Cruise along Khlong Phae Bang Ko Bua, Experience the Charm of Bang Kachao
Take a boat ride along a canal of Bang Ko Bua community in Samut Prakan province and leisurely cruise through a nipa palm tree tunnel. Participate in fun-filled activities and learn about a local way of life in Bang Kachao.
If talking about green spaces near Bangkok, “Bang Kachao” would be one of the first that comes to mind. Covering large acres of greenery, Bang Kachao is considered to be green lungs of Bangkok. Popular activities around Bang Kachao area are cycling, visiting Bang Namphueng floating market, and chilling at local cafés.
For this trip, nonetheless, we will take you to get to know another angle of Bang Kachao by taking a boat trip along the canal of Khlong Phae Bang Ko Bua. It is one of the six traveling routes within Bang Kachao that covers six sub districts, namely Song Khanong, Bang Ko Bua, Bang Namphueng, Bang Krasop, Bang Kachao, and Bang Yo. All of them are under the district of Phra Pradaeng in Samut Prakan province. Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) or DASTA has arranged a project to develop Bang Kachao as a role model in local sustainable tourism and to clearly exhibit its unique qualities to visitors.
Local Way of Life at Bang Ko Bua Community
Traveling from Bangkok to Bang Ko Bua takes about an hour. As we travel toward the destination, we see less of the concrete jungle and more of the green scenery. Big and small trees grown along the main road and each long narrow alley provide shade and cool off the heat from sunlight.
Bang Ko Bua, a sub-district in Bang Kachao, is a place where a community leader and villagers have worked together to develop into a local tourist attraction that allows visitors to experience Bang Ko Bua’s authentic way of life. “Khlong Phae”, a long old canal running through Bang Ko Bua community, is used to be an important water trade route between Bang Ko Bua and Khlong Toei port. Once an urban advancement has expanded across the outskirts of Bangkok, the role of Khlong Phae as the major trade route was overshadowed and the canal was left covered by dense trees. However, Khlong Phae in current days has its landscape improved and there are sight-seeing boat rides taking visitors to cruise along the canal to enjoy the view. Passing through both sides of the canal, we can see a rush greenery of local plants and traces of plantation ditches. Colorful foliage catches our eyes while we are traveling slow, taking in a beautiful sight of nature.
Lines of nipa palm trees along both sides of the canal are visible proofs of their significance as a local plant of Bang Kachao. It is not widely known that almost every part of the nipa palm tree can be utilized. For instance, nipa palm tree fruits can be used in several dishes and desserts and a color from a shell can be made into a natural dye for tie-dye cloths. Nipa palm tree flowers are burned to make a biochar. Its leaves are woven to make biodegradable food containers and the tree bottoms can be used as swimming floats in place of Styrofoam materials. People living in Bang Kachao are familiar with nipa palm trees and have benefited from the plant from then till now. Moreover, nipa palm trees have been providing green spaces for the villagers and attracting visitors to come to the community and learn more about the benefits of the tree.
The boat is leisurely floating on the placid water as we are appreciating the view along both sides of the canal. It is quite unbelievable that this place is located just about 10 kilometers away from Bangkok. For those who are interested to experience this aspect of Bang Kachao, please feel free to contact 090 986 7987 for further details.
Indulge in a View of the Chao Phraya River and Taste Famous Dishes of Bang Ko Bua Community
Gentle breeze, faded sunlight, and a sound of an oar hitting the water rhyme into a lullaby, making us get lost in a trance. All of sudden, a voice breaks the silence “we have arrived at the viewpoint”.
The point where our boat stops looks no difference from a normal pier but the view in front of us makes everyone stunned. What we are seeing is the view of the Chao Phraya River filled with large vessels with moving cranes. It is no doubt that people on the other side of the river are having their hands full with their jobs.
On the way back to Bang Ko Bua, the picture of bustling life we just saw is a complete contrast to the tranquil water of Khlong Phae and the nipa palm tree tunnel. They are welcoming us back to the serenity of Bang Ko Bua community once again.
We go ashore after the boat ride and walk into a wooden stilt house surrounded by various types of trees. The space underneath the house is where handicraft activities are held such as tie-dying cloths with natural dyes from coconuts and Malabar almond trees. Some of the finished tie-dye cloths from previous visitors are on display. Each tie-dye cloth reflects an owner’s dedication and enjoyment in making his/her own masterpiece.
Although we have not had a chance to participate in the tie-dying activity today, we are still lucky enough to have tried their mango sticky rice. Steamed sweetened sticky rice is served on a plate with yellow yummy-looking mango. Poured atop the sticky rice is a sweetened coconut milk which completes the dish with a salty creaminess.
For visitors who would like to spend a night or two here, there is a garden-view homestay called “Baan Pak Klang Suan Bang Ko Bua” available with amenities. If you like living among the trees and peaceful environment, this place is a perfect answer for you.
Herbal Foot Spa: A Local Science of Relaxation
Another must-try activity to relax and refresh ourselves from tiredness and blazing sunlight is an herbal foot spa. At the back of a Bang Ko Bua local health center, a number of herbal masseurs and masseuses are preparing massage and spa equipment. We can’t help but feel very excited to try the herbal foot spa and massage by these professionals. A few minutes later, we smell a nice herbal aroma as it slowly permeates the air. The herbal water consists of 7 types of local Thai herbs, namely turmeric, cassumunar ginger, sea holly, tamarind leaves, lemongrass, kaffir lime, and candle bush mixed with lukewarm water. We put our feet in this herbal water for 15 minutes and enjoy the ultimate relaxation.
After we have removed our feet from the water, now it’s time for the massage. The masseur or masseuse gently gives us an oil foot massage. We slowly start to drowse as the sun is fading and dusk is drawing near. Half an hour has passed as quick as lightning and we woke up hearing a sweet voice from the masseuse who is smiling back at us “you’re done now”.
If you feel like relaxing with the herbal foot spa and massage, please do not hesitate to contact Bang Ko Bua Thai Herbs Club at 092 346 0088.
Bang Ko Bua community these days is still able to preserve its local, sustainable way of life which can be witnessed through a warm hospitality and simple lives of the villagers. The community’s unique identity and local knowledge are not only attracting visitors from all over the country to experience the slow life among nature but these qualities also create generous incomes that are enough to share happiness to everyone in this lovely community.
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