Thai Wedding

The Journey to Yasothon

I departed Bangkok at 7:30 A.M. on a beautiful Thursday morning to attend the Thai Buddhist wedding of my Canadian friend, Alan.

My destination was the town (mueang) of Yasothon, located in the northern Thailand region of Issan. Issan is widely known for its magnificent agricultural heritage and (most notably) its spicy cuisine. Phet mak mak cuisine! (Very, very spicey verses "phet noi" - just a little spicey).

Magnificent scenery enroute to Yasothon from Bangkok, Thailand

Rice paddies cover vast areas of the Issan lowlands

The journey North transported us through countless rai of Thailand's famous rice paddies, over the lowland hills that divide the central plain of Thailand from the Mekong River's Laotian lowlands, past magnificent lake vistas and along serpentine rivers that meander hundreds of kilometers to eventually empty into the Gulf of Siam.

Enchanting feminine Thai!

 

It was more than 10 hours limo ride with nine gorgeous Thai ladies and a solitary male companion - our driver

"What could be better," you ask, "than 10 hours sequestered with nine lovely Thai maidens?" The 10 hour return trip with nine gorgeous Thai maidens of course!

It was my good fortune to be invited to attend my first traditional Lanna Thai wedding

My Canadian friend, Alan, was about to culminate five years in romantic pursuit of the beautiful and talented Patumrat, pronounced "Patoomlat" and known as Pang by her adoring friends.

Approximately ten hours later, after pausing for a lakeside lunch, we arrived at mueang Yasothon. Alan had thoughtfully arranged lodging at the one-and-only hotel in Yasothon for the entire entourage.

Feminine ingredients of the spicy wedding entourage

After registering and snatching a short nap, I joined the entourage (now consisting of about twenty-five people), then traveled to a lakeside lodge where we celebrated the impending wedding ceremony with a fantastic catered dinner.

The table was heaped with an unbelievable variety of dishes made famous by the Issan regions spice-obsessed chefs!

They allowed silverware rather than watch me embarrass my self by impaling my cheeks and gums with chop sticks!

Unbelievable Thai delicacies

Spicy seafood salad "som tam talay"

The exotic names of individual dishes were as delightful to the ear, as the savory herbs and incendiary spices were to the palate! Som tam talay, phrik paw mu krop, Larb mu, tom yum gai, tom kar gook, gai satay.

How could one not enjoy such a lyrical cuisine?

We ate and drank until nearly mid-night before returning to the hotel and collapsing after the long day which had begun nearly 20 hours previous.

The Wedding Day

Thai wedding parties involve a lot of eating, drinking, song, and Buddhist ritual. A Lanna wedding often begins before the sun rises. At 5 am, the family and villagers prepare food to give as their offerings to the monks when they arrive at the home of the bride.

Nine Bhuddist Monks from the village Wat (Temple) arrive at Pang's home

Monks chant a blessing for Alan and pang

The offerings, given by the couple to be married, are composed of food for the body, flowers, and three incense sticks - one for the Buddha (Prapoot), one for the words of Buddha (Pratum), and one for the Buddhist monks (Prasong).

Lanna (Northern Thai) weddings are not for the weak kneed or faint of heart. The wedding typically begins about 7 AM in the morning and may last (as this one did) until the wee hours of the following day!

It takes strong knees and a strong heart! So,"What about the knees?" you say. The knees come into play during the course of the ceremony several times throughout the day.

Monks enjoy the food and attention of the Bride's parents and extended family

Chanting of the wedding mantras

Example: On this wedding day, early in the morning, nine Buddhist Monks arrived at the home of Pang's parents to be served breakfast. (Lots of bowing and kow-tow-ing as the Monks enter the meticulously prepared premises where they are seated in comfort and served).

After breakfast, an extended ceremony involving the chanting of mantras and the blessing of the attendees and the betrothed takes place.

Of course most of the activity surrounding these rituals are performed while on one's knees.

Blessing of the extended family

For a Westerner unaccustomed to the rituals, it can become sort of like attending your first yoga session; self-conscious squirming and writhing about on the floor attempting to comfortably position yourself to observe (in this instance) the Monks and other principles involved in the ceremony.

Mercifully, the ritual is paused from time-to-time (perhaps "interrupted" is a better characterization) to allow for "re-cycling" the abundant supply of foods and beverages lavished on the guests who have been invited to the morning ceremony.

