Images © Faasai Resort & Spa

Faasai Resort and Spa, a small family owned eco-resort near the coast at Kung Wiman, Chanthaburi province in Thailand came 2nd in the Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards.

About Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards
Wild Asia is a social enterprise working to support the conservation of natural areas and the communities dependent upon their resources. Wild Asia forges partnerships with individuals and businesses that are socially and environmentally responsible with the aim of promoting sustainable practices that will minimise adverse impacts on the environment, ensure that local communities are engaged and that local cultures are respected.

Wild Asia's Responsible Tourism Awards is an annual event to identify, share and inspire best practices in tourism in order to encourage responsible operators and to promote the evolution of sustainable destinations in Asia. More information: www.wildasia.net.

Winners in four categories were announced at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 21. Faasai Resort was the runner up in the budget category. The judges gave it a score of 96% for its sustainable practices.

Over 40 entrants from across Asia entered the awards. Eight finalists from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines and India made it to the final round.

WILD ASIA'S 2008 RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS FINALISTS

Community-run homestays:
Andaman Discoveries Community-based Tourism (Thailand)
Ecosphere (India)

Budget Accommodation:
Tree Tops Jungle Lodge (Sri Lanka)
Faasai Resort & Spa (Thailand)

Mid-range Resorts & Hotels:
Alila Ubud Resort (Indonesia),
Alila Manggis Resort (Indonesia)

Luxury and Boutique Resorts:
El Nido Resorts (Philippines)
Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi (Thailand)

The criteria used to judge the budget accommodation category included conservation of resources such as electricity and water, minimizing waste disposal, protection of nature and the environment, support for the local community, education of visitors and fair treatment of staff.

Surin and Bronwen Laopha, a Thai/New Zealand couple, built the resort from scratch completing it two years ago. Says Surin: "At the beginning, people raised their eyebrows because we did things differently. We kept native trees on the property, built a small number of high quality buildings, rather than lots of cheap accommodation, kept most of the land as open space for gardens and put in solar water panels. We built the resort with restraint and a love for nature in our hearts."

The peaceful 15-bungalow Faasai ("clear sky') has many rare trees and herbs onsite, including aloes wood, barking deer mango, monkey jack and neem trees, which have culinary and medicinal value and provide shelter for birds and other wildlife. More than a dozen varieties of frogs, over 50 varieties of birds, as well as lizards, turtles and indigenous squirrels have been seen at the resort, which nestles at the foot of a hill 200 metres from the beach.

Leaves, fruit and herbs from the local plants and produce from the resort's own vegetable garden infuse many of Faasai's menu items with freshness and a unique character.

Bronwen believes that the concept of responsible tourism fits the mood of travellers today who are looking to save money, protect the environment and have an authentic travel experience.

Faasai Resort and Spa is easily accessible from Bangkok. The resort is three hours' drive away, with buses every hour to Chanthaburi from Bangkok. Room prices range US$30-50 (except for the hillside penthouse). The rate includes breakfast for two.

"The ultimate luxury today is peace, experiencing nature and friendly service. We offer all this to our guests. The luxury of nature is affordable. It's not only for rich people."

About Faasai Resort & Spa
Faasai Resort and Spa is a 15 room eco-resort in Kung Wiman, Chanthaburi, Thailand about 200 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. The two-year old resort is owned and operated by a Thai-New Zealand couple, Surin and Bronwen Laopha. It is nestled into a forest covered hill amidst three acres of tropical gardens, overlooking the mangrove-fringed Kung Kraben Bay. Faasai is a ten minute walk from Kung Wiman beach.

For more information please visit www.faasai.com
E-mail: bronwenannevans@gmail.com
Or call Bronwen (+66) 86 889 2595, or Faasai Resort and Spa (+66) 39 417404

Source: Faasai Resort and Spa release dated 25 November 2008

Nature-Based Tourism
ENCHANTING COASTAL CHANTHABURI
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