Imagine yourself basking under the warm sun on a postcard-perfect island, where palm trees sway gently along powdery beaches, and crystal-clear waters shimmer endlessly. Welcome to Koh Samui, Thailand’s second-largest island and a must-visit tropical paradise that enchants travelers from around the globe. In this all-in-one Koh Samui travel guide, uncover the island’s hidden gems, explore its cultural landmarks, and find out why this breathtaking destination deserves a top spot on your travel bucket list. Whether it’s relaxing on secluded beaches or visiting ancient temples, your unforgettable Koh Samui adventure starts here! Location and Naming History Koh Samui is Thailand’s second-largest island, with a distinct area of 228.7 square kilometres. Situated on the east coast of the country, the island is a place blessed with natural scenic beauty. In Thai, the word “Ko” means island. However, the origin of the word “Samui” is still unknown. Local people believe that the island got its name from the native tree named Mui. Others associate the Sanskrit-Tamil root “S̄mwy” as the origin, which means “sea weather.” Read more: Discover Ha Long Bay: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Vietnam’s Natural Wonder Koh Samui has always been a great attraction for travellers. According to a 1998 report, the island used to receive around 700,000 visitors. In 2020, that number declined due to COVID-19's global impact. Even so, 2023 has observed a steep increase, measuring over 200,000 annual visitors. How to Reach Koh Samui Only two islands in Thailand have international airports; Koh Samui is one of them. Travellers can directly reach the island by air. However, most travellers like to take off in Bangkok or Phuket first and then take a second flight to Koh Samui. It takes about an hour to land in Koh Samui from both airports. But once you are in Thailand, you can also take a bus and ferry combined route. Many tour agencies and private service runners offer combo tickets. This may require you to change your vehicles multiple times and be a much slower journey; nonetheless, it will make your travel more meaningful by letting you see more of Thailand. Read more: Ultimate Pattaya Travel Guide: Top Things to See and Do in Thailand’s Coastal Gem

Vietnam's Ha Long Bay, a mesmerizing natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a paradise for travelers. Known for its emerald-green waters, dramatic limestone islands, and lush landscapes, this iconic destination offers unforgettable experiences for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Location, Significance, and History of Name  Ha Long Bay is situated in northeastern Vietnam, stretching across Quang Ninh Province and covering an area of about 1,553 km², including nearly 2,000 limestone islets. Administratively, it spans Ha Long City, Cam Pha City, and Van Don District. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the bay is famed for its breathtaking limestone karst formations and unique biodiversity. "Ha Long" translates to "Descending Dragon," rooted in Vietnamese legend. According to folklore, dragons descended from heaven to aid the Vietnamese in defending their land by spitting jewels that formed the bay's islands.  The bay’s mythical and geological allure has fascinated people for centuries. Historically, it was referred to by names like An Bang and Luc Thuy. Its name emerged in the 19th century, appearing on French maritime maps, and has since become synonymous with natural beauty and cultural significance. Read more: Trip to Bali: A Comprehensive Travel Guide Top Places to Visit in Ha Long Bay . Bai Chay Beach  Bai Chay Beach is a bustling seaside destination offering soft golden sands, calm azure waters, and a vibrant atmosphere. Perfect for relaxation and water activities, this beach is ideal for swimming, jet-skiing, and sunbathing.  Nearby, you will find numerous restaurants and entertainment venues catering to tourists. In the evenings, the beach comes alive with colorful lights and street performances, making it a lively spot for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Read more: Shopping in Hong Kong: What to Buy, Where to Buy from Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Palace Cave) Thien Cung Cave is an awe-inspiring natural wonder, renowned for its intricate stalactites and stalagmites. Covering 10,000 square meters, the cave features fantastical formations illuminated by colorful lights, creating a magical ambiance. 

