KO + + LIFESTYLEH + C PEOPLE HAN + OUTDOORS + ACTIVITIESG + + the MAGAZINE 2010 KOH CHANG the MAGAZINE 1 2 KOH CHANG the MAGAZINE KOH CHANG the MAGAZINE 3 Enhancing your happiness at Haad Sai Khao SERVICES & FACILITIES Free form outdoor pool (60x15m) Pool bars Children pool Fitness center Sauna Spa & Massage Beach front massages Tour & activities information KC GRANDE RESORT & SPA Hote private parking space Free Wi-Fi The Beach Restaurant Coffee Shop Free Internet Café Meeting and convention facilities Please view back page For Reservation: Bangkok Office: 166 Soi Jantima 11, Ladphao 80 Road, Wangthonglang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand Tel: +66 (02) 539 5424-6, +66 (02) 538 7200 - Fax: +66 (02) 538 6224 Koh Chang Office: 1/1 Moo 4, Baan Haad Sai Khao, Koh Chang, Trat 23170, Thailand Koh Chang TraT, Thailand Tel: +66 (039) 552 1111 - Fax: +66 (039) 551 394 e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] www.kckohchang.com CONTENTS KO H C HANGthe MAGAZINE 34 CUISINE Thai cuisine is not just about tongue- 20 numbing and tear Inducing spices RELIGION Thailand is an overwhelmingly Buddhist nation. More then 90 per- cent of the population follow Buddhism, and its influence is apparent almost everywhere in Thailand 78 GATEWAY Useful information for your visit KOH CHANG the MAGAZINE E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.kohchangthemagazine.com Concept: Laszlo Halasz 38 Photos: Claude Alain KC Contact: Mana Muangsoom KC Coordinator: Barry Panzer PEOPLE Advertising: Arunee Muangsoom Travellers to Thailand are generally struck by the smiles, warmth Editorial: Sonia Tanha and friendliness of the local people Art Direction: Creative House, Stuttgart, Germany, Publisher: STAR Photo Co., Ltd. 265/54-55 Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20150, Tel. 038-362 338 Managing Director: Claude Alain Special thanks: Koh Chang the Magazine would like to express our most sincere gratitude to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) guidance. © 2010 KOH CHANG the MAGAZINE. All rights reserved. No responsibility for incorrect Information can be accepted. The views expressed in the articles are those of the author and not necessarily the publisher. 60 Magazine pdf download www.kohchangthemagazine.com THAI www.starphoto.asia SOIDAO V I S A www.infonet24.com Khao Soi Dao is a very quiet and interesting region near the Cambodia Forum www.thaivisa.com/kctm Border with many attractions 6 KOH CHANG the MAGAZINE KOH CHANG the MAGAZINE 7 GEOGRAPHY AND LANDSCAPE EVENTS & FESTIVALS Mu Koh Chang wild islands have diminished owing to aggressive development over the past few decades the island is still en- dowed with some unique flora and fauna. hile the global climate has experienced periods of Wboot cooling and warming over millions of years, the climate of Southeast Asia has remained more or less the same as it is today. This is due to its location around the … a different place ! equator and being surrounded by ocean providing plenty of moisture in the form of rain, the region was able to sus- tain consistent rainforests over a very long period of time. The rain is more evenly distributed throughout the year along the tropical zone, nurturing equatorial rainforests across South and Central America, Africa, Southeast Asia Cocktails and Australia, which were all parts of the same landmass during the last ice age. Then, as the glaciers melted and the sea level rose, many of the rainforests became cut off from each other and various species established them- selves, developing along distinctive evolutionary paths in Snacks response to local eco systems and creating a great di- versity of forest eco systems and unique flora and fauna. Situated in Trat, the easternmost province of Thailand, very close to the Cambodian border and about 315 km from Bangkok, the 650 sq km Mu Koh Chang is gener- Enjoy in a nice ously blessed with a biologically diverse paradise and commonly known as the “rainforest by the sea”. The Koh Chang Naval Battle Day is organized in late Janu- atmosphere The island chain consists of 3 main islands and 49 smaller ary at Koh Chang Naval Battle Monument (Anuson Yutthana- islands. wi) at Laem Ngop. The event is to commemorate the bravery Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Maak, the three main of the Royal Thai Navy’s action against the French on January islands, cover 209 sq km, 105 sq km and 16 sq km re- 17-21 1941. Merit-making and tribute rites are performed and Your chill-out spectively. Geographically, the islands lie in a straight line there is exhibition by the Royal Thai Navy. from north to south, with Koh Chang positioned about place in Kai Bae ! 