Thailand Village Academy | Ban Laem Community

Everyday life in Ban Laem sub-district is deeply connected with the water, and this dates back to the Rama V period when the former King visited Suphanburi, as described in a poem written by Sunthorn Phu, who accompanied him on his journey.

The beauty of Bang Pla Ma and Ban Laem has to be seen with your own eyes to understand why they were featured in Sunthorn Phu’s poem. Some of the best things to do here include boat rides to admire some impressive historical sites while soaking up community life. Another enjoyable activity involves riding on a local tractor through the fields to collect duck eggs in the morning. You can always swap four wheels for four legs… with a ride on a well-trained buffalo over the muddy ground.

The well-known “Khwan Kao” spiritual ceremony is also performed here, and this is your chance to see it in real life. Spend time with the community masters who are happy to teach you how to cook traditional dishes and ancient desserts, like boeseman croaker spicy soup, minced fish curry, “Chao Ban Chao Ruean” traditional dessert, banana in coconut milk and black bean in coconut milk, as well as make herbal massage balls and decorative perforated paper.

Experience life along the Bang Pla Ma canal at this secluded community surrounded by nature and farmlands. Enhance your concentration with some handicraft activities and learn how to make the famous, authentic dessert of the community.

Local foods such as authentic chilli paste, local fish in tamarind soup/ sweet and sour soup with local vegetables, local fish curry.
Traditional desserts such as Baan Chao Ruen, Pak Tob, Pak Tub Tao, Momai, Joraka Long Sorn, Naree Jum Sin, Sai Noi Loy Num
Additional sources of income include selling products from water Hyacinth, stiff brooms from coconut leaves, local paper craft, Thai massage, Herbal compressing balls, scented Pandan tea, herbal incense sticks, etc.
Traditions or Important rituals of the community: Chak Phra Len Pleang/ Household Spirits Ritual/ Rice Ritual
Traditional folk play such as traditional folk songs for rice harvesting season, Pee E Ju, etc.

Learn how to make traditional Thai desserts.
Learn how to cook traditional dishes.
Making colorful herbal incenses.
Learn about integrated farming and collect duck eggs.
Collect water hyacinth and weave carps from water hyacinth.
Take a boat ride to explore riverside community.
Visit the Museum of Ancient utilities.
Learn about rice farming and take a look at thai water buffaloes.

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

Day 1: Bangkok – Tambon Ban Laem Community
7.30 am	Assemble at the meeting point.
8.00 am	Travel to Tambon Ban Laem Community.
10.00 am	Arrive at Tambon Ban Laem Community where you’ll be greeted with a welcome song and presentation about the history of the community.
12.00 pm	Enjoy lunch on the boat.
1.00 pm	Enjoy activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community: Take a boat trip to noteworthy places visited by King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn), as well as some stops visited by the famous royal poet, Sunthorn Phu. Explore riverside communities, looking out for the traditional Thai houses built during King Rama V’s reign, as well as old floating houses along the way. Take a boat ride to Wat Pa Pruek. Here, you can pay your respects to the replica of Lord Buddha’s Footprint, Luang Phor Si Saeng Buddha statue and chime 88 bells for good luck. Visit a museum displaying artifacts dating back to the late Ayutthaya period, such as important manuscripts and replicas of ancient Thai boats.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time.
Evening	Stay at Phai Ta Phut Homestay or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 2: Tambon Ban Laem Community
Morning	Breakfast.
Morning	Enjoy activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community, including learning how to make Ta Phut salted eggs and crafting wicker works from water hyacinth.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Enjoy activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community: Learn how to make Nam Prik Pao Boran (Thai chili paste) and cook up some Tom Yum Pla Ma (spicy soldier croaker soup). Visit Monthathip Farm, an integrated farm based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time.
Evening	Stay at Phai Ta Phut Homestay or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 3: Tambon Ban Laem Community – Lifestyle and Spirit of Thai Farmers Learning Center (Nahai Chai) – Sa Pan Khong Floating Market – Bangkok
Morning	Have breakfast and prepare to check out.
10.00 am	Head to the Lifestyle and Spirit of Thai Farmers Learning Center (‘Nahai Chai’).
10.30 am	Arrive at the center, which was founded to show allegiance to King Rama IX, who worked hard for the benefit of Thai people. The objective of this center is to develop high-quality rice to meet the needs of rice farmers and to provide better knowledge about efficient rice farming techniques. A look round, and you’ll soon realize how important rice and farmers are to this region.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
1.00 pm	Head to Sa Pan Khong Floating Market.
2.00 pm	Arrive at Sa Pan Khong Floating Market, one of the newer tourist destinations of Suphan Buri. Shop for goods from boat vendors along the lengthy bamboo bridge. Enjoy stunning scenery at the top of Ban Ton Tan tower.
2.30 pm	Head to Bangkok via the highway.
4.30 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

