Thailand Village Academy | Tham Rong Community

Phetchaburi may be best known for its Thai-style baked custard pies, but in fact, the real “Phetchaburi souvenirs” are the products made from toddy palm, a local plant grown throughout this central seaside province.

A tall tree resistant to drought, heat and flooding, no plant could suit Phetchaburi’s climate better than the toddy palm. It has become an invaluable plant for Phetchaburi locals who use palm sugar in their cooking. The leaves are also converted into wickerwork products, supporting the local economy. As a result, the agricultural sector benefits enormously from Thailand’s largest toddy palm plantation.

Tam Rong (sub-district) is another community with a strong tie to toddy palm trees. Locals here have been cultivating toddy palm for generations, passing recipes from generation to generations — including toddy palm soup, a slightly bitter stew, and toddy palm cake, a deliciously sweet dessert.

If you have time to spare, spend a night in Tam Rong community where you can experience working in a fully-functioning plantation at the community master’s field Learn how to make some easy toddy palm leaf weaving patterns, toddy palm shell figures or even how to make traditional kites. It’s a great opportunity to a break from modern technology (like your phone) and fly your self-made kites (like they used to do for entertainment in the olden days) instead. You may even find it more fun!

Get to know about the lifestyle of the people working in around the palm sugar plantation. Enjoy activities such as weaving palm leaves, as well as arts and crafts using palm fruit – a great lesson on paying meticulous attention to detail and concentration.

1,000-year-old Luangpor Dum Archeological Site
Palm Sugar Production
Palm leave weaving
Chula Kite Making
Cooking local dishes with local ingredients

Enjoy the famous Cow Racing Festival.
Experience working in the toddy palm orchard and cook toddy palms.
Making handicrafts from toddy palm leaves and old toddy palms.
Learn how to make Thai Kite.
Visit and learn about integrated farming within the community.
Make a unique fertilizer out of worm castings.

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

Day 1: Bangkok – Tham Rong Community – Wat Tham Rong
7.30 am	Meet at the designated point in Bangkok.
8.00 am	Head to Tham Rong Community via the highway.
11.00 am	Pay respect to the sacred Luang Phor Dam and Luang Phor Khao Buddha statues at Wat Tham Rong, a highly-revered place by the locals.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Take part in afternoon activities at Tham Rong Community, including: Pick toddy palms Cook toddy palm cakes Learn how to strip the palms and extract nectar
Evening	Dinner and leisure time.
Evening	Rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 2: Tham Rong Community
Morning	Witness one of the most beautiful sunrises in Thailand (for the early birds) before a leisurely breakfast.
9.00 am	Kick off the day’s activities at Tham Rong Community, such as: Weaving with part of the toddy palm plant. Craft dolls using the hard shells of toddy palm.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Learn how to make local dishes in a cooking class: Young toddy palm curry Tom Kha Kai with banana flowers
Evening	Dinner, with the rest of the evening free for leisure time.
Evening	Rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 3: Tham Rong Community – Natachom – Bangkok
Morning	Breakfast.
10.00 am	For the rest of the morning, learn all about Thai kites at Tham Rong Community – with the chance to make your own and fly it.
12.00 pm	Enjoy coffee in the middle of rice fields at the pretty Natachom Coffee (café) and then have lunch.
1.00 pm	Head straight to Bangkok after lunch.
4.00 pm	Arrive in Bangkok (mid-afternoon) to end of trip.

The program is subject to change without prior notice, depending on weather conditions and the pickup point, as your safety is our first priority.

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

No. of visitors	2 persons	4 persons	6 persons	8 persons	20 persons
Rate/Person (THB)	19,950	10,300	6,800	5,700	5,500

The price is inclusive of:

2-night stay at homestay style accommodation, 2-4 persons/ room
All meals as mentioned in the program
Transportation
Activities in the community
Admission fees for places in the program
Local guides for service
Local guides for English explanation
Travel insurance with 1,000,000 baht coverage or in accordance with the terms and conditions

The price is exclusive of:

Personal expenses such as food, beverage, phone charges, not specified in the program
Tips for guides and drivers
7% VAT

Remarks:

15-day advanced booking prior to the trip
Duration: 3 days and 2 nights
Style: Culinary tourism- Community-Based tourism with van and transportation
To prepare: Sun Protection such as sunglasses, hat, umbrella, sunscreen and medication (if any)