Sunday marks the 110th Birth Anniversary of the master painter and pioneering art maestro Zainul Abedin, widely revered as the 'Shilpacharya' (great master of fine arts). Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was born on December 29, 1914, in Kishoreganj in then-British India, and was a key figure in the establishment of the Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art (FFA) and the Folk Art Museum in Sonargaon, Narayanganj. The artist community is celebrating the 110th birth anniversary of the Shilpacharya with a variety of celebrations, most notably the traditional three-day ‘Zainul Utshab’ on December 27, 28 and 29 by Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Art and Bangladesh Folk Art & Crafts Foundation, every day from 10 am to 8 pm. The festival commenced with an inaugural ceremony on Friday (27 December) at 10 am, at the courtyard of the DU Faculty of Fine Art. DU Treasurer Professor M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury inaugurated the event. The event was also joined by Dhaka University Proctor and Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Art Professor Dr Azharul Islam Sheikh, Emeritus Professor Abul Hashem Khan, art maestro Professor Dr Md Abdus Sattar, Shilpacharya’s youngest son Engineer Mainul Abedin, Director of the Bangladesh Folk and Craft Foundation Kazi Mahbubul Alam, CEO of Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited Md Mohsin Habib Chowdhury, and fashion house Bishwa Rong founder-owner Biplab Saha, among others. After the inaugural ceremony, the exhibition of artworks created by various artists commenced. On the second day of the festival, Professor Abdus Sattar delivered a commemorative lecture on Saturday at 3:30 pm. On Sunday, the concluding day of the festival, the Faculty of Fine Art and other art organisations placed floral wreaths on the grave of the Shilpacharya at 9 am. This year, the prestigious ‘Zainul Award 2024' award was presented to Professor Mizanur Rahim and Professor Rafiqul Alam. Bishwajit Roy's solo sculpture exhibition 'Haat Katali' opens at AFD Zainul Abedin earned global respect for his 1943 illustrations of the Bengal famine. He visited Palestinian camps in Syria and Jordan in 1970 and made 60–70 paintings of the refugees there, adding another example of his calibre as a modern, international artist. During childhood, he discovered his love of art while a young child frolicking by the Brahmaputra river. His motherland, Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), welcomed him back after he graduated from the Government Art School in Kolkata in 1932. However, shortly after the Indian subcontinent was divided in 1947, he permanently departed Kolkata and returned to his motherland in Bangladesh. The Dhaka Art Institute was subsequently founded with active help from Zainul Abedin, who was appointed as the institute's principal in 1949. The institute later developed into Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Art. The institute became the hub of fine arts practices in then East Pakistan and actively participated in historical foundation events of independent Bangladesh such as the 1952 Language Movement and the 1971 Liberation War under the_ artistic leadership of Zainul. He retired from the Dhaka Art Institute in 1967 and was conferred the honorary title of Shilpacharya (great master of fine arts) by the institute. Before taking the mantle of Shilpacharya, Zainul Abedin received two years of training from the Slade School of Fine Art in London and developed a new style of art called the 'Bengali style' featuring folk art forms with their geometric shapes including the usage of semi-abstract representation and primary colours. However, he lacked the sense of perspective, realised the limitations of folk art, and went back to nature, rural life and the daily struggles of people to make art that would be realistic but modern in appearance, thus being the pioneer of modern artistic style in the subcontinent. Known for the simple yet majestic projection of natural and social hazards, Zainul painted the 1970 Bhola cyclone that devastated then East Pakistan, portraying the effect of the cyclone through his painting ‘Monpura’. As a fond lover of folk arts, Zainul formed Charu O Karu Shilpi Sangram Parishad and also collected a large number of traditional crafts, ceramic works, and nakshi kanthas in his lifetime which he preserved through founding the Folk Art Museum at Sonargaon, Narayanganj in 1975. He also founded the Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala, a gallery of his works at the Shaheeb Quarter Park on the bank of his nostalgia-infused Brahmaputra River in Mymensingh in the same year. In 1973, Zainul received an honorary D.Litt from Delhi University. He was declared the National Professor of Bangladesh in 1975. NASA honoured the iconic artist by naming a crater on the planet Mercury after the painter, called the 'Abedin Crater' in 2009. The revered artist passed away in Dhaka on May 28, 1976, after losing his battle with lung cancer. He was buried beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque.

