The Koh Chang Sun - The Real Koh Chang Guide

 Koh Chang is getting three Tesco-Lotus locations opening in the next few weeks, and it is going to change a few things on the island.  They will be opening in Klong Son, Chai Chet at Coconut Plaza and Klong Prao- just down from the Temple. They will not be the huge type you see on the mainland but instead a small version called “Express”.  Local businesses are worried that their profits will drop through the floor as Tesco-Lotus will offer, they say, lower prices and be a direct threat to their business.  People though are saying prices on the island have been insane for a long time, with many shops simply driving to Trat or Chantaburi, buying at full retail at Macro and Tesco-Lotus then simply marking up the prices on the island a good 30+ percent.  People on Koh Chang have been a “captive market” for a long time and it seems few businesses have tried to make, maintain or cater to anything except their bottom line. Now they are worried that the gouging good days are almost over… and they might have to compete.  And that’s a worry for a lot of businesses to say the least.  The excuse has always been that because Koh Chang is an island they need to charge a lot more because the ferry costs so much and the time etc… It was hard to see the excuse though considering that a whole truck load of stuff can cost so much more because of a 1 hour drive and a couple of hundred Baht for ferry fees… In Bangkok it’s a three hour ride just across town… but prices are the same everywhere still.  The fact of the matter is that the days of marking up and making people pay through the nose may have come to the end here and hopefully prices for everyone will come down. Let’s face it, it has been cheaper to make a day trip to Macro in Chantaburi with a couple of friends and stock up; rather than buy on the island.   Too many businesses have blatantly being ripping people off for years and have relied on the fact they can – as most people don’t have the time to get to the mainland on a daily basis. It has also made for some really lazy businesses on the island. Instead of finding wholesalers, dealing with stock levels and such they just pop into Trat or Chantaburi and buy what they need every week…   One shop went even went to the depths of scamming by removing the “Buy 6 – get 1 Free” coupons on the side of children’s diapers on one occasion. The shop themselves were cutting off the coupons and cashing them in for themselves! Yeah, they are really worried about Tesco-Lotus coming here. The gravy train is almost over…   Not to mention the “Special Falang” prices that have been in place for years at many places. Nothing like the Thai national ahead of you getting something for 20-30% less. At least at Lotus the price is posted and there is no bargaining.  But not all shops are worried, many have been involved with customer service, fair prices and return policies that have made them loyal customers over the years. Well, we heard there was one like that… maybe…  We here at the Sun are happy to see that we can perhaps get a fair price on goods and essentials. If smaller shops close all we can say it serves them right for being so greedy over the years.

Robert

The Koh Chang Sun - The Real Koh Chang Guide

A tragic accident occurred on White Sands Beach yesterday. A family of four was wading in the waves during rough seas and two children were caught in a rip tide and washed out to sea. The father of the family tried to rescue his children and was drowned trying to save them. One child died and one is in critical condition in Trat Hospital. Let’s face some facts about Koh Chang and deal with it in a calm and rational matter. Rip tides are a fact of life and we need to realize this as a community before any other family has to go through this tragedy again.  And it is going to happen again and again until we, as a community, get some safe guards into place. The simple solution is to simply start a volunteer group with a bit of rescue kit and have these simple life saving devices on the beach. A bit of training and this problem will not have to occur again. If you are interested in starting this drop me a line. One of my skills is as a member of CALSARA, with Canadian Search and Rescue. I am more than willing to help get this going. Of perhaps we can just let this happen again. It is up to us.

Robert

The Koh Chang Sun - The Real Koh Chang Guide

Q: I was over in Pattaya for the weekend at my favorite go-go bar and amazingly came across a great girl who is an expert in resort management and personal finance. She has only been at the go-go bar for three weeks and I was thinking about hiring her to manage my resort and restaurant while I am back in Sweden. I will be gone for about four months and need someone to run the place. Question is – what wage would be good per month for a position like this? A: Well, that’s a good question. If your resort is worth say 2 million Bht with everything in it then you might as well make her wage around about 2 million Bht. Hiring her of course will open up the opportunity to replace everything in the resort (including your bank account) and let you redesign the whole place when you get back… Excellent idea, be sure to also hire her friends to “help” her “manage” the place. Q:  I would like to move to Koh Chang, but here is the problem. I don’t like Thai food, I don’t overly like anyone who is not from my country, I really don’t want to learn to speak nor understand the language, I need the same groceries I can get here in Bristol, England and I really don’t want to meet anyone who is again – not from my country. How well do you think I will fit in there? A: Surprisingly you will find quite a few friends here. They might not be exactly from the same area of the world as you, but you will have a whole group of ex-pats to hang with. No worries though tea is sold here, although we rest assured the cup it is served in will suck. You see the cup is made in Thailand – none of them like anything about Thailand. I’m not really sure why they are here… but they are! A: My neighbors have a nice little bamboo bar that seems to be doing ok. I measured my front walk and I could do exactly the same – actually I am going to do exactly the same. Is it legal in Thailand to also have the same name on the sign? Q: You live in Chai Chet – don’t you?

