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“We d like to present seven community based tourism experiences with aspects that you will never find in other Phuket tours.”
Discovering Phuket : Community Based Tourism Many people are inclined to think that, because Phuket is a wellknown destination, it’s all modern and up to date but there’s another side to the island and its surroundings. Phuket is actually a relatively small province and a significant proportion of its population still enjoys traditional and culturally rich lives. There are historical, cultural and traditional influences that have remained true to their origins and visitors to Phuket now have the opportunity to learn from these activities via community based tourism, in other words to participate in traditional practices with locals. Each community has its own products and unique attractions and happily they’re ready to welcome tourists with a welcoming smile.
Contents Page Discovering Phuket : Community Based Tourism ....................... 3 Tha Chatchai ........................................................................................ 6 Baan Kanan .......................................................................................... 14 Cherng Talay - Bangtao ..................................................................... 24 Pa Klok ................................................................................................... 34 Kamala ................................................................................................... 44 Phuket Old Town ................................................................................ 53 Lone Island (Koh Lone) ..................................................................... 62
Tha Chatchai Community Based Tourism Tha Chatchai Community Based Tourism is located at the northernmost part of Phuket Island. Here you’ll find the Phuket Gateway information centre where motorists can stop and get information about the island before driving on south towards Phuket Town. The next spot to check out is Sai-kaew Beach with its many sea crabs and unspoiled natural environment. Next, you can visit the mangrove forest at Tha Chatchai Phuket Marine National Park Research Centre to follow its interesting and captivating walking and kayaking routes and informative staff members who will show you around. Next, take a lunch break at a local restaurant then pay a visit to some ‘Mokien’ – sea gypsies – and learn how they live as fishermen. Then, drive to see a swamp forest – a whole different environment from mangroves. In the late afternoon take long-tail boat to see another side of the Sarasin Bridge; the views of this romantic landmark from a boat are unforgettable. Past the bridge you’ll get to the narrowest part of the confluence where fishermen pay respect in an area called Chong Pak Pra. The long-tail boat will then drop you on the beach where fisher folk sell their seafood catch of the day. Here, you can see many different exotic tropical marine creatures. After some time strolling along the beach we move to a lobster farm to learn just how to raise them. It’s a fascinating experience. After a full day breathing the freshest air possible we head back to Phuket Town.
Catching Sea Crabs Sea crabs are tiny marine creatures that bury themselves in the sand. Local people catch them by placing a net on the sand and once the waves wash away, the sea crabs remain in the net. Some beachside restaurants offer sea crab tempura which tastes very good.
Mangrove Forest Routes In this area, there is a 600-metre mangrove walking route and an 800-metre kayaking route. If you take either or both with a park ranger you’ll learn a lot about nature.
Sarasin Bridge There’s a sad but romantic story attached to this landmark, of a young couple who, denied their union by their parents, flung themselves from the bridge into the sea. Take a long-tail boat and get a completely different view of this famous connection between the mainland and Thailand’s largest island.
Sandworms On the long sandy beach at low tide, just walk along and discover many marine creatures. Amongst these are delicious sandworms and you can learn how to catch them.
Lobster Farm The Tha Chatchai area has many lobster farms. The owners are happy to show visitors around their farms and explain how they feed their lobsters.
Interested in trying out Tha Chatchai Community Based Tourism? Contact
Mr. Somporn Tan-Sakul 087 284 9676
“Norabic Dance”
Baan Kanan Community Based Tourism Of all the communities in Phuket, Baan Kanan, in the Thalang District, is considered as the one with the longest history. There are several heritages here that survive to this day that form the structure of this community which you can enjoy during a visit. These are traditional-modern ‘Norabic’ dancing; visiting an old Thai house; coconut leaf traditional toy-making; a rice mill; a Thai children’s game, and traditional dishes and desserts. All these activities are led by elders in the community. At midday you’ll have lunch – prepared by local chefs – then visit the nearby temple, Kanan Temple, with its rich history and three pagodas. It’s supposed to have buried treasure there. Then you can go to Khao Phra Thaeo National Park where you can only find a unique genus of a white-backed palm (Kerriodoxa elegans) – the only one of its type in the world! Ton Sai waterfall is next, then we head back to town.
