Reader Submission: Lord, save us from mass tourism on Koh Lanta!
I have been living on Koh Lanta for 7 years and I run the Relax-Bay resort on Phrae ae beach. Now, Koh Lanta is very beautiful, but one of the most beautiful islands? Our beach has been named one of the ten most beautiful beaches in Thailand according to the Guardian, but I have my doubts about that too.
Lanta is dirty. We clean our beach daily in the low season because of the rubbish that washes up on it. But it gets worse and worse every year. Now, we're full, so I can tell the truth. But nice articles about our island are more disadvantageous than beneficial.
More and more European tourists leave Phuket because of the too big mess and come here to ruin it now. Land prices up, food up, thefts up, etc…..
Please don't write too much about the island. Leave it as it is, those who want to visit it and make the effort to look it up, they are already coming, but Lord save us from mass tourism. That destroys everything.
Best regards,
Alain
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Totally agree with Alan,
Firstly a note my current wife worked in Relax Bay in the early 90's.
I first came to Lanta in 1993, there was literally nothing then, a few resorts here and there, mostly around Saladan and up to Long beach, then further south it became less and less and after Klong Khong there was nothing left .
At that time there was no paved road, we had to make do with a road of tamped red rock, if you had been to Lanta everyone in Krabi and Phi Phi could see that you had been to Lanta, everything was red, your shoes and your clothes eg
There was no mains electricity, each resort had its own generator, which usually went out at midnight because of the noise and saving on fuel, so no more light and fan, telephones were scarce, you had to go to a phone shop and hope that the telephone worked, mobile phones had no coverage, the original inhabitants of Lanta are most Muslim and retreated further and further into the interior, so Buddhists had to come to work and of course they took dogs with them, before we never had problems with stray dogs (dogs are unclean for most muslims) now it is dying of stray dogs there.
The "decay" (sorry to call it that, but that's how I see it) went at a rapid pace, it was discovered by mass tourism and almost all the original inhabitants sold their land to companies, with all the negative consequences that entailed, the people did not know what to do with so much money, so that became drinking, gambling and karaoke, which in no time left people on the ground and had to sell even more property
Resorts and hotels were sprung up at breakneck speed, preferably with a swimming pool, internet and all the "modern conveniences" that the average tourist demands, loud music until the middle of the night, groups of tourists who drank stupidly on the beach in the middle of the night screaming and vomiting, I have experienced being woken up by noise, there were just about ten men having sex in and around our restaurant, when I said something about it I got a big mouth; Hey this is Thailand man” with the necessary curses.
To meet the need for water, the wells were dug deeper and deeper, most of the water used is groundwater, so the island dries up and since the groundwater level fell below sea level, there was not enough time to drain the water naturally. to make it sweet (filtering through various soil and sand layers) and the island is now salinizing and it is customary to dig a well for the waste water, also from the toilet, which now also mixes unpurified with the groundwater.
Entire mountain tops were excavated to build resorts, hotels and other entertainment venues, in the beginning when I came there Lanta was still wildly overgrown, now there is still some left in the interior, approximately in the middle of the island a huge rubbish dump where everyone throws everything and which is regularly on fire, there is no waste processing system there.
I can go on if I have to but then this would become a book, every time I come back to Lanta I see how it continues to deteriorate and the people who now describe the beaches of Lanta as 1 of the 10 most beautiful in Thailand they should look further, because that is really not true anymore, 20 years ago they were probably the most beautiful beach in Thailand, but now every time I come back see how things have deteriorated with Lanta, unfortunately again one less paradise.
With a sad greeting,
Lex k.
When I read Lex's reaction, Alain's plea to the Lord to save his island from mass tourism unfortunately comes too late. Of course not only applies to Koh Lanta but actually to most Thai islands. A day out to the idyllic island of Koh Lan a few years ago, near Pattaya, nowadays gives me annoyance instead of pleasure and Koh Samet no longer attracts me. Incidentally, the accommodations on these islands are often quite expensive these days. Yet I still know nice and quiet beaches here and there in Thailand. Where they are, I selfishly keep to myself. Good luck with your resort Alain!
Excellent
Been there again 3 years ago. Lanta is really dirty. I was shocked that after so many years it is so bad with litter. It was a beautiful island but unfortunately man has ruined it again. If you also look at which majority of the population group lives there, you can also understand it.
One less earthly paradise…..
grt
Dear John,
I would like to know what you mean by this; quote “If you also look at which majority of the population group lives there, you can also understand it .” end quote.
If you are referring to the original population, the majority of whom are Muslims, your remark makes no sense at all, it is precisely the newcomers who make such a mess of it and the foreigners, Europeans, who are staying there, whether or not illegally , so without a visa, they are all after the big, fast money and they don't care about the environment
20 years ago it was a clean, tidy (Thai of course) and a typical Thai society
Most of the Muslims who inhabit the island have retreated to the interior of the island and if one were to take the trouble to visit it, one would find a very different Lanta, clean and tidy and much as it was 20 years ago, with a hospitable, warm people, where you are simply welcome, but then you have to get off that beach road.
