Dragonfly Naturist Village, Pattaya Thailand

Dragonfly Naturist Village was established awhile ago which I have yet the opportunity to visit because of COVID-19 travel ban. Taking the opportunity of long weekend, I finally visited this place at Christmas.
蜻蜓天體村成立不久，由於 COVID-19 旅行禁令，我還沒有機會去參觀。 趁著長週末的機會，終於在聖誕節的時候來到了這個地方。

Resort has many facilities including a restaurant, swimming pool, game room, gym and covered warm water swimming pools (Onsen).
度假村擁有許多設施，包括餐廳、游泳池、遊戲室、健身房和有頂棚的溫水游泳池（溫泉）。

Hong Kong Citizen Using e-Payment in Thailand 香港居民在泰國使用電子支付

Recently, e-payment platforms in Hong Kong and Thailand join hands to implement e-payment in Thailand for Hong Kong citizen. I tried and is almost as easy as in Hong Kong. Do not even mention the formal e-payment name "Prompt Pay" because most Thai have no idea what that is.
近日，香港與泰國電子支付平台攜手合作，為香港市民在泰國實現電子支付。 嘗試過放發現在泰國使用電子付款幾乎和在香港使用一樣簡單。 只是需注意不要使用正式的電子支付名稱 “Prompt Pay”，因為大多數泰國人不知道那是什麼。

To use e-payment 使用電子支付：

1. Say "Scan" to the staff and he/she will show you a printed QR code. 對工作人員說 “Scan”，他/她就會向您展示印刷的二維碼。
2. Use your payment application to scan the QR code to confirm payment. I used Octopus Wallet but you are free to choose your own. 使用您的付款應用程式掃描二維碼並確​​認付款。 我使用八達通錢包，但你可以自由選擇慣用的電子錢包。
3. Show the "payment success" message to the staff. This is especially important if you are away from the cashier (as in most café / restaurants). For some reason, payment process is not fully automatic, merchants need to confirm payment receive on their console. 您需要向工作人員展示「支付成功」訊息。這一點很重要，特別是當您遠離收銀台時（就像在大多數咖啡店 / 餐廳）。不知為何，付款過程不是全自動化，而是須要店員在店舖端另行確認。

How to get there 到那裡怎麼走

The easiest way is to use resort airport transfer. I drove from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport and took about 1.5 hour. If you enter "Dragonfly Naturist Village" into Google Map, it will most probably lead you to the back of the resort -- which happened to me :( I was able to call the staff and she was kind enough to came out and rode with me, leading me to the front entrance.
最簡單的方法是使用度假村機場接送服務。 我從曼谷素萬那普機場開車過來，大約需要1.5小時。 如果你在谷歌地圖中輸入"Dragonfly Naturist Village"，它很可能會帶你到度假村的後門 -- 這便發生在我身上 :( 我給工作人員打電話，她很友善地出來和我一起騎行，帶我到正門。

I would suggest you search for "Riva Waree Onsen" instead and it should lead you to the front entrance. In case you are using other GPS system, you can enter the coordinate to the front entrance is 12.98073, 100.97057 directly.
我建議您搜尋 “Riva Waree Onsen”，這應該會帶您到正門。 如果您使用其他導航系統，可直接輸入正門的座標 12.98073, 100.97057。

The road leading to the front entrance is quite difficult to notice and the resort sign you'll be looking for is rather small. When approaching destination, you have to pay attention and try to find the sign and turn off main road accordingly.
通往正門的道路很難注意到，而且您要尋找的度假村標誌也相當小。 當接近目的地時，您必須注意並嘗試找到標誌並相應地關閉主幹道。

Layout of the Naturist Village 天體村的佈局

Rooms were basically layout around the swimming pool, with majority of which clustered near gym room. There is also a large pond with a path you can take for a morning walk.
房間基本上圍繞著游泳池佈置，大部分集中在健身房附近。 還有一個大池塘，有一條小路，您可以在早晨散步。

Several rooms were on the 2nd floor above onsen pools. Depending on the orientation of your room, some rooms may have virtually no view at all.
一些位於溫泉池上方二樓的房間，根據朝向，可能幾乎看不到任何風景。

Food & Beverages 食品和飲料

Breakfast is not included in room rate and it will cost you ฿180. This is more expensive than you would have to pay if you dine outside but not "resort" expensive also. There are a few local diner and a 7-11 nearby for your breakfast need just 3 minutes' drive away.
早餐不包含在房價內，費用為 ฿180。 這比您在外面用餐時要支付的費用要貴，卻比其他“度假村價”公道。附近有幾家當地食店和 7-11 便利商店，只需 3 分鐘車程便可到達。

Coffee, Ovaltine and biscuits are available for free. In fact, it is common for guests bringing food from outside and drinking their coffee.
度假村提供免費咖啡、阿華田和餅乾。 事實上，客人從外面帶來食物並喝咖啡是很常見的。 

