Cherishing communities in the central region

Published: 6/07/2012 at 02:20 AM
Newspaper section: Life

The Tourism Authority of Thailand Samut Songkhram Office has launched the Eat, Travel and Cherish Community Ways of Living Project to encourage families and friends of all ages to travel together and experience the ways of life in Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom.
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Two foreign tourists stroll a sandy beach on Samui Island, Surat Thani, where the Samui Island Marathon takes place on Sept 23.

On June 30, the first group of tourists visited Benjarong Don Kai Dee village and Bang Krajao seaside village in Samut Sakhon and restored the flood-hit Wat Lamphaya community. They planted trees, painted tree pots, improved the landscape and donated a cabinet and books to a local library.

Benjarong Don Kai Dee village is a major production centre of five-coloured porcelain in Samut Sakhon. Its products depict the Thai way of life. The art has been passed down from the Thai-Chinese, who made blue and white porcelain before.

Wat Lam Phaya Floating Market is located by the Tha Chin River in front of Lam Phaya Temple, Bang Len district of Nakhon Pathom. Fruit orchards, flower gardens and old-style houses by the river, as well as the sight of hundreds of thousands of fish swimming near the pier have attracted many tourists.

Recommended food includes salt-sprinkled grilled fish, pork satay, gui chai (vegetable-filled dumplings), pla tapian tom khem (boiled silver barb), look choob (fruit-shaped sweetened mung bean), kanom babin (Portuguese-influenced coconut cake called queijadas de coimbra) and kanom pia (Chinese-style cake with fillings). This trip was held in line with the TAT's 7 Greens Concept with the aim of promoting family tourism, environment-friendly tourism and volunteerism, which can lead to sustainable tourism.

Contact the TAT Samut Songkhram Office on 034-752-847 or via tatsmsk@gmail.com.

Rafting competition in Prachin Buri

Benjarong Don Kai Dee Village in Samut Sakhon produces a kind of traditional Thai porcelain called benjarong.

One of Prachin Buri's major tourist spots, Kaeng Hin Ploeng, is open to those with adventurous hearts who will enjoy a variety of activities at the 9th Khao Yai National Park Protection Unit in Na Di district. Rafting through rapids on this stream requires good skills and vigilance. Along the route, well-trained lifeguards are stationed to ensure safety for tourists.

From Aug 17-19, skilled rafting teams are invited to compete in the Rafting Championship of Thailand at Kaeng Hin Ploeng. The competition is divided into two categories: Professional Rubber Rafting (11.5km and 4.5km) for teams of six; and Amateur Rubber Rafting (4.5km) for teams of six.

After the registration on Aug 17, the first round of the professional rafting contest (4.5km) begins at 8am on Aug 18 and the rest of the contests start at 8am on August 19. Applications are being accepted until Aug 17. The entrance fee is 4,000 baht per team.

Apart from Kaeng Hin Ploeng, tourists should not miss Prachin Buri's natural and cultural attractions, such as waterfalls and trekking trails in Prachantakham district and the Chaophraya Abhai-bhubejhr Hospital, where they will see a stunning century-old European-style building and can pamper themselves with traditional massage and holistic medicine.

To get to Kaeng Hin Ploeng, take Road No.33 (Suwannasorn) via Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri and Prachantakham, head to Kabin Buri, turn left at the 21km post to Sadoo-Saphan Hin Road, keep going for around 17km, and then turn left at Ban Nong Nae School and continue for another 7km.

For registration, call 037-486-761 or 084-104-7799. For tourism in the area, call 037-312-282 or 037-312-284 during office hours or visit www.tat8.com.

Samui Island Marathon 2012

Bangkok Airways will hold the 3rd Samui Island Marathon, scheduled for Sept 23 at Nathon pier, Koh Samui, Surat Thani. The competition is classified into five categories _ Full Marathon (42.195km); Half Marathon (21.1km); Quarter Marathon (10.55km) and Mini Marathon for students aged 12-14 (5km) and Fun Run (2km).

The overall champion will receive HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's trophy. The cash prizes for winners in all of the categories total more than 3 million baht.

Contact Bangkok Airways Head Office on 02-265-5669 or 02-265- 8709 or apply online at www.bangkokair.com/samui-island-marathon.

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