These pauses in the liturgy and ritual give one time to stand, walk-about and stretch, encouraging the body's blood supply to flow to all those spots that were denied its sustenance while you posed in various contorted positions on the floor.

How do Thai ladies keep their posture so perfect?

An example of "contorted position" might be the following: When addressing a Monk, while serving food or presenting oneself for a blessing or mantra, you must do so without ever pointing your feet in the direction of the Monk or deity.

Processionals and recessionals (sometimes carrying hot food or liquids) are difficult maneuvers to accomplish without pointing your toes at someone while shuffling about on your knees, especially when hamstrung or with an ancient back and tender patella!

Presentations By The Groom

It is easier to pictorially summarize the chain of events that unfold during the remainder of the wedding day ceremony rather than attempt narrative to accomplish the effort. The ceremony is much more complicated than the brief civil or religious rituals to which we Westerners are accustomed.

I encourage you to read the citation provided that describes in detail, the ceremonious day I enjoyed with Alan, Pang, her friends, family and, indeed, most of the village in which Pang's parents reside and teach.

SIN SOD

Sin Sod is a longstanding Thai custom where a groom ceremonially gives the bride’s family a cash gift on the day of their wedding.

Sin Sod is often mistranslated as “dowry,” a word which actually refers to the custom of a bride’s family making a payment to the groom’s family. Although Sin Sod is popularly referred to as “Thai Dowry,” “Thai Bride Price” is a more accurate description of the practice. 

A respected village Elder inspects and prepares the Sin Sod

The custom evolved not to enrich the wife’s parents, but to ensure that the groom was financially stable. Investing in your bride shows her family that you are serious, hardworking, and there to stay.

The purpose of the Sin Sod is to strengthen family bonds and maintain financial stability. Although the cultural tradition of paying a Sin Sod persists to this day, part of the money is sometimes returned to the couple after the wedding to help them start their new life together.

The sin sod is paraded through the village until the home of the Bride's parents is reached

Alan reaches the Gold Gate

"Gatekeepers" at gold gate are normally the parents or the parents closest friends. They will torment the groom and insist that he make a public promise to the guests and the villagers that he will be a good husband and wonderful new member of the bride’s family before he can see his bride-to-be. Only then is the groom allowed to enter the house. Once he has entered, the marriage ceremony begins.

I present 1 million Thai Baht to Pang's Grandmother

The Sin Sod is presented by the Groom's entourage to members of the Bride's family.

Alan's Sin Sod was comprised of gold jewelry (Khong Man), gold coins, the wedding jewelry and 1 million Thai Baht.

Arranging 1 million baht - a rare experience

Pang's mum escapes with the sin sod - a feat requiring considerable physical effort !!

The Wedding Ceremony

 

This part of the Thai wedding ceremony is officiated by the village elder who has received training as a monk earlier in life.

The couple sits or kneels on large pillows in front of the elder while he gets the pook kor mue, strings made from nine cords of cotton yarn and prepared on a special tray, usually by a Monk at the village Wat. (The number nine is considered a lucky number in Thai culture).

The pook kor mue is placed upon their heads

The "set" of pook kor mue is then handed by helpers to guests older than the couple, who place it on the couples head, "bonding" them together.

This act symbolizes the couple's commitment to each other, an unbreakable bond of marriage.

This tradition symbolizes that their marriage is a social bond as well as a personal relationship. Older guests share their wisdom on married life while everyone else takes the opportunity to congratulate the newlyweds with sincere wishes for happiness, good health, financial prosperity, and healthy children.

The "gift tree" adorned with envelopes of cash and trinkets

Monetary and other gifts are also presented to the Bride and Groom, as-well-as the contribution of advice for a harmonious marriage. Monetary gifts are placed in the personalized envelope in which your wedding invitation was delivered.

After pook kor mue, the couple is escorted to their nuptial bedroom, which is decorated with flowers and items that symbolize fertility and prosperity.

An older Thai couple will be sitting on the nuptial bed, waiting for the newlyweds to arrive. Thai people believe that an old couple is evidence of long, successful marriages. The end of the wedding ceremony is marked when the newlyweds sit together on the bed, thus symbolizing the beginning of a life together.

Pang's Father blesses the union

Pang's Mother welcomes her Son-In-Law

Feasting and celebration continued in the village until late afternoon, at which time my group of Thai lovelies, my driver and myself, stole away to the limo, hastily returned to Yasothon in order to prepare for the culminating event of the marriage marathon.

