Thailand Village Academy | The Sapphaya Old Police Station Market Community

The Chaophraya River, Central Thailand’s so-called source of life, isn’t just Bangkok’s main river. It also runs through Chainat, a province home to a quaint Chao Phraya riverside settlement known as the Old Police Station Market Community within Sappaya district. The Chao Phraya River is like an artery that feeds life and keeps people together; here, the community’s strength lies in its long-inherited and diverse cultural roots. The community’s new generation, who work in both the public and private sectors, have been recently collaborated to form “Sappaya Old Market Rehabilitation Club” which aims to revive all the community’s attractions and preserve traditions.

The main Sappaya District Police Station building was constructed during the Rama IV period and is now the landmark of the community. It was awarded as the “best architectural preservation project” from the Association of Siamese Architects under the Royal Patronage in 2018. Nowadays, it is used as a community museum – perfect for those who love the rare vintage vibes of an old police station building that’s over a hundred years old.

Every first weekend of the month, the community’s riverside street is closed to traffic and local stalls are set up. Tourists can enjoy various seasonal activities and events, many of which revolve around food! If you happen to be a dessert-lover, try the “Kui lee” sesame snack class. This ancient recipe has been adopted since the Rama VI period.
The senior community master (who will be your instructor while you visit) never tires of telling the story of “Sapya”. Have fun while discovering the origins of the community name. Also, learn to cook floating rice crackers from an ancient recipe. Craft lovers can join the water hyacinth wickerwork class (which isn’t only for old-fashioned folks like many people think it is…)

In addition, the community organizes seasonal activities throughout the year. For example, head out collecting duck eggs in the morning; cruise along Chao Phraya River during sunset and take a ride on a local tractor to have a picnic in the toddy palm field, which said to be one of the most beautiful in Thailand.

Appreciate the simple way of life from a variety of cultural roots from the past to present through many activities, such as making authentic desserts using recipes derived from the reign of King Rama VI, as well as weaving art from water hyacinth. Enjoy the atmosphere along Chao Phraya River with the beautiful view of the 100-year-old police station.

Sappaya traditional Thai folk musical instruments
The centres and community museums that have been developed as learning centres on local culture include

Wat Sappaya, the centre for acheological sites, artefacts and Buddha’s life
The Old Sappaya Police Station, the centre for the community’s museum
The Sappaya Old Market Community, the centre for the ancient community along the Chao Phraya River

Viharn Noi, or “The Small Chapel”, is located inside Wat Sappaya temple.
Sappaya’s Old Police Station building was constructed during the reign of King Rama V. The building won the 2018 Architectural Art Conservation Award for Buiding from The Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage. It has been regarded as a model building as part of the “Oon Ai Ruk Klai Kwan Nao” Festival at Suepa, Bangkok

Find out how to collect organic duck eggs from the rice fields without chemical pesticides.
Making traditional desserts from Rama6 era “Nga Guy Lhee” ( Thai Dessert).
Worship Buddha statue.
Explore ancient “RamaV” era of police station.
Learn how to make local products with water hyacinth from waste.
Learn how to make “Khao-Keab” rice crispy snack.
Cruise along the Chaophraya River on a traditional Thai boat as the sun sets.
Ride “E-tak” automotive and have “Pin-to” meal in toddy palm forest.

Program 2 Days 1 Night
Program 6 Days 5 Nights

Program 2 Days 1 Night

Day 1
9.00 am	Arrive at Sappaya’s ancient police station market in Sappaya district, Chainat province in central Thailand.
9.30 am	Learn how to make the traditional “Kui Lee” – a type of sesame-topped bun, which is a famous souvenir to buy from Sappaya, Chainat, that follows an authentic Teochew recipe.
11.00 am	Have an early lunch and get ready for the afternoon’s activities.
12.30 pm	Learn how to transform water hyacinth into beautiful wickerwork products – these are crafted by the ‘Ban Aoi Water Hyacinth Craft Group’ and exported to several countries around the world.
2.00 pm	Learn how to make ancient floating rice crackers or black sesame soft rice crackers.
3.30 pm	Learn how to cook local seasonal dishes under the guidance of the community’s expert cooks.
6.00 pm	Tuck into dinner at the homestay before free time and bed.
Day 2
6.00 am	Soak up the early-morning atmosphere at the farm and see how eggs are collected from free-range ducks. You’ll then be shown how to make salted eggs, a local delicacy, before returning to the accommodation to enjoy seasonal breakfast.
9.00 am	Travel to Bang Sarawat in the nearby Po Nang Dam Tok district to see how the toddy palm farmers work and live.
10.30 am	Visit Sappaya’s ancient police station market.
10.30 am	Marvel at the grandeur of the 117-year-old ancient police station building which dates back to the Rama V period, awarded as Thailand’s the Best Architectural Conservation in 2018. Stroll through the Sappaya ancient market quarter, an area in which water transportation used to prosper. Look out for the vibrant street art designs depicting community life in the past. For the morning’s final activity, pay respect to the Venerable Grandfather Fueang, a renowned master of Sappaya, the prostrating Buddha image of Vihan Noi (being one of only a very few in existence and considered very rare in Thailand), as well as Phra Chay and the Venerable Father Buddha Samret.
11.30 am	Enjoy lunch, try the handmade Teochew noodles at “Auntie Nok’s” (and one of the police station market’s most famous dishes, or try brown rice mixed with fried basil.
1.00 pm	Arrive safely back at the accommodation before heading onto your next destination of choice.

