Episode 066: Bodhi Garrett | Founder of Andaman Discoveries, & Eco-entrepreneur in Khao Sok

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Bodhi Garrett is the Founder of multiple projects including North Andaman Tsunami Relief and Andaman Discoveries among others, and an eco-entrepreneur of several community-based tourism initiatives in the Khao Sok National Park region. Listen to his journey from growing up amid myriad cultures across the world, to helping with relief work during the tsunami in Thailand (2004) and the earthquake in Nepal (2015). Learn about his community projects, and tourism development initiatives, while finding a home and empowering native folks in Southern Thailand. North Andaman Tsunami Relief was set up to empower people in several tsunami-affected villages, by using education, conservation, and development, so these communities can build independent livelihoods. Andaman Discoveries is a social enterprise that serves the needs of local communities through education, conservation, and cultural empowerment in Southern Thailand. See their website Follow them on Instagram Like their Facebook page Sign up for themed tours to villages and islands, or give back through volunteer programs in schools and orphanages. Khao Sok Riverside Cottages and Coco Hostel are family-owned boutique accommodations in close proximity to Khao Sok National Park, which offer immersive experiences in the region. Explore the wonderful flora and fauna of this tropical rainforest surrounds highlighted by the picturesque Cheow Larn Lake and the Ratchaprapha Dam. Enjoy a bunch of activities here that include canoe trips, cave explorations, lake cruises, raft house stayovers, waterfall hikes, wildlife excursions, rafflesia hunting, night walks, village encounters, jungle cooking, and more. Also mentioned in this episode: 7/11 Animist traditions Ban Talae Nok Batik Carry Your Bottle Cheow Larn Lake Cicadas Coconut beetles Community based tourism Crickets Durian Dusit FED Ferns in Southern Thailand Gaur Gems Elephant Farm Glowing fungus Khao Lak Khao Sok Lake Khao Sok National Park Khlong Phanom National Park Klong Koh Surin Lindsey Reding Mangosteen Mangosteen Cosmopolitan Marriott Moken people Mondop “Bee” Sreshthabutra Mount Kailash Nam Kra Jieb Nam Prik Kapi Nattaya “Nat” Sektheera Nubri Our Jungle Camp Our Jungle House Pandan juice Phang Nga Rafflesia Kerrii Rainforest Ranong Riang beans Rohingya refugee crisis Rhinoceros beetles Sataw Sambar deer Sakai people Sheraton Sonchana Farm Tapir Thamrong “Tui” Chomphusri The Hippie Trail The Hillside Retreat The Red Cross United Nations Yondr ******* Show cover jingle courtesy of Icons8 Music by Nordgroove from Fugue Episode background tunes courtesy of YouTube Audio Library A Trip Around The Moon by Unicorn Heads Crater Laker by The Mini Vandals All photographs courtesy of Andaman Discoveries, Bodhi Garrett, and Khao Sok Riverside Cottages, unless otherwise stated