Beyond the beautiful beaches and resorts of Ko Lanta lies another side of the island, where life moves at a gentler pace and nature takes centre stage. On the island’s eastern coast, Ban Thung Yi Pheng is a peaceful village surrounded by an extensive mangrove forest. The forest has a remarkable story of recovery. Once degraded by years of woodcutting for fuel and charcoal production, it has gradually been restored through the conservation efforts of the local community. Today