Remarks:

15-day advance booking prior to the trip
Duration: 3 days and 2 nights, available every day
Style: Culinary tourism- Community-Based tourism with van, boat and local transportation
To prepare: Long sleeve shirt, shorts slippers, Sun Protection such as sunglasses, hat, umbrella, sunscreen and medication (if any)

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

Day 1: Bangkok – Tambon Ban Laem Community, Suphan Buri
12.30 pm	Assemble at the meeting point.
1.00 pm	Travel to Tambon Ban Laem Community, Suphan Buri.
4.00 pm	Arrive at Tambon Ban Laem Community where you’ll be greeeted with a welcome song and presentation of the history of the community.
4.00 pm	Leisure time for a couple of hours.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time for the rest of the evening.
Evening	Stay at Phai Ta Phut Homestay or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 2: Tambon Ban Laem Community
Morning	Breakfast.
Morning	Enjoy morning activities at Phai Ta Phut Homestay: Learn how to make Nam Prik Pao Boran (Thai chili paste) as well as Tom Yum Pla Ma (spicy soldier croaker soup).
12.00 pm	Enjoy lunch on the boat.
1.00 pm	Get ready for an afternoon of activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community. First, take a boat trip to some noteworthy places visited by King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) and the famous royal poet, Sunthorn Phu. Explore riverside communities and traditional Thai houses built during King Rama V reign. Make a stop for learning activities, which include: Cooking the Thai sweet Khanom Chao Ban Chao Ruen (Auspicious Thai desserts). Learning how to make Khanom Dok Chok (Crispy lotus blossom cookies) and Thong Muan (Crispy coconut rolls).
Evening	Dinner and leisure time.
Evening	Stay at Phai Ta Phut Homestay or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 3: Tambon Ban Laem Community
Morning	Breakfast.
9.00 am	Take part in some morning activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community, including: A visit to Monthathip Farm. Here, collect duck eggs in this integrated farm which is based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. Learn how to make Ta Phut salted eggs.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	More afternoon activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community, such as: Sipping of sweet pandan tea and crafting flowers from the flower’s leaves. Go on a boat ride to Wat Pa Pruek where you can pay your respects to the replica of Lord Buddha’s Footprint, Luang Phor Si Saeng Buddha statue and chime 88 bells for good luck. Visit a museum displaying artifacts dating back to the late Ayutthaya period, such as important manuscripts and replicas of ancient Thai boats.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time.
Evening	Stay at Phai Ta Phut Homestay or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 4: Tambon Ban Laem Community
Morning	Breakfast.
9.00 am	Some hands-on activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community: Learn how to grow vegetables in your backyard. Make colorful aroma incense sticks to take home.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Further scheduled activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community are: Learning how to make coconut stalk brooms (useful for housework). Making steamed bamboo shoot cakes.
Evening	Dinner while watching the sunset at Monthathip Farm.
Day 5: Tambon Ban Laem Community – Banharn-Jamsai Tower – Museum of the Descendants of the Dragon – Lifestyle and Spirit of Thai Farmers Learning Center
Morning	Breakfast.
9.00 am	Join in with some morning CSR activities, including: Bang Pla Ma riverside cleanup. Collecting and drying water hyacinth under the guidance of an expert. Learning how to weave using water hyacinth.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Explore and take some photos at Banharn-Jamsai Tower and the Museum of the Descendants of the Dragon.
Afternoon	Head to Lifestyle and Spirit of Thai Farmers Learning Center (Nahai Chai). The center was founded to show allegiance to King Rama IX, who worked hard out of his concern for Thai people. The objective of this center is to develop high-quality rice to meet the needs of rice farmers and to provide knowledge about more efficient rice farming techniques. A look around and you’ll soon realize how important rice and rice farmers are to this region.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time.
Evening	Stay at Phai Ta Phut Homestay or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 6: Tambon Ban Laem Community – Bangkok
Morning	Prepare to check out.
Morning	Breakfast.
9.00 am	Head to Thai Water Buffalo Preservation Village.
10.00 am	Arrive at the village, which is also known as ‘Baan Khwai’. This project was established to reflect the lifestyle of Thai peasants in the past and their important relationship with water buffaloes. The project focus is on conservative tourism, especially water buffalo and rice conservation, because Suphan Buri is one of the top 5 rice-producing provinces in Thailand.
11.00 am	Enjoy a demonstration by the buffaloes and hop on a wheeled cart that’s pulled along by the buffaloes.
11.30 am	Head to Sa Pan Khong Floating Market, a new tourist destination in Suphan Buri. Shop for goods being sold from boat vendors along the lengthy bamboo bridge. Enjoy stunning scenery at the top of Ban Ton Tan tower.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
1.00 pm	Head to back to Bangkok via highway.
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 point as your safety is our first priority