 

Swimming Pool 游泳池

Dragonfly has a regular sized swimming pool which you can really swim in and not worrying about bumping into the side after a few strokes.
蜻蜓天體村有一個普通大游泳池，你可以真正在裡面游泳，不用擔心游幾下就撞到邊邊。

Overall Experience 整體體驗

I had a good stay and recommend it to naturist traveling to the region. My only regret is the location is outside Pattaya city limit and is not service by usual online shopping services such as Grab, Shopee and Lazada. This is only an inconvenience since you can travel to all major market and malls in Northern Pattaya city in about 30 minutes. Having said that, I tried for 3 days and still cannot find a place to buy Thai triangle cushion :( Sometimes, online shopping is just easlier.
我住得很愉快，並向前往該地區的自然主義者推薦它。 唯一的遺憾是該地點位於芭堤雅市區之外，所以不在 Grab、Shopee 和 Lazada 等常見線上購物服務的送貨範圍。這只是一個不便，因為您可以開車大約 30 分鐘，便可到達北芭堤雅市的所有主要市場和購物中心。話雖如此，但我找了3天，還是找不到買泰國三角墊的地方 :( 有時候，網購就是更容易。

2023-12

Resort Bali Natur

Bali Belly? 峇裡島肚？

Yes, it is true. Despite being very careful, not eating street food and drinking only bottled beverages, I was still infested by Salmonella and had diarrhea for three days. My situation was putted under control only after treatment in local hospital. Please consult your physician before your trip and if possible, bring along diarrhea pills and antibiotics with you.

是的，它是真實的。 儘管我非常小心，不吃街頭小吃，只喝瓶裝飲料，但我仍然感染沙門氏菌，腹瀉了三天。 經過當地醫院治療後，我的情況才得到控制。 請在旅行前諮詢您的醫生，如果可能，請隨身攜帶止瀉藥和抗生素。

Location 地點

Located on the northern side of Bali Island, Bali Natur is about 94km away from Bandar Udara Internasional I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport. Thanks to congested Bali traffic, it will take you about 3 to 4 hours to make the trip. Since you will be passing Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Bedugul and Danau Buyan (Twin Lakes) on your way, you should take the opportunity visiting these sights.

Bali Natur 酒店位於峇裡島北側，距離 Bandar Udara International I Gusti Ngurah Rai 機場約94公里。由於峇裡島交通擁堵，大約需要3至4小時才能到達。由於您將在途中經過布拉坦水神廟和雙湖，我建議您應該抓住機會參觀這些景點。

Environment 環境

Bali Natur Resort is a cozy establishment with 4 guest rooms, a decent swimming pool, a small garden, dining area and owner’s house.

Bali Natur Resort 是一家舒適的飯店，擁有 4 間客房、一個不錯的游泳池、小花園、用餐區和老闆的房子。

Swimming pool is in decent size and is good for both swimming and floating around on floater. You can enjoy a great coast line view on guest room patio, swimming pool and 2nd floor dining area. Guest rooms are small but sufficient with all basic facilities plus patio for you to enjoy beautiful sunset view.

游泳池大小合適，適合游泳和漂浮在漂浮物上。您可以在客房露臺、游泳池和二樓用餐區欣賞美麗的海岸線景觀。客房雖小，但基本設施齊全，還有露臺可供您欣賞美麗的日落景色。

Guest Room 客房

 Guest room is of no surprise and came with all basics. Roughly facing northwest, you can enjoy beautiful sunset view on your patio.
客房雖小，但基本設施齊全，還有露臺可供您欣賞美麗的日落景色。

 Dining 用餐

Using only fresh ingredient from local market limited your choice on dishes everyday. Some items on their menu may not be available all the time. You can always tell the owner on your choice of dish and she will do her best to gather the required ingredient. If you like to dine outside, the resort is only a few minutes walk from nearby main street and many diners. Do note that the resort is located on the hill side so the walk up is rather strenuous. You will be much more comfortable calling a ride using Gojek or Grab instead.

僅使用當地市場的新鮮食材限制了您每天對菜餚的選擇。他們菜單上的某些項目可能不是恆常供應。您可以隨時告訴老闆您選擇的菜餚，她會盡力收集所需的食材。如果您喜歡在戶外用餐，度假村距離附近的主要街道和許多餐廳僅有幾分鐘的步行路程。請注意，度假村位於山坡上，因此步行相當費力。使用 Gojek 或 Grab 叫車會比較舒服。

Experience 經驗

Owner, her family and other guests were exceptionally helpful when they knew I had diarrhea. The owner and her brother drove me to the hospital and spend hours with me as translator, explaining my situation to the local doctor and vice versa. Million thanks to their help.

