An island in a Thai national park that was a model for the The Beach, a novel turned into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, will become more self-reliant, thanks to the power of the sun and a hand from the government. Thailand has earmarked 172 million baht (US$5.4 million) to build a one megawatt solar farm with a 1.5 megawatt-hour energy storage system, along with a 600-kilowatt diesel generator, on Koh Phaluai in the Mu Ko Ang Thong group, about 20 miles (36km) from better-known Koh Samuin and Koh Phangan, the latter home to wild full-moon parties featured in the story.