Remarks:

15-day advance booking prior to the trip

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Day 1: Bangkok – Tambon Ban Laem Community, Suphan Buri
12.30 pm	Assemble at the meeting point.
1.00 pm	Travel to Tambon Ban Laem Community, Suphan Buri.
4.00 pm	Arrive at the community, where you’ll be greeted with a welcome song and overview of the history of the community.
4.00 pm	Leisure.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time.
Evening	Stay at Phai Ta Phut Homestay.
Day 2: Tambon Ban Laem Community
Morning	Breakfast.
Morning	Enjoy activities at Phai Ta Phut Homestay. Learn how to make Nam Prik Pao Boran (Thai chili paste) and cook Tom Yum Pla Ma (spicy soldier croaker soup).
12.00 pm	Enjoy lunch on the boat.
1.00 pm	Enjoy activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community.
1.00 pm	Take a boat trip to some noteworthy places visited by King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) and the famous royal poet, Sunthorn Phu. Explore riverside communities and traditional Thai houses built during King Rama V’s reign. Stop off for some fun learning activities, which include: Learning how to cook Khanom Chao Ban Chao Ruen (auspicious Thai desserts). Making Khanom Dok Chok (crispy lotus blossom cookies) and Thong Muan (crispy coconut rolls).
Evening	Dinner and leisure time at the accommodation.
Evening	Stay at Phai Ta Phut Homestay or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 3: Tambon Ban Laem Community
Morning	Breakfast.
9.00 am	Enjoy activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community with a visit to Monthathip Farm where you can collect duck eggs and learn about the integrated farm system based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. Learn how to make Ta Phut salted eggs.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Enjoy further activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community, like: Sipping of pandan tea and crafting flowers from the flower’s leaves. Going on a boat ride to Wat Pa Pruek where you can pay your respects to the replica of Lord Buddha’s Footprint, Luang Phor Si Saeng Buddha statue and chime 88 bells for good luck. Visit a museum displaying artifacts dating back to the late Ayutthaya period, such as important manuscripts and replicas of ancient Thai boats.
Evening	Dinner.
Evening	Stay at Phai Ta Phut Homestay or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 4: Tambon Ban Laem Community
Morning	Breakfast.
9.00 am	Enjoy activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community, such as learning how to grow vegetables in your backyard and making colorful aroma incense sticks to take home.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Enjoy more activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community: Learn how to make coconut stalk brooms (useful for housework). Learn how to make steamed bamboo shoot cakes.
Evening	Dinner while watching the sunset at Monthathip Farm.
Day 5: Tambon Ban Laem Community
Morning	Breakfast.
9.00 am	Enjoy activities at Tambon Ban Laem Community: Learn how to collect and dry water hyacinth. Learn how to weave carps from water hyacinth.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
