Chumchon Laem Phak Bia, Phetchaburi: Where the First Grains of Sand Meet the Gulf of Thailand

"Phetchaburi: A Coastal Escape"

Phetchaburi, a province conveniently located near Bangkok, offers a quick and easy getaway for those seeking a taste of local life. With just two days and one night, visitors can immerse themselves in the unique charm of Laem Pak Bia, a coastal community known as the "source of sand and the end of salt."

Community-based tourism is gaining popularity as it offers a unique opportunity to experience the local way of life, stunning scenery, and warm hospitality, making you feel right at home.

The Laem Phak Bia community is located in Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi Province. It is situated at the coastal boundary between the mudflats of Samut Songkhram Province and the sandy beaches of Phetchaburi Province. This area is known as the "first grain of sand of the Gulf of Thailand".

We embarked on a journey to this community, having the opportunity to participate in the TAT Social Community Tourism Project. Through the One Night Stay With Locals program, we immersed ourselves in the heart of the community, experiencing the warmth and smiles that abound.

Laem Phak Bia Community is renowned as the origin of the first grain of sand in the Gulf of Thailand. This tranquil and natural area is a haven for those who seek adventure, serene ambiance, and a tranquil escape. Visitors are guaranteed to fall in love with this hidden gem.

A mere two-hour journey from Bangkok brings you to the Laem Phak Bia community.

This trip includes a 2-day, 1-night stay in a community accommodation with meals and activities for 2,250 Baht per person (minimum 2 people).

Lunch is a simple local dish, but the taste is absolutely amazing! Especially the red chili paste, which is served with cha-khram leaves in coconut milk and hot steamed rice. 10 out of 10! Cha-khram is a local vegetable from Laem Phak Bia, which is hard to find. This dish is a must-try!

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After arriving at the tourist service center at Laem Phak Bia Subdistrict Administrative Organization, we had a discussion and enjoyed lunch. We then stored our belongings and are now ready to embark on our activities.

The first stop is a unique "hydroponic vegetable farm" in Laem Phak Bia. They grow a variety of salad greens, including green oak, red oak, and rocket. Mr. Wichai explained that they sell these salad greens to restaurants, resorts, and even local residents and tourists who come to buy them for as little as 20-30 baht. In addition to providing fresh, high-quality vegetables, they are also promoting good health for everyone.

Next, we will visit the Caulerpa lentillifera cultivation and distribution center.

Normally, we only buy and eat them, right? Here, we will see the steps and processes involved in making delicious grape seaweed for us to eat. There are even fresh samples to try! Paired with seafood dipping sauce, it's incredibly delicious! ^^ If you're visiting Laem Phak Bia, don't forget to visit the grape seaweed farm here at the Grape Seaweed Learning Center, Family Farm.

Let's move on to the **Mangrove Crab Bank**. This bank allows villagers who have gone out to sea and caught female crabs to deposit them with the bank for the purpose of raising their young. This helps to increase the population of mangrove crabs, as a single female crab can produce between 250,000 and 2,000,000 offspring. However, only 1% of these offspring survive. By depositing female crabs with the Mangrove Crab Bank, it is possible to return between 2,500 and 20,000 young crabs to the sea.

Ultimately, the fishermen will profit from the mother crabs they have deposited, resulting in an increase in the population of horse crabs, which will be a significant source of income for the people of Laem Phak Bia indefinitely.

Let's leave the crab bank and go cycling, strolling, and taking cool photos at the Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project under the Royal Initiative.

Bicycle rentals are available here for 20 baht. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride with scenic views. You can cycle along the entire route (except for the nature trail) or take the tram service.

This location offers numerous photo opportunities throughout the 850-meter nature trail through the mangrove forest. The lush environment is teeming with diverse wildlife, including mudskippers, fiddler crabs, and mangrove crabs, showcasing the area's rich biodiversity. Visitors can capture stunning photographs while gaining valuable knowledge about the local ecosystem.

We walked to the end of the wooden bridge that extended into the middle of the mudflat. The atmosphere in the evening was amazing. I must say that this is a landmark spot for taking beautiful photos.

A new day dawns...

Today, we woke up at dawn to embark on a boat trip along the coast. We observed the daily lives of fishermen and collected shells on the beach.

I intended to watch the sunrise at the first sand beach, but unfortunately, the sky was overcast.

The name "First Sand Beach" comes from its location at the boundary between the mudflats of Samut Songkhram province and the first sandy beach of the Gulf of Thailand at Laem Phak Bia.

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The old man said, "Just walk around and look for it, because it's all over the beach." Let's go!

Wandering around, sometimes encountering people, sometimes not. It's quite fun, but the uncles seem to have more luck than me. 55555555

The main catch is cockles, which are stir-fried with holy basil – simply the best! Local residents come here to sell their catches almost every day, making it both a source of food and income.

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The activities are not over yet. There are still activities such as weaving from the leaves of the Indian hemp plant and demonstrations of tie-dyeing, which are activities within the community. Let me tell you, there are many, many, many activities to do here.

The long-awaited meal has finally arrived. This meal is absolutely amazing, delicious to the point of tears! This is the place: Oh Ho Delicious Crab at Laem Phak Bia.

In addition to the Poo Ma Bank, there is a seafood restaurant with fresh and delicious seafood located in front of the Poo Ma Bank. The restaurant is called Oh Ho Poo Aroy Na Laem Phak Bia. According to Ms. Som, the owner of the restaurant, all the crabs here are fresh. Dead crabs are discarded and not sold to customers, ensuring that customers get to eat crabs with firm, sweet meat. More importantly, the prices are very affordable.

Laem Phak Bia Community: A Haven of Natural Beauty and Sustainable Tourism

The Laem Phak Bia community thrives on the preservation of its natural resources and pristine air. Visiting this idyllic location feels like a revitalizing experience, leaving you with a sense of joy, warmth, and lasting memories. Importantly, tourism in this community directly contributes to its economic well-being, enabling sustainable self-sufficiency.

Let's go out and explore. Let's meet new people, discover delicious food, and create unforgettable experiences.

There are still many communities waiting for you to experience. Let's go out and visit the communities. You will know that traveling with locals for one night is the best. : )

Accommodation voucher for 2 days and 1 night in the community, including meals and community activities.

(Minimum price for 2 people) 2 people or more, 2,250 baht per person

For inquiries, please contact:

• 080-2502537 Ms. Ajcharee
• Website 1 night stay with local