“Khao Phra Thaeo National Park where you can only find a unique genus of a white-backed palm (Kerriodoxa elegans) – the only one of its type in the world!”
Norabic Dance Nora dance is a southern Thai dance form but Norabic is a new combination of traditional southern Thai dance intertwined with aerobics. A perfect yet traditional workout for all!
Old Thai House This is an old traditional house with an open-sided ground oor used for cooking and working with an upstairs sleeping area.
Handicrafts Showing how traditional Thai style handmade children’s toys are made from coconut leaves. Skillful hands take just a minute to weave a ‘bird’.
Rice Mill This station teaches visitors how to mill rice by using local methods from the past. It’s fascinating and somewhat complicated.
Sa-ba, Thai Children’s Game Let’s get into games! An elder will happily teach you how to play this children’s game, Sa-Ba. It’s not commonly known nowadays and the new generation might not know how to play it. It’s like spinning a top, but one made from the giant seed of a plant! Local Sweets ‘Kanom khrok’ is a Thai dessert made from coconut milk. Freshly cooked from the oven there’s nothing like it.
Local Dishes Here, you can learn how to prepare local food. Phuket som-tam (green papaya salad) is different from other provinces as there are some secret ingredients! Plus you’ll make chili paste that you can take back home for a unique and spicy souvenir.
Kanan Temple This peaceful temple is less than one minute away from the activity centre. It has a vivid history.
Kerriodoxa Elegans Dransfield – White-Backed Palm In Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, you’ll stroll past the waterfall, listening to the sounds of nature and before long you’ll come across some white-backed palms (Kerriodoxa elegans Dransfield) the only ones that exist in the entire world!
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Interested in trying out Baan Kanan Community Based Tourism? Contact
Mrs. Thanyaluck Jariyalerpong (Jaew) 081 895 6864
“Khao Yam”
(Rice Salad with Vegetables)
Cherng Talay - Bangtao Community Based Tourism The west coast Cherng Talay-Bangtao community has managed to retain a relatively simple lifestyle, one in which religion plays a major role as some 90% of people in the community are Muslim. There’s a fascinating balance here between the old and new as in the past people farmed and fished but nowadays, even if these ways of life remain, tourism dominates a large swathe of the area with Cherng Talay-Bangtao hosting one of Asia’s biggest resort complexes; Laguna Phuket. Bangtao enjoys a beautiful coastline –along which you can still sit alone for most of the day. As for community based tourism the area is rich in options with activities that range from visiting a goat farm to being instructed about rubber tree tapping as well as learning about new integrated farming systems. Pineapple farms and sampling local food made by the ladies of the community are also worthwhile choices as is learning how to make soap using organic ingredients grown within the village. Lunch and visiting the view point at Bangtao Phu Pa View follows as well as visiting a waterfall and taking a trip to Waew Island. After the full one-day tour around Cherng Talay-Bangtao, you’re guaranteed a great night’s sleep!.
“Cherng Talay-Bangtao community has managed to retain a relatively simple lifestyle�
Goat Farm The owner of this goat farm has received an international award for his efforts. Bang Manoch and his son represent two generations working together at the farm. The farm produces both milk and meat for the community. You can learn how to milk the goats and the owner is more than willing to share the experience with visitors.
Rubber Tree Plantation An elderly couple who have lived here all their lives show visitors how to extract latex out of the trees through ‘tapping’; the same method that’s been used for decades.
Pineapple Farm Learn all about the new ‘Integrated Farming System’ in which several crops are grown together – all complementing each other. A fascinating subject.
Mosque The colourful Cherng Talay mosque is the community centre for people in the area and is the biggest mosque in Phuket.
Rice Salad with Vegetables, Herbs, Pineapples and Soap! It’s time for lunch at the Cherng Talay-Bangtao community centre and a group of local ladies gather to show us how to prepare rice salad with vegetables and herbs – all gathered locally and so organic and fresh – great healthy food! For dessert we have delicious locally grown pineapples. Not only that but we also get a comprehensive lesson in soap making!
