Khlong Khon Mangrove Tour: Swimming Macaques and Village Life (from Bangkok)
A whole day given to one place: Khlong Khon, a shellfish village on the Gulf coast two hours south of the capital. Longtail boat up the village canal and into the mangroves, macaques that swim, oyster racks, clam diggers on the flats, lunch nearby. Private, English-speaking guide, unhurried 08:30 start.
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Khlong Khon mangrove tour from Bangkok: one village, one canal, one unhurried day
Nothing on this itinerary is famous, and the day is better for it. Khlong Khon sits on the shellfish coast of Samut Songkhram, close enough to leave at half past eight and still be home for a late afternoon. You board at the village jetty, and the first stretch of canal is the village itself: timber homes raised on posts, hulls tied up beneath them, nets pegged out on frames, and your guide filling in who settled here and what the water gives them. Deeper in, the channels narrow and the roots close overhead, and that is where the macaques come out to swim alongside. Nearer the sea the water turns brown and shallow, and the work begins: oysters fastened to hanging ropes, diggers kneeling on a plank to cross ground too soft to walk on. Ask when you book and you can push a few seedlings into the mud yourself. Private throughout, so nothing runs to anyone else's clock.
Destinations visited
General Information
| Tour Code | TFBKK22 |
|---|---|
| Starting from | Bangkok |
| Duration | Full Day |
| Tour Type | Excursions |
| Tour Format | Private |
| Guide Language | Italian, English |
| Interests | Culture & Temples, Food & Cuisine, Nature & Trekking |
| Available Period | All year round |
| Availability | Daily |
Highlights
Sample Itinerary
Your English-speaking guide collects you at the hotel in a private air-conditioned car. Half past eight is a civilised hour to leave: the worst of the traffic has already gone, and you have roughly two hours of road ahead, which is time enough to ask everything you want about where you are going.
The jetty at Khlong Khon is small and belongs to the village rather than to tourism. You step into a longtail and set off up the main canal. Either side: houses raised on timber posts, boats made fast beneath them, nets stretched on frames to dry. Your guide explains who settled this shore, what the water gives them, and why the mangroves matter to a family that fishes for a living.
The channel divides and the boat takes the narrower arm. This is one of the largest stands of mangrove left on the Gulf coast, and inside it the light arrives in pieces through the roots. The macaques turn up without ceremony: they have had this forest to themselves for generations, and they will cross open water to reach the hull and look you over. Nothing here is arranged, fenced or fed.
Towards the sea the forest thins and bamboo frames appear in the shallows. Your guide explains the oyster beds: ropes hang from the frames, the shells fasten themselves and grow, and nobody has found a reason to improve on it. Beyond them lie the clam flats. Mud like that will not carry a person’s weight, so the diggers kneel on a kradan, a flat plank, and push themselves along with one leg, working the shallows by hand.
Where the bank is soft enough the boat noses in and you go over the side into the mud with a handful of seedlings. A small thing that adds up: this shoreline, and the people who live off it, depend on the forest holding. There is no charge, but the nursery needs warning, so it has to be arranged when you book.
You eat where the province eats: a local kitchen, shellfish that came off these same flats, and none of the menus written for visitors down from the capital.
Back into the car for the run north. You should reach your hotel at about 15:00, which leaves the whole afternoon open.
The itinerary may change due to weather conditions or other unforeseeable circumstances.
Price
| Participants | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person (EUR) | 221 € | 126 € | 95 € | 82 € | 72 € | 65 € |
| Price per person (THB) | 8,340 ฿ | 4,740 ฿ | 3,540 ฿ | 3,089 ฿ | 2,700 ฿ | 2,440 ฿ |
Prices are per person and cover every service listed. Euro amounts are converted at the current exchange rate and are indicative.
Inclusions
What the Tour Includes
- English-speaking assistance
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Private air-conditioned transfer from and to your hotel in Bangkok
- Longtail boat trip through the Khlong Khon mangroves
- Lunch (drinks not included)
Not Included
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Useful Tips
- Mangrove mud is stubborn and never washes out completely: if you plan to plant seedlings or step onto the flats, pack a full change of old clothes you would not miss
- A towel is worth having, along with water sandals or closed shoes you can afford to dirty.
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses: there is very little shade on the open water
- The macaques are wild animals: keep your distance and do not feed them
- Not suitable for pregnant women or for people with heart or back problems
- Please leave shellfish and other marine life where you find them: the whole area is a protected conservation zone
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell whether an excursion is right for me?
Every tour and activity is described in detail in your personalised itinerary. For each excursion you will find precise information on:
- Difficulty level: easy, moderate or demanding.
- Duration: from half a day to a full day.
- Requirements: minimum level of fitness, recommended age and accessibility.
Please also bear in mind that sea excursions by speedboat are usually not suitable for pregnant women or for people with heart or back problems. Travellers with disabilities should be accompanied by someone who can assist them when needed. If you have any doubts or specific requirements, your Travel Consultant is always at your disposal for personalised advice.
What happens in case of bad weather?
Safety is our priority. If weather conditions make an activity dangerous or inadvisable, the excursion will be:
- Rescheduled: we will try to move the activity to another day of your trip.
- Replaced: if rescheduling is not possible, we will offer an alternative activity of equal value.
- Refunded: if neither rescheduling nor replacement is possible, you will receive a full refund for the excursion you were unable to take.
Please remember that rain during the wet season rarely spoils an entire day. You will always be informed in advance of any changes.
What are the pick-up times?
Pick-up is at 08:30 from your hotel in Bangkok. Please be ready in the lobby at least 15 minutes beforehand. The timing on the water can shift slightly with the tide on the day, and your guide will always keep you informed.
What should I bring with me on this excursion?
For this excursion we suggest you bring:
- A change of clothes: if you plan to plant seedlings or step onto the mudflats, bring old clothes you would not miss, because the mud is stubborn.
- A towel and water sandals, or closed shoes you can afford to dirty.
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Water and something to snack on during the drive.
Is lunch included?
Yes, a meal in a local restaurant is part of the price, cooked with what the province is known for. Please tell us about any food allergies or intolerances when you book and we will pass them on.
Can I cancel or change this excursion?
Yes, though specific terms apply, and they vary from one activity to another. The exact conditions are set out in the Terms and Conditions attached to your quotation. If something changes on your side, write to info@thailandfantastic.com as early as you can.
Are young children and infants allowed?
Families do this trip regularly and children usually enjoy the boat. Please tell us the exact age of everyone travelling when you ask for a quotation, so that we can confirm it suits them and adapt the programme if needed.