當老闆、她的家人和其他客人知道我腹瀉時，他們都非常樂於助人。老闆和她的弟弟開車送我去醫院，並花了幾個小時作為翻譯陪伴我，向當地醫生解釋我的情況，反之亦然。萬分感謝他們的幫助。

2023-09

News Flash! Phuan Naturist Village Closing from 27-09-2020

One less naturist resort to relax after 27th September, 2020. Established in 2017 and took over by Naturist Association Thailand in 2018, Naturist Association Thailand will throw a big party at Phuan Naturist Village to celebrate its final day on 27-09-2020.

-- 09/2020

News Flash! Oriental Village Chiang Mai Turns Textile

This really is a sad day to announce this sad news. Oriental Village Chiang Mai will be a non-naturist resort when it opens again after the COVID-19 closure. The resort opened as the second naturist resort of Thailand in 2012 and has been popular ever since.

Mr. Paulo, the Frenchman who joined the pioneering movement back then and who has successfully run the resort throughout the years since, terminated in May 2020 his rental contract. When the resort opens again, it will be for non-naturists only.

The operator will continue to operate his naturist resort in Phang Nga.

-- 05/2020

Original Post: https://thailandnaturist.com/oriental-village-chiang-mai-returns-to-be-non-naturist-resort/

Naturist Holiday in Phuket 02/2020 (Extended Edition)

Click image to read my story on ISSUU

Oriental Beach Village Naturist Resort

Where is it?

Opened in 2019, formerly known as Ocean Breeze Residence, Oriental Beach Village Naturist Resort (OBV) is actually located at the northern end of Phang Nga Province -- about 110 km from Phuket International Airport and a solid 2.5 hours drive to get to with a ferry trip in between.

The drive is relatively simple. From Phuket International Airport, you travel north along Route 402, then turn onto Route 4 and continue north, passing Khao Lak until you reach the pier at Ban Nam Khem in about 2 hours. There, you'll find a ferry service ferrying people and vehicle to the opposite shore.

On my arrival, it took over an hour to clear custom. This means if your flight does not arrive in the morning, your safe bet will be staying overnight at Khao Lak rather than risking arriving at the pier only to learn the last ferry had departed.

For bicycle / motorcycle, you can just push it onto a long tail boat but if you are driving a car, you have to wait for the car ferry which closes at 17:30 daily. Fare for 1 car and 2 person was THB150. There is "kind of" a schedule but the ferry will depart whenever it is full, so make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes earlier to secure a spot. After that, it is just another 15 minutes drive to the resort. The GPS coordinate of the front gate is 8.926492, 98.257315.

OBV does offer one way transfer at THB2,500 which mean a round trip will cost you THB5,000 -- more expensive than renting a car for a week!

Arriving at the resort

There are several parking spaces outside for guests arriving in their own vehicle. Having a Thailand SIM card is a plus because there is a security lock at the main gate and you will need to call the resort staff to open the gate for you.

Speaking of staff, if you frequent their Chiang Mai counterpart, you will find some familiar faces here because some staff moved with their family all the way from Chiang Mai to here. One told me she found the environment much quieter, air is cleaner and weather is better.



There is a main access down the length of the resort, with two and three storeys high villa on its side. The access ended at the swimming pool with a shaded restaurant area on the other side where you can take your meals.

Fun Fact -- That big round tower thing you see besides the swimming pool is a Tsunami Tower. In case there is a Tsunami, guests can seek refuge at the top.

 

While the pool is of good size, the real gem is the beach front just a few meters away. Beach chairs were there for your use and you can easily spend hours soaking up the sun. You should be aware of the fact that there are two other resorts neighboring OBV and on occasions, their guests will walk pass this section of the beach. As far as I can tell, they have no problem seeing me sunbathing in nude. If you fancy a stroll down the beach, just cover yourself until you cleared these two resorts. You can enjoy a long naturist-style sunset stroll along the coastline.

Strange Fact -- while it is cool to be able to swim in Andamen Sea, something stung us in the water. Really, both me and my partner fell it and decided to get out of the sea after mere minutes.

How is the food?

The menu is basically the same one you will find in their Chiang Mai counterpart. Both lunch and dinner tasted good although their potion seems to be smaller in comparison. Breakfast is being serve as buffet style instead. Choices are limited and tasted flat, very flat -- seriously, this is the first time I ever added salt to beacon. Not to mention hot dishes are merely "warm" at best. To be honest, I do prefer breakfast sets in Chiang Mai.

What to do on an island?

OBV has several excursions for you to choose from, ranging form visiting local village to island / beach trip. Sadly, because I only stayed for 3 nights, I did not had the chance to try them out. Franky, I never expect Thailand will be this hot in February. All I want to do is soaking in the pool with an ice cold drink in hand :P Oh well, more reason for returning later :)

-- 02/2020

Disclaimer: I am writing this article to share my personal experience. This is not an advertisement and I had not received any payment in any form or by any means.

