Escape the city and embrace the sea. I don't often get the chance to relax and unwind like this. This trip is thanks to the TAT's "Social Tourism with Local Communities" project, which gave me and my friends the opportunity to help promote community-based tourism. We experienced a "One night stay with locals" in a community that I will share more about in the next two days and one night.

Phathiu Tourism Community (Bang Son), Chumphon Province

The homestay experience took place at Baan Mai Chaiyaklong Homestay, located in Ban Bang Son, Pathio District, Chumphon Province. This small homestay is situated along the Bang Son Canal and offers a glimpse into the traditional way of life of the Chao Lay people. The community offers three tourism programs, and the chosen program was the first one.

Travel

1. By car

2. By train: From Bangkok to Phatthawi Railway Station, a distance of 485 km.

  1. By air, there is Chumphon Airport.
  1. Bus tour from Bangkok to Chumphon

For those traveling by train, bus, and airplane, the homestay offers a pick-up and drop-off service for 500 baht.

Program 1: Minimum 2 Participants

2-4 people: 1,890 baht per person
5 or more people: 1,500 baht per person This price includes 2 days and 1 night accommodation, meals, and various activities:

  • Visit Khao Dinso, a birdwatching spot for migratory hawks
  • Pray for blessings at the temple
  • Enjoy a special open-air raft ride with a full seafood lunch (including cooking local dishes and snacks) along the Bang Son Canal to the sandbar at the mouth of the bay, and watch the sunset
  • Evening boat trip to see fireflies
  • Night fishing in front of the accommodation
  • Shellfish hunting
  • Snorkeling to see coral reefs, giant clams, and Koh Kai
  • Release crabs back home at the crab pawn shop

This voucher is valid from today until December 31, 2019.

  • Book accommodation and activities 15 days in advance.

Contact the community: 080-7791650, Mr. Somchoke.

Facebook: Homestay Bang Son

Now that we've covered the basics, let's dive into the images and stories.

The team arrived at the community around 13:00. After settling into their accommodation and greeting Mr. Somchoke, they discussed the day's activities. Mr. Somchoke then drove them to their first destination. (Note: The team also included Mr. Kong and Mr. Wutthi.)

Watch the "Migrating Hawks" at Khao Dinso, Chumphon Province.

In Thailand, sightings of falcons are rare. However, during a specific season, from September to November each year, flocks of falcons and various bird species migrate from Russia, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. They fly south, covering distances of over 2,000-4,000 kilometers, to escape the cold weather and seek warmer temperatures and abundant food sources.

The optimal location for observing and counting migratory falcons is at Khao Dinso, Bang Son Subdistrict, Pathio District. This open area near the coastline stands at an elevation of 736 meters above sea level, conveniently situated near Phetkasem Road and Chumphon city. Here, visitors can observe migratory falcons at close range. A short 1-kilometer hike to the summit reveals a breathtaking spectacle of hundreds of thousands of falcons soaring across the sky. Additionally, the panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand from Pathio District are equally captivating.


In addition to the hawks, various flowers and plants can be seen along the way, such as the enoa flower, the kratu flower, the running horse orchid, the nang aua flower, and various mushrooms that grow along the roadside.


After birdwatching, I helped my mother prepare dinner. Today, she taught me how to cook a local dish called "Gaeng Hoy Pu Kan" or "Gaeng Hoy Puu Kan," which is a curry made with mussels and young tamarind leaves.

The long-awaited moment arrives: a relaxing raft ride with a full seafood lunch, cruising along the Bang Son Canal towards the sandbar at the mouth of the bay. Enjoy the sunset and take a refreshing dip in the water.

After observing the lifestyle of the Moken people, we returned to our accommodation to freshen up and prepare for a boat trip to see the fireflies. The abundance of fireflies was breathtaking, covering the trees from base to crown with their twinkling lights. This was a truly special moment, but unfortunately, being on the boat made it impossible to capture the fireflies on camera.

After watching fireflies at Mae Samnoen, Chok, Chon, Kung, and other family members taught Che, Wut, and Kong how to make a simple local dessert called "Rojee." The ingredients are minimal, including flour, sugar, roasted sesame seeds, and roasted peanuts. The preparation time is short, allowing for quick enjoyment.

After making snacks, we sat down to fish on the balcony by the water in front of the house. Local people joined in the conversation and told us stories until late at night when everyone went to sleep (if you prefer open spaces, you can pitch a tent on the balcony by the water).

