THAILAND – Samut Songkhram & Phetchaburi – Discover the Seaboard Communities of the Gulf of Thailand

Description

Venturing outside the urbanized area of Bangkok, guests are immediately immersed in the more local and rural Thailand that can be found along the seaboard of the Gulf of Thailand. A visit to one of the country’s biggest fish markets highlights the importance of the fishing industry in the area. After a stroll in the market, seeing fishermen and workers packing and trading, the trip continues further south with insightful visits to local communities where guests are invited to participate in hands-on activities like planting mangrove trees, trying out a uniquely local way of “waterskiing” and enjoying a salt rub at a local spa. The activity offers an unusual way to gain insight into the traditions unique to the area and perfectly fits a transfer between Bangkok and Cha-Am or Hua Hin. Alternatively, it can also make for a fun and exciting day trip from Bangkok.

Selling points

• This is Easia’s Signature product.
• Off-the-beaten-track but still very accessible from Bangkok
• A great option to upgrade a transfer between Bangkok and Hua Hin
• Community-based visits
• Provides insight into local life on the seaboard

Level Of The Excursion

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Environment Impact

Economic Impact

Additional Information

Positive impacts

The activity takes place in local communities where guests learn about traditions and the local way of living. There is active participation during various activities, which are all organized and taken care of by members of the community. This way income is generated while at the same time preserving traditions and traditional products.

Negative impacts

The boat used during the activity uses fossil fuel which causes Co² emissions

Time And Transportation

Duration

Full day – approximately 6 hours (from 8.30 until 15.30, excluding transfer to/from begin and end point)

Min pax

1

Max pax

10

How to sell it

• As a way to add value to a transfer between Bangkok and Cha-Am or Hua Hin
• As a fun daytrip from Bangkok that shows a very local side of Thailand
• A fun activity for young and old
• A day of community-based visits, which fits in a sustainable itinerary.
• For clients who are looking for off-the-beaten track experiences

Why this activity

• To expand the product offer in Bangkok’s vicinity
• To add community-based products to our database
• A product that suits to a wide variety of profiles
• An Easia Signature product

Good to combine with

• A transfer between Bangkok and Cha-Am or Hua Hin

Do not combine with

• Any other full day or half-day activities

Market suggestion

Competitor comparison

We are currently the only ones offering this program (although some local organizations offer Khlong Khon activities), however, we don’t have any exclusivity agreement with any of the communities.

Pros

• Easy to include, either on a transfer between Bangkok and Cha-Am or Hua Hin, or as a daytrip from Bangkok.
• Easia Signature activity, allows to differentiate.
• Authentic experience nearby Bangkok
• Community based product that suits a wide range of traveler profiles

Cons

• Local experiences, level of service may not be suitable to demanding/high-end clients.
• No exclusivity agreement on any of the activities, can be copied by competitors.
• Some level of curiosity and open mindedness is needed, otherwise some activities may be considered as “dirty.”

Information

Program outline (subject to change depending on conditions and interest of travelers):

• 08.30: arrive at Mahachai market, visit the market to observe local life
• 09.00: depart to Khlong Khon community
• 09.45: arrive at Khlong Khon community. Briefing about the program/activities and background information
• 10.00: Start boat ride and activities at Khlong Khon
• 11.30: Depart from Khlong Khon community
• 12.00: Arrive at local restaurant for lunch
• 13.00: Continue to Baan Rong Yai Community
• 13:30: enjoy massage and salt scrub at the community, continue to seaweed farmer.
• 15.30: Depart from Baan Rong Yai community and continue to next destination

Things to bring: 

• Clothes that can get wet/dirty (for the activities at Khlong Khon)
• A change of clothes
• A small towel
• Sunscreen

Alerts

• For the salt fields the best period is from December until April when there is no rain, other periods the fields will be filled with water and therefore less interesting and photogenic.
• Yung Gluea local restaurant is closed on Wednesdays (alternative available at Bang Tabun, although different style)
• Travelers will get muddy and/or wet during the mangrove planting and local “waterski” activities at Khlong Khon
• No towels are available at Khlong Khon
• This activity is best for travelers with an open mind and some sense of adventure, others may find the activities “dirty” (ex. mangrove planting is muddy, getting wet during local waterski, seaweed is unfamiliar food, etc.)

