#2 above regarding Orient Beach being renamed 'Kay Ko' was kind of funny. As the others on here have noted it is still very much named Orient Beach. But, I think your friends may have gotten confused with one of the beach bars/restaurants that recently reopened on the north side of Orient. Kakao had returned here several months ago and is (at this time) the northern most facility on OB. Sometimes people call the part of Orient Beach directly in front of these establishments by their name, such as 'Kakao Beach.' Just like we still call it 'Club O Beach'. In reality it's all Orient Beach, and it's a public beach from top to bottom. And, except for the sea grasses that was ashore the beach is better than ever.