Fisherwomen of Bang Tao Beach

Just after sunrise most days you will find a collection of fisherwomen at work just in front of the beach shack restaurants that are set on Bang Tao Beach about 50 meters south of the Laguna Beach Resort.  

From the photos you will notice that the women cover themselves completely and paint their faces with a heavy mixture of powder and cream.  This face covering has a Burmese history.  If you ever visit Myanmar, you will see women there using this "make-up" as a beauty feature, often spreading it on their faces in interesting patterns.  And you will often see it on Phuket among the Burmese laborers. 

In this case, however, it is really meant as a sunscreen and is applied heavily.  It can look a bit spooky - but it is just part of the fisherwomen's uniform. 

If you are a fresh fish fan - the fish these ladies catch will be on sale at the fresh fish market just a few hundred meters south of there and inland about 50 meters.  There are two fish market areas - one in the boat garage area (you can't miss it) and another a bit north of there, just south of Nok and Joe's Restaurant.