Thailand, famously known as the "Land of Smiles," is a treasure trove of stunning beaches, rich culture, and unforgettable adventures. Among the attractions, Pattaya is a vibrant coastal city that offers the perfect mix of relaxation and excitement. Discover why Pattaya should be at the top of your travel bucket list! Location and Significance of Pattaya Pattaya, located on the eastern Gulf coast of Thailand, is approximately 100km (62 miles) southeast of Bangkok. A part of Chonburi province, Pattaya is a vibrant city renowned for its picturesque beaches and lively attractions.  Historically, its name stems from “Thap Phraya,” meaning “army of the Phraya,” marking the peaceful surrender of a local leader to King Taksin in the 18th century. Over time, it evolved into "Phatthaya," referencing the seasonal southwest-to-northeast winds. Read more: Thai e-Visa for Bangladeshis: Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online The city also serves as a gateway to Coral Island (Koh Larn), a gem in the Gulf of Thailand. Known for its crystal-clear waters and rich marine life, Coral Island offers a serene escape and exciting activities like snorkeling and diving. Its significance lies in natural beauty and its role as a symbol of Pattaya’s allure, blending tranquility with adventure. 

Artist Bishwajit Roy's solo sculpture exhibition 'Hat Katali' was inaugurated at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) on Friday at 5 pm. The exhibition was inaugurated by eminent contemporary visual artist Mahbubur Rahman. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s Fine Arts Director Mustafa Zaman was also present at the inauguration. Bishwajit Roy, a native of Sundarbans’ Channir Chack village in Khulna, derives inspiration from the region's unique biodiversity and folklore. 'Hat Katali' symbolizes the cultural and historical essence of the Sundarbans’ wildlife and its critical ecological value. The exhibition highlights the region’s biodiversity, including the endangered Bengal tiger and other animals, emphasizing the need for conservation through creative storytelling. Curtain rises on 6th National Sculpture Exhibition at BSA Bishwajit Roy's art revolves around nature, mythology, and the Sundarbans' socio-political narratives, bringing forth a blend of tradition and modernity. The artist employs materials such as ceramic, terracotta and natural materials to explore the untamed spirit of the Sundarbans’ natural heritage. The exhibition will remain open to the public until January 7, 2025, everyday 5 pm to 9 pm except for Sunday.

Starting January 2, 2025, Bangladeshi citizens can apply for a Thai e-Visa online, streamlining the visa process for travelers. This new service eliminates the need for in-person visits to the Thai embassy, offering a more convenient and accessible way to secure travel authorization to Thailand. How to Apply for Thai e-Visa from Bangladesh . Necessary Documents - Valid Passport: Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity and two blank pages for immigration stamps.- Recent Passport-Size Photographs: Provide two colored photographs (3.5 x 4.5 cm) taken against a white background within the last six months.- Proof of Accommodation: Include hotel booking confirmation or an invitation letter if staying with a host.- Return Air Ticket: Submit a confirmed round-trip flight itinerary.- Financial Proof: Provide a bank statement and solvency certificate showing a minimum of 60,000 BDT for individuals or 120,000 BDT for families. Only original documents are accepted.Sponsorship Documents (if applicable): Include a sponsorship letter with the sponsor’s bank statement and proof of relationship.- Employment or Study Proof: Submit a letter from your employer or educational institution with a salary slip or proof of enrollment for students.- Additional Documents (if applicable): Business owners must provide an updated trade license, while professionals like doctors and lawyers need proof of practice, such as a BMDC certificate or Bar Council certificate. Read more: Shopping in Bangkok: What to Buy, Where to Buy from Ensuring all these documents are accurate and complete will help streamline your Thai e-visa application process. Step-by-Step Process To apply for a Thai e-Visa from Bangladesh, follow these steps. First, access the official Thai e-Visa portal at https://www.thaievisa.go.th. Create an account using an active email address and set up a password. Once registered, complete the application form by providing your personal information, and travel details, and uploading scanned