I wish the Greenies would focus their energies on the pollution on this island instead of something that MIGHT happen at sea over the horizon. As if the Sarann Resort which was permitted to build atop a living reef wasn't bad enough, now a restaurant is being built directly on the beach next door ! And next time you are on the ferry, just look at the entire hillsides on the South West of the island being demolished by the Conrad group and also...........

Hi Crusty

You make some very good points. I wish to add something that is totally my observations and have no study base.

I amnot sure how long you have been in Thailand, so you may already know all this. If you go back 20 years most of the Islands that are tourist based now, where natural reserves. These reserves were taken over by developers illegally. They simply built resorts without any regard to law or preservation. This attracted naieve tourists who didnot understand or didnot care to understand what was happening. Then some foreigners liked it there and became expats living there, making it appear even better.

What you are seeing now is simply the supplying the demand for exotic destinations for selfish new rich middle class. Who are more interested in going back to their countries and tell of their decadant holiday on an island.

Thirty years ago Crusty all you would have got on these islands were bamboo huts no tv and cold water baths. Is that your lifestyle there or are you in condo by the sea? This isnot said to be mean just for reflection and understanding.

And in closing it would be very nice if your concerns for the islands were everyones concerns.

One last thing I lived for years on Vancouer Island and watched development change it. It was often said people arrive and like it and change it. then are first to complain when someone else arrives likes it and changes it. It is ok for them but not others.

Hi Crusty

You make some very good points. I wish to add something that is totally my observations and have no study base.

I amnot sure how long you have been in Thailand, so you may already know all this. If you go back 20 years most of the Islands that are tourist based now, where natural reserves. These reserves were taken over by developers illegally. They simply built resorts without any regard to law or preservation. This attracted naieve tourists who didnot understand or didnot care to understand what was happening. Then some foreigners liked it there and became expats living there, making it appear even better.

What you are seeing now is simply the supplying the demand for exotic destinations for selfish new rich middle class. Who are more interested in going back to their countries and tell of their decadant holiday on an island.

Thirty years ago Crusty all you would have got on these islands were bamboo huts no tv and cold water baths. Is that your lifestyle there or are you in condo by the sea? This isnot said to be mean just for reflection and understanding.

And in closing it would be very nice if your concerns for the islands were everyones concerns.

One last thing I lived for years on Vancouer Island and watched development change it. It was often said people arrive and like it and change it. then are first to complain when someone else arrives likes it and changes it. It is ok for them but not others.

I WAS here 30 years ago, renting a B60/day bamboo hut at First Bungalows, the evenings entertainment was folk songs around a fire on the beach. I have slides of that period and North and South of our bungalows there is not a building to be seen on the beaches and I recall when developers tried to encroach on the beach and reefs, the locals would push them out. Now when these encroachers are asked how they can do that, they reply "I bought the land from The Harbour Department" Huh ?

Hi Crusty

Would love to hear your stories of times past sometime. It has been a pleasure meeting you. It appears you know whats going on and are helpless like the rest of us. We all miss those days gone by.