBQ flicking shrimp tasted like). Flicking shrimps make an audible 'clicking' noise - a bit like someone snapping their fingers - with their one large claw. You often hear them in mangroves but rarely see them - except, as in this case, when displayed on a plate. <>

There was a big travel fair in Bangkok last weekend, quite a few Koh Chang resorts were represented one whom who's brochure included such gems as: 'We invite you to spend your vacation with us and let the stress of daily life drift away on the sea breeze.' . . . .what a load of bollocks, who wrote that? Oh, yeah . . . I did, think yourself lucky no-one is paying me to write this site.

I need a holiday, it'd be great to get away from the beach and just spend a couple of weeks sitting in a homely cubicle in a sterile office, whiling away the hours surfing the web.

An English translation of Koh Chang's land usage regulations is now on the site. Plus scans of the original documents. (Thanks to Ron at Morrissey Fashions, near the Amari, for letting me have them.) The translation isn't word for word but you should get the gist, which is basically that you can't just go and build the meat processing factory of your dreams without first considering the zoning laws.

More 'recently opened but failed after 6 months type' of businesses are for sale - a restaurant/bar in VJ Plaza, Klong Prao and Koh Chang's first paintball arena - which must hold the record for having the shortest time between opening and being put up for sale. I expect to see a lot more 'For Sale' signs on shuttered shop units in the coming months. If you're interested in starting a business there's very little reason to pay over the odds for a few tables and chairs in a shop unit when there are plenty of vacant units around. (Unless of course you're getting something that really is well designed / decorated and has potential.) And as anyone in VJ Plaza will tell you, it's all about location. Unfortunately, the arse end of a half-rented out plaza isn't the location for a restaurant or a bar. The only place that's ever busy in the evening is the 20 baht a bowl noodle stall near the entrance.

A very nice, 29 bungalow beach resort on 9 Rai of land (6 Rai owned & 3 Rai leased) Koh mak is for sale for 30 million baht. Much better designed that the majority of KC beachfront resorts and very well priced for the location and land size. Serious enquiries only to me and I'll put you in touch with the seller who wants confidentiality.