copies of the required documents, including your passport, photographs, and financial proofs. For the payment process, Bangladeshi applicants cannot pay directly on the e-Visa website due to technical limitations. Instead, after applying, the system generates a payment summary containing a QR code, reference number, and the fee amount. Applicants must transfer the visa fee to the Thai Embassy’s designated bank account through https://www.combank.net.bd/thaievisa. Cash payments at banks are not accepted. After making the payment, upload the proof of transaction for verification. Read more: Thailand now offering 10-year visa: Who are eligible? Before applying, carefully review all the provided information to ensure accuracy, as errors or omissions may result in delays or rejections. Once the application is submitted, it will typically be processed within 10 working days. Upon approval, the e-visa will be sent via email. Print a copy of the e-visa and present it to the Thai immigration authorities at the port of entry.  Following these steps, Bangladeshi citizens can obtain Thailand’s electronic visas without hassle. Visa Fee and Processing Time Visa fees for Thailand vary depending on the visa type, with single-entry tourist visas typically costing BDT 7,000. Processing time usually takes around 10 working days. The previous application system, which operated through visa application centers, was discontinued on December 24, 2024. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply well in advance of their planned travel dates to ensure timely processing and avoid any last-minute complications.  Thai On-arrival visa for Government Officials from Bangladesh As of December 19, Bangladeshi government officials holding official or diplomatic passports are exempt from Thai visa requirements for official and leisure visits. For official visits, travelers must present an invitation letter issued by a Thai ministry, institution, or organization, with a letter from their respective Bangladeshi ministry or agency confirming the travel request.  Read more: Thailand Travel Guide: Top places to visit, amazing things to do For leisure visits, a letter from the affiliated Bangladeshi agency acknowledging the travel request is required. Applicants who need a visa for specific purposes are advised to apply at least seven working days before their planned departure. This ensures adequate time for processing and avoids last-minute delays.  Final Words Thailand’s e-Visa system revolutionizes the visa process for Bangladeshi travelers by offering a fully online application experience, eliminating the need for embassy visits. This convenient system caters to tourists eager to explore Thailand’s beauty and professionals traveling for business, ensuring a seamless solution.  Additionally, the on-arrival visa exemption for Bangladeshi government officials further enhances accessibility while maintaining rigorous documentation standards. By carefully preparing the required documents and following the streamlined e-visa process, Bangladeshi travelers can enjoy a smooth and hassle-free journey to Thailand, making it a more appealing destination for leisure and professional purposes. Read more: Study in Thailand: Admission process, cost for International Students

With rising inflation driving up the cost of everyday necessities, managing regular expenses can feel overwhelming, let alone saving for the future. Yet, building a financial safety net is more crucial than ever. In 2025, saving money demands a smarter approach—streamlining expenses, boosting income, and maximizing financial efficiency. Discover actionable strategies to safeguard your finances and thrive in the face of economic challenges. Smart Money Strategies for 2025 Here are some practical steps to help you save more in the coming year. Set Attainable Financial Goals Make sure your financial resolutions don't fade away after the initial months of the new year. Setting smart goals can keep your financial resolutions fresh, strong, and versatile throughout the year. Defining short-term savings targets can help you to build an emergency fund. On the other hand, long-term savings targets can energize you to run the race for fulfilling your big dreams like buying an apartment, studying abroad, or making a retirement fund. Read more: How to Improve Focus by Training the ‘Attention Muscle’ Instead of burdening yourself with strict frugal behavior, it would be wise to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound financial objectives to save money. Review Expenditure