Regards,
Lex k.
This is simply the 'circle of tourist destinations life'. Look at the history of all national and international tourist areas: the Wadden Islands, the Costa Brava and the Costa del Sol, Crete, the Canary Islands...etc etc.
The only thing that will stop the development and turn it around for the better is government intervention (eg building permits, action against all kinds of nuisance, control of quality and price), preferably in combination with and with the cooperation of the incumbent business community. That is called self-regulation. As long as there are more people who can make a profit from the tourist stream, and with a government that pursues a 'mai pen rai' policy (partly because people benefit from it themselves), the misery will only get worse.
It's a pity, but these kinds of developments cannot be stopped. It also resembles the nimby effect, wanting to live there yourself and run a resort or restaurant, but not wanting too many tourists. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Or tourists who don't want other tourists. It is true that such things can only be prevented through government intervention. That will not happen anytime soon in Thailand.
Together with my wife we are ordinary tourists, who come back to Thailand every year. This summer we were also on Koh Lanta for a week. It was extinct. I could fire a cannon and wouldn't hit anyone. My wife and I love this, but we are also in our mid fifties. For our children in their mid-twenties, this is too quiet. In addition, we rented a car for the whole week and except for one place, it looked clean everywhere on the beaches. I think during the summer holiday period there is no problem in Koh Lanta and the locals are happy that you are coming. During the other periods it will indeed be different, given the many establishments that were now closed.
I have also been to all those surrounding islands.
But there is no island without resorts or people living on it.
From afar you can hear the power generator running and all those generators are 5 meters around it full of oil.
I don't understand how they can (should) call these national parks.
They build everything full everywhere.
Ruddy
We have been to Lanta for 2013 week at the end of January in 1 and this year, and during that time it is definitely NOT overcrowded with tourists, the beaches are definitely NOT dirty, and on the rest of the island, not dirtier than on all the other islands in Thailand.
It is even very quiet there, and apart from the night market in Saladan there is not much to do in the evening.
We have ridden a moped all over the island and Koh Lanta Noi, and they are indeed 2 beautiful islands, but definitely NOT the most beautiful in Thailand.
Why do some people think that they can only keep the beautiful places on earth for themselves , together with the local population , are we tourists not all equal , or did not every expat start out as a tourist ?
It is a pity that the Thai do not have more respect for the beauty of his country, everywhere you come across illegal dumping, isomo rice trays left behind everywhere, etc.
If only they had as much respect for their country as they have for their king, or is that all just an illusion.
Gret Philip
Had been to koh samet 5 years ago, was just good,
Back to koh samet last year, so dirty it looked like a garbage belt,
Dogs poo on the beach dogs just ran loose,
At a restaurant the dog was lying on the bar, no it left after a few days,
On the beach many speedboats that quickly brought you to the mainland visa versa, hellish engine noise
It is a national park, calm and clean, too bad another nature area has been destroyed,
Also a lot of dirt in the sea, THE sea take care of it according to the residents,
Have fun reading Thailand blog,
Fri Gr han
All very hypocritical those farangs who live in Thailand. Perhaps it is true that the Thai pray to Buddha every night and pray not to let Thailand be overrun by hordes of farangs who push up real estate prices with their income that the average Thai cannot cough up, who buy up the Thai with catering establishments. running the business, the many farang who maintain the system of kickbacks to get permits done because they have the money and the average Thai does not. The many rich farangs who can afford expensive medical care, so that the same doctor shows no interest in treating his own poorer compatriots. It all sounds along the lines of “we may live in Thailand (although farang) but tourists should go elsewhere”.
Can't escape the impression that this is a disguised form of advertising to attract (more) tourists.
Commercials that evoke negative emotions do not always lead to negative associations in advance, in fact they can lead to more involvement, curiosity and interest, people will say that Koh Lanta seems interesting and unique, I will visit it soon.
Dear Charles,
you could well be right about that, because after a period of rapid development of tourism, the island is currently struggling with an overcapacity of bungalows, hotels, questhouses and other catering establishments and the catering industry now changes hands almost every year, because there is not enough money to be profitable, there are currently hotels there that dare to ask 200 to 300 euros per night.
From about the year 2000 Lanta is terribly developed, but also polluted and it was very busy the months of December to March, but it also continued to run in the quiet months, which was really not the case before, about the end of February to November, the most resorts and the residents went back to their normal work, mostly tapping rubber, but all rubber plantations are still in the hands of the original inhabitants, it's hard and dirty work, up early, etc. and those who came to Lanta to to work in tourism really don't feel like it and are therefore without work and therefore income.
