At Koh Ra Beach Camp protecting the environment is our number one priority. We came to Koh Ra when it was barely developed or disturbed by modern interferences or technology, we’d like it to stay that way.
A Phang Nga Based Eco Resort
Koh Ra is a unique island in the Andaman Sea, it is perhaps one of the last remaining undeveloped natural habitats in this area of Thailand. It is certainly one of the last to hold such a variety of flora and fauna on an island here. For this reason it is of the utmost importance that Koh Ra Beach Camp does not harm the environment in any way or cause a destructive impact.
Koh Ra Beach Camp bases it’s model on an eco resort, setting up a number of projects to make sure that we protect the environment. We have set up systems to ensure that we can be as self sustainable as possible and that we can use what we have at hand without modern intrusion.
Koh Ra Beach Camp Eco Projects
Organic Farming
Like many Eco resorts, Koh Ra Beach Camp has established a small organic farm to grow vegetables and herbs to use in the restaurant. Not only does this help the eco resort to remain in part self sustainable, but it also reduces the need to travel to the mainland to shop at the market, thus reduces fuel costs, our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment.
We have also established a small composting area for all waste from the kitchen facilities. This is then used to fertilise the farm area, using any vegetation to it’s fullest extent.
Environmental Awareness Talks
Here at Koh Ra we know the importance of knowledge about protecting the environment and educating others. When guests arrive to the beach camp we always make sure to brief them on how to stay on the island without leaving a trace of having been there.
Our experienced guides are also happy to conduct education talks to Thai school groups or visiting students from overseas. We would like to share our knowledge about the environment here and how we can all protect the Earth, where ever we live.
Solar Lighting
Koh Ra Beach Camp has it’s own generator by day, but by night we rely solely on power generated from solar panels that are dotted around the beach camp. This initiative is another step towards becoming a self sufficient and environmentally friendly eco resort; keep power and fuel costs down and also taking full advantage of the natural resources we have at hand.
Beach Clean-ups
Beach Clean-ups are important not just to make sure that Koh Ra is always beautiful, they are also necessary for the safety of the wildlife on the island and in the sea. Birds and small animals can easily get caught up in plastic that is lying around, trapping them so they cannot forage for food and therefore are likely to die.
Animals also eat litter that is lying around, this can be poisonous to them or damage their stomachs and insides. Koh Ra has many rare animals so it is important to protect these. For this reason we regularly clean the beach and encourage guests to help too. Any recyclable rubbish that we find we give to the Moken (Sea Gypsy) community. In return they have agreed not to collect the turtle eggs.
Work with the Community
Recycling
At Koh Ra we recycle everything that we can, anything that is not recyclable is transported to the mainland to be disposed of in the correct way. As previously mentioned, we give the recyclable beach waste to the local community to sell on for profit. We also give them any plastic bottles collected from the beach camp restaurant.
Biodegradable waste is used in our compost and later used as fertiliser.
Volunteering at Koh Ra Beach Camp
In the past we have welcomed volunteers to Koh Ra from Global Visions International. These volunteers helped to start the small farm to grow vegetables and herbs, they did a reef check and they took part in some research on the island to find out more about the floa and fauna that can be found here.
As an active Eco resort we welcome all volunteers to help us improve our conservation efforts on Koh Ra. We are also compiling data for a resource website about Koh Ra and the species of animals and plant life that can be found here, we are constantly in need to willing participants to help with this directory.
If you would to volunteer for research work at Koh Ra Beach Camp please do not hesitate to contact us.
Research, Exploration and Education
As Koh Ra has been barely touched or documented we welcome visitors to come and explore the island and share their knowledge with us. We believe that Koh Ra is particularly of interest to Ornithologists, Botanists, and other nature specialists.
We also welcome school groups for education visits. Our guides would be very happy to organise talks and demonstrations about the local flora and fauna found on Koh Ra, and also about our efforts to be eco friendly – a very important aspect of the camp and good for children to learn about these days too.
If you would like more information about the activities or would like to visit Koh Ra then please contact us.
