Rayong: Beyond the Beaches

While Rayong is renowned for its stunning beaches, it also boasts a wealth of hidden gems, including captivating natural landscapes and vibrant communities that many may not be aware of.

Nestled in the Klaeng district, Ban Prasae is a centuries-old riverside community that has meticulously preserved its unique charm. This picturesque village offers a glimpse into the authentic Thai way of life, showcasing traditional customs and a warm sense of hospitality.

There are hidden conservation tourism destinations that are gaining popularity, such as

"Thung Prong Thong"

A beautiful and impressive tourist spot that is a must-visit for anyone visiting Rayong Province.

Location #Thung Prong Thong, Pak Nam Prasae, as marked on Google Maps

It may seem easy to get there! But... it's difficult because the road that Google Maps leads us to
gets narrower and narrower, as if it's going to someone's house.

For peace of mind, we turned to the kind truck driver

who smiled and followed us (he must have known we were lost 555)
to help us find a parking spot and... take us on a tour. This way... it should be the most relaxing.

As planned, we opted for a signature experience in Ban Prasae: a ride on a **trailer truck**.

Our initial plan was to park our car and hire a trailer truck to take us around the various attractions.

However, we were unable to reach the parking lot ourselves... that's all. ^_^
So, we entrusted our entire Ban Prasae trip to a local guide.

We agreed on a fixed price of 200 baht for two people with the friendly uncle.

From the parking lot near the HTMS Prasae, our uncle took us to the Golden Mangrove Field first.
Private cars are not allowed here because the road is very narrow.

However, there are trailers driven by local Prasae villagers who will pick you up from the parking lot.
To the Baan Saem Phu Pier, the starting point of the walkway
Entering the Golden Mangrove Field costs only 5 baht per person.

At the wooden bridge, there are boats for hire to take tourists on a trip along the Prasae River. The trip takes about half an hour and offers views of the mangrove forest, all the way to the mouth of the river.

Despite the lush mangrove forest, towering and forming a tunnel,
with sunlight filtering through, creating a scene as beautiful as a Japanese bamboo forest,
the wooden bridge itself is dilapidated from heavy use. Please walk carefully.

A Walk Through the Mangrove Forest

We amble along the wooden nature trail, its path weaving through the lushness of the mangrove forest. The air is thick with the scent of the diverse plant life that lines both sides of the path, casting a cool shade over our journey. After nearly 300 meters, we emerge into the dazzling sunlight.

The Golden Fields of "Thung Porong Thong"

The scene before us is breathtaking. The vast expanse of "Thung Porong Thong" unfolds, a golden sea of reeds shimmering under the sun's rays. The vibrant green of the mangrove forest gives way to this breathtaking panorama, a testament to the rich biodiversity of this unique ecosystem.

The Golden Field of Thung Prong

The Thung Prong field is at its most beautiful when the leaves are a mix of yellow and light green, reflecting the sunlight.

It's not yet noon, and the crowds are still small.

The sun is very hot, and there's nowhere to escape it.

But the beauty before us makes us forget the heat.

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

Towering over the landscape, the dense, vibrant green of the nipa palm forest shimmers under the sun's rays.
The thick canopy stretches in all directions, creating a breathtaking 360-degree panorama.

This captivating sight, aptly named "Golden Nipa Palm Field" by the locals, truly lives up to its name.

The original text is empty. Please provide the text you want me to translate.

Crossing the Wooden Bridge and Refueling with Tod Mun Pra Sae

After finishing the photo shoot, we walked back along the same wooden bridge where the uncle was waiting with the car. We stopped for a quick bite to refuel with the special recipe Tod Mun Pra Sae.

The sentence is empty. Please provide a sentence or phrase to translate.

Next, we will continue to **Wat Takhian Ngam**, where there are two **500-year-old Takhian trees**. Both are called **Mae Takhian and Por Takhian** by the villagers. The circumference of the trees is approximately 7.40 meters, which the villagers believe to be very sacred.

According to the historical sign recorded by the abbot, it is said that **in ancient times, these two Takhian trees were like symbols for fishermen to use as a landmark to guide their boats back to shore safely.**

The original text is empty. There is nothing to translate.

The original text is empty. Please provide the text you want me to translate.

Not far away is the Shrine of His Royal Highness Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Duke of Chumphon

A sacred place revered by the people of Rayong, located on the banks of the Prasae River.
Inside the shrine is a life-size statue of
Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Duke of Chumphon
The Father of the Royal Thai Navy

The shrine is open to the public from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The original text is empty. Please provide the text you want me to translate.

The provided text is empty. There is nothing to translate.

Following the narrow road, we finally arrived at the community we had been searching for since our first attempt. This is the location of the **Old House Community by the Prasae River**.

The most prominent sign is as big as the community sign or the sign of Auntie Nong's Spicy Restaurant.
But is it really spicy? I haven't tried it this time. I'll wait for the next round and tell you about it.

The Prasae Riverside Community is a historic community dating back to the Ayutthaya period. It boasts a large fishing port where locals engage in traditional fishing practices, including raising grouper and fish in cages. The community is also developing into a tourist destination, with centuries-old wooden houses being converted into homestays. These homestays offer visitors the opportunity to experience the local way of life and immerse themselves in the Prasae estuary's charm.

Unfortunately, during this visit, all the homestays in the village were fully booked. However, we are determined to return and experience the community's hospitality firsthand.

The smooth ride of your uncle's trailer took us across the "Saphan Prasaesin Bridge" that stretched out.
We stopped in the middle of the bridge to take pictures and admire the beautiful view of the Pra Sae River.

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

The final stop on our tour of Ban Prasae is the HTMS Prasae, a decommissioned warship located on the black sand beach.

The ship was donated to the local community by the government as a historical landmark and tourist attraction. Visitors can climb aboard the ship and explore its features.

The tour guide, a kind-hearted uncle, drove us to the car park near the warship and the Pra Sae roundabout. We were able to take pictures of the marigold roundabout, which the people of Pra Sae had planted in memory of King Rama IX, the inspiration for the community's way of life and self-sufficiency.

There are still many things we missed in Ban Prasae.
If we can stay at a homestay here next time, we will definitely come back again.
And we will be able to tell the story of the Prasae community in a more interesting way.

See you next time, Uncle. ^_^

Watch the full album of Thung Porong Thong and Paknam Prasae community. Follow our next journey at
Page Love as Journey
https://www.facebook.com/loveasjourney/

Google Maps Tourist Attractions in Ban Prasae Community