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

Day 1: Bangkok – Tham Rong Community – Wat Tham Rong
12.30 pm	Assemble at the meeting point in Bangkok and head to Tham Rong Community.
3.30 pm	Pay respect to the sacred Luang Phor Dam and Luang Phor Khao Buddha statues at Wat Tham Rong, a highly-revered place by the locals.
Evening	Dinner then leisure time for the rest of the evening in the community.
Evening	Rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 2: Tham Rong Community
Morning	Breakfast.
Morning	Participate in the morning’s activities at Tham Rong Community, including: Picking toddy palms Cooking toddy palm cakes Learning how to strip the palms and extract nectar.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	More activities at Tham Rong Community as you learn how to make and fly traditional Thai kites.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time for the remainder of the evening.
Evening	Rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 3: Tham Rong Community
Morning	Breakfast.
Morning	Take part in activities at Tham Rong Community: Weaving with toddy palm fronds. Crafting dolls from the toddy palm’s hard shells.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Try cooking up some local dishes in a class, like: Young toddy palm curry Tom Kha Kai with banana flowers
Evening	Dinner and leisure time for the rest of the evening.
Evening	Rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 4: Tham Rong Community – Cow Racing Festival
Morning	Breakfast.
Morning	The morning’s activities at Tham Rong Community include: Tending to the earthworms kept in the community. Making red curry paste, an essential ingredient in many dishes.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	The main activity for the afternoon is a visit to Tham Rong’s integrated farm; here, you’ll learn all about this important farming technique and how it adds more value to agricultural products.
Evening	Take a bike ride to explore the community and the nearby fish bank.
Evening	Dinner.
Night	Check out a village’s local cow racing festival, which is held every Sunday night. This ancient (and unusual) sport is particularly popular among young men in Amphoe Ban Lat.
Day 5: Tham Rong Community – Laem Phak Bia – Chao Samran Beach
Morning	Breakfast.
9.00 am	Head to Laem Phak Bia Royal Project.
9.00 am	Visit the Green Caviar Seaweed Farm and Sai Med Raek Beach at the tip of Laem Luang.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Leisure time at Chao Samran Beach (don’t forget your swimming clothes!)
Afternoon	Relax by the water as the sun sets.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time for the rest of the evening.
Evening	Rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 6: Tham Rong Community – Natachom – Phetchaburi Riverside Community – Bangkok
Morning	Prepare to leave the accommodation.
Morning	Breakfast.
9.00 am	Bid farewell to the Tham Rong Community as you head back to Bangkok (with several stop-offs along the way).
9.15 am	Enjoy coffee in the middle of rice fields at Natachom Coffee before heading to Wat Tham Khao Luang.
10.15 am	Arrive at Wat Tham Khao Luang, the famous Buddhist temple hidden within a cave. Witness the incredible spectacle of sunlight shining through a whole onto the large Buddha statue inside the cave.
11.00 am	Travel to Wat Koh Community, Talad Rimnam Market Community and Khlong Krachaeng Community.
12.00 pm	Enjoy lunch and leisure time along the Phetchaburi Riverside Route. Here, you can pick up come Thai desserts, including Khao Chae (rice soaked in cool water), a traditional royal Phetchaburi dish.
1.00 pm	Straight to Bangkok via the 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 the pickup point, as your safety is our first priority

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

No. of visitors	2 persons	4 persons	6 persons	8 persons	20 persons
Rate/Person (THB)	31,000	18,600	14,500	12,200	10,700

The price is inclusive of:

5-night stay at homestay style accommodation
14 Meals as mentioned in the program
Transportation
Activities in the community
Admission fees for places in the program
Local guides for service
Local guides for English explanation
Travel insurance with 1,000,000 baht coverage or in accordance with the terms and conditions

The price is exclusive of:

Personal expenses such as food, beverage, phone charges, not specified in the program
Tips for guides and drivers
7% VAT

Remarks:

15-day advance booking prior to the trip
Duration: 6 Days and 5 Nights Trip between 4-9 July 2019
Style: Culinary tourism- Community-Based tourism with van and transportation
To prepare: Sun Protection such as sunglasses, hat, umbrella, sunscreen and medication (if any)