Generally, not all products or services you pay for are essential, some are less necessary, and few are luxury. Tracking your spending behaviour is an effective trick to set realistic saving targets. Don’t do calculations in your head. Write down the costs on paper. Utilizing a smart financial app or personal finance spreadsheets, one can easily identify one’s spending patterns. Control Expenses After reviewing your spending behaviour, you can easily understand where to retrench. For instance, saving money doesn’t mean you have to eat less and suffer from malnutrition; rather, it means cut costs on dinners outside that can be replaced by homemade meals. Read more: Shiny Object Syndrome in Business, Career: Symptoms, Effects, Prevention In the same way, you can be thrifty about your wardrobe. For example, caring for winter clothes can save your money from buying new shawls and sweaters every year. Nowadays, people tend to spend on digital products every month. However, cancelling unnecessary subscriptions reduces your expenses. Services you don’t use regularly should also be considered for discontinuation to save money. While shopping for groceries, try to shop for a month instead of a week, it can let you enjoy some discounts and cashback. Compare prices to find a nearby grocery shop, super shop, or market where you can find goods and products at reasonable prices. Growing vegetables on the rooftop or your balcony can also save you some money on groceries. What’s more, don’t forget to negotiate for lower rates on products and services. Read more: Top 10 Wallet Apps to Organize Finances Make A Budget Without a fixed weekly or monthly budget, it is hard to control costs in diverse sectors like grocery, clothing, travel, etc. Those who have spouses, children, elderly family members, or dependents need to consider all kinds of expenses while preparing the budget. While creating a budget for a month or week, you can implement the 50/30/20 rule which means allocate 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and debt repayment. Grow Your Earnings Savings can be easier if you can boost your income. To increase earnings, service holders can look for additional income sources such as freelancing, tutoring, online business, etc.  Besides, you can learn new skills for better career opportunities or promotions. Nowadays, diverse international platforms and reputed universities are offering free and paid online courses. Read more: Using the 37 Percent Rule to Make Better Decisions in Life Furthermore, you can rent out unused assets, like a room or a car.  Automate Savings Even when setting clear financial objectives and budgets, you may forget to put money into your savings accounts for a number of reasons. To avoid this issue, you can opt for automatic transfer of funds to a high-yield savings account like DPS. Many reputed banks in Bangladesh offer such profitable DPS schemes that will automatically transfer a certain amount of money from your salary account to your DPS account each month. Minimize Loans & Debts Avoid taking on loans or debts unless necessary. The banks lure people to take credit cards and personal loans. Uncontrolled credit card spending can trap you in huge debts. To avoid this, you can follow your budget strictly and pay through cash. While taking personal loans, look for banks with lower interest rates and flexible repayment options. Avoid taking a new loan besides repaying your previous loan. To avoid loans, it would be wise if you can build savings for rainy days. Read more: Micro-acts of Joy: Secret to Being Happier and Healthier? Monitor and Adjust Regularly With time, your necessities, earnings, and spending behavior will change. In some months, you may fail to control expenditures due to unforeseen situations. Therefore it is necessary to review your budget and financial goals monthly. Adjust strategies based on life changes or new priorities. And, don’t forget to celebrate milestones to stay motivated. Conclusion Savings help you to be financially stable and independent. Not to mention, during hard times, like medical emergencies or unemployment periods, savings can give you financial protection and mental strength. However, saving money is a habit that requires determination and sacrifice. By implementing the above-mentioned strategies, you can significantly increase your savings in 2025 while building a stronger financial foundation. Read more: Top Strategies to Prepare for 2025: Start the New Year with Confidence and Purpose

