I took photos of this old resort on Khlong Dao Beach last year. I like stopping here briefly on my beach walks to appreciate the fine, soft sand and think about what the place must have looked like in its heyday. It’s also remarkable because of two prominent devotional structures out front: a statue of the Four-Faced Buddha, or Phra Phrom, accompanied by a spirit house, or San Phra Phum.
Phra Phrom is the Thai representation of Brahma, the Hindu creator god. Phra Phrom is regarded as the deity of good fortune and protection in Thai animist beliefs. Next to this shrine statue is a San Phra Phum. Thais believe that spirits live inside these miniature temples and protect the house, community, or business that they’re built in front of. They’re decorated with offerings of flowers, fruits, and little bottles of red Fanta.
This year, the old resort is for sale. The buildings are looking very run-down. The white and gold Phra Phrom and San Phra Phum are still getting attention, evidenced by the garlands of fresh flowers draped over them, but because no one stays here anymore the beach in front of the old resort is neglected—overgrown with beach vine and full of garbage.
On our last full day on Koh Lanta, I decided to give back to the beach by returning to the old resort in the afternoon and cleaning up the garbage. I walked 2km down the beach, armed with a cold Singha and a big garbage bag.
I picked up garbage for close to an hour. Hot work in 35C. There were lots of bottles and caps, cans, flip flops, pieces of rope, hunks of styrofoam, bits of broken plastic, an intact light bulb, and even a toilet seat! I collected about 25 lbs of this flotsam and jetsam, then I slung it over my shoulder and carried it 2km back to the garbage and recycling drop off spot at our place. (With my morning walk, I got in about 9.5 km that day.)
Anyway, I have an idea for a sitcom: a man facing life after 50 buys an old resort in southern Thailand to renovate and bring back to its former glory. Sabai Sabai Luxury Apartments. It’s a money pit, of course, and humor ensues! (At its heart though, the show is really about relationships.)
I don’t know. I don’t watch a lot of TV. Maybe it’s not a sitcom. Maybe… it’s a reality show?!