Viewpoint and Waterfall The afternoon activities are more extreme than the morning’s. We head up a hill to its summit where from a scenic viewpoint (Bangtao Phu Pa View) we can look down on three local beaches – Surin Beach, Layan Beach and Nai Thon Beach. It’s quite spectacular up here so don’t forget your camera! Next, we stroll to nearby Ton Nue waterfall, passing durian and bean plantations on the way. The air is fresh up here and the waterfall a cooling delight.
Waew Island Waew Island is a rocky outcrop just off the coast. There’s lots to see in the surrounding waters with vivid marine life and colourful corals.
Interested in trying out Cherng Talay-Bangtao Community Based Tourism? Contact
Mr. Sontaya Kongtip 062 228 7896
“Gibbon”
Pa Klok Community Based Tourism Verdant Pa Klok is considered as the ‘lung’ of Phuket. Most of the land in this central-eastern part of the island is used for agriculture and the head of the community here is Mr. Charow Karaket, a farmer who applies his deep local knowledge and experience to find innovative ways to improve the productivity of the area and to solve any problems he meets on the way. In Pa Klok you’ll also find the first longan fruit garden in Phuket while nearby is the spectacular all-year-round Bang Pae Waterfall and the world-renowned Gibbon Rehabilitation Project. In this. Leafy part of the island you can have a traditional island lunch and then visit a goat farm followed by checking out local products made by the elder members of the community. Kayak in the mangrove forest by Bang Rong Pier and take a 15-minute long-tail boat ride to beautiful and atmospheric Naka Yai Island with its impressive viewpoint from which you can take in clear vistas of Phuket and its surroundings. At low tide you can stroll along the beach.
“Pa Klok is considering as the ‘lung’ of Phuket”
Agricultural Tourism Mr. Charow the founder and the leader of this project only graduated from grade 6 but he’s a total natural at creating agricultural projects due to his rich experience. He also passes this knowledge on to younger people. His projects include recycling garbage; a frogs’ farm in used car tyres; a pigs’ farm, using the manure for organic vegetables; a fish farm with the resulting bio-compost. Spend just a few hours here and you’ll learn how to live independently for the rest of your life!
The Orchard The local longan orchard actually features many different fruits such as delicious mangosteens, coconuts and ‘the king of fruit’ – durian. During the month of September there’s also a fruit buffet here.
Maneerat Goat Farm The goats at this excellent and hygienic farm have been well fed and raised with care. Here, you’ll find lots of products derived from goats such as fresh goat milk, soap, shampoo and lotions.
Bang Pae Waterfall Take a short walk from the Gibbon Project through the forest and along the way you’ll see beautiful green moss on the rocks and hear the sound of cascading water. When you reach the waterfall you’ll be in one of the coolest spots in Phuket – literally. Mother Nature at her best.
Lunch Lunch consists of som-tam (fresh green papaya salad) Phuket style, ‘tu-mee’ curry (traditional Phuket curry that’s not so easy to find nowadays as it takes quite a while to cook), chili paste with vegetables and steamed fish with curry paste in banana leaves. Delicious and genuine.
The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project Near the entrance of Bang Pae waterfall you’ll find the fascinating Gibbon Rehabilitation Project – a research division of The Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand (WARF). Some gibbons here have been brutally treated by people and cannot yet go back and live normally in the wild so have to remain in a cage until they’re deemed ready to return to their natural habitat. The project is run by international volunteers and you also can help support it by buying souvenirs.
Homestay For some people, a one-day visit to this area is simply not enough! Happily, you can stay over with a ‘homestay’ arrangement in a house belonging to community members with typical Thai décor and hospitable, friendly hosts.
Kayaking You’ll also get the chance to kayak through the mangrove forest near Bang Rong Pier.
Naka Yai Island After a brisk walk up the hill on nearby Naka Yai Island you’ll come to a spectacular viewpoint that takes in Phuket Island and the surrounding bays. After descending, enjoy some freshly prepared and delicious rotis then check out the local school with its happy and smiling students.