The Bhumi Gallery and Gallery Shilpangan are set to embrace and mesmerize art enthusiasts and connoisseurs with the art exhibition titled ‘Epic Journey of a Migratory Bird’ by the contemporary artist Syed Golam Dastagir in the capital's Lalmatia, opening on December 28. The art exhibition will be inaugurated by Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed and will be presided over by the distinguished artist Hamiduzzaman Khan. The inextricable relationship between a person and nature begins at birth and marks a nomadic voyage of wandering souls into alleys that carry the history, legacy, and colors of eons and epochs. The artist documented this visual journey in his evocative work under this exhibition by using various forms of colors and canvas. He portrayed this epic journey with great eloquence that is experienced not only through sight but also conscience that defies barriers and borders and is a reminder of the interconnectedness and coexistence of life. This solo exhibition comprises the works of the artist’s over a decade-long project, started from 2010 to 2024, and depicts the journey of migratory birds through vulnerability and resilience. Around 40 curated artworks will be displayed for the visitors at the exhibition, showcasing the artist’s unwavering dedication and toil to express and manifest his inner monologues, understanding, epiphany and liberty, which ought to create an impeccable connection between the viewers and a greater perspective. Read:  Curtain rises on 6th National Sculpture Exhibition at BSA This exhibition is a floating anecdote that aims to give the audience a new context of seeing and perceiving the palpable nuances in objectivity and attitude, leading to the moment of realization through the passage of time. While this project explores the relationship between a bird’s flight and its visual perception, Dastagir examines the birds’ perpetual movement and struggle for survival and dissects the observational engagement with the existential cryptographs embedded in the typography of shades, shapes, patterns, and vivid forms. In this solo exhibition, the artist delves deeply into the wonder and magnificence of bird migration, buttressed by technological methods, including map study, satellite imagery and strong artistic manifestation, offering the viewers to ponder how our visual perception connects with the intangible narratives of understanding, transcending beyond a bird’s instinct of searching, navigating, and reinventing across distances. The solo visual exhibition will remain open for visitors til January 14, 2025.

The month-long '6th National Sculpture Exhibition 2024', organised by the Fine Arts Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA),  began on Saturday. One of the flagship events of BSA, the sculpture exhibition was inaugurated by Sharmin S Murshid, adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs. Eminent sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan, Director General of Bengal Foundation Luva Nahid Chowdhury, and Chittagong University teacher-sculptor Atiqul Islam were present as special guests. The chairman's speech was delivered online by the BSA Director General Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed, while Mustafa Zaman, Director of the Fine Arts Department, delivered the welcome speech at the event. The first sculpture exhibition was organized in 1982 by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy with the aim of continuously encouraging and developing the practice of sculpture. 'Joke er Rajneeti': When stand-up came to Shilpakala This year, the number of participating artists is 216, and 178 works of art in different categories by 159 artists are being exhibited. A total of 13 awards, including 10 honorary awards, were presented at the inaugural ceremony. This time, the 6th National Sculpture Award went to Dr Azharul Islam Sheikh Chanchal, the second prize went to Abdul Khalek Chowdhury, and the third place went to Bilash Mondal. Among the recipients of honorary awards are Asim Halder Sagar, Rupam Roy, Alok Kumar Sarkar, Abu Sadayat Md. Sohel, Amit Koch, Asfiqur Rahman, Syed Tarique Rahman, Habiba Akhtar Papia, Kanak Kumar Pathak and Srabanti Meherun. At the same time, a multimedia 360-degree VR (Virtual Reality) version of the exhibition was also inaugurated at Gallery 05 of the Academy's National Art Gallery building under the management of the BSA Production Department. The exhibition is open to everyone and will run at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from December 21, 2024 to January 20, 2025, daily from 11 am (3 pm on public holidays) to 8 pm.

