We here at the Koh Chang Sun have sat back on numerous occasions and watched the traffic flow in Kai Bae and wondered what actually a lot of people are thinking when they open a new business.
Walking up and down the main road have been more and more families and couples and less and less single men. Yet, it seems that the main businesses opening are adult bars that come and go all along the main road. To be honest Koh Chang needs another adult bar like it needs another tree in the jungle.
Yet, not all is lost as it appears that some people have actually been watching the traffic, and adapting to the times. If Koh Chang is becoming more of a family destination then these businesses are changing with the times and we want to encourage this, it makes the island less like Pattaya, more sustainable and really, more welcoming to the majority of people.
You will always find a place to party, but there may be way better development and sustainability if one plans more for families and couples and less for single-lookin-fer-love types that you find a lot in downtown Pattaya and Soi Cowboy in Bangkok.
One of the first places to head into the couples market was Mojitos Lounge where there small but intimate nightclub has zero “hostesses” and their goal was to make the place just that – a place for couples. After talking to the owner Jasper and seeing the traffic at this place it has been working out quite well for him. More or less surrounded by adult bars his place does stand out from the crowd. So we have to say – good for you!
Mak Mak also has realized that there are numerous families and very few places for them to go. Yes, one can head into any restaurant but not many offer any child friendly services or an area where Mom and Dad can relax and let the kids play – away from Mom and Dad. Now Mak Mak has installed a good play area and will continue to cater to the family crowd. This does set them apart from the rest in the neighbourhood and we wish them luck with their new venture.
The Wine Gallery has a great deck area to sample wines and just relax with no “hostess” hassles. Excellent idea and we hope the best for them. What a great idea… go there!
Nang Nual has opened a cabaret show and is doing quite good with the turnout they say. Geared towards a fun night out with the family it is gaining in popularity.
The reality is that the market is flooded with adult bars on the island and there needs to be more done for families and what they need for services, entertainment and purchases. For a lot of business or would be business owners though a bar is easy (a few stools, a fridge and you’re in…) versus the capital outlay for a real family time that may involve real furnishings, staff that can speak English etc… then again one could argue that a bamboo bar gives little back to the economy… but a family restaurant with staff and such gives a lot back.
It seems that perhaps the island is changing, and that may be for the best.
We hear a lot of times that Koh Samet, Samui and other islands have been ruined by the go-gos and the discos and the lack of family entertainment and then we hear that Koh Chang is about 10 -15 years behind them. So what will we become here? What do we want to change and what do we want to be in 10 or 15 years?
We guess the future will see what happens and hopefully we can learn from the mistakes of the other islands and develop a much better and sustainable tourism industry here.
Needless to say we probably missed what your business is doing for getting into this market, drop us a line and leave a comment just what it is you are doing…
Just a note. Does any restaurant on the island actually have high-chairs?
