What Future For Aonang?

[galilee]

I ve been in Thailand for 10 years and Aonang for 3 and i was wondering why the developpement of this part of Thailand(the busiest of the Krabi province i recall) was so slow?!

Ok new international hospital, bigger airpot, 2 billions bahts convention center are coming soon but will the tourists come?

Besides what makes the tourists come to Aonang?

The beach is nice with beautiful sceneries but not cleaned, no fine sand, no water sports, no seats nor umbrellas and overcrowed by the longtail boats!

So it must be considered as a hub the islands trips ok ... but 200 bahts/boat trip to reach the beautiful Pranang/Railey is worthed once in while but to get the right to access to a decent beach ...is a bit expensive at the end and dont motivate the holidaymakers.

Nightlife? A low quality soi of girlie bars, no club, .... just a few decent bars are showing up recently but just not enough to consider the nightlife attractive here...

Maybe shopping? lol perhaps at BigC , there s no shopping mall and cineplex with english version movies by the way.

Temples? humm Wat tam suea maybe

Add to that, like any other touristic places in Thailand, touts are more visible and less bearable, the tuk tuk , taxis and longtail boats rip offs ect...

Dont be wrong, i like Aonang despite my post but what will be its future in your opinion?

[taninthai]

Ao nangs future is sealed as a two week package tour destination mainly for scandanavians they love the place when you walk along the beach away from the road its alittle better but still not brilliant as for rows an rows off chairs and umbrellas coupled with water sports is not whats needed and would make it worse in my opinion ,been around ao nang for five years can't say I really like the place actually prefer it in low season when all the tourists are not about I don't live in ao nang but by 1 off the other beaches which are completely undeveloped

But as you say I think the main draw for tourists is the surrounding islands and scenery

Edited July 18, 2011 by taninthai

[grumpyoldman]

But as you say I think the main draw for tourists is the surrounding islands and scenery

As I posted in another thread here, I don't think Ao Nang is a destination as much as it is a launching point.

Sure, I mean there are the Tiger airline package deals for the Singaporeans for a weekend getaway, but overall what I see is people there for two days to kill their jet lag and then it's off to Lanta, Koh Lipe, Koh Jum, Koh Mook etc.

Future of Ao Nang? You're already looking at it, 7/11, MacDonalds, Burger King (on the waterfront!), Pizza Hut, Subway, Starbucks, the future is those Thai landowners in Ao Nang renting to whoever will pay the most, thus chain nightmares.

I see more of a future in Hat Napparat waterfront, the Takola Marina should be interesting.

[LivinginKata]

Future of Ao Nang? You're already looking at it, 7/11, MacDonalds, Burger King (on the waterfront!), Pizza Hut, Subway, Starbucks, the future is those Thai landowners in Ao Nang renting to whoever will pay the most, thus chain nightmares.

I agree with that. Much the same as any other popular resort. Ao Nang's future will be just fine, just hope that it does not become too over developed, but that's a hopeless thought.

[klongmuang]

I doubt Ao Nang has a future. Greedy land owners over charging rents. Look at the stretch between Last Fisherman's and Last Cafe. The worst Italian beach looks better. Hundereds of plastic chairs lined up in rows and there you've your view. Indeed, the massage ladies are providing you with good services, drinks, fruits, etc. Is this the holiday you want ? Ao Nang is still better than Patong and fortunately the jet skis are still now allowed and hopefully it will remain like that. On the other hand you have all the longtail boats lining up the beach and once in motion all it's noise. It's an island launching, but the past season clearly showed, the tourists coming here are money conscious, don't pay for the in the meantime expensive longtail boat rides, buy the lunches/dinner at the numerous convenience stores to avoid the rather expensive restaurants. But the blame is not on the restaurant owners, but rather on the greedy landlords charging such exorbitant rents, leaving the operators no other choice than high prices to cover up. The street stalls are inexpensive and are making good money. However, compared to some years ago, the landlords also started to charge them for being allowed to sell their produce in front of their properties and these charges are raising anually, as well.

