15 Sep

15 Sept - On the right is the cover of the monthly magazine from DASTA, the Thai government organisation responsible for promoting sustainable development and basically protecting the marine national park from exploitation. So, it seems odd that they choose a cover photo that clearly shows a totally unnatural harbour and a long channel dredged through the seabed off Koh Kradad, near Koh Mak.

The big news this week that affects a lot of people across Thailand is the new limit on number of 30 day 'Visa on Arrival's that foreigners can get. If you're on a two week holiday this doesn't affect you at all, but there are a lot of people who are working, travelling long-term or are retirees etc and rely on the simplicity of being able to hop over the border every 30 days to renew their visas. From 1 October onwards they'll limited to a maximum 90 days entry on VOAs in any 6 month period, this can be 3 consecutive 30 day entries or a dozen or more shorter visits - but either way the total is 90 days stay in Thailand out of every 180 days. These border hoppers have to either pay some money and get a proper visa or find another country to stay in. On KC the businesses most affected will be dive schools as virtually all dive instructors in Thailand are employed on a cash in hand basis and so are continually making visa runs. This coming high season they'll have to get multiple entry tourist visas in advance. Not a major hassle but an inconvenience for many. If anyone is looking for a way to get a multiple entry, 12 month Non-Immigrant 'B' or 'O' visa, send me an email - I know someone who can help out.

Meanwhile, how are the efforts to transform Koh Chang into an upmarket paradise that Thailand can be proud of going?

Golf is a sport that attracts the high rollers with bad fashion sense, a love of plaid and a credit card. Phuket has several courses, amongst them Mission Hills - designed by the Nicholas family, Jack Snr was a well know player in his day. Samui has Santiburi golf club, rated by some as being in the top 25 courses in the world.

Not wanting to be left out, here on Koh Chang, a new crazy golf venue, in the old car park of the 3x3 Plaza, Kai Bae is being set up. I took a quick look at the course and it appears to be 9 holes, Par 27, roughly 40 yards in length. There's a dog leg, amongst other body parts, but I'm sure that will be cleaned up before the course officially opens. Miss it & miss out. (Tartan cap, stay-pressed strides and a fondness for Tiger Wood's balls are all optional.) No mention as to whether female caddies will be provided. For anyone new to golf in Thailand . . . if you thought 'the 19th hole' was the clubhouse bar, you're mistaken ;-)

But, apart from that one major attraction opening, a quick look at two recent posts on the Lonely Planet Discussion Board would seem to indicate that it's a while yet before 'Utopia' status is reached . . .

8 Sep - "Last night a group of backpackers arrived on Koh Chang with their latest purchase from Jartujak market Bkk. A baby monkey not more than 3 weeks old, it could fit in the palm of your hand. The stupidity of this blows me out of the water. Feeding it all kinds of junk food; being an instant source of attention and at the end of the day left with the only one option, leaving it behind in the jungle when they continued their travels. I am not David Attenborough but the chances of its survival and its acceptance by other closely knit wild monkey groups is virtually negligible. Please think!!!"

9 Sep - "I recently had one week off and spent it on White sands beach, Koh Chang. Seriously, what is up with the English guys selling drugs on the beach after hours? I met two idiots 25 something, on my way back home one night, trying to sell me ganja and xtc with an offer to join their party back at a bar/bungalow area they partly owned. I told them to **** off and went to bed. Next morning I asked my Thai hotel manager if local ?????? knew about them and he said something like "Yes, it's alright, they pay ?????? to be able to market their bar with drugs". That sounded unbelievable to me, could foreigners really be that stupid or ignorant? I presume they don't know the penalties for selling or using drugs in Thailand. How ****** up can you get? Paying locals to shut up about your drug scam, good luck...I hope they rot in hell"

( The ?????? is an edit on my part. Just say 'No' to drugs & corruption, kids.)

And finally, as part of the tourist authorities plans to encourage people to spend more money in Thailand, the price for entry to all National Parks has now been increased from 200 to 400 baht for foreigners. On Koh Chang, this will only affect you if you want to see one of the two waterfalls which visitors often go to - Klong Plu & Than Mayom falls. If you've seen a waterfall before, save your money or visit Kiriphet or Klong Neung waterfalls in the south east of the island - these are free.