Important information

• Mangrove planting and local waterski can be guaranteed as activities, collecting cockles is not always possible as it depends on the tide and the season
• Mahachai market could be replaced by Talad Rom Hub (the famous Mae Klong train market) although during Covid times the timing does not fit

Quotation guideline

ERP Module –> PROD TH MODULE – LEISURE – Samut Songkhram & Phetchaburi – Discover the Seaboard Communities of the Gulf of Thailand – EN

Module includes:

• Activities at Khlong Khon
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Activities at Baan Rong Yai Salt Spa

Inclusion

• Market visit to Mahachai market
• Boat ride at Khlong Khon community
• Mangrove planting at Khlong Khon community
• Trying local “waterski” at Khlong Khon community
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Salt scrub and massage at Baan Rong Yai community
• Visit of seaweed farmer + tasting at Baan Rong Yai

Exclusion

• Transfers
• Easia National guide
• Drinks
• Any personal items
• Tips

Remark

• The capacity of this activity is limited by the salt spa. They can only organize a massage and activities for up to 10 people at a time.
• For bigger groups the Khlong Khon community activities can still be an option

Important notes

• The guide should reconfirm the program and services with the local communities in advance to make sure arrival on spot it smooth and the program is clear.
• The budget in ERP for lunch is “Regular restaurant in Bangkok”, however this budget is too much in most cases, make sure to check the receipt of the guide when clearing expenses

Special Guide notes

• Please reconfirm the program and services with the local communities in advance to make sure arrival on spot it smooth and the program is clear
• Double check if the guests prepared a change of clothes and a towel to change
• To fill up the program (in case clients are fast or are not interested in the activities) it is possible to show the following activities:
  • show making of fermented shrimp paste (kapi) at Khlong Khon community, Jay Sunan 081-1950190
  • stop at bamboo rice shops (khao lam shop) in Phetchaburi, Khao Lam Mae Jek 086 809 03 65, 086 1648849

Contact

• Khlong Khon Community: คุณปภัสร์พงษ์ 062-265-5356 (Phuyai Chong Homestay)
• Yung Gluea Baan Laem: ยุ้งเกลือ บ้านแหลม 089 766 6885 (closed on Wednesday)
• Krua Bang Tabun: alternative for lunch 03 2581297 (open on Wednesday)
• Baan Rong Yai – Kanghuntong Salt Spa: Khun Kay, Khun Tik 086-5444473,032-44055100

English

Today you will escape the bustle of the city and visit the impressive fish market of Mahachai where you can observe the hum of one of the most important fishing centers of the kingdom. After a stroll in the market, seeing fishermen and workers packing and trading, continue to a local community where the villagers live in harmony with the sea and the surrounding mangrove forests. You will learn about the importance of mangroves and get the chance to contribute by planting young mangrove trees. Cockle farming is another important part of life in the community, an activity which you will get to experience up close, tide and the weather permitting. To prevent them from getting stuck in the muddy seabed, locals use a wooden board to move around while collecting cockles. These wooden boards share some similarities with a waterski and using them as such has become a fun pastime which visitors and locals alike love trying out. Back at the village you can freshen up and change clothes before continuing to a local restaurant for lunch. 

In the afternoon you will stop in another community where the sea is also their main source of income. You will learn how salt is harvested, and how it is furthered processed into natural spa products. Enjoying a massage and a gentle salt scrub you will get to experience their beneficial properties first-hand. Before leaving the community and heading to the hotel you will have a short stop at a local farm that grows seaweed, locally known as “green caviar”, a local delicacy that you can, of course, also try if you like.