[powerof1]

I doubt Ao Nang has a future. Greedy land owners over charging rents. Look at the stretch between Last Fisherman's and Last Cafe. The worst Italian beach looks better. Hundereds of plastic chairs lined up in rows and there you've your view. Indeed, the massage ladies are providing you with good services, drinks, fruits, etc. Is this the holiday you want ? Ao Nang is still better than Patong and fortunately the jet skis are still now allowed and hopefully it will remain like that. On the other hand you have all the longtail boats lining up the beach and once in motion all it's noise. It's an island launching, but the past season clearly showed, the tourists coming here are money conscious, don't pay for the in the meantime expensive longtail boat rides, buy the lunches/dinner at the numerous convenience stores to avoid the rather expensive restaurants. But the blame is not on the restaurant owners, but rather on the greedy landlords charging such exorbitant rents, leaving the operators no other choice than high prices to cover up. The street stalls are inexpensive and are making good money. However, compared to some years ago, the landlords also started to charge them for being allowed to sell their produce in front of their properties and these charges are raising anually, as well.

Good post "Popeye"!

I have lived in Ao Nang for 3 years now and love it here. I was living in Rawai, Phuket, for 3 years before that, I did like it there but much prefer the Krabi area. I try to identify the positives and negatives of my surrounding area and then focus on these positives and avoid the negatives. What never ceases to amaze me is the on-going construction and openings of more resorts, hotels and bungalows here when it is obvious that there is not enough tourist numbers to support this. Unsustainable. It becomes a real jungle for survival.

I really love the outdoors and landscape of Krabi. So for me keeping fit, cycling, rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, swimming etc. is all on the doorstep here. When I want to go to Tonsai,Railay and Phranang beaches' I have a kayak and paddle across. Doesn't take long and the scenery still takes the breath away every time. Don't have to worry about the noisey boats and over charging. All these activities are free which makes it even sweeter.

I think the future is a good one for Ao Nang and the surrounding area providing it doesn't become so over-developed like parts of Phuket. And you don't want a Bangla Rd type crowd setting up here. At the end of the day in order to enjoy your lifestyle here it all comes down to the decisions you make and your outlook on life. The law of the jungle applies: there are going to be people that are financial casualties along the way when they are caught up in the "dreamy" side of life here with the prospect of endless opportunity. Most of these people whose dreams then die become pessimists and cynics. Trying to compete down in the busy part of town becomes cut-throat. Rents are ridiculously high and landlords ever-greedy. I don't like the in your face aspect of the business part of Ao Nang which is typical of tourists traps the world over. There's a negative there -I don't like the touts and other pests so I avoid them as best I can .

Anyway, that's my 2 baht from a long time reader and first time poster!

[grumpyoldman]

I doubt Ao Nang has a future. Greedy land owners over charging rents.

Good post "Popeye"!

I have lived in Ao Nang for 3 years now and love it here. I was living in Rawai, Phuket, for 3 years before that, I did like it there but much prefer the Krabi area.

I really love the outdoors and landscape of Krabi. So for me keeping fit, cycling, rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, swimming etc. is all on the doorstep here. When I want to go to Tonsai,Railay and Phranang beaches' I have a kayak and paddle across.

Anyway, that's my 2 baht from a long time reader and first time poster!

Great post powerof1. Sounds like you have made a comfortable transition.

Do you spend any time in Krabi Town? Take a paddle on the river?

[powerof1]

Thanks GOM, sometimes I go into Walking St Market on a saturday evening with the family for a wander, bite to eat and maybe a cold one at the little bar near the jumping castle. There's a good atmosphere about and good for a people watch and some casual conversations.

I also like Thara Park for a jog or cycle around. There are a few tennis courts there that are free to use so I hope to get a couple of cheap rackets for a hit up.

I've paddled around the mangrove waterways from Sai Thai and Lam Pho past the passenger pier and Chao Fa pier but not too much further into the mouth of the river as yet but will definitely get around to exploring there more in the coming years.

I have a number of favourite mountain hikes that I have discovered in my time here. I could keep on finding new one's every week for the next 50 years -there's that many of them! Some magical caves and freshwater streams around the place too. The thing is that you will not find many them on the map, you have to go out in search of them which makes it all the more rewarding.

Hope to see you on the wall one day for the sunset 'happy hour"

Good post "Popeye"!

I have lived in Ao Nang for 3 years now and love it here. I was living in Rawai, Phuket, for 3 years before that, I did like it there but much prefer the Krabi area.

I really love the outdoors and landscape of Krabi. So for me keeping fit, cycling, rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, swimming etc. is all on the doorstep here. When I want to go to Tonsai,Railay and Phranang beaches' I have a kayak and paddle across.

Anyway, that's my 2 baht from a long time reader and first time poster!

Great post powerof1. Sounds like you have made a comfortable transition.

Do you spend any time in Krabi Town? Take a paddle on the river?