1.00 pm	Head to Wat Khao Tham Thiam.
2.15 pm	Arrive at the temple, which is believed to be the first one ever established in Thailand. After Gautama Buddha attained Nirvana, Moggaliputta-Tissa conducted the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra city, under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka. The Emperor also sent forth 5 monks to propagate Buddhism in Suvannabhumi city.
3.30 pm	Travel to Wat Khao Phra Si Sanphet Chayaram.
3.45 pm	Arrive at Wat Khao Phra Si Sanphet Chayaram. The temple was founded during the Dvaravati period, and is highly respected by the U Thong people. The temple has undergone modern renovations, and now has clean facilities and a serene atmosphere. The upper part of the temple houses the Reclining Buddha statue named Luang Phor Sang Si Sanphet inside the cave and the replica of Lord Buddha’s Footprint.
5.00 pm	Head back to Tambon Ban Laem Community.
Evening	Dinner.
Evening	Stay at Phai Ta Phut Homestay or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 6: Tambon Ban Laem Community – Banharn-Jamsai Tower – Museum of the Descendants of the Dragon – Lifestyle and Spirit of Thai Farmers Learning Center
Morning	Breakfast.
9.00 am	Join in with the morning’s CSR activity, which involves a cleanup of the Bang Pla Ma riverside area.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Explore and take some photos at Banharn-Jamsai Tower and the Museum of the Descendants of the Dragon.
Afternoon	Head to Lifestyle and Spirit of Thai Farmers Learning Center (Nahai Chai). The center was founded to show allegiance to King Rama IX, who worked hard out of his concern for Thai people. The objective of this center is to develop high-quality rice to meet the needs of rice farmers and to provide better knowledge about more efficient rice farming. After having a look around, you’ll soon realize how important rice and farmer are to this region.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time.
Evening	Stay at Phai Ta Phut Homestay or accommodation of a similar quality.
Day 7: Tambon Ban Laem Community – Bangkok
Morning	Prepare to check out and have breakfast.
9.00 am	Head to Thai Water Buffalo Preservation Village.
10.00 am	Arrive at the village, which is also known in Thai as ‘Baan Khwai’. The project was established to reflect the lifestyle of Thai peasants in the past and their important relationship with water buffaloes. The project focus is on conservative tourism, especially water buffalo and rice conservation, because Suphan Buri is one of the top 5 rice-producing provinces in Thailand.
11.00 am	Enjoy a demonstration by the buffaloes and hop on a wheeled cart pulled around by the buffaloes.
11.30 am	Head to Sa Pan Khong Floating Market, one of the new tourist destinations of Suphan Buri. Shop for goods being sold from boat vendors along the lengthy bamboo bridge. Enjoy stunning scenery at the top of Ban Ton Tan tower.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
1.00 pm	Head to back Bangkok via the highway.
4.00 pm	Arrive back in Bangkok to end the trip.