Beginning of The End of the Wedding Day

Why do Thai love a wedding feast so much? Because the liquid refreshments flow freely, the artistic arrangement and presentation of numerous Thai dishes is offerred in copious quantities and the groom gets to pay. (kidding of course)!

Thai are among the most generous and hospitable hosts, friends and acquaintances I have ever experienced, and they thrive on celebrating their neighbors good fortune, good karma!

My friend, Alan, is not only a superb example of gentility at its best, he is also a very generous person.

Over 300 guests attended the post wedding ceremony banquet

In keeping with his natural tendencies, Alan invited the whole village to descend on the hotel in Yasothon for a catered dinner that evening, to celebrate the occasion of his marriage to Pang. It was not an opportunity the village over-looked, as in excess of three hundred guests arrived for the 7 PM overture of the wedding feast event!

I must say, the guests attending were quite impressive...including the Governor (Obahdah), the Mayor of Yasothan, the Regional Superintendent of Education and many, many other individuals of Provincial notoriety!

Each gave a speech (of course), including Alan, who graciously acknowledged his (now) wife's wisdom, in asking him, "will you marry me?"

Banquet table

Wedding feast of delicacies and Issan cuisine

The wedding cake-Artistic

                 Lanna Thai classic

Most moving to me, was the appearance of many, many of Pang's childhood friends and schoolmates with whom she had maintained the village bond over the years.

I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of Pang's many friends and schoolmates as we shared each others "cultural idiosyncrasies" related to everything from weddings, to education, to childhood, adolescent and community relationships. (Good fodder for another blog post I think).

ALAN AND PANG - A Celebration of Love

Epilogue

 

My good friend and traveling companion, Tom, recently shared a quote from Mark Twain's famous novel, Innocents Abroad, in which Twain pens this suggestion:

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things can not be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."

Observing Alan and Pang's commitment to honor their diverse cultures, traditions and ethnicity was, for me, a poignant illustration of what Twain instructed in his narrative.

I am forever grateful to the three of them...Alan, Pang and Mark Twain, for enlightening me, to that which remains illusive to so many who inhabit our planet.

I wish to conclude this post with a personal reflection regarding what I perceive to be a human being's natural tendencies to discount the efficacy of inter-racial, inter-cultural relationships.

Having experienced Alan and Pang's odyssey, which culminated in the beautiful and traditional (Lanna Thai Buddhist) ceremony honoring their parents, their village and their personal commitment to each other, I have personally resolved to always look for and appreciate diversity...that which enriches the human experience.

Alan and Pang, may you enjoy eternal happiness, health and good fortune in your life together!

Island Life - Thailand's Andaman Sea

Thailand's Geologic Diversity

The remarkable diversity of Thailand's natural resources provokes curiosity and begs a myriad of questions regarding the influence of this diversity on the micro-cultures and life-style of Thailand's inhabitants.

Mountains of the North

Dramatic Contrasts

 

Three principle geographic regions comprise Thailand.

These can be further sub-divided into at least four distinct marine sub-regions, three mountainous regions and the Chao Phraya drainage system which is vast, complex and diverse in its own right.

The three principle regions are the northern mountains, the vast, nearly-flat central flood plain and delta of the Chou Phraya River, and, the peninsular mountains, lowland hills, limestone karsts and magnificent seashores of the Malay Peninsula.

Delta slough of the Chao Phraya River

Thailand's seashore(s) is actually two separate entities, the Andaman Sea of the Malay Peninsula's West Coast, and the magnificent crescent of beaches rimming the Gulf of Siam, (now known as the Gulf of Thailand).

Both, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, host several archipelagos comprised of beautiful islands and reefs abundantly populated with fish and spectacular invertebrate marine life.

 

National Park - koh Lanta yai

The two biggest islands, Phuket and koh Lanta yai, are well known by North American and northern European tourists. They have become playgrounds of those who are trapped by the harsh winter climate of the northern hemisphere. From mid-October through mid-March, the airports of Krabi and Phuket resemble a revolving-door, through which several million tourists pass every "high-season".

Phuket, in the same fashion as Pattaya, has (unfortunately) been reduced to a disgusting amalgamation of rowdy, party-going tourists and Thai businessmen preying on the alchohol, drug and sex-seeking hoardes of tourists from (primarily) Eastern Europe and Australia. Several low-fare charter airlines provide a never-ending stream of gullible tourists from Russia and other European population centers during the high-season.

