'Yo' is a traditional Thai fishing tool. It is a net with four corners tied to a cross-shaped pole.

In the center, it is tied to a carrying pole that can be lifted up and down by a single person.

To catch fish, bait is tied to the net and allowed to sink underwater.

When the fish eat the bait, the yo is lifted up, and the fish that cannot escape are caught in the net.

Although these things are hard to find these days, for a country boy like me, I've been familiar with them since I was a kid, so I don't really feel excited about them.

Until one day, I came across a picture shared online. It was a silhouette of a seascape somewhere, filled with rows of giant yo nets.

In the background, a large, round sun was rising above the horizon, casting the light of dawn, making the whole scene red.

It reflected the beauty of both the image and the meaning.

The question immediately arose as to where it was, which made the fire of my journey ignite once again!!

..........

A few months later, I packed my bags and drove south before dawn, with my mother sitting next to me.

After a long 11-hour journey, the journey ended by the sea in a province that has no coastline!

Huh! What's going on!?

I am sitting on the balcony of the Wetland Camp Resort, enjoying the breeze.

The resort is located in Khuan Khanun district, Phatthalung province, one of the two southern provinces that do not have a coastline.

Although it is not a saltwater sea, the vast expanse of water before me is dotted with waves lapping at the shore.

This is part of the upper Songkhla Lake, also known as 'Thale Luang', a large freshwater lake.

However, during the dry season, seawater flows in, creating a mix of fresh, brackish, and saltwater in the same body of water.

This unique ecosystem is home to a diverse range of waterfowl and fish.

I told my mother to get a good night's rest, as we will be setting out early tomorrow morning to chase the first light of Thale Luang.

"The boat is here," the staff member knocked on the door and called out at dawn.

I had been waiting for a while, so I quickly got up, grabbed my camera bag, and followed him out to the resort's pier.

The long-tailed boat, which could seat 6 people, sailed through the water and the morning air of the open sea, heading towards the mouth of the Pak Pra Canal, which was located near the resort.

I wasn't usually excited about fishing with a cast net, but today I had to change my mind.

When I saw the giant cast nets lined up all over the sea,

It was truly a beautiful sight. But to be as beautiful as I had hoped, there would have to be a bright red sun rising above the horizon in the middle of the sea!

A glimmer of hope began to shine as I saw the red light on the eastern horizon.

The boat driver asked to take me to see the water lilies first.

Then he timed his return to capture the scene at the mouth of the canal again when the sun rose from the surface of the water.

The boat driver told me that if I wanted to take a good picture, I would have to set up a tripod in the sea. The water was only chest-deep, as you can see.

I shook my head. I wasn't going to go to all that trouble. I wasn't expecting to take perfect pictures.

I just wanted to have some pictures to remember the experience.

The world is not always a beautiful place.

Right now, a massive group of clouds is gathering on the eastern horizon.

Meanwhile, the rest of the sky is clear and blue.

This morning is the only chance I have to experience the first light of the ocean.

Because later in the morning, I have to travel on to Songkhla province.

And I don't know when I'll be back.

The boat meandered through the group of yo, allowing me to capture some photos for a while. But the clouds still hadn't moved anywhere.

Unlike the sun, which was moving and moving behind the group of clouds.

And it was floating high enough to indicate that it was probably past the first light of the day.

The bow of the boat slowly turned away from the group of traps, heading towards the smaller sea, which was connected to the larger sea.

I was disappointed that I didn't get the picture of the sunrise in the middle of the sea as I had intended.

But there was nothing much I could do but accept it.

Before turning to look at the group of traps one last time, and it was like a miracle

When all the disappointment vanished in an instant.

All this time I had been searching for the first light so far away at the edge of the horizon.

But where did it come from? It was so close here.

I turned to see my mother smiling happily.

The Journey of Little I-Fai to the Open Sea (Wetland Camp Resort)

If you have limited time, you can drive straight for 11 hours like me, if your car and body can handle it.

But if you're coming from Bangkok, I recommend driving to Chumphon and spending the night there.

Then you can continue your journey the next morning so you won't be too tired.

From Bangkok, take Rama II Road and drive towards Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram provinces.

Then take the main road, Phetkasem Road, and head south for a long stretch.

Pass through Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chumphon provinces. Drive at your own pace and take breaks when needed.

When you reach the junction to Surat Thani city, follow the signs to Thung Song district.

Drive through Thung Song district until you enter Phatthalung province. Turn left onto Highway 4187.

Continue for about 27 kilometers, passing through Khuan Khanun district. Follow the signs to Talay Noi.

At the three-way intersection before the entrance to Talay Noi Waterbird Park, turn right onto Highway 4007.

When you see the sign for the Botanical Garden, drive straight ahead. Before reaching the Botanical Garden's parking lot, you will see a sign for Wetland Camp.

Turn right following the sign. Drive along the concrete road and you will find the resort on your right-hand side.

The total distance from Bangkok is approximately 860 kilometers.

Interested in a boat trip to see the Thale Luang and Thale Noi lakes? Contact the resort for more information.

The price is 1200 baht per boat, which can accommodate up to 6 people. The trip takes approximately 2 hours and departs at 6:00 AM.

We highly recommend this trip, as the natural beauty and way of life here are still pristine.

Fun Facts

Songkhla Lake, also known as the 'Three Waters Lake', can be divided into 4 main parts:

1) Thale Noi

2) Upper Songkhla Lake (Thale Luang)

3) Middle Songkhla Lake (Thale Sap)

4) Lower Songkhla Lake (Songkhla Lake)

Follow the journey of little I-Fai at http://www.bloggang.com/mainblog.php?id=ifind