For safety reasons, all activities are subject to weather conditions and changeable without prior notice

Remarks:

15-day advance booking prior to the trip
Duration: 7 days, 6 nights, available every day
Style: Culinary tourism- Community-Based tourism with van, boat and local transportation
To prepare: Long sleeve shirt, shorts slippers, Sun Protection such as sunglasses, hat, umbrella, sunscreen and medication (if any)

Seasons/ Periods of Visit: All-year-round

Authentic chilli paste
Tamarind soup with local fish
Morning glory sweet and sour soup
Dried Fish
Stir-fried organic zucchini
Stir-fired morning glory
Spicy clear soup, spicy shrimp paste

Authentic chilli paste
Herbal incense sticks
Woven product from water hyacinth
Scented Pandan tea
Dried fish
Traditional desserts
Seasonal vegetables and fruits

นางสมปอง ศรีสังข์งาม _ ปราชญ์วัฒนธรรมด้านของหวานและพิธีทำขวัญของ

Mrs. Sompong Srisungngam

Local master for Desserts and Rice ritual

นายพิศเพลิน กาละวัน _ ศิลปการแสดงเพลงพื้นถิ่น

Mr. Pitplearn Kalawai

Local master for Local Performing Arts

Mr. Wong Srisungngam

Local master for Rituals

นางมณฑาทิพย์ ชื่นจิตร _ ปราชญ์นวดแผนไทยโบราณและเกษตรผสมผสาน

Mrs. Monthathip Chuenjit

Local master for Thai Massage and Integrated Agriculture

นายประจวบ เพ็งสุวรรณ _ การทำไม้กวาดทางมะพร้าว

Mr. Prajuab Pengsuwan

Local master for Stiff Broom from Coconut Leaves

นางโสภา พันธุ _ ปราชญ์อาหารพื้นถิ่น น้ำพริกเผาโบราณ

Mrs. Sopa Puntu

Local master for local foods and authentic chilli paste

นางล้วน กล่องอินทร์ _ ด้านการตัดพวงมโหตรและสานปลาตะเพียน

Mrs. Luan Klong In

Local master for Puang Mahot (Paper artcrafts)

นางสุนีย์ น้ำใจดี _ ปราชญ์ด้านจักรสานผักตบชวา

Mrs. Sunee Numjaidee

Local master for Water Hyacinth Weaving

นางสุขฤดี สร้อยทอง _ ปราชญ์ด้านการทำขนมพื้นบ้านขนมดอกจอกขนมทองม้วน

Mrs. Sukrudee Soithong

Local master for local desserts

นางสาวประภัสสรา ศรีดี _ การทำธูปสมุนไพรหลากสีประจำวันเกิด

Miss Prapassara Sridee

Local master for Herbal Incense Sticks

Mr. Veera Yupapin

นายนิรันต์ กล่องอินทร์ _ แนะนำหลอดต้นอ้อ

Mr. Nirun Klong In

นางสาวอำพร ชื่นจิตร _ สอนทำชาเตยหอมและผัดดอกไม้จากใบเตย

Miss Umporn Chuenjit

Mrs. Lukchan Noi Uthai

Mrs. Jaruporn Sripiphat

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Phanmai Sainum Resort

Located by Tha Jeen River among nature with relaxing and private atmosphere, offers many traditional local activities and facilities such as cruising along the river, bike tour. The maximum capacity of the resort is 50-60 guests

Bang Luang Market
Wat Pa Pruek
Thai Farmer Way of Life and Spirit Learning Centre
Thai Buffalo Village (Mr. Chai farm)
Mungkorn Sawan Park
Sapan Kong floating market

Take AH9 from Bangkok and turn left to AH 340 (Bang Bua Thong- Supanburi). Keep straight for 50 km and there is Caltex gas station on the left. Turn left and continue for 1 km and turn left to take AH 3351 for about 7 km. On the left, notice the sign “Baan Suan Pandin Mae,” which is the assembly point of the community.

Community’s Contact Information

Community-based Tourism coordinator: Mr. Sophon Puntu
Phone: 08-0073-7397
Address: 147/1 Moo 5 Baan Laem subdistrict, Bang Pla Ma district, Supan Buri

Ban Laem Community