Have you ever heard the phrase "From the last lump of clay to the first grain of sand"? As a child growing up on the southern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, attending university near the sea, and spending my life near the ocean, I must admit that I had never heard of the first grain of sand in the Gulf of Thailand.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

"At Laem Phak Bia Community"

The only community in Thailand with both mudflats and sandy beaches in the same seawater is located in Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi Province. This area marks the transition between the mudflats of Samut Songkhram Province and the sandy beaches of Phetchaburi Province. It is also home to the Laem Phak Bia Royal Development Project.

Before embarking on our trip to Laem Phak Bia community, we would like to express our gratitude to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the "OS.Social" project for their "Community Tourism" initiative, which allowed us to experience the Laem Phak Bia community through a "One Night Stay With Locals" program.

Normally, driving from Bangkok to Phetchaburi takes only 2-3 hours. However, we traveled during a long holiday weekend, so we spent 7 hours on the road!

We stayed at "Thongjira Homestay," a small homestay owned by Uncle Chai and Aunt Boonpa. It was a homestay experience that felt like we were actually at home, as Uncle and Aunt were so kind and took care of us like we were their own children.

The wooden house we stayed in was situated on the water, with a wooden balcony in front for parties and cooking. Whispering, I must say that the view of the salt fields from the window in the morning was breathtaking. Most importantly, the cleanliness of the homestay deserves a 5-star rating.

The community of Laem Phak Bia is renowned for its "weaving from rush plants" activity, led by Aunt Boonpha at the homestay. Aunt Boonpha explained that rush plants not only provide income-generating opportunities for the community but also serve as a crucial element in the Laem Phak Bia Royal Initiative's wastewater treatment project.

Current Situation and Learning Opportunities at the Grape Algae Learning Center, Family Farm

The traditional craft of weaving with Indian Pipe (Aristolochia tagala) is becoming increasingly rare. However, for those interested in learning this skill, Aun Boonpa generously offers instruction.

Grape Algae Learning Center, Family Farm

Sea Grapes: From Farm to Table

Traditionally, we only encounter sea grapes packaged in styrofoam boxes. However, today, Aunt Mam, the owner of a sea grape farm, takes us on a tour of her farm. This is the first time we witness the entire process of sea grape production, from cultivation and harvesting to cleaning, before they are delivered to stores and packaged for sale to consumers like us. Not only are they delicious and free of harmful chemicals, but they also aid in weight loss.

Auntie Mam also mentioned that they usually only sell to wholesalers and don't offer sorting options. However, they do offer free samples, so don't miss the chance to taste fresh sea grapes straight from the farm.

After soaking the dried seaweed overnight, rinse it thoroughly with clean water several times. Then, wash it with cold water and arrange it on a plate. Add ice to keep the seaweed crisp. Serve with seafood dipping sauce and fried shallots for a delicious treat.


Hydroponic Vegetable Learning Center

Mr. Wichai's farm here grows a variety of lettuce, including green oak, red oak, romaine, and frillice. He supplies these fresh, high-quality vegetables to resorts and restaurants in the area, ensuring that tourists in Laem Phak Bia have access to delicious and healthy salads. This business model not only supports the tourism industry but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices. It was heartwarming to witness and learn from Mr. Wichai's dedication and passion.

Lunch with local menu

For those who visit Laem Phak Bia community on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, you can enjoy delicious food at the "Oh Ho, Delicious Crab" restaurant. Today, Ms. Som, a local elder, showcased her culinary skills by preparing a traditional meal for us. The menu included red chili paste with chakrab leaves, fried catfish, sour curry with shrimp and chakrab leaves, and stir-fried seafood. Today, this volunteer had the opportunity to assist Ms. Som in making the sour curry with shrimp and chakrab leaves.

While I can't claim to have made this dish myself, as it involved simply combining pre-prepared ingredients in a pot, the village headman personally seasoned it to perfection. The result is a visually appealing dish featuring large prawns and locally sourced chakram leaves, a coastal staple. Served with steaming hot rice, the sour curry with chakram leaves is ready to be enjoyed.

Oh Ho Delicious Crab Restaurant, Poo Ma Bank, and Laem Phak Bia Community Fish Market

A Community-Driven Seafood Market: Freshness Delivered

This passage describes a community-based seafood market where members directly sell their catches, eliminating middlemen. Operating only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the market leverages its proximity to the harbor to offer exceptionally fresh seafood.

(Seafood is not included in the Voucher Package)

Facebook: Oh Ho Delicious Crab Restaurant

Behind the Oh Ho Delicious Crab restaurant, there is a "Crab Bank", a breeding ground specifically for blue crabs. Mr. Apichai explained to us that the reason for establishing the Crab Bank was to help increase the survival rate of blue crabs. This is because female crabs that lay eggs outside their shells tend to shed their eggs before they are mature, resulting in the death of the larvae. This is a major factor contributing to the decline in the blue crab population. The Crab Bank therefore encourages fishermen to bring female crabs with eggs outside their shells to be deposited for incubation. The larvae are then raised before being released back into the sea.