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Day 1: Bangkok – Tham Rong Community – Wat Tham Rong
12.30 pm	Assemble at the meeting point in Bangkok.
12.30 pm	Head to Tham Rong Community.
3.30 pm	Pay respect to the sacred Luang Phor Dam and Luang Phor Khao Buddha statues at Wat Tham Rong, a highly-revered place by the locals.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time for the rest of the evening.
Evening	Rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 2: Tham Rong Community
Morning	Enjoy breakfast before kicking off the morning’s activities at Tham Rong Community, including: Picking toddy palms Cooking toddy palm cakes Learning how to strip the palms and extract nectar.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	More afternoon activities at Tham Rong Community – where you’ll be shown how to make and fly traditional Thai kites.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time for the rest of the evening.
Evening	Rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 3: Tham Rong Community
Morning	Breakfast.
Morning	Morning activities at Tham Rong Community include: Weaving toddy palm fronds. Crafting dolls from the hard shells of the toddy palm.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Learn how to make some local dishes in an afternoon cooking class, such as: Young toddy palm curry Tom Kha Kai with banana flowers
Evening	Dinner and leisure time.
Evening	Rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 4: Tham Rong Community – Cow Racing Festival
Morning	Breakfast.
Morning	Participate in morning activities at Tham Rong Community, including: Learning how to produce sugar from the toddy palms. Visit and learn about integrated farming, which adds more value to agricultural products.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Discover more about life in Tham Rong Community with further activities, including: Tending to the earthworms. Making red curry paste, an important ingredient in Thai curries.
Evening	Take a bike ride to explore the community and check out the fish bank before heading back for dinner.
Night	Check out a village’s local cow racing festival, which is held every Sunday night. This ancient (and unusual) sport is particularly popular among young men in Amphoe Ban Lat.
Night	Head back and rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 5: Tham Rong Community – Chao Samran Beach
Morning	Enjoy breakfast.
10.00 am	Start the morning’s activities at Tham Rong Community, which include: Weave bamboo threshing basket. Cultivate toddy palm saplings. Take a bike trip through farms and community.
12.00 pm	Lunch.
Afternoon	Leisure at Chao Samran Beach.
Afternoon	Enjoy watching the sunset.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time.
Evening	Rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 6: Tham Rong Community – Laem Phak Bia
Morning	Breakfast.
9.00 am	Head out to Laem Phak Bia Royal Project.
9.00 am	Visit the Green Caviar Seaweed Farm and Sai Med Raek Beach at the tip of Laem Luang.
12.00 pm	Lunch, with time in the afternoon to: Enjoy the scenery at the Sai Med Raek Beach. Take a boat trip to watch seabirds in the Laem Phak Bia.
Evening	Dinner and leisure time until bed.
Evening	Rest at Ban Satham Homestay (or other accommodation of a similar quality).
Day 7: Tham Rong Community – Natachom – Phetchaburi Riverside Community – Bangkok
Morning	Pack your bags ready to leave the accommodation.
Morning	Have breakfast before saying goodbye to Tham Rong Community.
9.15 am	Stop off for coffee at Natachom Coffee, a beautiful café in the middle of rice fields.
10.00 am	Back on the road towards Wat Tham Khao Luang.
10.15 am	Arrive at Wat Tham Khao Luang, the famous Buddhist temple hidden within a cave. Witness the spectacle of sunlight shining through the top onto the large Buddha statue inside the cave.
11.00 am	Travel to Wat Koh Community, Talad Rimnam Market Community and Khlong Krachaeng Community.
12.00 pm	Enjoy lunch and leisure time along the Phetchaburi Riverside Route. Pick up some tasty Thai desserts, like Khao Chae (rice soaked in cool water), a traditional royal Phetchaburi dish.
1.00 pm	Straight to Bangkok via the highway.
4.00 pm	Arrive in Bangkok to end the trip.

The program is subject to change without prior notice, depending on weather conditions and the pickup point, as your safety is our first priority.

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

No. of visitors	2 persons	4 persons	6 persons	8 persons	20 persons
Rate/Person (THB)	36,500	21,700	16,900	14,750	11,800

The price is inclusive of:

6-night stay at homestay style accommodation
17 Meals as mentioned in the programm
Transportation
Activities in the community
Admission fees for places mentioned in the program
Local guides for service
Local guides for English explanation
Travel insurance with 1,000,000 baht coverage or in accordance with the terms and conditions

The price is exclusive of:

Personal expenses such as food, beverage, phone charges, not specified in the program
Tips for guides and drivers
7% VAT

Conditions and requirements for travellers:

Age: all ages welcome
Health Condition: Healthy condition

Remark:

15-day advance booking prior to the trip
Duration: 7 Days and 6 Nights Program
Style: Culinary Tourism- Community based tourism by vans and local transportation
To prepare: Long-sleeve shirts, shorts, slippers, sun Protection such as sunglasses, hat, umbrella, sunscreen and medication (if any)

Seasons/ Periods of Visit: All-year-round

Toddy Palm Cake
Palm Fruit Collecting Demonstration
Making Toddy Palm Juice
Making Thai Kites
Weaving Palm Leaves
Making Models from Palm Shells
Cooking Class

Raising Earthworms
Making Chilli Paste
Visiting and Learning about Intergrated Plants Farming
Enjoying Cow Racing (Only Sunday)
Bamboo Rice-Winnowing Basket Weaving
Toddy Palm Planting
Bike Tour around the community

Kite Flying
Boat Tour, Bird Watching at Pak Bia Cape

Toddy Palm Curry
Chicken
Chilli paste with organic vegetables

Bann Tum Rong Chiili Paste
Toddy Palm Cake
Flowers from Palm Leaves
Palm fruit
Seasonal produces
Toddy Palm Juice

