BRIEF HISTORY :

It was two explorers, Solly and Dick, with an interest in nature who found "The Beach" back in 1985. They realized that this would be an eminent place to contemplate life and what is more, they also realized it could easily be a lonesome place as there was not a single dwelling on either side of the peninsula.

So, they set out to buy enough land to also accomodate a few friends with whom one could shoot the breeze at sunset. Hence, like-minded souls among their friends were offered a slice of paradise at an affordable price and a "Club house" was built to accomodate those who had not yet built their own.

Homes were constructed by a colourful character named Chang Thai, and in those days, quality wood was still available. The hippie community of world travelers had also discovered the beauty of the place and a few simple but terrific restaurants sprang up along the beach.

Over time the character of Railei community has of course changed, and whether for the better or the worse is hard to say. Everybody wants development but nobody wants change. We see more tourists and hear more boats, but we also have better services, fancier restaurants and an airport.

In the last few years various owners have chosen to rent their homes and share this slice of paradise. You are staying here because we can't be here. Please treat our home as if they were your own.

ENJOY.

WEATHER :

Thailand's climate is ruled by monsoons that produce two seasons. The dry season is between November and May. The south west monsoon prevails in the South between May and July and lasts until November. It is the "low season" in terms of numbers of tourists, but it has its qualities, too. It is more quiet and often cooler. The various climates of Asia contribute to its charm.

WILDLIFE:

PRIMATES: We have three types of primates: macaques, dusky langurs and gibbons.

Macaques: They are very fast learners. Since humans have already fed these monkeys, they know that "humans = food." They have been known to raid the houses when guests are away. Don't leave food out that they can get to. They are cute and fun but they are also very aggresive and have very big teeth.

Dusky langurs: These are leaf-eating monkeys that live in the upper canopy. Because RBC has kept most of the original flora intact, we have a prime habitat for these monkeys that "bungy jump" from tree to tree.

Gibbons: We are lucky to have a family of gibbons -- the smallest apes on the planet -- living in the jungle behind the houses. They can sometimes be seen gliding from tree to tree. Gibbons are among the few mammals that are monogamous; they form mated bonds for life. They are also perhaps the most tuneful of all land mammals, with each species characterized by its own unique song. Male and female gibbons protect their range and reinforce their pair bonds by singing duets each morning. Dueting is only done by monogamous species of birds and mammals. Listen in the morning for the whoop, whoop, whooping of the gibbons in the cliffs behind your house.

Do not feed the monkeys.

Toukays and Geckos: They are two members of Gecko family, which is the only family of lizards that have voices. You will see many geckos eating mosquitoes and bugs and calling "jengjock," which is the Thai name for geckos. If you're lucky, you may also see a toukay whose body is polka-dotted and its call is a loud "too-gay". If the toukay calls seven times in a row it is considered luck for you and your house. Toukays eat bigger bugs than geckos. Both of these lizards are harmless, unless you are a bug.

Be respectful -- Keep nature natural.

CLIFFS:

One of the outstanding features of southern Thailand is the dramatic limestone crags which rise from the waters edge and valley floors to sheer vertical heights in excess of 900 meters. These butte-like crags, called "karsts," were formed 260 million years ago when a shallow sea running the entire length of south Asia, slowly built up deep deposits of shells and coral which were later buried under sediments washing in from land. Compressed deep in the earth these calcium carbonate remains formed limestone which was thrust up abovethe surface when India sub-continent, collided with mainland Asia about three million years ago. The collision of these two titanic place rotated the whole of southern Thailand and the Malay peninsula clockwise and uplifted the 5,000 km ancient coral reef line. From Gualin, China to Sarawak, Borneo the limestone was thrust up above the surface like discs slipping out of place along a terribly mal-aligned human spine. Surat Thani, Phangnga, Krabi and Trang provinces are the areas in southern Thailand where karst protrusions are most pronounced.

Fluctuating sea levels during the ice ages allowed for extensive wave erosion of this soft sedimentary rock. For many millennia, monsoon rains have also helped dissolve the karsts. Decomposing leaves from karst vegetation turn the water slightly acidic, and the water readily dissolves the calcium carbonate of the limestone as the it percolates down through the tiniest cracks in the rock. Rivers, too, have cut courses through the karsts resulting in a labyrinth of cave chambers and passageways.

These are incredible places for day hikes. Go explore your exciting backyard.