10 km from the coast from Laem Ngop District and Koh Trat Independence Day on March 23-27, marks the day Kood located at the southern most point. Koh Maak and the province returned to Thai sovereignty after the French oc- its companion islets, such as Koh Rang, Koh Whai, Koh cupation. The celebration are held at the provincial town hall. Open: 5.p.m. – till late Kharm, Koh Kradad etc., are located in between Koh Chang and Koh Kood. The entire island chain was formed History Kai Bae some 65 millions years ago, but from different orgins. During the reign of King Rama V, conflicts ith France resulted nearly GajaPuri Hotel Koh Chang was part of an undersea volcano that was in the French Army sending troops into Trat and taking control forced up by seismic activity and formed igneous rock as of the province. The two and a half years under the French it cooled. Koh Kood, however, is formed of sandstone and occupation anguished the whole nation. Thanks King Rama Mobile: 085 346 4487 separated from the edge of the Banthad mountain range. V a treaty was finally made. Trat was returned in Thailand on Koh Maak and Koh Kradad are mainly flat, with only a March 23, 1906, in exchange for Pratabong. Siam Reap and few small hills, and were formed by an accumulation of Sri Sophon, three territories on the East covering an area of sandbars. 50.000 square kilometers. Trat Fruit Fair usually in late May or earl June, features exhi- bitions and agricultural produce. Trat has the ideal condition for the propagation of almost all of tropical fruits. Among its famous fruit are durian, rambutan, mangosteen, salak and pineapple. Activities include merit making, historical and agri- cultural exhibition, fruits contest and various ebtertainment. 8 KOH CHANG the MAGAZINE CLIMATE & WEATHER Amber Sands As a tropical wet climate the humidity is always strongly --- BEACH RESORT --- ...experience peace on Koh Chang's tranquil east coast influenced by the maritime winds that originate in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea he Mu Koh Chang islands and the coastline of Trat Tprovince receive an average rainfallof 118 inches each year and temperatures vary from 70-80 degrees Fahren- heit all year round. The Banthad mountain range that separates Thailand from Cambodia is 144 km long and acts as an excellent natural windbreak blocking the south westerly winds from the end of May to the beginning of October. This brings plenty of rainfall to areas in front of the moun- tain range, including Trat Province and the MU Koh Chang islands. During the cool season, from November to Feb- ruary, the mountain range also blocks cold winds from northeast, helping to ensure fine weather throughout the year. Trat Province is the second only to Ranong Province southern Thailand in terms of rainfall, which does not help to promote tourism, but the days following torrential rain are the most rewarding with white clouds lingering in clear blue skies and a pristine natural environment. Since these islands are situated in an earthquake free zone in the Gulf of Thailand there is also no danger from tsunamis. Family-owned and managed boutique style resort with only 7 air conditioned chalets on an almost deserted beach offering friendly hospitality, personal service and attention to detail. www.ambersandsbeachresort.com [email protected] Tel +66(0)39586177 or +66(0)822120698 10 KOH CHANG the MAGAZINE SUBMARINE SURPRISES-MARINE ECOLOGY Koh Chang”s coral reefs are outstanding wonderland of color home to myriad species of fish and marine life n addition to the lush mountainous tropical rainforests the most important diving spots and should not be missed Iand diversity of natural resources that attract foreign by any diver. The huge pile of rocks is also the habitat visitors from all over the world, the colourful corals that of the famous Blue Spotted Rock Cod (Epinephelus grow around the island chain are another attraction that coiodes), which is delicious and sells for up to 600-800 makes Mu Koh Chang an ideal eco tourist destination. bath per kilogram. A survey conducted five years ago by marine scientist from Kasetsart University described over 120 species of corals and fish. The team also discovered over 20 species of crabs and four species of prawns living on the coral reefs and 224 species of shellfish. They also recorded nine species of green, 15 species of brown and 22 species of red sea- weed, but only three species of sea grass, plus 26 spe- cies of sponges and 139 species of phytoplankton. The species of hard coral included Cauliflower Coral (Pocilloporo damicornis), Staghorn coral (Acropora nobi- lis), Flower Coral (Pavona decussate), Mushroom Coral (Fungia repanda) and Double Star Coral (Diploastrea he- liopora). Most of the hard corals are found on shallow and semishallow sea beds, stretching from the shoreline to the bottom of the sea between 5 to 15 meters deep. Divers can enjoy the unlimited natural beauty of theses coral reef around almost all of the islands, from the west- ern coasts of Koh Chang, Koh Yuak and Koh Man Nork, to the sea south of Koh Chang.