The guest house and hotel owners in Haad Rin who know that even in low season they will have one very busy week per month.

Anyone who sells food and beer in Haad Rin will see a big spike once a month.

The taxi mafia.

The police who benefit from naive 'Big mama' era backpackers who still think it's 1998 and that it's safe to smoke and buy weed on the beach or those fresh of the boat (literally) who end up contributing to the police retirement fund.

The boat and speedboat operators.

To a lesser extent the other beaches/areas such as Ban Thai also benefit with the over-spill but Haad Rin is the main beneficiary. Even Samui and Tao will feel the effects and an increase in tourist numbers.

This sums it up nicely,

FMP might actually benefit those who like a less developped island as most non party goers stay away and instead go to Kho Thao / Samui... Haven't been to KPG in a couple years but went a few times and just stayed away from Had Rin, had a great time!

By the way has it developed much in the past 2 years? I heard about an airport project and some new hotels... How's life in Chakoklum these days? (sorry if name/spelling not right)

Sokhdee :-)

Not sure about Chaloklum - but I stay at Haad Mae Haad every year (at least once). It's the next beach and it's brilliant. Totally dead and nothing to do except swim, snorkel, eat, drink and relax. Going back in Feb - already booked. (By the way - I live on Samui! )

Chaloklum much the same... few of the side roads have been concreted.... still the same sleepy place...

Here's a pic of Malibu beach, just down the road.... never seems to change... only problem here if there is wind, the white sand being so fine gets places you don't want it!!!

Here's Ko Ma, at Mae Haad beach, Tropicalevo mentioned.... definitely one of the nicest beaches on the islands... generally always busy but rarely crowded ... but with sensible people!

Sad to see a jet ski there though, does do much for the little remaining coral... (taken last Friday)

Wow Jimmy - the jet ski was not there last October. There goes the neighbourhood

Wow Jimmy - the jet ski was not there last October. There goes the neighbourhood

Yep!!! ....it's something I had not seen before either !!!! .... there was actually two of them.....

Extremely dangerous too, for anyone snorkeling or diving .... Someone said they came from another beach....

They have been in and around those beaches for a couple of years but you don't see them very often. I have even seen them on Bottle Beach but the riders are usually asked to leave the beach.