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First International Music Week Koh Tao

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 01:03:27 -0600

Tonight is the first night of the first international Koh Tao Music Week! If you're on Koh Tao, don't miss the biggest music event of the year! The Koh Tao Music Week is hosted by Sawadee Cafe in Mae Haad, opposite the animal clinic. The event wiil go on for eight nights full of music and arts. The first evening will take off with Bouzzuki and Banjo Music and hot rhythms of Asto na Pai. More Highlights: Tonight Opening of the first Koh Tao Music Week with Vassilios Kourvatos from Greece - Tomorrow the 9th Special Guest Pi Noi and his violin! on the 12th of August Som Lom; a Thai Ska band that absolutely rocks! Som Lom played 3 days ago in Koh Phangan together with Job to Do and Thai Sawan in front of a thousand people. Being the last band of the Reggae Festival in Haad Yao and playing directly after the most famous band of Thailand, "Job to do" was a hard task. Som Lom managed to get the full attention of the crowd within seconds though and never stopped until there was no more energy in the five men combo! That was three hours later !! You can see Som Lom live at the Sawadee Cafe on the 12th of August, don't miss it. Sawadee Cafe also welcomes all musicians who are on Koh Tao during the Music Week! Open Mic is almost every night after Midnight.

New Visa Rules applied in Penang!

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:30:00 -0600

Every then and when the rules for visas in Thailand change a bit and it is good to be up to date wit the newest visa rules in Thailand! Here is what just happened yesterday in Penang to a guy who was going for a new tourist visa (TR Visa): "Today i arrived at bana guesthouse and I was told when I gave them my passport, that since yesterday over 30 passports were rejected for tourist visa. The reason was stated as: If you have 3 Tourist Visa's already you have to fly in your own country to get another one. I was told this by staff of bananguesthouse and can not verify it." The Embassy staff confirms the new visa rule for Penang [...]

Scuba Diving Adventure - Night Boat Salvage

Sat, 16 May 2009 19:52:02 -0600

After the old night boat sunk, there has been a lot of interest in helping out with the salvage of the boat. The boat has to be cleaned out and freed from environmental hazards like Engine Oil and Fuel, so it can become a Reef for Fish to live on and for us to go wreck diving on Koh Tao! On trip on the 16th of April, which is great. But in order to accommodate all of the divers who want to go out and get a chance to dive a new wreck site we have extended this project another day. Now we will be going out on both the 16th and 17th, and interested divers can come along to help document photograph the site and recover anything of value from the wreck. The current plan for the 2 days is as follows: Saturday, May 16th ig Blue Tech will go out in the early morning along with a members of Save Koh Tao in the Sairee Cottage speed boat to locate and mark the site with a buoy, and also to evaluate to the conditions and depth at the site and any possible hazards that need to be addressed in the briefing. Around 12 the Big Blue Boat will go out to the site with the tech team and about 15 divers who want to join in.They can supply tanks, but you will have to bring your own equipment. The 15 spots will go on a first come basis, but preference will be given to people who have been helping out regularly with Save Koh Tao projects. Sunday, May 17th The big Blue Boat will be going back out again, the plan is to recover the rest of the items and get good information about the condition of the wreck/site Anybody who would like to can go along. But, if your school has a lot of people who want to go it would be best if you can also send a boat. Currently we only have one boat going, but if more boats signed up we could get a lot more work done and allow more people to go and enjoy the dives there.

Koh Tao's Turtles have been stolen!

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:08:00 -0600

The most unbelievable things just happen! The baby turtles from the turtle nursery in Aow Leuk have been stolen with their baskets. In the night from the 27th to the 28th of April some thief stole all the baby turtles that have been brought up i the turtle conservation project of 'Save Koh Tao' and the Thai Navy. The turtle project is meant to raise turtles to a certain age, without the danger of natural predators, and then release them around the island. We urge anyone who might have seen or heard anything about the stolen turtles, to come forward and notify Save Koh Tao.

Koh Tao Underwater World Festival 2009 March 21/22

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:34:27 -0600

This year the Koh Tao UnderWaterWorld Festival will take place in Sairee again, but it will be for two days and two nights! Lots of entertainment and environmental education is on the program. A photo contest will take place, where everybody can participate and we will find out who is going to be Miss Koh Tao 2009! The festival will take off with a ceremony held by the monchs at the Rama V Monument in Sairee, followed by a parade through Sairee towards the festival area, where the Grand Opening Ceremony will be held at 11:00 am. One of the highlights will be a band well known to all who have been at last years festival, Asto na Pai is coming back to give us some more of this great gypsy music! Please have a look at the schedule and the program of the Koh Tao Festival 2009.

