Philosophy Aow Leuk Bay Since 2007

The story of a place
built with care.

Aow Leuk Bay · Koh Tao · Founded by the New Heaven family
— Foreword

Baan Talay was founded by people who loved this land before they built anything on it.

In 2007, the New Heaven family began planning a small resort on the hillside above Aow Leuk Bay. Before any structure was designed, years were spent studying the land — what the trees needed, where the reef was closest, how the wind moved through the jungle at different times of year.

The goal was not to build a resort in the conventional sense. It was to create a place where the beauty of what was already here could remain the main thing.

Every structure at Baan Talay was positioned to blend into the hillside rather than stand out from it. Minimum impact on the land was not a principle added later — it was the starting point.

the New Heaven family
"The jungle was here first. We built paths around the trees, not through them."
Aow Leuk Hillside 10.06° N · 99.83° E
Behind Baan Talay

The people
who run this place.

Baan Talay is run by a small team — most of them have been here for years, some since the beginning. They cook, teach, dive, sweep the shala, fix the wifi. If you stay long enough, you'll meet all of them.
// portrait · workshop
Founder · Yoga & Methodology Devrim Zahir

Founded the New Heaven Dive School in 1995 and Baan Talay in 2007. Designed the Zahir Methodology. Teaches yoga, dives, occasionally builds furniture.

// at Aow Leuk since 1995
// portrait · kitchen
Head Chef · Mama's Table Mama Kaen

From Suratthani originally. Cooks the Southern Thai menu and hosts the chef's table. The bread, the curries, and the gelato all start with her.

// at Aow Leuk since 2007
// portrait · turan
Yoga · Freediving Turan Zahir

Devrim's youngest son. Grew up between the reef and the shala. Teaches yoga, Animal Flow, breathwork and freediving — and leads ice bath and sauna sessions.

// born into it · 2007
// the crew · group
The Crew Kitchen, dive, reception

A small full-time team — twelve people across the kitchen, the dive shop, the shala, and the front desk. Most live within walking distance of the resort.

// 12 full-time · 4 seasonal
The Philosophy

Nature,
not concrete.

Baan Talay was designed around the idea that what already exists here — the reef, the jungle, the bay, the light at six in the morning — is the experience. Not a backdrop for it.

We make minimum impact on the land because the land was here first. This is as simple as it sounds, and as difficult as it is to actually do.

Baan Talay — nature and the resort
Jala Methodology — yoga at Baan Talay
Yoga & Practice

The Zahir
Methodology.

A holistic approach to yoga and movement developed by Devrim at Baan Talay. It combines traditional yoga with breathwork, embodied movement and meditative practices, shaped by the natural environment of Koh Tao — the bay, the jungle, the heat, the water.

Body

Asana, movement, physical practice.

Breath

Pranayama as the bridge between body and mind.

Mind

Meditation, philosophy, self-inquiry.

Nature

The shala. The bay. The fifth pillar — and for many, the first.

The New Heaven family Koh Tao · Est. 2007
"

We have spent many years ensuring that nature, not concrete, takes your breath away.

The Foreword · Baan Talay, 2007

Find us

Baan Talay Resort & Yoga
37/2 Moo 3, Aow Leuk Bay
Koh Tao, Suratthani 84360
Thailand

10°04'26"N · 99°50'32"E

Say hello

+66 77 457 043
+66 89 329 4462
baantalaykohtao@gmail.com

Hours
Shala · 06:00 – 20:00
Reception · 08:00 – 18:30

© 2026 · Koh Tao, Thailand
Est. by the New Heaven family, 2007