Faasai Resort Puts Chanthaburi on Ecotourism Map

Chanthaburi (Thailand) – January 28, 2012 – Faasai Resort and Spa has placed Chanthaburi, Thailand on the map as a new ecotourism destination, after twice winning the TAT (UK) Green Award for Best Small Hotel in Thailand.

Chanthaburi province, which is mainly famous for its tropical fruit and gemstone markets, is attracting increasing interest from eco-savvy travelers, who are often surprised by the rich bird-life of the region, even those who stay at Faasai after trekking elsewhere in Thailand.

“People often don’t realize what rich ecosystems we have here in the dry tropical forests of Southeast Asia,” said Bronwen Evans, the resort’s owner. “They often see and hear more birdlife here than in other parts of the country which are more famous for trekking.”

Guests at Faasai have spotted several different species of birds during stays in Chanthaburi, including kingfishers, drongos, bee-eaters, fantails, lapwings, sunbirds, kites, egrets, and bulbuls.

Chanthaburi’s forests and woodlands are part of the Cardamom range on the border of Thailand and Cambodia, and Thai national development plans have earmarked Chanthaburi as a special green province, which is expected to attract adventure tourists, eco-tourists, agri-tourists, and marine eco-tourists.

The province already has impressive credentials, and the resort offers nature-based tourism programs to explore its environs.

One destination that is attracting increasing attention is the Kung Kraben Bay Royal Development Study Center, a marine sanctuary under the patronage of His Majesty the King, which is fringed with mangroves and sometimes visited by the endangered sea mammal, the dugong.

Visitors to Kung Kraben can take a boardwalk through the mangroves, go kayaking amongst the mangrove trees or in the bay (between October and March), and visit an aquarium, which has a diversity of marine life including seahorses, stingrays, sharks, and clown and puffer fish.

Kung Wiman – a small fishing village surrounded by orchards, shrimp farms, and rubber plantations – presents unique coastal and forest ecosystems.

In July 2011, to help promote the province’s green credentials, the Chanthaburi’s governor held the inaugural green awards to recognize local operators committed to eco-friendly practices.

Faasai Resort and Spa won special recognition for herb gardens in the resort and its nearby nature sanctuary that grow Thai healing herbs such as neem, lemongrass, tamarind, and zedoary.

The resort owners have also planted more than 2,500 trees including rosewood, ebony, and aquilaria used for producing krissana oil.

The trees and plants provide unique ingredients, which are used in the resort’s restaurant and spa.

Faasai is also developing a spice garden, with trees that are indigenous to Chanthaburi such as cloves, camphor, and cinnamon.

Contacts:
Email: info@faasai.com
Web: www.faasai.com
Resort (66) 039 417 404
Surin (66) 081 342 6234
Bronwen (66) 086 889 2595
Sittichok (66) 086-892 8659