When Hook was a child, he started his days by jumping off the boat that his family lived on and into the ocean. By age 3, he could already swim and dive in shallow waters. His home was a kabang, a boat, that his family sailed in Thailand’s southern waters. The ocean was his backyard. Now Hook, whose full name is Suriyan Klathale, lives on land like the rest of his community, a people known as the Moken. The community, indigenous people from Thailand and Myanmar, came to worldwide attention for its members’ understanding of waves when the Indian Ocean tsunami struck in December 2004, killing more than 200,000 people. The few tourists who happened to be on the islands inhabited by the Moken survived because locals knew, when they saw the water recede, that people needed to get to higher ground. Canyon de Chelly in Arizona to ban commercial air tours Today, this once free-sailing people has been grounded by powerful forces of change. The Moken are one of the various tribal groups and indigenous communities not formally recognized by the Thai government. For years, activists from these communities have pushed for formal recognition with a bill that would help them hold on to traditions. But as recently as October, the latest draft of this proposed bill, called the Protection and Promotion of Ethnic Groups’ Way of Life, was tabled by Parliament. The bill would legally guarantee these communities’ basic rights, such as health care, education and land, as well as government support to preserve their ethnic identities. For the Moken, the kabang and their way of living on the ocean are something they hope the law could help preserve. The wooden boat, with a distinctive curve that juts out from its bow and a pavilion set in the middle, is central to the Moken’s identity. “It’s like a lifetime of a person, of a family,” Hook said. “In the past, we lived and died on that boat.” Today, though, almost no one lives on a boat. Narumon Arunotai, an associate professor at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok who has worked with the Moken and other indigenous communities for decades, said the shift toward permanent dwelling on land had already started more than 40 years ago. How to Avoid Winter Weight Gain It was a gradual shift, driven both by stricter border controls as well as the inability to get the wood necessary to build the kabangs. Further, the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 destroyed many of the boats. Other communities known as sea nomads have also changed to dwelling on land. The Moken are scattered across an archipelago of some 800 islands off the coast of Myanmar and Thailand. In the days when they lived on boats, Moken stayed on land only during the monsoon season, which started around May. They’d stay on land until the winds shifted, usually around December, and then return to the sea. For food, they fished and foraged. Many of the older generation were born on boats and sailed regularly amongst the islands. “We could move freely without having to worry about the Myanmar government or the Thai government,” said Tawan Klathale, Hook’s older brother, who was born on a boat and is better known by his nickname Ngui. All Moken in Thailand use the surname Klathale, given to the community by one of Thailand’s former queens. Freedoms began to constrict, and by the time he and Hook were teenagers, they no longer lived on a boat full-time. Moken started settling in the Surin Islands, off the Thai coast, where they had always stayed seasonally. Some came from Myanmar to Thailand, looking for jobs and safety from pirates. The Surin Islands meanwhile had become a national park in Thailand in 1981, meaning the trees were now protected by law. Anne Frank's annex replica set for New York exhibition To make a kabang, one needs a good strong tree, at least 1 meter (3 feet) wide and 10 meters (33 feet) tall. The trunk must be straight and be free of defects. Over the course of months, men would hollow out the trunk and carve it into a boat’s hull, while also using fire to make the wood pliable. Ngui and other members of an informal group called Moken Pa Ti’ao, concerned they were losing the knowledge of boat-building, said they approached the park now and then across the years to get a tree to build a boat. They were refused years ago by the chief of Mu Ko Surin National Park, and haven't asked since. Today, the village in Surin only has one kabang, built by Tat, an elder, and used mostly to ferry tourists and take children out on day trips. Hook, who lives on the Thai mainland, also has a kabang built with funding from a private donor from Norway after a filmmaker made a documentary about his journey to make one such boat in 2014. But his kabang is built with planks of wood, rather than a single hollowed-out tree. Aside from the boat building, Tat and Wilasinee Klathale, a teacher on the island, also take village children out on the boats to teach them about the ocean as well as about music and dance. They are among the few keen to remember the traditions. Safety Tips for Solo Female Travellers Today, young Moken are more worried about their livelihoods and finding jobs. Most only make money during Thailand’s peak tourist season when the national park is open to visitors, from November to April, and have to live on that money for the rest of the year, by either working for the park or on boats ferrying tourists. Boyen Klathale, a young Moken man, wasn’t able to find a job this year during the peak season, and he didn’t want to leave behind his family to find work on the mainland. The future holds some hope. In 2024, the Mu Ko Surin National Park appointed a new chief, Kriengkrai Pohcharoen. In a shift, he said he was open to collaborating with the Moken on a kabang — as long as it was a tree that fell over on its own, and on increasing their income. “I want them to have a good quality of life," he said. The Moken are realistic about their permanent switch to land. These days, most prefer it. But some still remember the old ways — and an aquamarine bay filled with handmade kabangs. “The world is changing and that’s the way it is, if you ask me,” Ngui said. “I think everything is bound to be lost at some point, but I just want it to stay as long as possible.”