Notes: Things to bring: 

• Clothes that can get wet/dirty (for the activities at Khlong Khon)
• A change of clothes
• A small towel
• Sunscreen 

French

Aujourd’hui, vous vous échapperez de l’agitation de la ville et visiterez l’impressionnant marché aux poissons de Mahachai où vous pourrez observer le bourdonnement de l’un des plus importants centres de pêche du royaume. Après une promenade dans le marché, où vous verrez les pêcheurs et les travailleurs faire leurs emplettes et leurs échanges, vous continuerez vers une communauté locale où les villageois vivent en harmonie avec la mer et les forêts de mangroves environnantes. Vous apprendrez l’importance des mangroves et aurez la chance de contribuer en plantant de jeunes arbres de cette espèce. La culture des coques est une autre partie importante de la vie de la communauté, une activité que vous pourrez découvrir de près, si la marée et le climat le permettent. Pour éviter qu’elles ne s’enlisent dans les fonds marins boueux, les habitants utilisent une planche de bois pour se déplacer pendant la collecte des coques. Ces planches en bois présentent des similitudes avec le ski nautique et leur utilisation est devenue un passe-temps ludique que les visiteurs et les habitants aiment pratiquer. De retour au village, vous pourrez vous rafraîchir et changer de vêtements avant de vous rendre dans un restaurant local pour le déjeuner.

L’après-midi, vous vous arrêterez dans une autre communauté où la mer est également leur principale source de revenus. Vous apprendrez comment le sel est récolté et comment il est transformé en produits de spa naturels. En profitant d’un massage et d’un gommage doux au sel, vous ferez l’expérience directe de leurs propriétés bénéfiques. Avant de quitter la communauté et de vous rendre à l’hôtel, vous ferez une courte halte dans une ferme locale qui cultive des algues, connues localement sous le nom de “caviar vert”, une spécialité locale que vous pourrez, bien sûr, goûter si vous le souhaitez.

Remarque: Choses à apporter :

• Des vêtements qui peuvent être mouillés/salissants (pour les activités à Khlong Khon).
• Des vêtements de rechange
• Une petite serviette
• Crème solaire

Spanish

Hoy escapará del ajetreo de la ciudad y visitará el impresionante mercado de pescado de Mahachai, donde podrá observar el bullicio de uno de los centros pesqueros más importantes del reino. Tras un paseo por el mercado, en el que verá a pescadores y trabajadores comprando y comerciando, continuará hasta una comunidad local en la que los aldeanos viven en armonía con el mar y los manglares circundantes. Aprenderá sobre la importancia de los manglares y tendrá la oportunidad de contribuir plantando árboles jóvenes de esta especie. El cultivo de berberechos es otra parte importante de la vida de la comunidad, una actividad que puede experimentar de cerca, si la marea y el tiempo lo permiten. Para evitar que se atasquen en el fangoso fondo marino, los habitantes utilizan una tabla de madera para desplazarse mientras recogen los berberechos. Estas tablas de madera tienen similitudes con el esquí acuático y su uso se ha convertido en un divertido pasatiempo que disfrutan tanto los visitantes como los lugareños. De vuelta al pueblo, podrá refrescarse y cambiarse de ropa antes de dirigirse a un restaurante local para comer.

Por la tarde se detendrá en otra comunidad donde el mar es también su principal fuente de ingresos. Aprenderá cómo se cosecha la sal y cómo se procesa para obtener productos naturales para el spa. Disfrutando de un masaje y una suave exfoliación con sal, experimentará de primera mano sus propiedades beneficiosas. Antes de abandonar la comunidad y regresar al hotel, hará una breve parada en una granja local que cultiva algas, conocidas localmente como “caviar verde”, una especialidad local que, por supuesto, podrá degustar si lo desea.