Day 2 Morning

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

On the morning of August 8, 2018, we woke up early to visit the market. The first thing we did was to offer food to the monks. Afterwards, we strolled through the market, shopped for goods, and chatted with the locals in a joyful atmosphere.

After completing their shopping, they returned to their accommodation for breakfast.

Before returning home, Chok took me to pay respects at Khao Chedi.

According to oral tradition, the construction of Wat Khao Chedi is attributed to two wealthy brothers, Chao Ai and Chao Yi. They arrived at Khok Yai Ram (present-day Wat Suwanna Ram) on a large ship laden with goods and servants. Seeking a suitable peak for building a chedi, they discovered the picturesque summit of Khao Chedi. They instructed their servants to carry bricks from the ship at Khok Yai Ram to the peak, passing them hand-to-hand. Some accounts claim that Chao Ai Phraya and Chao Yi Phraya, who lived during the early Ayutthaya period, were responsible for the construction. They are said to have gathered materials and servants and sailed to Nakhon Si Thammarat to build a stupa. However, upon reaching Phatthalung, they learned that the stupa in Nakhon Si Thammarat had already been completed. They then surveyed the peaks in Phatthalung and found a particularly beautiful one, upon which they built a chedi. This peak became known as "Khao Chedi."


After returning from Khao Chedi, we had breakfast and prepared to go snorkeling at Koh Kai.

"Koh Kai" is one of the natural tourist attractions in Pathio District, Chumphon Province, which is not yet familiar to many tourists. However, it is an island with unique features unlike other islands in the middle of the sea. "Koh Kai" has a white sandy beach, clean, shaped like a half-moon. It can attract and interest tourists to visit more and more because of its natural uniqueness, which is the "Coral Cemetery".

The Island of Eggs: A Story of Conservation and Recovery

The name "Egg Island" originates from a time when local fishermen would collect turtle eggs laid on the island's sandy shores. This practice, however, is now illegal, and the community has shifted its focus to protecting and conserving the endangered sea turtles.

In collaboration with authorities, residents actively participate in conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of these magnificent creatures for future generations and tourists. This dedication has led to a remarkable recovery of the island's marine ecosystem, with a diverse array of marine life returning to its shores.

Among the species now thriving are vibrant fish, including lionfish and clownfish (including the ocellaris, maroon, tomato, and percula varieties), alongside branching corals, plate corals, soft corals, and sea fans. The presence of the endangered tiger cowrie further highlights the island's ecological richness.

Egg Island stands as a testament to the power of community-driven conservation, demonstrating how collaborative efforts can restore and protect our natural world.



After visiting Koh Kai, we continued our journey to search for mussels or clams. Along the way, Mr. Chon picked and split open some jackfruit for us to enjoy fresh. The taste was fragrant, sweet, and delicious.


The razor clam, also known as the "คู่กัน" (meaning "together" in Thai), is aptly named because they are always found in pairs. According to Chan, the clams they collected will be used to prepare a delicious lunch.


Upon returning, Chok's mother washed and boiled the oysters they had gathered for us to enjoy. Every meal here is delicious and visually appealing. Today, I told my mother that I wanted to eat chili paste, and she promptly prepared it for me. It was incredibly delicious. The lunch menu consisted of shrimp paste chili paste with fresh vegetables, boiled mussels, stir-fried taro stems, crab stir-fried with curry powder, steamed fish cakes, sour soup with mackerel, and fish with chili sauce.


On the way back, I found some authentic shrimp paste, a product made by the local community only once a year. (I couldn't resist buying some to bring back for my friends.)



The "Crab Pawn Shop" initiative in Chumphon, Thailand, aims to conserve the horseshoe crab population by addressing the issue of overfishing. The initiative involves purchasing egg-bearing horseshoe crabs, raising the eggs until they hatch, and then releasing the hatchlings back into the sea. This approach has resulted in a significant increase in the horseshoe crab population, leading to higher incomes for fishermen and a more sustainable ecosystem.


After visiting Poo's pawnshop, it was time to say goodbye. Our visit felt warm and welcoming, like being at home. We shared meals together, talked, and told stories about our lives. This trip was truly enjoyable, and I want to express my gratitude to the TAT and the Social Tourism project for giving me and my friends the opportunity to participate in promoting community tourism. We had a wonderful experience with the "One night stay with locals" program.



Photographer Saravut Naipreedee

Photographer thatchakrit kaantiwat

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#chumphon#sea#homestay#thailand#scuba diving#eating crab.#car
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