Center Island - A Plastic Bottle Biorock Island

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:04:22 -0700

As planed, i presented the project Center Island - A Plastic Bottle Biorock Island on the 5th of February in Chalok baan Kao. The presentation at the Save Koh Tao Meeting went well so far and i was very happy to get provided with a projector to show my presentation. I was busy planing and designing the idea during the past month, as well as busy creating the presentation itself. Now that the presentation is over and all depends on how much support the idea of building Center Island (or Koh Sun - in Thai) can get during the month to come, i have decided to publish the PowerPoint Slide show on how Center Island could be built, on the Internet. I have already uploaded the Slide show on the German language Koh Tao Magazine and now it is also available here at the Koh Tao Community Website.[...]

Marine Conservation Koh Tao 2009

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:08:56 -0700

By Chad Scott - After a nice break for the monsoon and holiday season, the Save Koh Tao Marine Branch is getting back into action for 2009. The sun is shining, the viz is getting better (slowly), and there are a lot of fun and exciting projects starting up around the island. The first Save Koh Tao meeting for 2009 will be on the 5th of January at the Chalok Ban Kao government building, 7pm. At the meeting, we will discuss this years broad goals and plans, update everybody about the Bio Rock and EMP, start discussing possible large projects, and plan the January Beach/underwater clean-up.

Running a Sailing Charter Company on Koh Tao - Thailand

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:07:12 -0600

Two years ago, when we started our sailing business as pioneers here on Koh Tao, we already knew that this won't be a walk in the park. With the lack of yacht facilities in the Gulf of Thailand, and especially on Koh Tao, only people with an extended cruising background, and the ability to improvise, could attempt to do this. During the last two years we managed to keep our boats in shape and our services up to a standard found by any other sailing charter company in Thailand.

Koh Tao Summer Camp 2008 in Mea Haad

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:43:53 -0600

After the great success of having a summer camp at Secret Garden last year, the decision has been made to DO IT AGAIN! Thanks to all the help of the Community and thanks to the help of many local and guest volunteers and especially Pi Dusit from Koh Tao Info Shop and Pi Prasit from Pr@sit internet Service and not to forget the man who made it all happen, Pi Bee who launched the project in the first place and is running for it since, we will have a summer camp again this year. The opening day will be on April 1st and the camp will stay open daily for 6 weeks until 4th of May. The summer camp will be held on a different location this year. Instead of the Secret Garden area in Sairee, this years summer camp will be held in Mae Haad at the Temple garden and at the school area just behind. The new place is more convenient for the parents because of the central location. Holding the camp here will also greatly reduce transport costs and personnel. Please take a minute to read the open letter to business owners if you run a business on Koh Tao (or you know someone who does) and the list of what is needed to get the ball rolling again....in a manner of speech.

Thai Language Lesson For Foreigners at the Koh Tao School

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:49:08 -0600

The Thai Language Lesson (TLL) project is a great opportunity for all foreigners on Koh Tao no matter where you come from, no matter how old you are. Proper classes will be held at the Koh Tao Primary School in Mae Haad. You basically attend to the classes that have Thai language as subject. As a student of the TLL classes you will not only learn to understand Thai, but also to speak, read and write the Thai language. Your efforts in the classroom will be supported by local children what for sure is going to be fun and will give you much insight in Thai culture. By attending the TLL classes a participant must agree to be present according to the timetable of the classes, and yes, you will have to do some homework too. But hey, what a place for homework.

Koh Tao Education and Conservation 2008

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:22:09 -0700

The Secret Garden educational and conservation program began in January 2007, the program has been compiled with the intention to help improve the current local kids’ educational and environmental standards in order for the Koh Tao community and school kids to solve the present issues and pass on the tools and knowledge to the future generations to come, for the long term benefit of Koh Tao. After four months of hard work and dedication, in May 2007 the Secret Garden obtained OR.BOR.TOR approval and authorization to run English studies and activities for the Koh Tao primary and nursery school, as well as environmental and community projects to solve some of the current issues on the island

A Volunteer's Live on Koh Tao

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:28:02 -0700

I came to Koh Tao to take part in a volunteer program with the Secret Garden Environmental Activity Centre. When I first arrived, I felt like I had fallen into a postcard- Koh Tao looks exactly as I expected a tropical island in paradise to look. Turquoise water, white sand beaches, coconut trees, and jungle-covered hills. Add to this some of Asia's best loved dive sites and it becomes easy to understand why so many people you meet here are on their second, third or tenth visit. Tourist has become the largest industry on Koh Tao, from scuba divers keen to explore the reef, backpackers soaking up the easy living and great nightlife, to families enjoying one of the friendliest islands in Thailand.