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 2 Days 1 Night

No. of visitors	2 persons	4 persons	6 persons	8 persons	20 persons
Rate/Person (THB)	13,500	7,900	5,900	5,000	4,550

The price is inclusive of:

1-night stay at a 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 inclusive 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 2-Day, 1-Night Trip, available every day
Style Community-Based tourism by vans
To prepare Thai fabric clothes for beautiful photography, sun protection such as sunglasses, hat, umbrella, sunscreen and medication (if any)

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

Day 1
6.00 am	Depart the designated meeting point and towards Chainat province in Central Thailand.
9.00 am	Arrive at Sappaya’s ancient police station market, which is located in the Sappaya district of Chainat province.
10.00 am	Pay respect to the Venerable Grandfather Fueang, a renowned master of Sappaya district, as well as the prostrating Buddha image of Vihan Noi, which is incredibly very rare and highly respected in Thailand. Admire the beautiful Phra Chay and pay respect to the Venerable Father Buddha Samret at Sappaya Wattanaram Temple.
10.30 am	Refuel with a snack break
11.00 am	Stroll through Sappaya’s ancient market quarter, an area in which water transportation used to prosper and admire its street arts depicting community life in the past.
12.00 pm	Enjoy lunch, and make sure you try Auntie Nok’s delicious handmade Teochew noodles.
1.30 pm	Marvel at the grandeur of the 117-year-old ancient police station building which dates back to the Rama V period, awarded the Best Architectural Conservation in 2018.
3.00 pm	Arrive at the homestay accommodation in Sappaya community and enjoy a leisurely remainder of the afternoon.
6.00 pm	Dinner at the Sappaya Ancient Market Rehabilitation Association
8.00 pm	Return to the accommodation for a good night’s sleep.
Day 2
6.00 am	Wake up to the peaceful morning atmosphere around the farm. See how eggs are collected from free-range ducks and then learn how to make salted eggs. Head back to the accommodation for a quick break and enjoy a freshly prepared seasonal breakfast.
10.00 am	Learn how to transform water hyacinth into beautiful wickerwork products under the guidance of the ‘Ban Aoi Water Hyacinth Craft Group’ of Sappaya district.
12.00 pm	Lunchtime
1.30 pm	Learn how to make ancient floating rice crackers.
3.30 pm	Take part in a mini cooking class, with the community cooks showing you how to make some of Sappaya’s most popular local, seasonal dishes.
6.00 pm	Enjoy dinner served in traditional tiffin carriers while sitting in converted ‘e-tak’ tractors (farmer-style) while watching the sunset in the middle of the toddy palm field.
8.00 pm	Return to the accommodation for a well-earned night’s sleep.
Day 3
9.00 am	Learn how to ferment fish and use it in various dishes.
12.00 pm	Tuck into a lunch of fermented fish dishes together with locals from the community.
1.30 pm	Learn how to fold roses with pandan leaves and make the ‘Puang Mahode’-style decorations from paper.
4.00 pm	Check out Green Dee Market – the Kon Sap Ya community market.
6.00 pm	Have dinner and try some of the delicious food and snacks freshly cooked at Green Dee Market.
7.30 pm	Enjoy the show and activities at Green Dee Market walking street.
8.00 pm	Return to the accommodation for bed.
Day 4
9.30 am	Visit the Chao Phraya Dam and Chao Phraya Land Market, both in Sappaya district, Chainat province.
10.30 am	Visit Wat Thammamoon (temple), with the chance to shop and eat your way around Tong Chom Market.
12.00 pm	Lunch (if you still have room!)
1.30 pm	Pay respect to the Venerable Grandfather Sook of Pak Klong Makam Tao Temple in Chainat province’s Wat Singh district.
3.30 pm	Enjoy coffee at Friend Cafe, surrounded by green fields (a great place to snap some cool shots with the fields creating an impressive the background).
6.00 pm	Have dinner and check out the delicious food at Green Dee Market.
7.30 pm	Enjoy the show and activities at Green Dee Market walking street.
8.00 pm	Return to the accommodation for the night.
Day 5
8.30 am	Travel to Bang Sarawat in Po Nang Dam Tok district to see how the local toddy palm farmers work and live.
10.00 am	Learn how to make traditional “Kui Lee” sesame-topped buns, a famous souvenir snack available from Sappaya, with the authentic ‘Teochew’ recipe having been passed on from generation to generation.
12.00 pm	Stop for lunch
2.00 pm	Learn how to dye your own one-and-only Batik cloth under the guidance of the Sappaya Batik Group.
5.30 pm	Dinner time, which is served on board a cruise that heads along the Chaophraya River from Chaophraya Tara Riverside Hotel.
8.00 pm	Return to the accommodation.
Day 6
8.00 am	Wake up in time for breakfast at the homestay with a few hours then left to relax or prepare for checking out.
12.00 – 1.30 pm	Time to say goodbye to the community and embark on your journey back home.

