Foraging the Mangroves

Surat Thani, Thailand Nature

📅 22-25 January 2026

🌳Forage the Mangrove & Eco Print Workshop 🌴

Ban Nuea Nam, Chaiya District, Surat Thani Province

A four-day cultural and ecological experience in Ban Nuea Nam, Surat Thani, focused on community lifestyle, mangrove forest ecology, and hands-on learning.

This community-based foraging trip in Ban Nuea Nam, Surat Thani introduces you to mangrove ecology, local culture, and sustainable living. Stay in village homestays or camps and learn directly from community members about their livelihoods and traditional ways of using the mangrove ecosystem. Activities include low-tide forest walks, herb and shellfish foraging, crab-shelling, nighttime fiddler crab catching, and a boat tour through the mangroves. You’ll also visit local temples and learning centers, and join an Eco Print Workshop to explore natural dyeing with plants. The trip ends with group reflection and cultural exchange, deepening your understanding of local wisdom and environmental conservation.

Overview
Itinerary
Cost Info
Gallery

Overview

👌 Useful Information

1. This is an exploratory trip, designed to gather participant feedback to help us refine and finalize the program. Village activities depend on weather conditions and tidal levels, and adjustments may be made accordingly. We encourage participants to come with an open mind, embrace the local way of life, and enjoy a simple, laid-back rhythm of “living lightly.”

2. Accommodation is in a local homestay or tent, with simple, seasonal home-cooked meals. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance. Participants are welcome to support the community directly by purchasing local products.

3. On Day 2, we will visit Phra Borommathat Chaiya and Suan Mokkh Palaram. Please dress modestly—long sleeves and long trousers are recommended. You may also take time to explore Buddhist teachings and browse books by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu at the Dhammaghosa Bookshop.

4. On Day 3, you will join an Eco Print Workshop led by guest instructors from Wongsanit Ashram. You may bring your own cotton scarf, cloth, or garment to create your unique nature-inspired design. The workshop is included in the trip fee, making this journey a meaningful blend of nature, community, art, and inner reflection.

🧳 What to Bring

-Clothes that can get muddy during mangrove activities

-Water shoes, mud-friendly footwear, or old shoes you don’t mind getting dirty

-Personal towel (may not be provided)

-Mosquito repellent or insect spray

-Personal toiletries and medication

-Hat, shawl, or long-sleeved shirt for sun protection

-Refillable water bottle (to reduce plastic waste)

-Flashlight or headlamp for night activities

-Small cloth bag or waterproof pouch for personal items and collected herbs

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1
Arrival & Getting to Know the Community
-Arrive in Baan Nua Nam, Chaiya District, with a private transfer from Surat Thani railway station or airport. Settle into the rhythm of the village over a simple, home-cooked lunch prepared by the community.

-In the afternoon, get to know the village, meet local livelihood groups, and learn how the community lives in harmony with the mangrove forest. Then head out for a low-tide mangrove walk, discovering medicinal plants, traditional harvesting methods, and local processing techniques. You will also have the chance to observe and try your hand at everyday activities such as crab picking and other coastal crafts.

-As evening falls, enjoy a warm village-style dinner before the highlight of the day: a night excursion into the mangroves to catch fiddler crabs, guided by local experts.

-Stay overnight in a simple, comfortable homestay or choose to camp at the community learning center.
Day 2
Forage the Mangrove
-Begin the morning with a homestyle breakfast before boarding a boat to explore the serene beauty of the mangrove forest.
As the tide shifts, stop at the sandbar to gather a variety of local shellfish, guided by villagers who know the rhythms of the sea. Return to the village for a freshly prepared lunch.

-In the afternoon, travel to Wat Phra That Chaiya, one of the region’s most revered temples, followed by a visit to Suan Mokkh Phalaram, the contemplative forest monastery founded by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. Immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere, learn about his teachings, or browse books and writings that continue to inspire seekers from around the world.

-Enjoy dinner by the river at Pak Nam Tapi, a gentle, scenic spot to end the day, before returning to Baan Nua Nam for a restful night at the homestay or your campsite.
Day 3
Eco Print Workshop
-Begin the morning with an Eco Print Workshop led by the local craft group of Ban Nuea Nam, joined by a guest instructor from Wongsanit Ashram. Learn the art of creating natural patterns using leaves, flowers, and heat.

-Participants are welcome to bring their own natural-fiber fabric—such as cotton or linen scarves, shirts, or tote bags—to design a unique, personal keepsake.
Day 4
Reflection & Departure
-Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before joining a closing sharing circle, where participants can reflect on their experiences, insights, and feelings from the journey, as well as offer suggestions for future program development.

-Afterward, a transfer will be arranged to Surat Thani Airport or Surat Thani city, depending on each participant’s preference.

Cost Info

Price includes

Three nights’ accommodation (homestay or tent)
All meals specified in the program
Transfers to/from Surat Thani Railway Station or Airport, and transportation throughout all activities
All village-based activities, including mangrove forest walk, boat trip, shell foraging, and night-time crab catching
Eco Print Workshop, including facilitator fees and all materials
Program facilitation and coordination throughout the trip
Travel accident insurance

Price excludes

Transportation from other provinces to Surat Thani
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, community products, and books from Suan Mokkh
Additional food or drinks not included in the program
Tips for facilitators or community hosts (optional and based on your discretion)