In defense of legitimate Thai businesses (and they are many) most of the tawdry venues are actually controlled by non-Thai ex-patriots from eastern Europe, most notably, Russia. These "businessmen" find loop-holes in the Thai statutes  limiting ownership to Thai, form a partnership with a Thai man or marry a Thai woman, then manipulate the association to control the business operation.

Apparently little effort has been forthcoming by the Thai authorities to discourage illegal manipulation of the commercial code.

In contrast, are the more southern islands of Krabi Province, who have wisely discouraged the "fast-crowd" and encouraged a more family-oriented and laid-back environment. The influence of conservative Muslim and Buddhist enclaves, and the importance of agriculture, in addition to the tourism, have thus far prevented over-exploitation of the beautiful environs South of Phuket, at least for the time being.

One example of the "family-friendly" environs on koh Lanta yai, is the presence of two very fine Swedish schools which cater to the large population of semi-resident Swedish families who flock to southern Ktabi Province each northern European winter

The Island Life - Southern Thailand's koh Lanta yai

 

 

Do not plan a vacation or an extended visit to koh Lanta yai if:

• You do not like the sunshine;
• Friendly people and serene surroundings bore you;
• A wide variety of Thai food is not your cuisine of choice;
• You find calm surf, fine sand beaches and laid-back beach bars objectionable;
• A choice of many beaches, restaurants and activities will confuse and disorient you.

Traveling from Bangkok To koh Lanta yai

The best way (by far) to travel from Bangkok to koh Lanta yai is to book a flight on AsiaAir from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok to the Krabi International Airport. The actual flight is approximately 1.5 hours to the airport in Krabi Province. The Krabi airport is safe, modern and very user friendly.

As of October 15th 2012, AsiaAir will change its location in Bangkok (for all domestic flights) to Don Muang Airport. Another option for travelers from northern and eastern Europe, and from North America, is to consider a flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AsiaAir and Thai Air provide direct flights to Krabi from Kuala Lumpur if you do not have an interest in visiting Bangkok.

Passenger Ferry Boat - Ao nang to Outer Island Resorts

Once you arrive Krabi, the trip to koh Lanta will take up to three hours. You have three options:

• By passenger only ferry boat from Ao nang, a near-by village pier;
• Private air-conditioned van (most expensive) but the most timely option;
• Community bus to Krabi Town then transfer to a shared air-conditioned van (recommended).

Before you depart Bangkok for Krabi and koh Lanta is important to understand and follow this routine if you choose my recommended travel option from the airport to koh Lanta yai:

• Contact Black Tiger Tours and request you speak to "peng". He is the owner, speaks English and will do everything humanly possible to make sure you have a successful journey from Krabi airport to your accommodations on koh Lanta yai. peng can be reached here. His phone number is 089-7297126 or 075-612499.
• Provide peng your flight arrival information and he will, in turn, advise you regarding your van reservation to koh Lanta yai.
• When you arrive at the Krabi airport, opposite the baggage claim area, you will see a pair of small booths with a sign that says "TAXI" of "LIMO". As you approach the booth, you will be accosted by several ambitious, smiley and friendly Thai girls who will want to sell you a limo ticket. Smile back at them and say, "need ticket on bus to Krabi pier." They will sell you a bus ticket and guide you to your bus, which will take you directly to peng at the Black Tiger rendezvous (great food at peng's place while you wait for your van...if there is a wait, which is rare).

The Black Tiger air conditioned van will take you from Krabi Town, via two ferry crossings and about a 1.5 - 2 hour ride, directly to your lodging on the island. At the time of this post, the cost per person is 300 THB (about 9 USD) as opposed to 1800 THB per person if you opt for the limo at the airport...a significant difference!

Your return from koh Lanta to Krabi will be arranged and booked by your lodging host. The van will pick you up at your lodging and take you directly to the Krabi airport...no transfers required.

Choosing this option will result in a saving approximately 3000 THB per person in RT travel costs, enough to probably pay for your entire bar bill or pay for a full day,  two-person snorkel trip (complete with lunch) to an outer island!

LODGING - Where To Stay

The link provided here will take you to a website that has an interactive map of koh Lanta yai. You can place your mouse cursor on the segments of the map, left-click and it will expand the segment, providing the location of each major beach and the resorts located on each beach.