Interested in trying out Pa Klok community based tourism? Contact
Mr. Prasert Ritraksa 084 309 9131
“Asam gelugur”
Kamala Community Based Tourism Kamala is in an almost perfect location with its beachside ambience backed by forested hills. Not surprisingly, many expatriates make this part of the island their home away from home. Two characteristics of Kamala stand out: religion and Nature. At the Kamala information and service centre, you’ll come across several members of the community ready and willing to inform you of the area’s assets, history, and homemade products. One of the main products of the community is fruit such as asam gelugur – a bitter, vitamin-rich delight. A local guide/driver shows us around the village where we stop at local fish stalls run by local fisherman, as well as homes practising fruit preservation, an old coffee house, Kamala Mosque, and the waterfall that supplies water to the village. We try on local clothes and make some colourful batik. The next fun part of our visit is going to Bang Max’s orchard, a local farmer. The way up to Bang Max’s place is not easy; we have to jump on a motorbike and wend our way up a narrow lane to the top of the hill where we take a lunch break among the trees, serenaded by cicadas. After lunch (eaten out of coconut ‘bowls’) we take a look around the orchard where we can see all manner of fruits such as durian and wild rambi. Then it’s down the hill we go to visit a 100-year-old wooden house. We end up the day riding horses at Kamala Imron Farm. It’s been a wonderful day that ended much too fast. Come to think of it I may do it again sometime.
"A local guide shows us around the village where we stop at an old coffee house and enjoy local coffee."
Asam Gelugur Asam gelugur can only produce fruit once a year during the rainy season. Local people usually use this vitamin-rich fruit for cooking and the most common practise is to preserve it and use it in curries and soups. You’ll see the trees all over the village; some are 100 years old.
Batik Stick and Paint The beautiful patterns on local batik are carefully prepared by local ladies in the community. Try it out and you’ll realise how beautiful this work is.
Bang Max’s Orchard “Bang Max’s house was originally in the village, but he prefers to live by himself up in his orchard,” people in the village told me. Even though he’s a private and independent man he’s kind enough to open up his house and land to visitors.
100-Year-Old House Nowadays, most people live in bland concrete houses. But this 100-year-old wooden house remains as originally beautiful as it was before.
Horse Riding Local personality Bang Imrom runs a small stable to help autistic children and to promote meditation. Find out why and how by going horse riding with him.
Interested in trying out Kamala community based tourism? Contact
Mrs. Mussuree Angsirikul (Ja Cherry) 084 770 7149
Phuket Old Town Community Based Tourism There’s no doubt about it; Phuket Old Town is a fascinating place. The alleys, colourful streets, and the ornate and historical buildings all tell an engaging tale from the past. A tour along its streets is definitely recommended for a day out to learn about the island’s past. To comprehensively explore the old town you’ll need to visit museums, shrines and Sino-Portuguese houses that are open to the public, and of course try out local dishes along the way. Because of its rich and varied history, Phuket Town is distinctly cosmopolitan and knows no boundaries when it comes to race or religion; it’s a veritable melting pot and exploring it is an educational experience in more ways than one.
Tieam Chu
( Chinese Hokkien means building or shop-house )
“Phuket Town is distinctly cosmopolitan and knows no boundaries when it comes to race or religion; it’s a veritable melting pot and exploring it is an educational experience in more ways than one.”
Thai Hua Museum: Krabi Road The downtown Thai Hua Museum along Krabi Road used to be a Chinese-language school. It was converted and renovated several years back and now is in pristine shape (in fact one of the best preserved Sino-Portuguese buildings on the island), displaying artifacts and period pieces displaying mainly how Chinese tin mine workers who had come to Phuket lived and blended into island life yet retained their distinctive lifestyle.
Auntie Po Teng’s House: 88 Krabi Road Community leader ‘Auntie’ Po Teng has opened her house to the public and it is also a place where the elders in the community gather. It’s a window into the past through which you can learn how people lived years ago with an old-fashioned kitchen with oven, scales, and even a central open-air well along with period furniture – all genuine and still used on a day-to-day basis. Very photogenic.