Nota: Cosas a traer :

• Ropa que pueda mojarse/sucia (para las actividades en Khlong Khon).
• Una muda de ropa
• Una toalla pequeña
• Protector solar

Italian

Oggi eviterete il trambusto della città e visiterete l’imponente mercato del pesce di Mahachai, dove potrete assistere al fermento di uno dei più importanti centri di pesca del regno. Dopo una passeggiata nel mercato, dove vedrete pescatori e lavoratori che fanno acquisti e scambi, proseguirete verso una comunità locale dove gli abitanti del villaggio vivono in armonia con il mare e le foreste di mangrovie circostanti. Imparerete l’importanza delle mangrovie e avrete la possibilità di contribuire piantando giovani alberi di questa specie. La coltivazione dei cocchi è un’altra parte importante della vita della comunità, un’attività che si può sperimentare da vicino, marea e tempo permettendo. Per evitare che rimangano incastrati nel fondale fangoso, gli abitanti usano una tavola di legno per spostarsi durante la raccolta dei galli. Queste tavole di legno presentano analogie con lo sci d’acqua e il loro utilizzo è diventato un passatempo divertente che piace sia ai visitatori che agli abitanti del luogo. Tornati al villaggio, potrete rinfrescarvi e cambiarvi prima di recarvi in un ristorante locale per il pranzo.

Nel pomeriggio vi fermerete in un’altra comunità dove il mare è anche la loro principale fonte di reddito. Imparerete come viene raccolto il sale e come viene trasformato in prodotti termali naturali. Con un massaggio e un delicato scrub al sale, potrete sperimentare in prima persona le loro proprietà benefiche. Prima di lasciare la comunità e tornare in hotel, farete una breve sosta in una fattoria locale che coltiva alghe, conosciute localmente come “caviale verde”, una specialità locale che, naturalmente, potrete assaggiare se lo desiderate.

Nota: cose da portare:

• Vestiti che possono bagnarsi/sporcarsi (per le attività a Khlong Khon).
• Un cambio di vestiti
• Un piccolo asciugamano
• Protezione solare

German

Heute entfliehen Sie der Hektik der Stadt und besuchen den beeindruckenden Fischmarkt von Mahachai, wo Sie das Treiben in einem der wichtigsten Fischereizentren des Königreichs beobachten können. Nach einem Bummel über den Markt, bei dem Sie Fischer und Arbeiter beim Verpacken und Handeln beobachten können, fahren Sie weiter zu einer lokalen Gemeinde, in der die Dorfbewohner in Harmonie mit dem Meer und den umliegenden Mangrovenwäldern leben. Sie erfahren etwas über die Bedeutung der Mangroven und haben die Möglichkeit, einen Beitrag zu leisten, indem Sie junge Mangrovenbäume pflanzen. Die Herzmuschelzucht ist ein weiterer wichtiger Bestandteil des Lebens in der Gemeinde, eine Tätigkeit, die Sie hautnah miterleben können, wenn die Gezeiten und das Wetter es zulassen. Um zu verhindern, dass sie im schlammigen Meeresboden stecken bleiben, benutzen die Einheimischen beim Herzmuschelsammeln ein Holzbrett, auf dem sie sich fortbewegen. Diese Holzbretter haben einige Ähnlichkeiten mit einem Wasserski, und ihre Verwendung ist zu einem lustigen Zeitvertreib geworden, den Besucher und Einheimische gleichermaßen gerne ausprobieren. Zurück im Dorf können Sie sich frisch machen und umziehen, bevor Sie zum Mittagessen in ein lokales Restaurant gehen.

Am Nachmittag machen Sie Halt in einer anderen Gemeinde, in der das Meer auch die Haupteinnahmequelle ist. Sie erfahren, wie das Salz geerntet wird und wie es zu natürlichen Wellnessprodukten weiterverarbeitet wird. Bei einer Massage und einem sanften Salzpeeling können Sie die wohltuenden Eigenschaften aus erster Hand erfahren. Bevor Sie die Gemeinde verlassen und sich auf den Weg zum Hotel machen, machen Sie noch einen kurzen Halt bei einer lokalen Farm, die Algen anbaut, die in der Region als “grüner Kaviar” bekannt sind, eine lokale Delikatesse, die Sie natürlich auch probieren können.

Anmerkungen: Was Sie mitbringen sollten: 

• Kleidung, die nass/schmutzig werden kann (für die Aktivitäten in Khlong Khon)
• Kleidung zum Wechseln
• Ein kleines Handtuch
• Sonnenschutzmittel 

• Product Photos
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