Nakhon Ratchasima - Dan Kwian Pottery Village

One of my first trips outside Bangkok was to Suranaree Technical University's campus (back then, the university was still under construction). On the way back, I was shown around Dan Kwian to see how Thai pottery was done. Back then, the products were mostly for practical purposes, such as collecting rain water.

How things have changed. Dan Kwian has embraced the mass market and now the pottery made is mostly for decorative use. Sure, these farang kids pictured below are cute, and the clay figures probably sell well, but they don't have much to do with Thai culture or with traditional handicraft skills.

Satun - Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is located in Satun province; roughly 65 km off the coast at the edge of Tarutao National Marine Park. It is near a group of around 50 uninhabited island with deserted beaches, waterfalls, and breathtaking viewpoints to visit.

Koh Lipe is home to some six hundred Chao Lei people who are descended from 'sea gypsies' that have lived on the Andaman coast for centuries. Masters of the sea, the Chao Lei settled on Koh Lipe when the King of Thailand offered them citizenship and land in return for settling the island, and thus at the time helping to fix Thailand's southern sea border with Malaysia. 

Not so reliant on the sea as they once were, the local community is adapting to the changes tourism are bringing.This development includes dive schools, an increasing number of resorts, and a tacky "walking street" (named after an infamous stretch in South Pattaya).

However, if you can ignore the unfortunate aspects of development, Koh Lipe is a great beach holiday destination albeit not in the rainy season. The island is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and ocean marine life perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. 

Thailand - Off the Deep End

In the Andaman Sea and in the Gulf of Thailand, there are plenty of dive sites and SCUBA diving is a popular activity among tourists. However, I was surprised when I heard that dive schools on Koh Tao combined annually issue so many PADI licenses that it makes Koh Tao rank third in the world. I have not been able to independently verify this claim.  

Almost all diving in Thailand is done from boats - big or small - and mostly on daytrips. Live-on-board dive trips is a great option if you have the time and money. Such trips can last from 3-4 days to two weeks and accommodation can be basic or luxurious.

Seeing coral reefs and colorful fish up close is interesting, but more exciting is wreck diving.