Sangtam Shrine: Phang Nga Road This colourful and peaceful Chinese shrine has recently been renovated and while once it was almost hidden, nowadays its entrance is more noticeable. It’s still active with a sizeable attendance on feast days of worshippers coming to inquire about their fate and fortune. There are several statues of goddesses with plenty of vivid artwork. The building has recently received royal recognition.
Blacksmith’s House: Dibuk Road During the island’s tin mining era, Dibuk Road was lined with blacksmith shops. Nowadays only the Tai Sun Aun blacksmith house remains and it’s literally a blast from the past. This is the only blacksmith shop on the island that keeps to the traditional way of forming iron with a large furnace, giant hammer and tongs. These days it may not have many bona fide customers but it’s open to the public.
100-year-Old-House: 92 Thalang Road Thalang Road is Phuket Town’s main boulevard and this 100-yearold house (one of many along this, the oldest thoroughfare in town) belongs to a community elder. It’s the perfect place to stop for lunch if you’re hungry for delicious traditional dishes. Here, you can enjoy piping-hot Hokkien noodles and many other traditional local plates such as O-tao and O-aiew.
Street Art Both local and international artists have contributed works and the resulting street art is part of a ‘FAT’ project (Food Art Town in Phuket). The artwork is located in a compact section of town, making it easy to go from piece to piece taking photos.
Inter es t ed i n t h e P h u ket Old Town local community tour? contact
Mr. Don Limnontapisit 081 892 0618
Mr. Somyot Pathan 084 305 3960
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“The octopus”
Lone Island (Koh Lone) Community Based Tourism Taking a long-tail boat from Chalong Pier it’s only 15 minutes to get to Lone Island and its peaceful local community. Koh Lone is a small island located off the southeast coast of Phuket where local people live in harmony and their simple lifestyle is reflected in communal activities which maintain a traditional way of life. You can join in and learn from these local activities such as fishing, preparing traditional local desserts, indigo tie-dying cotton, and enjoying freshly caught seafood with organic vegetables planted on the island. Imagine yourself having a fresh seafood meal on the beach with sea breezes caressing your face and in the early morning seeing toucans or hornbills that are rarely seen on the mainland. At low tide, you can observe many marine creatures such as crabs, starfish, and octopus. The octopus is considered a symbol of the island and hunting for them is one of the highlights of the visit. So let’s escape from the big city and chill out on this small island just like a real islander!
“Local people live in harmony and their simple lifestyle is reflected in communal activities”
Fishing To go fishing here you’ll only need a few simple tools such as a hook, a line, a bamboo pole, a weight and bait. A local fisherman will take you to a nearby spot where even an absolute beginner can catch some fish. And yes, it takes less than an hour to catch a few. Simply chilling out on a traditional long-tail boat floating on the azure waves is just part of the fun.
Traditional Local Dessert Once back from our fishing adventure, ladies from the community prepare ingredients for us to cook up a local dessert; sticky rice in plaited coconut leaves, boiled in coconut milk and sugar served with flour and entirely natural food colouring. This is ‘Kanom ko’ – learn how to prepare it yourself – it’s not hard!
Lunch Lunch is served in a bamboo pavilion; it’s not complicated yet it’s just as delicious as food served in an expensive restaurant. One of the main dishes is the fish that we caught earlier in the day, prepared in different ways. Another notable dish is the ubiquitous ‘som-tam’ – a delicious green papaya salad that’s fresh off the tree.
Indigo Tie-Dyed Fabrics This is an easy process but the results are spectacular. Tie-dying cotton fabrics is child’s play and you’ll get the eye-catching and colourful results just three hours later, once they’ve dried out in the sun. A great gift for the folks back home.
Catching Octopuses Strolling along the beach during the afternoon’s low tide, we discover the octopuses that are the symbol of this charming island. And we don’t just see octopuses but all sorts of exotic and interesting marine life.
Interested in trying out Lone Island community based tourism? Contact
Mr. Songsit Boonpol 085 429 0021