I suggest you use a booking service such as Agoda and also Trip Advisor to explore the possibilities of individual resorts noted on the map. Also, bear-in-mind that a number of new or remodeled resorts and restaurants open up at the beginning of each season.

Before the beginning of the "high-season" for 2012 (15 November 2012 - 15 March 2013) I will add a short blog post to note the newest resorts and restaurants I've had a chance to personally visit on koh Lanta before the 2012 season gets into "high-gear."

And the beach is only 150 meters away!

 

View from the deck of an "Old Town" Pole House

Your choices are about as varied as you can imagine. I have stayed in modest cabanas, rented a modern apartment for a long-stay (three months) and have had friends reside in everything from Five-Star accommodation to funky, rehabilitated pole houses perched above the the calm waters of "Old Town".

I think it depends on the level of service you demand, your willingness to seek alternative variations of the island-beach-living experience and (of course) your self-imposed budget constraints.

Pole House comfort - Mango House, Old Town Lanta

I have found that one way to really enjoy this island, is to book a stay at one of the many conveniently located, modestly priced resorts near Saladan (Klong Dao) or Long Beach (Phra Ae), then explore the island by motor bike.

If you find a resort at the South end of the island, which is much quieter and laid back, then you can easily make the transition from the more "up-tempo" area of Long Beach and the beach at Klong Dao (near the village of Saladan) to your new find.

Favorite Beaches - koh Lanta yai

 

The West facing (Andaman Sea) coastline has the only beaches worthy of mention. There are many, some quite obvious and easy to find; others not so obvious and requiring a sense of adventure. The latter are the most pristine and beautiful. It is so much fun to load a backpack, take off in the early morning, and seek a remote and isolated mini-beach and just "hang" for the better part of a day.

The last section of this post provides photos from my stay in 2012, of some beaches I enjoyed. The vast majority of these beaches are easily accessed by renting a motor bike and heading South towards the National Park.

If you wish to enter the National Park (and I heartily recommend a visit to the beautiful beach there) a small entrance fee is required for non-Thai visitors. It is well worth the very modest outlay!

 

Beach Klong Dao

There are too many beaches to mention here, so I'll briefly describe a few of the more accessible beaches and great places to eat or enjoy a liquid refreshment near-by. The busiest, but one of the most beautiful beaches (especially for kids), is Klong Dao, near the village of Saladan.

Veed View Pub - Beach front dining and relaxation

Not only is it a great walking beach with plenty of resorts, but it's centrally located. My favorite place to eat at this beach is Veed View, a beautifully constructed pub and restaurant right on the beach. (Beautiful sunsets are an added bonus).

Veed View is a terrific place for snacks, lunch, dinner or cold drinks. There is a nightly beach BBQ and the staff is just terrific, hospitable and they welcome families with kids of all ages.

 

 

Beach Phra Ae

 

 

Phra Ae is known by the "farang" as Long Beach, and, is just that...long! You can spend an entire day walking from one end of Phra Ae to the opposite end, then catch a ride back to your starting point in one of the many three-wheeled "tuk tuks" that constantly patrol the highway, looking for passengers.

There are many beach restaurants and refreshment stops along the way.

Marina Resort - Thatched-roof Bungalows

At the southern-most end of Phrae Ae, is a funky little resort known as Marina Resort. The small thatched roof bungalows are in a garden-like setting on  the beach and very modestly priced. The Marina has a very fine cook and serves a broad and varied menu of Thai dishes as-well-as a "farang" breakfast.

Marina makes a convenient departure point for hikes either direction...to the North, the entire length of Phrae Ae, or to the South, around a rocky promontory to three separate, lovely beaches.

Soontreeya Lobby Sala

Soontreeya Bungalows

Next to Marina is Soontreeya Resort, a little more up-scale with a swimming pool. Soontreeya is also a garden setting only two hundred meters from Phra Ae beach.

It is a quiet venue with terrific hosts, toon and puy, who arrange your return transportation and excursions about koh Lanta .

There are several snorkeling sites off-shore to which they will arrange a ride for you, elephant treks and many other activities revealing the several beaches and island venues of interest.

Anda Lanta Resort -  Klong Jaak Bay

 

Coffee or fruit snacks on the beach

I hosted two friends from North America for a month in Thailand, ten days of which they stayed on koh Lanta. Trisha and Karen spent the first two days at Marina Resort at the South end of Phra Ae Beach.

