The Laem Phak Bia Royal Project

The Laem Phak Bia Royal Project is located in Phetchaburi province. H.M. King Bhumibhol Adulyadej initiated the project to treat both wastewater and solid waste through environmentally and ecologically sustainable methods. Furthermore, local people use the area to grow the plants for wastewater filtration and to fish in the regenerated mangrove forest area.There are three methods of wastewater treatments which are:1.Oxidation pond2.Constructed wetland 3.Mangrove forest which filtrates wastewater from the municipality of Phetchaburi is transferred to the site by a pipeline. In the past, the area of the project was set to be the location of Silpakorn University, Phetchaburi Campus. However, people who lived in this area did not move out from the area. As a result, the university had to be built in Cha-Am district instead. Moreover, the project had a problem with the location and, therefore, it was moved to this area instead. Here, tourists will see the sesuvium portulacastrum around the mangrove forest. There is a 300-metre route through the mangrove forest where you will find mangroves, A. Marina Vierh, meder’s mangrove crab, mudskippers, ghost crabs and varieties of birds , i.e. common sandpiper, wagtail and little egret along the way.This area is regarded as top ten bird watching locations of Thailand. You can also see a 3km. sand-spit that separates clay beach and sand beach. In addition, tourists can also visit Phumthassana tower where the tourists will see the sky and crowns of mangroves and A. Marina Vierh. while enjoying gentle breeze. It is also possible to hear the sound like flicking finger generated by crangons. Tourists can buy souvenirs from the shop of Royal Project such as T-shirt, weaved hat, dried fruit and postcard. For more information, please call 03 244 1264-5 or visit www.lerd.org. No admission fee. For group tour, please contact the officer in advance.