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)	39,000	24,000	18,700	16,000	15,300

The price is inclusive of:

5-night stay at a 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 inclusive 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

Seasons/ Periods of Visit: All-year-round

Mung Bean Paste with palm fruit (Medkanun)
Thai donut s(Kanom He-Kwai)
Rice crisps
Fried pickled fish
Pickled fish spicy salad
Kang Bon
Local fish in red curry (Chuchee Pla Sunkawad)
Mixed shellfish curry
Traditional fishcake
Spicy basil fried rice
Pickled fish and palm fruit

Crafted products from Water Hyacinth
Batik shirts
Gui Lee Sasame pastry

Mr. Boonlue Suepia

Local master for Puang Ma-Hod Cutting

Mr. Chaleaw Khumchuen

Local master for Folk Medication

Mr. Somwang Mennim

Local master for folk Orthopedic Medication

Mrs. Prajum Singhthong

Local master for Folk Songs

Mr. Thawee Saengrung

Local master for Musical Folk Drama

Mr. Seksun Sawasdee

Local master for Chanting in Ordination Ceremony

คุณแม่ละเมียด คลอวุฒิวัฒน์ การทำขนมหน้างากุยหลี

Mrs. Lamiad Klowutthiwat

Kui Lee Dessert Station

Ms. La-or Boonyu

Local Foods Cooking Class with Local Cooks

คุณแม่สมวงศ์ ขันทกสิกรรม เก็บไข่เป็ดไล่ทุ่งและการทำไข่เค็ม

Mrs. Somwaong Khuntakasikam

Duck eggs collecting and making salted duck eggs

คุณเอื้อมพร แอธน การทำผ้าบาติก กลุ่มสรรพยาบาติก

Ms. Auembhorn Airthon

Batik Fabric Making with Sappaya Batik Group

คุณวิสุทธิ์ พันธุ์หวาด หัตถกรรมจากใบเตย และใบมะพร้าว

Ms. Visut Panwad

Handcrafts from Pandan and Coconut leaves

คุณพรรณณี พันธุ์หวาด หัตถกรรมจากใบเตย และใบมะพร้าว

Ms. Pannee Panwad

Handcrafts from Pandan and Coconut leaves

Mr. Pranom Mungniem

Toddy Palm Products

Mrs. Thongproey Mungniem

Toddy Palm Products

Ms. Siritha Buathong

Toddy Palm Products

คุณวิลินดา วศินศิริกุล ข้าวเกรียบอ่อนงาดำ(ลอยน้ำ)

Ms. Virinda Wasinsirikul

Soft Rice Crackers with Sesame Seeds

คุณจรวยพร เกิดเสม การทำหัตถกรรมผักตบชวาบ้านอ้อย

Ms. Jaruaybhorn Kerdsem

Bann Oay Handcrafts from Water Hyacinth

Mr. Subin Piemkaew

Making Fried Pickled Fish

Mr. Somsak Kerdsem

Rice Academy (Authentic Rice Field)

ชมรมนักสื่อความหมาย นักเรียนโรงเรียนสรรพยาวิทยา

Sappawittaya School

31 interpretors from the Local Interpeting Club

View All

Sappaya Klang Na Resort

Chaophraya Dam
Bamboo Bridge, Chaophraya Beach
Chainat Bird Park
Sappaya Old Police Station

Take NH 1 (Phaholyothin) and bear left to AH 32 and keep straight for 117 km and turn left. Then notice Wat Sum Kratai and Wat Sakae, cross Sappaya Bridge and turn right at the junction to Chai Nat province and keep straight on AH 311. Turn right at Sappaya Wittaya School and turn right to Sappaya Old Police Station, the assembly point.

Community’s Contact Information

Coordinator for Community-based Tourism: Mrs. Nheglung Chanwannakul
Phone: 06-3629-5947
Social media: Sappaya Municipality
Address: Sappaya Old Market Club, 70, Moo 4, Sappaya subdistrict, Sappaya, Chainat 17150

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

The Sapphaya Old Police Station Market Community

Chai Nat

About the Community

What will you learn?

Cultural and Local Wisdom Heritage

Activities

Programs

Program 2 Days 1 Night

Program 2 Days 1 Night

Program 2 Days 1 Night

The price is inclusive of:

The price is inclusive 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 inclusive of:

Remarks:

Seasons/ Periods of Visit: All-year-round

Local Foods

Local Products

HOME STAY

Local homestay

Sappaya Homestay

Hosts/Local Masters

Local Master for Culture

Instructors of Learning Stations

Local Interpretors

Photo/VDO Gallery

Nearby Accommodation

Sappaya Klang Na Resort

Nearby attractions

How to get there

Community’s Contact Information

Tour Agent Contact Information

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