Day of The Children in Thailand

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:42:46 -0700

January 12th is officially the day of the children in whole Thailand. The event was celebrated on the Koh Tao Primary School in Mae Haad. Many families have attented to the event. The volunteers from the Secret Garden Conservation Project helped out a great deal again. All the kids where overwhelemed by the many presents donated by the Koh Tao businesses and private donors. Pleny of incredible Thai food was served by a company of kitchen staff and the the kids and adults had a lot of fun by playing all the different games.

The Blessing of the Giant Clams

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 02:50:44 -0600

On June 19th a blessing takes place at the Rama V monument in Sairee Beach. The blessing will be for hundreds of Giant Clams (Tridacna Gigas) that are to be set free once again on Koh Tao. Like many years before the farmed clams come all the way from Prachuap Kiri Khan to Turtle Island to find a new home in freedom. A monk from Koh Phan Gan will visit the island especially for this occasion. The festivities start on June 18th with a ceremony at the temple in Mae Haad and will move towards the Rama V Monument in Sairee in the evening where traditional Thai Dances will be a highlight.

Official letter from Or-Bor-Tor

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 21:35:46 -0600

เรียน ผู้ประกอบการ,ผู้จัดการและผู้ปกครองชาวเกาะเต่า, เรามีความยินดีที่จะเรียนให้ท่านทราบว่าศูนย์อนุรักษ์ซีเคร็ทการ์เด้นร่วมกับองค์การบริหารส่วนตำบลเกาะเต่า (อ.บ.ต) และโรงเรียนบ้านเกาะเต่า,จากการที่ได้ทำงานอย่างหนักสำหรับโครงการศึกษาระยะยาวเพื่อเด็กๆของเกาะเต่าเช่นเดียวกับโครงการอื่นๆที่เป็นประโยชน์ต่อชาวเกาะเต่า,ตัวอย่างเช่น ทำความสะอาดชายหาด,การอนุรักษ์ท้องทะเลและโครงการปลูกต้นไม้,พร้อมกับโครงการอื่นที่จะริเริ่มต่อไป. นอกจากนี้ยังมีอาสาสมัครชาวต่างชาติจากไอทูไอที่จะมาช่วยในส่วนของโรงเรียนช่วงภาคเรียนและโครงการอื่นๆที่สำคัญอย่างสม่ำเสมอ

A man needs an Island! A PLASTIC BOTTLE ISLAND

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:54:40 -0600

This man is more than just my hero, he deserves the Nobel-Prize! May i present: The inventor of the Plastic Bottle Island It has the looks and feels of an island, it is green, with the beautiful vegetation of a tropical island but it just happens to be made of spiraling plastic pop bottles. Who would have imagined that this is possible? A man named Reishee Sowa that is who. This island is his inspiration, his baby and his dream. With the help of friends, met along the way and a lot of hard work, his dream has become a reality. Read this story and you will look differently at plastic bottles from now on!

The Primary School Koh Tao Thailand

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 02:50:03 -0700

Some Pictures and numbers about the Primary School on Koh Tao Thailand. Have a look and feel free to download any of the images if you like them.

Volonteers wanted

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:17:01 -0700

The Secret Garden environmental and activity center, in cooperation with www.kohtao-community.com, C-PAD Marine Foundation and the Koh tao Animal clinic proudly present the first of many conservation projects: On December 2006 the above mentioned will join forces and cooperate in one of many conservation and environmental projects that have been included in the 2006/2007 Koh Tao Conservation Program.

English lessons for our school kids!!

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:13:05 -0700

Volunteers from 25 countries to help the Koh Tao Conservation program... Finally, we made it, after months and months of struggle we managed to get the attention of international volunteering foundations to help us develop our conservation and community projects on Koh tao.

Conservation numbers add up

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:11:10 -0700

How can we make things happen? There are more than 100 businesses owned or run by non-Thai investors On Koh Tao, on average, most businesses have 5 employees, We�re looking at a potential 500 people conservation army�

Ain't it nice to have clean beaches ?

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:07:48 -0700

A CLEAN BEACH IS A BEAUTIFUL BEACH � HELP TO KEEP KOH TAO CLEAN! Some of the funds and donations raised will go towards setting up a permanent weekly Sairee beach clean up. Other beaches will follow. The proposal is as follows; To buy cleaning equipment and rubbish containers, pay staff in case there are not enough volunteers, to promote this project and expand it to all other beaches on Koh Tao.

Plant a Tree Project

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:04:24 -0700

The 'Plant a Tree' project is one of four starting projects on Koh tao as part of a conservation program, this project is very important for Koh tao and it's Inhabitants, we need the trees to help and protect us from monsoon rain falls, land slides, and floods.

The Secret Garden environmental and activity centre

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 08:59:35 -0700

The Secret Garden environmental and activity centre, is organizing a series of events to promote awarness about conservation problems