Ban Bang Phlap Community Samut Songkhram

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Ban Bang Phlap Community Samut Songkhram

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

Situated on the river plains of Samut Songkram with fertile sand rich in nutrients for plants, it is no surprise that Bang Phalp community makes an ideal area for growing orchards, especially tropical fruits like coconuts, mangos, rose apples, lychee and Kao Yai pomelo, which has firm flesh unlike the other kinds.

The long list of fruits grown here has catalyzed the local fresh produce industry, with many villagers inspired to make a living by growing and harvesting fruits. In addition to the income from delivering fresh fruits directly to tourists, this also helps to spread local agricultural wisdom to the neighboring provinces.

The community masters of Bang Phlap are all friendly farmers who never get tired of sharing their wisdom about home-grown toxic-free pomelo fruit, and are willing to share their techniques with budding farmers (perhaps like you) to apply at home. The remaining fruits are converted into fruit coal or preserved in syrup for future consumption. Apart from chemical-free fresh fruits from the community orchards, you can try tasty, sweet and savory dishes made using seasonal fruits. Examples include sour banana stalk soup with pork ribs, soft coconut shell and prawn soup and “Ray Rai” – steamed dough topped with coconut milk and sugar. These are all incredibly delicious dishes hard to find anywhere else in Thailand.

CULTURAL AND LOCAL WISDOM HERITAGE

Palm sugar production, being preserved for over 200 years
Fruit preservation process, being preserved for 160 years.
Traditional Thai foods and desserts cooking

ACTIVITIES

Take a train ride through the famous Maeklong Railway Market.
Make coconut sugar and Kaeng Kala Krub (crunchy coconut curry).
Make fruit charcoal and preserved fruits.
Learn how to make Thai Kite.
Organic pomelo farming.
Cooking Rang Rai (Rice dumplings with sugar and sesame).
Feed the monkeys and help with planting a mangrove forest.

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

Day 1: Bangkok – Mae Klong Market – Ban Bang Phlap Community
6.30 am	Assemble at the meeting point.
7.00 am	Head to Mae Klong Market.
10.00 am	Arrive at Hoop Rom Market (which translates to the ‘Folding Umbrella Market’) and also known as Mae Klong Market. The market is close to Mae Klong Railway Station and it is a part of the Municipal Market of Samut Songkhram. This railway market has been in operation since 1984 and is located by the Mae Klong – Ban Laem railway where visitors walk and do their shopping.
10.45 am	Travel to Ban Bang Phlap Community.
11.00 am	Arrive at Ban Bang Phlap Community, Samut Songkhram. Check in at Ban Suan Saeng Tawan
11.30 am	Assemble at the meeting room. Learn about the history of Ban Bang Phlap Community from Somsong Saengtawan, the president of Ban Bang Phlap Community.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
1.00 pm	Take part in some learning activities at Mahawichalai Local Knowledge Center, including: Learning how to cook Thai dessert (Rang Rai). Crafting wicker works from coconut leaves.
5.00 pm	Another learning activities at the center as you join a traditional Thai cooking class.
Evening	Dinner.
Evening	Stay at Ban Suan Saeng Tawan or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 2: Ban Bang Phlap Community – Wat Bang Kung – Wat Bang Khae Noi – Wat Phummarin – Amphawa Floating Market
Morning	Make early morning offering to the procession of monks.
	Breakfast.
	Learning activities at Mahawichalai Local Knowledge Center, including: Learning how to make coconut sugar. Discovering the technique to preserving fruits. Making fruit charcoal and wood vinegar.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
1.00 pm	Learning activities at Mahawichalai Local Knowledge Center, which include: Learning how to make bio-extract laundry detergent, dish soap and bathroom cleaner – all from natural ingredients. Craft traditional Thai kites.
3.00 pm	Take a boat trip to 3 temples, namely: Wat Bang Kung (Prok Pho Ubosot) Wat Bang Khae Noi (Teak Wood Ubosot) Wat Phummarin (Kudi Thong)
3.00 pm	Enjoy shopping Amphawa Floating Market and then take a firefly night cruise after dark.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time.
Evening	Stay at Ban Suan Saeng Tawan or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 3: Ban Bang Phlap Community – King Rama II Memorial Park – Bangkok
Morning	Breakfast.
Morning	Learning activities at Mahawichalai Local Knowledge Center where you’ll learn about organic pomelo farming and enjoy tasting pomelo and coconut, freshly picked from the trees.
11.00 am	Head to King Rama II Memorial Park.
11.15 am	Arrive at King Rama II Memorial Park, where you can experience the beauty of traditional Thai houses throughout the complex. The highlight of this park is the King Rama II Museum, which comprises 4 Thai-style buildings separated into different sections. The ‘Central Hall’ houses the statue of King Rama II and artifacts from the early Rattanakosin era, such as Bencharong porcelains and Khon masks. The ‘Male Room’ displays the typical living quarters of Thai men in the past, including a bed which is believed to have belonged to King Rama II. The ‘Female Room’ displays the typical living quarters of Thai women in the past. The last section, the ‘Kitchen and Restroom’, displays a Thai-style kitchen and restroom typical of the middle-class.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
1.00 pm	Head back to Bangkok.
4.00 pm	Arrive back in Bangkok to end the trip.

The program is subject to change without prior notice, depending on weather conditions and pick-up points, as your safety is our first priority

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