Paradise no more

Re: “Koh Larn drawing 10,000 tourists a day”, (Business, March 15).

This is something that continues to puzzle me. Who wants to spend a considerable amount of money visiting this country when they are expected to co-exist with fellow loud tourists cheek by jowl in overpriced accommodation in conjunction with other disamenities such as a toxic atmosphere and noise pollution? As well as over-priced food?

But I am spoiled as I wistfully remember Karon Beach in Phuket in the early 1980s. A few little basic bungalows scattered on the jungly hillside (genny cut out at midnight, thus amplifying exotic forest noises), pristine beach and sea without a tourist in sight and only two simple eateries dispensing delicious fresh seafood and refreshments at jaw-droppingly low prices with beaming smiles. Even an offer to accompany local fishermen at dawn once, which I eagerly accepted.

No hotels, malls, condos, bars, demimondaines and the likes they attract (tip o’ the hat Bernard), banana boats etc, that have permanently ruined a former paradise and its ecology.

At that time, a 14-hour bus ride from Bangkok, but an adventure, and oh the glory when glimpses of the turquoise sea appeared through the rubber plantations as one neared the destination via the undulating roads. But I am being a silly old fool because the god of development and his/her worshippers have engineered change for the better of everyone in the guise of infrastructure improvement and other abominations. At least I have my wonderful memories.

ELLIS O’BRIEN