A single female crab can produce between 250,000 and 2,000,000 offspring, but only 1% of these survive in the wild. However, by depositing crabs in a bank, 2,500 to 20,000 offspring can be returned to nature.

Before the last light of the day faded, we returned to collect the salt pagoda beside the homestay where we were staying. We hoped to see the sunset with the beautiful salt fields, but the sky was overcast and we couldn't see the sun.


5:30 AM
Uncle Panya arrived at our homestay with his sidecar to pick us up. Today, we took a boat ride early in the morning to the point where the mudflats meet the first sandy beach of the Gulf of Thailand.

Uncle Panya steered the boat out and began to explain the origin of the phrase "From the last lump of mud to the first grain of sand". He said that the Gulf of Thailand from Bangkok down to the coast of Ban Laem Phak Bia here was nothing but a mudflat. And beyond the Laem Phak Bia community (pointing to the sandbar in the middle of the water that we could see in the distance), that's where the sandy beach of the Gulf of Thailand coastline begins. It's also the point where you can watch the sun rise and set in the same spot.

This unique location in Laem Phak Bia is the only place in Thailand where mudflats and sandy beaches coexist within the same body of seawater. As we reach the first sandy beach, a glance at the sky reveals that we will not be seeing the sun today.


Uncle Panya took us to **collect shellfish by hand on the muddy beach**. As soon as we stepped onto the boat, the first thing we saw were fiddler crabs, cockles, ark shells, and **"hee-moo" shells** (yes, that's the real name, Uncle himself said it softly and shyly, the first time we heard it we shouted "huh!!!!" Uncle repeated it again, and we all burst into laughter on the beach).

Previously, we asked Uncle Panya for tips on finding clams. He said, "Just go down there and pick them up." Okay, let's go down and pick up some clams. 555555

The initial sensation upon stepping into the mud was its remarkable softness and fineness. The mud reached our ankles, and as soon as we sank in, we began collecting clams. The clams were buried in the mud, and we could find them by pushing with our feet and digging with our hands. While it seemed like they wouldn't be difficult to find, it wasn't easy for us novices. Even when the three of us combined our efforts, we couldn't match the efficiency of Uncle Pannya working alone.


The Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project, initiated by His Majesty the King, Ban Laem.

We rented bicycles from the village headman's house for 20 baht for 1-2 hours. If we want to ride all day, it's 50 baht. But on a hot day like this, how many hours do you think we should ride? Haha, we're already soaked after 5 minutes. It's not rain, it's sweat!

This location is not just an environmental research and development education facility. The highlight is the mangrove ecosystem study trail, where tourists can walk along a 850-meter wooden bridge. The trail is lined with mangrove trees, fiddler crabs, large mudskippers, and various bird species, indicating the rich biodiversity of this mangrove forest.

Mangrove forests are the most effective natural wastewater treatment systems before the water flows into the sea. This area once faced severe water pollution problems, to the point where the water was unusable. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great initiated a project to treat wastewater using a natural approach. As you can see, the area is now incredibly rich in biodiversity.

We walked and took pictures along the wooden bridge that stretched to the mudflat, which contrasted with the horizon. This spot is perfect for taking beautiful photos.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

The Charm of Laem Phak Bia: A Community-Led Tourism Experience

Escape the mountains and the sea and discover the hidden gem of Laem Phak Bia community. This community-driven tourism initiative offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture while supporting sustainable development.

Led by the residents themselves, the program highlights the community's strengths and talents. This approach not only creates jobs and income for locals but also fosters cultural preservation.

Experience the Essence of Laem Phak Bia:

  • 2-day, 1-night stay in the community: Immerse yourself in the local way of life with accommodation, meals, and engaging activities.
  • Price: 2,250 Baht per person (minimum 2 people).
  • Activities:
    • Learn traditional crafts like weaving and tie-dyeing.
    • Discover the secrets of Thai dessert making.
    • Explore the hydroponic vegetable farm and the seaweed farm.
    • Savor a delicious lunch of local dishes.
    • Visit the community learning center for horseshoe crabs and the community fish farm.
    • Embark on a scenic boat ride along the coast, witnessing the fishermen's daily life and breathtaking sunrises.
    • Collect shells on the beach.
    • Explore the Laem Phak Bia Royal Development Project.

Important Notes:

  • Activities may be adjusted based on weather conditions and tides.
  • Group discounts are available for groups of 30 or more (1,980 Baht per person).
  • Between December and February, witness migratory birds on the sandbar.
  • From October to December, observe the majestic blue whales.
  • "Oh Ho Pu Aroy" restaurant is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and their crabs sell out quickly. Reservations are highly recommended.

Contact:

  • Khun Acharin: 080-2502537
  • Website: https://www.1nightstaywithlocals.com/

Embrace the authentic charm of Laem Phak Bia and contribute to a sustainable future for the community.


Join us for a trip! Up the mountain on Friday, down the valley on Saturday

#laem phak bia community#phetchaburi#community#salt pan#thailand#boat trip#beachcombing#watching the sunset#car
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