The third day, they moved to the very quiet and beautiful confines of Anda Lanta Resort, near the National Park, at Klong Jaack Bay. I think the photos below, speak much more adequately than my narrative, about the hospitality and natural beauty of koh Lanta's southern beach venues!

Massage anyone

It is probably pointless for me to tell you how much Trish and Karen enjoyed their time at the South end of the island. The beaches are pristine and uncrowded.

Access to adjacent beaches is easily accomplished by motor-bike, song thaew or, if you are very motivated and ambitious, by kyak or simply hiking!

 

Looking to the right - mid-day and contemplating lunch!

Looking to the left -sunrise and morning coffee!

Alternative boat styles for transportation to outer-island beaches

 

There are many modes of transportation for getting about while you are on the island of koh Lanta.
Some are more practical; some are more fun!

Song Thaew (song tao)

Friendly Pachyderm

Exercise and visit the beach around the corner!

 

 

Photo Essay of koh Lanta Beaches - 2011 thru 2012

 

Snorkel site - Four Island Day Trip

Primary Beach - National Park

Beach at "Same Same But Different" - Restaurant South of Klong Nin

Bamboo (Pai) Beach - South of Klong Nin

This beach is actually one of two, a short distance North of the National Park

Personal Reflections

The ubiquitous motor-bike.

I have now visited koh Lanta on three separate occasions. The first trip was basically a "reconnoiter" of the island to make an assessment of its potential for a long-stay.

The first trip I met and was befriended by a local Thai family with whom I have become very attached. Their hospitality and encouragement led me to a three-month extended stay during the 2012 high season.

During my stay, I explored many varied venues on the island and came to know several other Thai families, with whom I have enjoyed countless hours of exposure to their island life-style and hospitality.

Following are some comments off the top of my head, that summarize my observations after living on koh Lanta for over three months:

• A stay of less than 10 days to 2 weeks severely limits your exposure to the many opportunities available for exploring and enjoying the great variety of beaches, local restaurants and activities.
• Families are probably most comfortable in a setting that provides detached accommodations (bungalows) but a variety of activities to keep the kids happy, e.g. a swimming pool in addition to the beach, access to conveniences (shops and the local 7/11), a variety of eating establishments.
• Adults unaccompanied by children would probably enjoy the seclusion of the southern beaches and the great cuisine of the local restaurants within easy access of their resort.

Two restaurant favorites for fantastic food and ambiance are Khao Yai  (at the top of the mountain between Klong Nin and Lanta Old Town) and on the beach at Kantiang Bay, the restaurant Same Same But Different ( a short drive South from Klong Nin).

• The beaches remote from your resort are best enjoyed if you are well prepared, i.e., take bottled water, plenty of sunscreen and Aloe gel for sunburn treatment.
•  Prepare a back-pack with towels and a small first-aid kit (disinfectant and band aids) and a snack. Half-day trips are really the best approach if you don't pack a lunch.
• You will find the ocean water to be very warm (86 F, 30 C), free of current and with gentle surf. Some beaches have rocky bottoms and drop off from the shallows rather quickly, so if you have kids, be sure to monitor them closely.
• The ocean is typically clear, so underwater obstacles and terrain (the bottom substrate) can be easily observed. Snorkels, fins and masks (or swim goggles) are very handy as is a hat!

You will occasionally encounter micro-organisms in seawater that irritate the skin. They are a nuisance but harmless and can be flushed away with fresh water or a mild solution of vinegar and water.

Giant Tropical Clam (carefully re-placed precisely where found unattached to the substrate)

Avoid touching or handling dead or alive sea creatures, such as jelly-fish, crabs or the cone-shaped seashells. The seashells actually have a "stinger" (probiscus) containing an extremely poisonous toxin that can be injected into your flesh.

Crabby Critter will inflict pain if you try to touch him!

koh Ha Beach - Snorkel and Picnic (Day Trip by Lanta Garden Hill Speedboats)

A trip to koh Lanta yai is truly a retreat into a vanishing paradise. Like so many of the once remote, pristine wildernesses, whether arctic, temperate or tropical; be they alpine, desert or marine in character, these magnificent venues seem not able to escape the explosive growth of international tourism.

The "third-world's" obsession to mimic the economy of "developed" nations and Asia's exponential population growth and total disregard for environmental stewardship is slowly eroding these ecosystems' ability to sustain the variety, quantity and quality of life unique to their individual and disparate habitats.

A trip now, to koh Lanta yai, may be your last chance to see!

Sunrise

Sunset