Robert

The Koh Chang Sun - The Real Koh Chang Guide

Songkran in Koh Chang is coming to an end tomorrow and after that we should be making the slow but inevitable slide into the Green Season. The island will be getting quiet, ex-pats will be on flights home and the storm clouds will be getting thicker and blacker. This year saw an increase in motorcar traffic and of course everyone had specials, events, dances etc… on. Songkran is actually the Thai New Year celebration and like many across the world it follows in the tradition of the spring equinox, and coinciding with the rainy season, it was considered a holy time as the rain is coming and that means the rice will start to grow. It started out as small celebration with water droplets being sprinkled as a blessing to people but that morphed into a full blown soaking, 10 days of 24 hour parties in Pattaya and some other place and of course a sharp increase in vehicle accidents, drunk driving and other fun past-times that occur with too much party and too much drinking. Not the best combination when driving a motorcycle on the island. So we thought a  small list of Songkran Survival Skills might be in place:   Songkran Manners: Although a lot of tourists don’t understand the whole festival it is good to have manners here and respect people. Please be aware that many people are carrying small children and they should not be shot with a hose. It tends to terrify them… Also Songkran on Koh Chang ends at sunset, it does not go all day and night like some places. So if you don’t want to get wet, just head out after sundown.

Robert

The Koh Chang Sun - The Real Koh Chang Guide

This afternoon the reports started coming in that there was massive earthquake off Banda Aceh Indonesia in roughly the same place as the devastating tsunami 2004 had taken place. The good news was that a lot worked to make this a good day… People were scared, that was a reality and they moved to high ground all up and down the west coast of Thailand and other areas touched by the Indian Ocean. The good news was the earthquake had happened on a horizontal level; that is where the ground moved horizontally and does not displace much water. The deadly displacement quakes are what cause a massive tsunami. This was not one. Okay, so why was this good? First off it was the fact that all the earthquakes and after-shocks caused little water displacement and that meant not much of a tsunami, in short and thankfully, nothing that was close to the 2004 devastation happened today. Second: The systems that were put into place have actually had a huge stress test – and they worked. Mass panic did not take place, people evacuated properly and all was good. This can now save even more lives if and when the next real tsunami hits. All the emergency personnel have been through this very real test and will be able to hone their skills and have even better plans if they ever need to pout them to use. People were scared, and I am sure that a lot of the survivors from the devastating 2004 tsunami are going to be having horrible flashbacks now the fake pictures and videos have started, but all is well on this side of the world. In a sense this was all a good thing. Since we are Koh Chang based we want to add this. There is very little chance of Koh Chang ever being able to have a tsunami as we are on the east side of Thailand and as such, it is just impossible to happen here.

Robert

The Koh Chang Sun - The Real Koh Chang Guide

Tsunami warning for the west coast, of Thailand. Including: THAILAND:PHUKET, PHRA-THONG KO-TARUTAO and ANDAMAN Islands. Koh Chang is NOT in the area and is NOT under threat. This is an advisory for the west coast of Thailand and the Andaman Island Area. An 8.9 earthquake has happened at Aceh, Indonesia. Thai authorities are suggesting evacuations and to be on the lookout for a possible tsunami. More information at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17675399 http://ptwc.weather.gov/ptwc/?region=3&id=indian.TSUIOX.2012.04.11.0845 Repeat: Koh Chang is not under threat. West Coast evacuation is suggested at this time.  

Robert

The Koh Chang Sun - The Real Koh Chang Guide

The Food & Fun Festival came back to Koh Chang again and so we popped down to see what all the fuss was about just at the north end of Klong Prao. You cannot miss it by the sheer numbers of flashing lights and parked bikes all along the road… If you’re looking for brass knuckles, samurai swords, oranges, Dragon fruit, grilled octopus, electric oxen, dazzling clothing, “Ding Fong” drinks, grilled chicken, plastic toys, mattresses, umbrellas, a funny T-shirt,  crossbows, sunglasses, Chinese watches, wild rice dishes, hot dogs on a stick or just want to play a few rounds of pop-the-balloon… this is the place to be on the island… Actually just head down and see what they have and what small items that are actually on sale… always a good time just for the sheer bulk of things you forgot to get last year. Like a crossbow, forgot to get the crossbow and the brass knuckles last year – they are still in stock this year though thank goodness! It will make a great addition to our collection of medieval home defense systems. We were also able to pick up sushi for just 5 Baht a piece and it was pretty good… Of course there is a  lot of food and small stage at the end with a beer garden to sit, have some entertainment and slug back a Singha and a grilled octopus if you are up for that. The real part of the Festival is the chance to run into people you know and actually have a good time. We do like pop the balloon and there are some good deals on the cheaper end T-shirts, shoes and clothing for sure. And if you need some kitchen bowls and plates this has to the largest store on the island to get all that at. Tomorrow is the last night so be sure to head down and actually see some cool things and meet some friends.

