Lotus festival and floating market. Tours in the outskirts of Bangkok.

In the southern outskirts of Bangkok, Bang Plee is host to a colourful lotus flower event as part of the Buddhist Lent, as well as other activities and events. Here follows more info.

The village community of Bang Plee in Samut Prakarn Province is over 140 years old. In former times, it was an important riverine trading centre. Today it is a community of families of Thai, Lao and Muslim ethnic origin; most of whom work the land and grow small plots of morning glory (pak boong) and water mimosa (pak krached) and rear fish. Bang Plee thus offers a variety of interesting agro tourism attractions:

Wat Bang Plee Yai Nai Temple and the lotus festival

Formerly known as Wat Plubplachai Chanasongkhram, Wat Bang Plee Yai Nai is an ancient temple. A revered image of Luang Poh Toh is housed in the ubosot or chapel.

With lotuses found in great abundance in the district, Bang Plee is also the venue of a traditional "Rab Bua" or lotus receiving festival , a colourful event. The local residents believe that merit can be earned by presenting lotus blossoms to the monks in a merit-making ritual held during this time.

On the 14th full-moon night the eleventh lunar month (October), the day before the end of the Buddhist Lent, a replica of the Luang Poh Toh statue is carried in a water-borne procession. Other festivities featured during the Rab Bua Festival include folk plays such as Saba Thoi and Saba Bon, traditional water sports and boat races featuring the 'Mat' and ancient boats, a tug-of-war of boats and sea boxing, boat contests, folk culture such as contests of tasty gourami and Thai cooking from various periods in history, and the "Life on the Water Samrong Canal Bang Plee" light-and-sound show. This year, the Rap Bua Festival falls on October 19 - 20.

The old Bang Plee Floating Market

Rows of 140-year old wooden houses with teakwood walkways form the backdrop of the old Bang Plee floating market. Many of the quaint shop-houses retain their original form offering clues as to how life might have been in former times. Goldsmiths perpetuate the ancient craft of beating and rolling gold as they make gold foil working with traditional techniques and tools and even the same set of scales used by their forefathers.

Agrotourism Canal Trips

The local residents operate canal tours along the Samrong and Bang Chalong canals using converted traditional rice barges. Each of the rice barges accommodates around 20 to 25 persons.

A typical canal trip takes you on a tour of a Muslim community. In a brief introduction, the community headman relates the history and origin of the community. This is also an opportunity to enjoy a variety of Muslim cuisine with popular favourites such as the world-famous roti, mataba and Indian tea. The tour includes a visit to the local mosque and an opportunity to view various rituals being performed.

Agricultural Demonstrations

Escorted by the owner, a private guided tour of the farms and plantations presents a rare opportunity to witness how folk wisdom and skills have been adopted and adapted. Processed products from the plantations such as coconut agar, preserved mango and others are available on sale.

The Amphoe Bang Plee District Cultural Centre

The Centre was initiated by students to promote awareness of the way of life in Bang Plee as it existed in times past. Within the Cultural Centre, demonstration plots such as herb gardens and a collection of ancient artefacts and utensils employed by the villagers in their daily lives, such as rice mills and a range of traditional boats, are on display. Guided tours are conducted by the students themselves.

A visit to a tiger and snake farm is also available. Day-trips or excursions average between 5 -6 hours and are available on weekends.

Contact info:

Tambon Bang Plee Municipal Office

Phone: (02) 3373086, 3373930, 3373491, Fax: (02) 3373715

Bang Plee District Cultural Center,

Phone: (02) 3373715, 3373414, Fax: (02) 3373715

TAT Central Region Office: Area 3 (Chon Buri-Samut Prakan)

Phone: (038) 427667, 428750, Fax (038) 429113

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)