THAILAND - Koh Samui and Ao Nang, Krabi

Bangkok. The new Suvarnabhumi Airport, opened perhaps before being fully finished to help divert attention away from political developments, will ultimately be an impressive showpiece entrance to Thailand. At present it is not the most user friendly, and local people have had to balance noise with employment.

What a contrast with Koh Samui Airport, which provided a picturesque start to a relaxing week. Pictured below Arrivals and Baggage claim areas

The coast of Thailand is littered with many offshore islands and shoals. The larger island of Koh Samui, lies in the Gulf of Thailand on the east side of the Malay peninsula...

The Paradise Beach Resort , Maenam Beach. The restaurant, bar and one of the swimming pools directly overlook the beach.

If the free watersports offered by the hotel seemed too much effort, a stroll along the beach, or excursion around the island revealed other interesting sights. Fallen coconuts sprouting, many butterflies, birds and flowers. I am fairly sure the cockney sparrow is alive and well - in Thailand - often living in the best hotels !

There were several other places of interest including the Big Buddha at Bang Rak, waterfalls and interesting rock formations - the one above is Hin Da " Grandfather Rock " - and yes, there was indeed a " Grandmother Rock ", Hin Yai, as well. An unusual sight was the calcified body of a monk, who died seated in this position.

A local fish market at Nathon, and even the hotel entertainment, both give clues as to the multi ethnic and multi cultural nature of the area. This is where Malaysia overlaps Indonesia, a melting pot for different ethnic groups, and where about fifty percent of the population is muslim, even higher further to the south. Compare this with Thailand as a whole.

A night serenader revealed

Ao Nang beach, Krabi faces the Andaman Sea on the west side of the peninsula. It looks out towards the Phi Phi islands

The Ao Nang Villa Resort itself is attractive, but it is certainly in the centre of things. The hotel is opposite the somewhat noisy boat jetty, and longtail boats spread along about half of the beach. They are constantly ferrying people to the many local small islands and other beaches.

The sea front is one long parade of bars, eating places, souvenir and tat shops etc., all touting for business along with tuk tuk and taxi drivers, boatmen and massage parlours. The side streets are no exception. At night Ao Nang becomes like one continuous night market. It is perhaps a back packers delight and there are now more younger Aussies there since the Bali bombings. The multi ethnic nature of this area of Thailand is even more pronounced.

Touting for business .............. and a reminder of Dec 2004

Past about 30 open air massage parlours grouped at the other end of Ao Nang beach, it is possible to climb over the hill ( about 600 precarious "steps" there, and 600 back ) to the Central Hotel. The height affords good views back to Ao Nang, and the Century Hotel nestles on a small beach, quiet and relaxing with good sea views.

Excursions enable glimpses of local life, where a freshwater river, running into advancing tidal mangrove swamps, provides swimming for local people

A tarantula ............................................ and catfish at a local fish farm

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