Phetchaburi has a stretching coastline of 82 kilometers long.
Its 2 types of beaches offers different attractions. Beyong Laem
Phak Bia, although the beach is muddy and not several
interesting activities such as study of mangrove forest’s
ecology system and visit to salt field. Fisheries along the
shore is also worth observing, especially the breeding cockles
as this is the biggest source of the country. The white beach
starts from Hat Thawisuk, down to Hat Laem Luang, Hat Chao
Samran, hat Puektian and Hat Cha-am.
How to enjoy the muddy beach
Muddy beach is generally found near the mouths of all rivers meeting the sea.
Its outstanding character is a big muddy plain extending the sea. The soil is
rich of nutrients washed down by the river. To observe the rich ecology system
and the local fishery by boat is both informative and joyful.
To enjoy the muddy-beach trip needs a little prior planning. The most suitable
time is during the highest/lowest tide between the 13th
waxing and waning moons and the 1thwaxing and waning moons
(about 4-5 days of each round).
The locals call this time Wan Nam Koet meaning the fast current days of the
month
(in opposite of Nam Tai meaning
rather stagnant water).
Coastal fishery is active when the water is last following, as seine, fish trap
and dip nets need current to bring in the fish. Also, activities at the Blooded
Cockle’s farms are better seen during low tide.
Laem Leo
Laem Leo is a muddy beach next to Bang Tabun. A seafood restaurant is built
protruding into the sea giving broad views of the nearby shores. Mangrove forest
in the surrounding is rich and visitors will see those crab-eating macaques as
well as many near shore birds. At low ebb, the natives go sliding on their
planks along the mud to pick cockles.
What interesting is to travel in a hired boat from the village to see how the
locals make their livings near shore. Travel along the main water channel takes
2 hours., the skilful villager who controls the boat will provide you with good
information. Marine farming differs upon the depth of water, starting from
cockles yard, seine and dip net a little further out, and green mussel posts.
On the way back, the boat comes along the mangrove forest and visit Tao Phao
Than Ta Thuai old charcoal kiln in Khlong Bang Tabun which has been producing
mangrove firewood for over 100 years. Before leaving, shop for fine shrimp
paste, enormous dried shrimps, delicious seafood rolls Hoi Cho tasteful of real
crab and shrimp meats, and salted eggs.
The Conservation and Study Center of Mangrove Forest’s Ecology System
Bang Tabun Witthaya School
The mangrove forest of about 40 rais behind the school is still rather rich. The
school made a wooden walkway about 150 meters long into the mangrove forest for
closer study of the ecology system.
A nature study camp is arranged on weekends during school terms. Instructor
conducts an informative tour of the forest and provides self-experimental
exercise.
A hundred years ago, Ban Laem was a big fish pier and important sea
communication center where steamers from Bangkok anchored.
Get in touch with the locals and try delicious dishes at la carte at the Chek
Sun’s restaurant and don’t miss the Chinese moon cakes at Totengkiang sweets
shop, two old establishments of the market.
The temple enshrines Luang Pho Samrit, the bronze image of Buddha in the posture
of pacifying the ocean, in Lop Buri style. Traditional homage-paying is held
during Loi Krathong Festival for 5-7 days every year.
It is said that the mother of King Taksin took refuge with her relatives at Ban
Laem after the fall of Ayutthaya. To return for their kindness, King Taksin gave
a hall dismantled from the old capital including a Buddha image of Sukhothai
period to the people of Ban Laem. The image is presently enshrined in the monks’
dwelling. There is a homage-paying fair every year for 5 days during the 14th
waxing moon – 3rd wanning moon in the third lunar month.
The temple is in Tambon Ban Khok. The Buddha image in the attitude of subduing
mara is considered to be one of the three brothers: Luang Pho Wat Khao Takhrao,
Luang Pho Sothon
(Chachoengsao Province) and Luang
Pho Wat Ban Laem (Samut Songkhram Province). Another legend cited that the image
is a brother of Luang Pho Bang Pli Yai (Samut Prakan Province) and Luang Pho Wat
Rai Khing (Nakhon Pathom Province).
Hut Laem Luang in Tambon Laem, is the first northernmost sandy beach of
Phetchaburi and the western coastline of the Gulf of Thailand. The sand is fine
and abundant with sea shells washed ashore by the winds and waves. The
surrounding rich mangrove forest is the sanctuary of many birds. This is still a
very natural and quiet place. Laem Luang resort is the only holiday resort here
so the beach is like the private seaside for its visitors.
Hat Chao
Samran is an old holiday seaside of Thailand. It used to be the site of the
royal lodging pavilion of King Rama VI in 1917 before the completion of Phra
Ratchaniwet Maruekkhathaiyawan Palace.
A retaining wall and walkway are built along part of its sandy mud beach about 4
kilometers long to accommodate restaurants and stalls of dried foodstuffs. As it
is the beach nearest to town, people like to drop by, sit leisurely on
deckchairs or dine at one of the outdoor beach-front restaurants.
Its white sandy beach is about 4 kilometers long lined with shady pine
trees. There are several types of accommodation and many sea-food
restaurants. An o utstanding feature of this beach is big molded figures
from a Thai literature Phra Aphaimani such as the female demon Phra
Aphaimani such as the female demon Phi-suea Samut, Sutsakhon, the dragon
horse, the ascetic.
This small beach just 1 kilometer long stands next to Hat Chao Samran. It is a
quiet beach where there is only one private resort to accommodate visitors.
Hat Khlong Thian of about 3 kilometers long lies North of Hat Cha-am. Separated
aside by the Khong Thian canal, this beach is a real retreat for visitors who
seek tranquil atmosphere and wish observe the way of life of the fishermen in
the nearby village.
The most popular beach where tourist activities most abound, Hat Cha-am is a
clean white beach of over 7 kilometers long. The middle area provides a variety
of shops and recreations: water scooter, horse riding. The more tranquil
atmosphere n the north and south of the beach provides outdoor leisurely
pursuits such as sunbath, plunging in the natural environment and the locals’
coastal way of life.
Hat Cha-am took place after Hua Hin had been all taken up by the royalty and
dignitary. A group of aristocrats led by H.R.H. Krom Phra Narathip Praphanphong
pioneeringly had this sea-front mangrove wood cleared to build a new seaside
village in 1921.They built a route from the railway station to this beach
(Thanon Narathip) and another road along the beach, north to Ban Pak Khlong
Cha-am and south to Ban Nong Chaeng.
A cart-path (Thanon Chao Lai) was cut behind the sea-front plots of land.The prince called the new village Sahakham Cha-am.
Off Phet Kasem Road on the way leading to Hat Cha-am, is the Monument of Prince
Narathip at the tri-section just before the shore.Along the beach, holiday-makers will find various
accommodations at various tariffs. Explore the northernmost beach by the fish
pier to try some nice seafood at reasonable prices at one of those sea-front
restaurants.You may as well shop
all day long for fresh seafood to take home.If that is not fresh enough to your favourite, be an early bird and come
before 7a.m. to shop rights from the boats that come in daily.You can buy fresh crabs from the fishermen themselves at the local fish
pier on the beach between Nong-jaeng Rd. and Siam Cement’s guest house, between
5-10 am.everyday.