Phuan Naturist Village, Pattaya Thailand

Finally having the chance to visit this resort. Had been planning on visiting since it opened in 2017 but was delay by various reasons. My day began at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) where my plane arrived, followed by collecting my rental car before heading down the highway towards Pattaya. Traffic was much smoother than I expected until I hit the traffic jam in downtown Pattaya — which reminded me why I dislike Pattaya … and why had I delay this trip for so long.

I strongly recommend flying into BKK rather than Don Mueang Airport (DMK) not only because the ridiculously long queue at DMK custom but rather it is much easier to drive to the resort from BKK. If you start at DMK, you will need to go through Bangkok by navigating its complex highway network and notorious traffic jam. From BKK, I just follow my map and soon arrived at the resort.

Where is it?

Located near the southern tip of Pattaya City limit, the resort is about 2 hours drive from Bangkok and about 30 minutes away from downtown Pattaya. Both Google Map and Open Street Map does a good job pin pointing the resort at GPS coordinate 12.828330, 100.958613. You can park you car outside on the verge or you can ask the staffs to unlock the vehicular gate to park inside. Since the resort is at a considerable distance from downtown Pattaya, it will be much more convenient just park it outside if you plan on using your car often.

History

The resort was established in 2017 by a Thai naturist and her friend (hence the name “Phuan” which means “Friend” in Thai) which is now on lease to Naturist Association Thailand (NAT). I had the pleasure of talking to the manager Jai to clear up some of the details.

Q:	Why the previous owner decided to lease this resort to NAT?
A:	Because of health issue, the owner planned on closing down the resort. Hate to see this place go, NAT came up with a plan to lease the resort and took over operation.
Q:	Does that mean NAT now runs the resort?
A:	Yes. The resort is now being operate and manage by NAT.
Q:	Does that mean Phuan will be a NAT member only resort from now on?
A:	No. The resort is open to all naturist and they are welcome to book a stay. NAT was hoping to turn this resort into a gathering point for members in Pattaya, so they can have a place to go to and share their experience.
Q:	Are there any gender balance policy?
A:	No, all are welcome. We welcome single, couple and group. In fact, we are one of the major accommodation suppliers in every year's NATCON event when huge group of naturist stays with us throughout the event.

Which room should I choose?

Which to choose is up to you but I can give you some hint on what you are getting into:

The budget choice would be one of the five wooden bungalows. Each is roughly the size of a typical hotel single room with en suite bathroom. The benefit is obviously privacy but because they are all placed along perimeter wall neighboring the main road, you will be constantly bombard by traffic noise all day long. Worse, lorries and motorcycles will most likely keeps you awake all night as well. Unless you are traveling on shoestring, just don’t!

If you want some peace and quiet, share villa room may fit your bill. The villas are in good size with an open styled pantry. I am not saying it is a kitchen because there are neither stove, microwave nor sink. There is however, a refrigerator to keep your soft drinks and beer cool — much needed for your relaxing night out on the patio. Each villa comes with 1 bathroom, 1 small and 1 large bedroom which are both in decent size, clean and bright.

While I mostly enjoy relaxing on the patio at night for some reading or casual conversation with my partner, the downside is that you have to share a bathroom with strangers. At the moment, Phuan is not a busy resort and chances are you will end up having the whole villa to yourself — no promises but Jai will do her best to arrange guests having a villa to themselves. Honestly, if you had not stayed in (or had never considered staying in) a hostel before, sharing a bathroom with strangers may not be your thing. If you want some peace and quiet but are reluctant to share a bathroom, you can always rent the whole villa.

How is the swimming pool?



Good! Size is big and pool is deep. Most guests will end up spending most of their time sunbathing and swimming in the area. You can check out a 360 view of the pool by clicking on the photo.

How is WiFi Reception?

WiFi signal was good in most public/open areas but once I went inside my villa, reception dropped to 2 bars and when I was inside my room, despite the big window, reception dropped to 1 bar (and sometimes dropped connection all together) which made my Netflix viewing next to impossible :(

How is the food?

I have to say “typical” for small sized resort. As in most small scale resort, menu choice is limited but taste good (in a home-cook-meal context). It’s just … well … let’s just say you’ll be craving to dine at downtown Pattaya after a few days. It is not bad … just not exceptional either. If you fancy anything off menu, just notify the chef in advance and she can arrange ordering it for you.



Resort Drone Shot

This drone shot was filmed with permission from the resort manager. Please observe their strict photo policy and always ask for permission.
Disclaimer: I am writing this article to share my personal experience. This is not an advertisement and I had not received any payment in any form or by any means.

— Travel date : 03/2019