Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project

The project is at Ban Phanoen in Laem Phak Bia subdistrict, Ban Laem district. It grew out of an idea of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) to find cheap, simple ways to treat community wastewater and rubbish, following the principle of "nature helping nature". The wastewater it treats comes from Phetchaburi town municipality.

Visitors register at the gate and ride a free tram with a guide who explains how the mangroves treat wastewater and how the mangrove ecosystem works. From there a nature trail of about 850 metres runs through dense mangrove and Avicennia trees, with name signs along the way. Look for mudskippers, sesarmid and fiddler crabs and many kinds of birds. The trail ends at a pavilion looking out to sea.

Laem Phak Bia is known as one of Thailand's ten best birdwatching areas, with large numbers of migrants from November to April. Nearby is Laem Luang, the sand spit that divides the mudflats from the sand beach.

Open Monday to Friday 08:30–16:30 and Saturday and Sunday 08:30–12:00. Entry is free; bicycles can be hired for 20 baht per 3 hours. There is parking and toilets. Groups should contact the project in advance on 0 3244 1264.