Koh Yao - Opening An 'Eco' Lodge

[simon43]

I'd appreciate feedback and comments from forum members who have visited Koh Yao (Noi and Yai).

My hotel/guesthouse businesses are going well, for both properties in Phuket and Ao Nang. Looking at a map of the region, it's interesting that these islands lie midway between my existing properties, with regular ferries/longtails to/from north Phuket (Bang rong) and Ao Nang (Tha lin)

I've taken hotel customers many times to the ferry at Bong Rong, but never made the journey over to Koh Yao.

I do know that there are several new 5-star resorts, as well as a few guesthouses with online presence, and no doubt there are a multitude of local guesthouses that do not have an online presence.

My idea would be to open a small eco-lodge which, due to it's location between my 2 other properties, would enable me to offer 2/3 center holidays or short breaks.

I am very keen on the idea of constructing a property of this type, and I spent 3 months in PDR Lao last year investigating such opportunities. But it makes better business sense if I can establish an eco-lodge nearer to 'home'.

I'm not concerned about buying land on these islands - it would have to be long-term lease, say 20 years, (exactly as my other properties). (Does land on the islands have recognised titles, such as Chanote or NS3G/NS3?)

I will make my first visit to Koh Yao in the next week or two, but I'd appreciate any feedback to help me to identify a good location to base this eco-lodge.

For example, I think the car ferry only goes to Koh Yao Yai - which is important if bulky supplies need to be brought in. What about landline internet access? Does it exist?

(I'm aware of factors such as the lack of beer etc, but that situation seems similar to the muslim village where I live near to Ao Nang, where drinking alcohol is quite acceptable if it's done indoors).

The lack of tourists does not concern me - provide a clean and interesting place to stay and tourists will come.

Simon

[SamKong]

After one trip to KYN, you'll realize there is no shortage of tourists; there's plenty of beer and that the island is becoming saturated with bungalow operations. The internet is okay so long as it doesn't rain. The ferries and speed boats run nearly every hour now and you can't find a 3-4 hour long tail boat cruise for under 1,500 THB (you used to get an all-day tour for that).

The place used to be terrific: dirt roads, very few cars, moderate pricing and very friendly people. Over the past four years however (ever since Evason came in), it's started its downward spiral into the abyss of environmental degradation, opportunistic business practices and total loss of character. Let your customers stay at a current bungalow operation and take a commission off of their prices.

Exactly what type of "eco" practices would you bring to your bungalow operation? Please tell me it would be more meaningful than what the island's other operations claims to do. Their practices have been what some of us familiar with real eco-tourism call "green washing"--nothing but lip service to the environment.

If you do end up trying to do business there, be sure to cover your backside. I personally know three different investors who've sunk loads of money into projects, only to have KYN's goalposts moved. The results have not been good: ex-pats 0, KYN land owners 3.

You should have got in ten years ago when a rai of land was selling for a few hundred-thousand baht.

[simon43]

Hi SamKong, thanks for your useful comments:

Firstly, I emphasuze again that I'm not interested in buying any land for this project. I do not have the money and even if I did, it would not fit in with my existing and future business plans. If leased land with 'title' cannot be found AND the land lease registered at the land office - then I'm not interested...

I agree that the term 'eco' is much abused. I'm familiar with what makes an eco resort, since I was required to adhere to some very strict guidelines for the projects in PDR Lao. (I already implemented various 'eco' ideas 5 years ago at my first hotel ==> waste treatment etc).

I'm not interested in sending my existing customers to another business - that provides only a very short-term financial benefit to me. It makes much better business sense for me to construct my own eco lodge, using building methods that enable me to remove the property at a later stage if I wish to.

This is purely a family business - expanding on our existing 2 small guesthouses/resorts so that we can offer a choice of different places to stay within a small but geographically-varied area.

Any comments about the differences between the 2 islands? Yao Yai looks to me more undeveloped, although I understand that the Bang rong ferry only goes to Yao Noi (is that correct?)

I remember the low price of land on these islands 9 years ago! But as I said, buying land, even via my trading Thai company, is definitely not part of my plans.

Simon

[SamKong]

the bang rong ferry always stops at KYY. that's where you'll find your shortage of beers, white skin and nightlife. if you really wish to go eco, look at KYY or the west coast of KYN. the east coast is fairly saturated.

buying land on KYN or not, doing business there is cut throat--the sea kayaking industry being the island's most famous example of that.

Edited February 27, 2011 by SamKong

[simon43]

SamKong - which village/pier on KYY does the Bang Rong ferry stop at? It is not indicated in any of the online timetables.

KYY is a preferred location. I will go over for a few days to check things out next week. Is it easy to rent a motorbike on KYY or KYN - and is a crash helmet provided?

Thanks

Simon

[SamKong]

The pier at KYY is called Kong Hia--carefull with that last word

If you go from Bang Rong and take a long tail, you can bring your motorbike with you for 150 THB (helmet at no charge!). The boat will automatically stop at KYY and KYN is always the second stop. Simply tell the boat men at Bang Rong that you wish to get off at KYY and they'll sort you out. Estimated journey time is 1 hr and the last boat back to Phuket leaves the pier around 4pm--perhaps later now, I'm not sure.

If you're traveling with a female companion and wish to make a good impression, she ought to be dressed very conservatively. This is not the case on KYN where the locals are much, much more acquainted with Western traffic.

PM me for any specific info.

[simon43]

Actually, I will travel neither with a motorbike, nor with a woman! I want to rent a motorbike on KYY if possible, and if I do so, then I will need a crash helmet.

As for the conservative population, that's not new to me - I live in a muslim village just outside of Ao Nang, so tend not to bare my chest outdoors - and nor does my wife

Simon

[SamKong]

okay simon. looks like with you're heathy sense of humor and knowlege, you'll be able to manage. i'm not sure where to rent a motorbike on KYY. i've always brought mine with me and never been in the market to rent while there. good luck.