Several years ago when I was first introduced to Hive I posted this video but with no article or any supporting photos. I would like to revisit for today's readers and expand properly on the amazing village of Laem Sak on the coast of the beautiful Phang Nga Bay in Southern Thailand. It is world famous but little known in Thailand for its amazing and very well preserved pre-historic rock art.
I first became familiar with Laem Sak when I was living in Krabi. My wife and I used to drive up there to eat at a seafood restaurant built on stilts above the water. At the time I had no idea of the importance of Laem Sak or the treasures that were hidden both in the surrounding jungle or a short boat ride away.
On one of these lunch trips we had the good fortune of meeting Khun Sak. (Khun is simply a polite prefix for any Thai name). Khun Sak asked us why we kept coming here and if we knew of the secrets of Laem Sak. We were intrigued and pressed him to reveal to us what he meant. He smiled and said the next time you want to come let me know and I will be your guide.....
Well gosh we had no idea what we were in for! Khun Sak showed us bubbling mud pools, rock art, caves with fossils, pristine mangroves, fishing areas rich in shrimp and crab, and many more amazing places - all within the immediate vicinity of the village.
One of the most interesting things I encountered there was the mud boarding the locals did to get far out on the mudflats to forage for different critters. Although I also felt there was an awful lot of play happening too not just work! Basically these "Mud Boards" were about the length of a snowboard and made from a particular kind of local wood. It allowed people to skim out on the mud flats at low tide without sinking. It looked like so much fun even though you inevitably became covered in dark sticky mud.
After our initial guided visit with Khun Sak we decided to return armed with cameras and mic to shoot this little trailer. My awesome wife Punch did the narrative in a local recording studio in Krabi town. I hope you like the video. Laem Sak is about 60km from Krabi Town on the road to Phang Nga.
The people of Laem Sak were invariable kind and welcoming. I just love these small off-the-tourist-trail villages found around Thailand. People are gentle and kind and food and accommodation is great value. I have not been back to Laem Sak for years but have to go back soon.
