Islanda in the sun

Thailand: it seems the travel industry – along with many other sectors – could be on the road to recovery with the airport siege being resolved. But business has already has already taken a massive hit, running into millions a day since the siege started.

So anybody doing business in southeast Asia – think about this little gem as an incentive/meetings venue with a difference. The Islanda resort is utterly charming and the perfect place for some “blue sky” thinking.

Islanda Resort, Koh Klang, Krabi

A five minute long-tail boat ride from the mainland town of Krabi, the island of Koh Klang is a step back in time: buffalo standing in vivid green rice fields, and no cars – the largest vehicle on the island is the resort’s ornate tuk tuk. Alarmingly young children whizz around expertly riding motorbikes.

The resort is blissfully peaceful and has a conference room which can host up to 50 delegates. The large infinity pool is definitely the place to recharge between brainstorming sessions.

A few minutes away on the mainland, the Maritime Park & Spa Resort, owned by the same group, has a convention centre which can host up to 1,000 – and its conveniently close to Krabi airport.

Perhaps a creative events organiser could use the little sister resort on the island as an exotic and exclusive breakout room?

Meeting in Phuket: more conference/events news from Thailand here

Escape to Malaysia

Bangkok airport siege day 4: We’ve now hatched a plan to travel down to Malaysia by road and catch a flight from Kuala Lumpur.

The situation is as deadlocked as ever with both sides deeply entrenched, and the army seemingly unwilling to do the PM’s bidding and get heavy with the protestors.

The staff and management here at the Pakasai resort in Krabi have been incredible, helping in every way, including booking our flights from KL and tomorrow driving us the four hours to the border to meet our coach – everything done with friendliness and good humour. All those clichés about Thai hospitality are true.

The tourist trade is being hit heavily, to the tune of millions of dollars a day. Visiting the Maritime Park & Spa Resort today, the owner, Khun Pimrapee (who owns four resorts including this place) told me occupancy at the Maritime is booked for around 80% – but it’s currently under 30%.

There are an estimated 100,000 people stranded in Bangkok.