Laem Tachee: A peaceful haven in the middle of a land of violent conflicts
For most outsiders, the three southernmost provinces are a dangerous zone prone with seemingly endless violence perpetrated mostly by militants.
Hence, it is beyond their imagination how sensible businessmen will invest in building beach resorts to accommodate to mostly locals.
Crazy investors? Not really. Dare devils or far-sighted investors perhaps.
Nihazan Neewae is among a handful of pioneer investors who foresaw business potential at Laem Tachee in Tambon Laem Pho, Pattani’s Yaring. Laem Tachee is a huge sandy land mass extending several kilometers long into the sea.
After having made a fortune in operating several chain restaurants in Malaysia, Nihazan returned home in Pattani recently to look for a land plot of the beach so he could build a home to spend a peaceful life.
But when he saw there were several small resorts and bungalows at Laem Tachee, he immediately saw the potential in hospitality business there. Originally, he said he didn’t think big about his project and bought a piece of land from a local businessman and started building a resort, named Deeboodee Resort.
The building expenses kept rising until they were beyond 18 million baht and Mr Nihazan rethought about the project and told his wife that they should build a big resort which is complete with a small conference room, rooms for accommodation and a seafood restaurant, separate spas for men and women. So they bought more land up to six rai for the ambitious resort project.
On top of that, Nihazan said he planned to build a small pier at his resort to receive tourists from the mainland so they will feel like travelling to an island when arriving at his resort.
He admitted that he was surprised that people, including families, continued to visit Laem Tachee for rest and entertainment despite the violent incidents which occur on almost daily basis.
A tourist from Narathiwat’s Yee Ngor district, Mr Isma-ae Yusoh, said there were many more visitors during festivals to entertain themselves and for rest. He said he was impressed with the prestine conditions of the beach and sea and, especially, good fresh seafood.
"Since there are resorts here, I often come here with my family. All of them are happy to be here and I would like people outside to come here and to feel the peace and happiness of living with nature," said Isma-ae.
A tourism promotion event was held on April 25-26 on Laem Tachee by the provincial administration under the theme "First Light, First Sunset in Laem Tachee".
An official in Pattani who is responsible for development however warned that unregulated construction of resorts and bungalows could pose a real environmental problem which might ruin the natural beauty of Laem Tachee.
He pointed out that the main problem of concern in the province was that most businesses were not properly registered and authorities could do nothing.
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Caption :
1 Laem Tachee
2 Beah in Yaring, Pattani province
Thanks : 1st image from the independent photographer