Koh Chang elects a new council leader in mid-October. It is a hotly fought contest. The incumbent - candidate 1 - is competing on a platform highlighting the major public works projects that he has overseen during his tenure. These include the filling in of the drains on White Sand Beach so that it floods all the time and the construction of the bizaare "cycle lane" that is apparently slated to be extended for a further 8 kilometres. The main competitor - candidate 2 - is presumably using the fact that he had nothing to do with the above schemes to endear himself to voters.
Whatever the outcome we are eagerly anticipating the polls closing so that the slow and deafening campaign vehicles that have been driving undlessly up and down Koh Chang's road holding up traffic will finally leave us in peace.
It's interesting to note that the alcohol ban that operates for all national elections is not being enforced for this local election. The idea, one presumes, is that after a few stiff drinks voters might find a worthy candidate.

Do you see that prime example of cartographic pulchritude to the left? That's the "Koh Chang Treasure Map". It is available all over Koh Chang and is the most accurate and up-to-date map of the island.
It is actually a re-working of an earlier version that we used to sell for 100 Baht. We couldn't be bothered selling it this time though so we're giving it away, yes giving it away for nothing! With help from our valued sponsors of course who get the chance to promote their businesses on it. We make 90,000 copies every year so the island is positively flooded with copies. The front is prepared in a lovely illustrated style for which we are grateful to the mysterious artistic geniuses behind Rungthip Studios. On the back we have very detailed maps of all the beaches and villages together with useful information and numbers. If you want to be in it then contact us.

Unlike the1988 movie of the same name this Midnight Run won't be featuring Robert De Niro, or the mafia for that matter. Instead it is another opportunity to do some exercise, this time to help a very good cause. You have plenty of advance warning to prepare since the event will trake place on October 11th starting, approprately enough, at midnight from the Amari Watergate Hotel in Bangkok. Organised by Amari Watergate Hotel and BMW Thailand the proceeds from the event will be donated to two different charitable organisations; the Chalerm Prakiat HRH Princess Sirindhorn School, supporting the education of children whose parents have tragically passed away due to HIV infection and "Baan Gerda", a children's village project in Lopburi, supporting HIV infected children. Participants will be entered into a grand raffle to win airline tickets, hotel stays and a host of other prizes.
The Amari Emerald Cove Resort here on the island will be sending participants so if you would like to take part then get in touch with them and they will be happy to help you enroll.

Successful author Andrew Hicks keeps on returning to Koh Chang, the setting for his bestselling novel "Thai Girl". This visit he got a new perspective on the island. read on here

A bunch of new food options have just arrived at White Sand Beach.
If you're a bread fan you have two choices. The new B.W. Cafe at Grand View Plaza has home-made bread daily and tempting looking cakes in a comfortably furnished little cafe.
If you're feeling a bit braver then you can buy a Vietnamese baguette sandwich from the new stall at the front of the local market next to Paddy's Palms. There is only one kind of filling which is combination of strange looking meats, vegetables and other stuff that looks horrifying but tastes fantastic. Small is 20B and big is 40B so there's no excuse not to treat yourself to a big one - or two.
Coming soon, also at Grand View Plaza, is the new Mexican Baja Cantina offering, as you might imagine, all kinds of authentic Mexican cuisine. They are open from the 9th of October.

How do you fancy the idea of a stay at your own luxury Villa with a swimming pool set in huge landcaped gardens with 40 metres of private beachfront? The Villa sleeps eight guests in comfort and costs much less than four seperate rooms at one of the island's upscale resorts. Inspiration, as the place is named, is located on peaceful Pearl Beach a couple of kilometres after White Sand Beach. If you'd like more information then contact us.