Tourism has been going downhill for the last 5 years, most tourists do not find what the brochures promise, peace and an unspoilt island with a beautiful nature and underwater world, so they leave quickly, only the period around Christmas is there very busy, but it quickly collapses again, most entrepreneurs complain bitterly about the declining income, but in principle they have themselves to blame, because they have almost completely destroyed a beautiful island.
Actually, deep in my heart I'm glad that Lanta is dying of her own success, maybe we'll get the old Lanta back someday.
Yours faithfully,
lex k.
I've been following the rule for years now, to let Thailand's hidden treasures remain hidden treasures. Especially when I see how the Western tourist has killed Pai, and made a caricature of festivities such as Songkran and full moon parties. Hundreds of unsullied gems can still be found in Bangkok. Not a hair on my head thinking about letting it fall prey to tourism, by the way, the locals don't want this either.
There are dozens of very attractive and prosperous cities, where numerous sights and important religious and cultural festivities are celebrated, and attract tens of thousands of visitors, and where I am the only Westerner.
God forbid Lonely Planet, Trotter and other tourist magazines start reporting on it. Enough places in Thailand have already been killed.
Totally agree with you Henry. You mention Pai, but I could just name many other places in Thailand whose intimate character is completely changed by the hordes of tourists. I was in Pai about ten years ago, I was passing through and mainly found backpackers in Pai, I was not devastated, but tastes differ. Now I do realize that a publication on Thailand Blog will not immediately cause a run to a certain place. Actually, I am also a bit hypocritical because I enjoy reading the tips on this blog for, for example, a nice train trip from Bangkok or a nice address of a typical Thai restaurant. When I first traveled to Thailand years ago I had never heard of Songkran. Completely unexpectedly and unknowingly, on my very first day in Bangkok, I found myself in the festivities of Songkran. I didn't know what happened to me but then I enjoyed it to the fullest. Now I avoid Songkran, especially in Pattaya where the western tourists are completely crazy and that for a whole week. I also agree with Cú Chulainn's reaction, although the Thai seem very orportunistic in my opinion, there will be a number who would rather see the farang go than come. In addition to the ever-increasing prices, we also steal their wives, of which there are fortunately many. Jörg and Ruddy are also clear, national parks that are increasingly being built on (because of corruption, which is now being fought) and the lack of a vision for the future, or rules and supervision. Recently I was on Phuket again, the once wooded hills between Patong Beach and Kamela Beach are being built with hotels and resorts at an unimaginably fast pace. Everything seems to have to make way for financial gain, trees disappear like burnt matches. Alain and Lex K., despite all the bullying, I hope you can still enjoy Koh Lanta!
WOW,
I never expected it to become an article and I never expected that there would be so many reactions. Look, our company is full, from November to the end of March. Regarding income and work, I have no complaints at all. Couldn't be better. But I hadn't gone for the money. Work, yes, but also to get away from the “Modern” rushed Europe. like many. And now, that modernity is arriving with brisk steps far too quickly. I see paradise turning into a modern money economy where friendliness and genuineness are lost. My staff is very friendly, and I try to counter that in the mentality, but our customers are increasingly demanding that Thailand provides the same service and professionalism as in Europe. I had a well-known restaurant there in fashionable Knokke, so I know a thing or two about what not to do.
So I wonder why some tourists come to Thailand. And demand the same as “back home”. Totally illogical. But with the money that can be made from tourists comes greed and the mentality of the population changes; Most properties with sea view and especially along the sea have already all been sold to the wealthy class. 20 years ago: 1 rai 700.000 THB, now they ask for 20.000.000 THB ?? . But that wealth, obtained through tourism, goes to a minority. And the island changes monthly. It is still beautiful, very beautiful even, especially if you know Phuket. But compared to the past… Brrrr….
and now that the bridge is coming, ... The wild forest is already gone for the most part and the local government wants instead of narrow roads with bicycle roads next to it, as proposed by local (Thai) hoteliers, a four-lane highway and traffic lights. Only, there is not a single intersection where 4 streets end.
and that comment that the local Farangs don't want tourists makes no sense. Everything is welcome, only you have tourists and tourists. And this story is not a disguised form of publicity either. I also note that I do not mention the name of my business in any way. Given the fact that there is already such a response to my letter, I regret that I sent it. So for me the case is closed.
alain
Sorry Alan,
But in your article you say, I quote; "I have been living on Koh Lanta for 7 years and I run the Relax-Bay resort on Phrae ae beach." "I also note that I do not mention the name of my business in any way." end quote.
What is it now? Relax Bay is a well-known and one of the oldest resorts on Lanta, my wife worked there, around 1, I came there myself regularly, a good friend of ours lives right across the street and everyone on the island knows it because almost every young girl started her working life there.
I now really agree with Sir Sharles' opinion, negative messages are also advertising, I really got the idea that there was someone else who was genuinely worried about the "over development" of Lanta, but soon I will be back on Lanta and then let's put up a tree, about the ups and downs of the island.
Regards,
Lex K.