ชุมชนถ้ำรงค์7 นาย ถนอม ภู่เงิน ปราชญ์การทำสวนตาล

Mr. Tanom Phungern

Local master for Toddy Palm Farming

ชุมชนถ้ำรงค์3 นาง ประทุม ขันตรี ปราชญ์การเพาะกล้าตาล

Mrs. Pratum Khumtree

Local master for Toddy Palm Propagation

ชุมชนถ้ำรงค์5 นาง สายหยุด พงษ์เผือก ปราชญ์ด้านของหวาน

Mrs. Saiyut Pongpueak

Local master for Dessert

ชุมชนถ้ำรงค์4 นาง สาย ชมพูทอง ปราชญ์อาหารท้องถิ่น

Mrs. Sai Chompoothong

Local master for Local Foods

ชุมชนถ้ำรงค์6 นางสาว ดวงกมล ดนตรี ปราชญ์การทำผลิตภัณฑ์จากใบตาล

Miss Duangkamol Dontree

Local master for Toddy Palm Products

ชุมชนถ้ำรงค์8 นาย ปล่อย ฉิมเพชร ปราชญ์ด้านศาสนพิธีและสานกระด้งไม้ไผ่

Mr. Ploi Chimpetch

Local master for Religious Ritual and Bamboo Weaving

ชุมชนถ้ำรงค์9 นาย ผุด นามมั่น ปราชญ์การทำตุ๊กตาจากกะโหลกตาล

Mr. Phut Nammun

Local master for Model Making from Toddy Palm Shells

ชุมชนถ้ำรงค์11 นาย อุดม โฉมงาม ปราชญ์ด้านการทำว่าว

Mr. Udom Chomngarm

Local master for Kite Making

ชุมชนถ้ำรงค์10 นาย สง่า สว่างจิตต์ ปราชญ์การเพาะเลี้ยงไส้เดือน

Mr. Sa-Nga Sawangjit

Local master for Earthworm Farming

ชุมชนถ้ำรงค์12 ผู้ใหญ่บุญยงค์ สร้อยก่ำ ปราชญ์การทำพริกแกงเผ็ดจากสมุนไพรในชุมชน

Mr. Boonyong Soikham

Local master for Chilli Paste Making from Local Herbs

ชุมชนถ้ำรงค์14 นาย ชนะกันณ์ โถแก้ว นักสื่อความหมายในชุมชน

Mr. Chanakan Tokaew

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Ken Inn Resort

A clean budget motel with private atmosphere by the irrigation canal, which is located nearby Phetchaburi city centre, Big C Supermarket, Plae Yuan Restaurant, Chid Chanok Restaurant and souvenir stores.

Rong Cave
Na Ta Chom Cafe
Chao Samran Beach
Laem Pka Bia Royal Project
Baan Roi Pee Cafe
Wat Tum Khao Luang

Depart from Bangkok and take AH 35 (Rama II/ Thonburi-Paktor), pass through Samutsakorn, Samutsongkram, Pak-Tor district and take AH 4 (Phetkasem Road) to Phetchaburi. Notice Big C Supermarket on the left. Continue on for about 8 km and make a u-turn and bear left and keep straight for 500 metres. Wat Tum Rong is on the left.

Community’s Contact Information

Coordinator for community-based tourism: Mr. Chatchai Naksuk
Phone: 09-9246-9099
Social media: Tum Rong Community-based Tourism
Address: Tum Rong Subdistrict, Baan Lad District, Phetchaburi

Tour Agent Contact Information

Tour operator’s name: Friday Trip Co.,ltd.
E-Mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Phone: 02-3738008 / 088-0082906-7
Social media: www.fridaytrip.com, www.facebook.com/fridaytrip.page

Tham Rong Community

Phetchaburi

About the Community

What will you learn?

Cultural and Local Wisdom Heritage

Activities

Programs

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

The price is inclusive of:

The price is exclusive of:

Remarks:

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

The price is inclusive of:

The price is exclusive of:

Remarks:

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

The price is inclusive of:

The price is exclusive of:

Conditions and requirements for travellers:

Remark:

Seasons/ Periods of Visit: All-year-round

All-year-round activities

Activities in rainy season

Local Foods

Local Products

Home Stay

Sa Tham Homestay

Thong Chompu Homestay

Ruean Thai Homestay

Hosts/Local Masters

Local Master

Local Interpretors

Photo/VDO Gallery

Nearby Accommodation

Ken Inn Resort

Nearby attractions

How to get there

Community’s Contact Information

Tour Agent Contact Information

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Supported by

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