Birds of Thong Nai Pan

The double bay of Thong Nai Pan is backed by a series of hills covered in jungle. Other than the occasional residential villa this jungle is free of human interference. There are a wealth of animals living near the beaches of Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai. 

Anyone who has stayed at the Panviman will have noticed the monitor lizards sunning themselves on the rocks by the edge of the swimming pool dining area. Most of the other animals in the area keep to the jungle as there is plenty of food to be had. When the animals don’t start making forays into human habitation it is a sign that the surrounding eco-system is healthy.

One of the more spectacular demonstrations of that are the big birds to be spotted in Thong Nai Pan. They are often to be seen soaring on the thermals created by the hills behind. They feed on snakes, mice and other rodent-like creatures. 

An investigation into naming these birds has been carried out recently from Sunrise Villa. The balcony from the villa is at the top of a hill and the surrounding area is very quiet and a haven for birds to gather.

These are the spotting results. The pictures are from elsewhere on the net. It is notoriously hard to get a good photo of a bird without a big telescopic lens.

Black Eagle

 

This is a large bird that is identified by its widely splayed and long primary fingers. They hunt mammals and birds.

The Greater Racket Tailed Drongo

 

Few birds have such a charming name! These birds have distinctive elongated outer tails. They are able to make a wide range of calls; they can even imitate the call of other birds. These drongos are found all over Asia and vary a lot in appearance due to genetic drift.

Sea Eagle

 

Sea Eagles are some of Thailand’s largest birds. They live a long time by bird standards and are slow to reproduce. Obviously, the coastline next to Thong Nai Pan Bay has waters rich in fish.

Shikra

 

A shikra is similar in appearance to a sparrow hawk. Their calls are imitated by drongos. This bird has short rounded wings and a narrow long tail. The average shikra is about 30 cm long. They feed on rodents, squirrels, small birds and insects.

It is hoped that at some point a twitcher or birder will come to stay at Thong Nai Pan and make a more thorough study of the birds of Thong Nai Pan. It is this kind of information that helps to make people more interested and connected with nature. By knowing more about the jungle, it is hoped that the task of preserving it is made easier.

Da Man

Have you ever wondered who the man is that is responsible for taking over half of Thong Nai Pan Noi beach front? The man who OKed a champagne bar, signed off on chopping down the palms overhanging the sands and even blew up granite rocks to squeeze dozens of supposedly boutique villas into the expansive Rasananda Resort and Spa? No need to wonder anymore. Da man is William E. Heinecke.

William E. Heinecke was born an American and is now a Thai – well he probably has both passports. He is one of the richest men in Thailand. Despite his incredible fortune he can’t afford a razor or get a decent haircut; but notice the bling on his right wrist.

He is the CEO of Minor International Plc. or MINT. It is one of the largest hospitality and leisure companies in the Asia-Pacific Region. MINT has over 70 hotels, 1,200 restaurants and 200 retail trading outlets in the region. MINT also owns several popular junk food brands that range from ice cream to pizza.

As for Da Man in Thong Nai Pan Noi, he owns the Baan Panburi that used to be the big wheel on the TNP Noi but is now a small player on Yai. Obviously the success of Baan Panburi Village convinced MINT of upgrading their operation. The result was Rasananda. I thought it was a one-off resort done with a modicum of flair and the color red. When it changed to Anantara Rasanada the truth became apparent. The place was one of many.

I wonder if big Bill H used to do the Monday parties at the Jungle Bar or play pool at the Flip Flop. Has he ever stopped in for a Handsome burger before hitting the sack? Or, since he is Thai, does he enjoy Sum Tum with extra chillies and perhaps fermented prawns on the side?

Thong Nai Pan Airport

The sign says: "Thank you Mr. Phum for supporting Kan Air to arrive in Koh Phangan."

The rumours about Koh Phangan getting an airport come around every year. It seems to be like the rainy season – an annual event. Speculation is also partly fuelled by developers who want to sell villas. The prospect of an airport anywhere in Koh Phangan would surely drive the value of villas and land up on Koh Phangan.

As with all good rumours there is a touch of conspiracy in the mix. Bangkok Airways that own Koh Samui airport have for years been overcharging for their Samui to Bangkok flights. These flights serve people not only who want to go to Koh Samui, but also Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. This lucrative monopoly would end if Koh Phangan got their own airport (unless it was also run by Bangkok Airways). And hence the conspiracy that Bangkok Airways have used their influence in the past to stop permission being given for Koh Phangan airport.

The other aspect to the back story is the lack of flat land on Koh Phangan, other than beaches. Jokes abound about using planes that can land in the water or reclaiming some land for an airstrip.

However, there is land being cleared between Than Sadet and Thong Nai Pan. There is flat land in this area. Moreover, the road now between Than Sadet and Thong Nai Pan is the best on the island.

For those who think that Koh Phangan will never be a 5 star destination and that the hotels on Koh Phangan aren’t that great, I humbly beg to differ. The evidence on the ground says a different story.

Koh Samui is over developed and has a jaded look to several parts of it. Most of the people who go to Chaweng are not the upper classes. It is more like an Ibiza crowd who want to get drunk and buy relationships with pretty Thai girls. Despite the Conrad Hotel and the Amari Palm Reef Hotel it is wrong to presume that all the rich folks go to Koh Samui on their holidays. Back in the 90s and noughties lots of ex-pats set up on the island and hence the big supermarkets, hospitals and schools. It is ex-pats, footballers and package tourists that have fuelled the Koh Samui boom. David Beckham might have bought a villa in Koh Samui but I doubt very much that he spends much time on the island.

The rich move on. They want something new. They want exciting and beautiful locations just as much as luxury resorts. Rasananda despite the high prices for their bungalows on the beach runs at nearly full capacity, so does Panviman and Santhiya When I was on Thong Nai Pan Noi beach last Christmas and New Year I was surrounded by people with posh accents.

Bantai and Haad Rin might be predominately populated with full mooners, half mooners etc. but that is not the case with Thong Nai Pan. It has two outstanding beaches and isn’t ruined by over-development. Than Sadet is another beautiful beach with an historic waterfall. The only reason Than Sadet doesn’t have a Rasananda is because the locals don’t want to sell up.

A small airfield between Than Sadet and Thong Nai Pan doesn’t seem that far-fetched to me. The scoffers said there would never be a Tesco in Koh Phangan. They were wrong about that.

The source of this rumour: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/539702-koh-phangan-airport/