Island life at The Mango Tree

NOW UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Mango Tree and Press 

Greek Restaurant and Gym

AS OF DECEMBER 2016

One of the many great things about Ko Phangan and Thailand is the amount of quality food available at any time of the day. If you ride on your motorbike up any road you will see restaurants and bars aplenty pass by as well as the usual tasty street food.

The Mango Tree is no different (or is it?). It is a restaurant where if you are riding quickly by, and you blink, you'll miss it. There is a calm chilled atmosphere at The Mango Tree with customers arriving for dinner or to grab a quick takeaway.

There is the usual sight of the friendly dogs sat patiently out the front hoping to be fed as they can smell the wonderful aroma from the kitchen. The Mango Tree is in the jungle behind Chaloklum and it offers a peaceful happy atmosphere with a large menu available.

The owners Gavin and Nam have been a couple for nearly two years and run the restaurant and delivery service together. They had time for a chat about what it takes to run a restaurant and why they have decided to run a business on Ko Phangan.

Like many great restaurants the food available ranges from traditional thai food to traditional western food..Gavin and Nam had an opportunity to take over a restaurant so the whole island can experience her food - Nam has learned to cook from her mother (like most great Thai cooks!).

Gavin has been on Koh Phangan for twelve years and was initially a diving enthusiast and moved to the island seven years ago. Gavin met Nam, who hails from Donsak, two years ago and they have now opened their restaurant together.

Like many people in Chaloklum it is impossible for them to think of living anywhere else on the island or indeed in Thailand. Chaloklum is a fishing village with a diving and fun problem! There are dive shops, restaurants and quality bars aplenty to keep you entertained any day of the week.

Its always fascinating to hear from people who have been ‘captured’ by the island years ago and decided to make this place their home. As a resident of Thailand for twelve years there have been many changes to the island in this time and Gavin is quick to point out that these are all for the better.

“There was the introduction of high speed internet which means there is more access to the world than there used to be! There is no more queuing for a computer to send an email like the old days! The hospitals are greatly improved and the ferry and taxi services are getting better every year. The electrical supplies have been upgraded and this makes a big difference to holidaymakers or if you are running a restaurant on the island”

Gavin adds “Over the last twelve years there are more families and holidaymakers on the island now and a greater group of visitors that are not just here for the full moon party. The island has always been more than the just one big party and people are now visiting to see the entire island rather than just a trip for three or four days”.

As most of the seafront land has already seen much development,  Gavin and Nam do not see many major changes happening, and are confident the island will keep its traditional values.

Gavin and Nam advise that “As there are more people seeing the whole island now it's good for business owners and for the local economy”.

So any negatives? “There are no negatives but one concerning side is that as there are more people seeing the island there are undoubtedly going to be more accidents especially on the roads".

With the amount of motorbikes increasing on the island the owners of The Mango Tree are quick to point out that people need to be careful out there. “Wearing your helmet and keeping your speed down is the essential ingredients for a safe and happy time here. Although it is good that the hospitals have improved if things go wrong!”

We have all known someone who has the Koh Phangan kiss on their leg!

The introduction of broadband has however increased the amount of people who are staring at their smartphones and tablets rather than talking more to the nice people around.

Away from the Mango Tree the owners like to grab any spare time they can to spend together at their favourite viewpoint Khao Raa or at home catching up on their favourite movies and TV shows.
As restaurant owners they advise that if you are opening a business on the island then it is hard work with long hours and full commitment is needed. But it is definitely worth it!

The Mango Tree is open 8am-10pm and offer a delivery service to the people of Chaloklum. So if you are swinging in your hammock or having a night in front of the TV then you can order great food delivered to your door.