Robert

The Koh Chang Sun - The Real Koh Chang Guide

Q: Dear Sun: I came down to Koh Chang for two weeks in December and could not believe the great deal I go on a small restaurant. It was over 100 square meters and included a fry pan, seven tables and 10 stools for only 3 million Bht! The owner has mentioned that for only a payment of 20,000 Bht more I can get the Coke fridge. Is this a good deal? A: Please contact us as soon as possible – we have another restaurant for you for only 2 million Bht. It has 11 stools! Q: Dear Sun: I have had a great time on Koh Chang, the best part was being able to walk around in my speedo all over the island without a shirt. Being 75 years old I found this so very liberating! Thailand is so relaxed! My question though is that I do like to wear socks with my sandals – is this fashionable? A: Please vacation in Cambodia. We can arrange all transport there. For free, no worries, please  let us…

Robert

The Koh Chang Sun - The Real Koh Chang Guide

Long story short – avoided the police spot check and found religion… Well, maybe a bit longer update might be able to help to understand that all. While driving into Kai Bae we decided to crank on the brakes, graze over a few bumps just outside Bottom Up Bar, avoid a sleeping dog and zip into a back alley while ignoring police whistles and stares at our un-helmeted heads. No, we were not avoiding anything, just a sudden uncontrollable urge to see what was down the alley. That happens sometimes when we see flashing red lights. Nothing strange there. We raced down the alley and stopped when a small group of people waved us over to their porch and we greeted with warm smiles – at the Christian Center. Yes, there is one here on the island. Seems that there are a few new people on the island and they are a rare breed. They are converted Buddhist Thais, who have found solace,  Jesus and a new religion in Baptist Christianity. They are actively setting up a new mission here on the island and are trying their level best to spread the word of Jesus here on the island. What we found interesting was their diverse background and obvious deep faith that binds them together. Some have been through a lot with their faith at the same time saving them and also for some being ostracized from their families. A couple have come from backgrounds that they were not good for them and change was needed, some just simply like their newfound faith. We asked them what the difference was between Buddhism for them and Christianity and the answers were surprising.  The main clergy member, although not a minister, but instead the missions founder has been a Christian for many years and is originally from Chiapoom, then Pattaya and then to Koh Chang. She says that Buddhism is not a happy way for her and Christianity it far less rigid and offers more freedom than Buddhism and that many Thai people although well versed in the rituals and such pay little attention as to what they actually do – they just do. She says it is not for her and the Bible and Jesus have changed her life for the better. The promise of redemption, forgiveness and Heaven hit a deep chord within them and they all converted along the way. They use the Gideons Bibles that have come to Thailand and they say that actually finding a Thai Bible can be quite hard. We noticed that there copies were well used and read, not too shiny and definitely one of their most cherished possessions. She says that being a Christian has made forgiving people easier for her and that in Thailand for many, although Buddhist – forgiveness comes very hard and not very easy… She says for her that she finds this a much better way. It makes her heart a better place. To be honest they were a small group of people. They reckon there are about 40 Thai Christians on the whole island and in Trat about 400. Trat even has a minister for baptisms who can come to the island, but with their new mission to observe their Sunday worship it has become a lot better than heading out for a long day trip every time to go to church. Now with their new mission they can have a fellowship and worship together with a lot more ease. Say what you will about anyone’s religion, we can honestly say that meeting people with a deep faith like this was nothing short of refreshing. Unexpected and refreshing, they were all very kind people. It was very nice to meet them. They welcome visitors and have a Sunday service. Call 084-352-4083 for more information.

Robert

The Koh Chang Sun - The Real Koh Chang Guide

It has been quite a while since the massive bumps, pot-holes and overall mess of White Sands main road have been fixed. But, they are finally here and repaving a massive section through all of White Sands. They started with what will hopefully be a better and much upgraded storm drain system, although we are still trying to get a number of how many people fell into the repairs just outside the bars area, that should improve the river like effect that was happening during the rainy season. Now the crews have moved onto doing a much needed re-pavement of the main road. Which means no more rough rides and broken wheels when hitting a pot-hole. Not to mention cracked teeth and minor accidents as scooters and cars played avoid-the-hole in the last few months. It has been a long time coming, but it is looking great. Never thought we would be so happy to see a few trucks and smile at the smell of asphalt… Great news sometimes comes in strange forms, happy driving!

Robert