Baan Nam Chieo: A Wonderful Chance to Get Closer to Nature
Maneeya Dhammataree
The Baan Nam Chieo community in Trat's Laem Ngob district benefits from a stunning setting alongside Klong Nam Chieo ('Nam Chieo Canal') amid large swathes of lush mangrove forest.
If you have a tight schedule, or are looking for an alternative weekend break from the capital, a visit to the neighborhood brings you closer to nature, while offering lots of interesting activities based around an affordable homestay enterprise (250 baht [US$8.33] per person, per night, including one meal). However, if you have no particular time constraints, you can easily tie in a visit to Baan Nam Chieo with a trip to Koh Chang, since the ferry departs for the island from a pier located within the district.
Value For Money
While the homestay offers a cruise along the canal for 600 baht per person (a minimum of four passengers required), it's also possible to purchase a special package at 800 baht per night, which includes three meals, a cruise and a souvenir hat made from local fabric. It’s also possible to get a traditional Thai massage at the homestay for just 100 baht.
Admirable Accolades
My visit coincided with the announcement of some great news for the area, as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) decided to present the community with an award for the Best Travel Community (East). It was also placed in fifth position in this category at a national level.
In my experience, the best thing to do, once you've unpacked and got accustomed to your new surroundings, is pick up a bicycle from the municipal office nearby, as it's the ideal means of transport with which to explore the local neighborhood. Fortunately, both sides of the canal feature narrow pathways that are suitable for cycling (although they're fairly narrow [see photo, right]), providing you with the opportunity to meet local residents and see the community's wooden buildings, mangrove forest, as well as fishing boats and the local mosque.
Captivating Creatures
There’s even a trail that passes through the mangrove, which is best attempted early in the morning, or shortly before sunset. There’s an observation tower en route (see photo, left), which provides lots of interesting bird spotting opportunities, along with some stunning views of the surrounding area.
I even managed to spot a Brahminy Kite (also known as a red-backed sea eagle) flying in the same direction as a fishing boat, which was on its way back from an expedition at sea. I also experienced a wonderful sight when a group of monkeys made their way across the canal from an island located opposite the community while the tide was still low.
If you can get up nice and early in the morning, the terrace area located towards the end of the trail is a great place to experience a sunrise. If you fancy camping ‘under the stars’, you can even set up a tent here – just inform the Baan Nam Chieo municipal office of your intentions.
Enthusiastic Youngsters Lead The Way
The homestay also has its own enthusiastic team of child volunteers, who are happy to act as tour guides for guests, giving up their own free time after school, or on weekends to proudly offer their support and provide useful and interesting local information to visiting tourists.
If you take part in the cruise, you’ll get the chance to experience life aboard a fishing boat and you’ll even get the chance to do some fishing. But the highlight of this trip is when you’re dropped off on some muddy flats nearby, where your hosts will teach you how to capture by hand some of the area’s rich supply of hoy pak ped (‘lamp shellfish’ [lingual unguisa]).
Surattana Bhumimanoch, who is also the president of the local homestay group, kindly hosted me during my visit to Baan Nam Chieo. As well as being a kind and generous host, Surattana is also renowned for her culinary expertise, providing guests with some truly wonderful dining experiences.
For further information, or to make a reservation at the homestay call Tel: +66 (0)84 892 5374.
Transport Connections:
Car: From Bangkok, take Highway 3, passing through the provinces of Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanthaburi before arriving in Trat province. On reaching the town center (Muang district), continue straight ahead for about seven kilometres and you will arrive to Baan Nam Chieo.
Minibus (Rod Dtoo): Minibuses depart for Trat daily from Bangkok’s Khao San Road area from about 8 am.
Credit: TAN Network (www.tannetwork.tv)
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