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COMMUNITY

Mai Khao Community-based tourism (CBT) is creative tourism in which local people dedicate involvement and participation in tourism planning, operating execution and development in their own areas, having positive impact on quality of living, happy social, circular economic, and protective environmental conditions of their communities for sustainable development of our people and our children.

Attractions

Mai Khao Beach - Airport viewpoin

It's just another beach. But because it's right next to runway of the Phuket International Airport, it's a stragetic place to watch departing and arriving airplanes at very close range. It's great fun to try to capture the right moments of the planes, or watching others to do so. Plus, the sunset there is stunning.

Sarasin Bridge

This bridge has been over 50 years and still the only way that links Phuket as an island to the main land at Phang Nga province by land. Apart from its immportance for logistic, it's beautiful with the sino-portuguese design, similar to those houses in the old town. It's a great spot to watch both sunrise and sunset.

Pine Tree Tunnel

This area, which has pine trees lined up like a tunnel by the beach, is peaceful to have a quiet walk while feeling the sea breeze. You may want to enjoy the moment while riding on a horse. There's Phuket Horse Riding Club nearby to offer the service.

Buffalo Hub

Buffalo is an animal unique in countries that grow rice. Even though Phuket is not since the land is too expensive, the locals feel the need to create a home for buffalos. Here is an area where several households bring their buffalos together. You will see buffalos moving freely in that area. You might also like to feed them or even take shower for them.

Mai Khao Temple

The main temple in the area. It may not look spectacular or unique compared to other temples but the gem is far deep inside. There’s a little meditation sanctuary in the middle of a lake surround by mangrove forest that is home to many species of birds. If a temple is supposed to offer peacefulness, this area definitely does the job, and what a wonderful place to see.

Activities

Airplanes Watching

Everybody can see airplanes flying from a distance. How about really up close like you almost could touch it with your hands? Come to Mai Khao beach at airplanes view point. It's such good fun to see and take pictures. Contact us for tour programs.

Mole Crab Catching

Mole crab is the little sea animal that mostly found in Mai Khao area. Some restaurants in Mai Khao serve this menu so it's not to be missed. If you have tasted then why not see how the fishermen catch it. So you could go to Mai Khao beach and watch them work in the field. It's very good fun you might want to try it. Contact us for tour programs.

Sunset cruise with Morgan Villagers

A group of Morgan people or “sea gypsies” that survived the Tsunami in 2004 moved to Mai Khao near Sarasin bridge. They work as fishermen, and also arrange a boat trip to nearby beaches not accessible by cars and it's specially beautiful during sunset time. Contact us for tour programs.

Horse Riding

Fancy horses? There's Phuket Horse Riding Club in the north of Mai Khao that you could rent horse for a nice ride. You may start with a warm up then ride along the pine tree tunnel along the beach. What a view to see from the back of a horse!

Picking Mulberries

At Baan Ar-Jor, there's an area to plant mulberry trees and they use it to make organic mulberry tea. You may want to pick mulberries by yourself and even taste it on the spot. Baan Ar-Jor sells it by kg.

Feeding Injured Turtles

Ever noticed turtle symbols around Phuket? Turtle is kind of logo of because it's like a tradition that turtles lay eggs on the beach of Mai Khao. Unfortunately some turtles are injured during their journey. So there's Marine Turtle Foundation located at JW Marriot hotel that takes care of these turtles, heal them until they are safe to survive. You may visit the place and watch the swimming turles. Plus, every day 11 o'clock, it's feeding time and you can go there to watch or even participate.

Tours

Tour 1: Good Morning Mai Khao

Excite your day with watching airplane flying just "a few feet away" over your head or visit primary school and see how students spend their days in school. Then a tranquil stroll by the lake with mangroves in Mai Khao temple. Next is a visit to Baan Ar-Jor, an 86 years old mansion, then conclude the program with a special lunch featuring Phuket lobster as highlight at Toh Daeng, a Michelin certified restaurant.

Tour 2: Good Evening Mai Khao

The program starts with a little fun activity...mole crab catching. You might have tasted the deep fried mole crab before. But it doesn't matter if you haven't, let's go and try to catch some right from the sea! There'll be an expert showing how then you could try by yourself. Next is a short walk to Sarasin Bridge then we go for a sunset cruise arranged by Morgan villagers. Then a visit to Baan Ar-Jor, an 86 years old mansion, then conclude the program with a special dinner featuring Phuket lobster as highlight at Toh Daeng, a Michelin certified restaurant.

Tour 3: Good Day Mai Khao

A combination of program "Morning" and "Evening" becomes a "Good Day" that presents the highlights of Mai Khao. The diversity ranges from tranquility at Mai Khao temple, excitement of airplane watching at airport, fun with mole crab catching, to romantic sunset at Sarasin bridge, and turning back. Plus, exclusive lunch and dinner with Phuket lobster at the Michelin certified Toh Daeng restaurant.

Tour 1: Good Morning Mai Khao

Excite your day with watching airplane flying just “a few feet away” over your head or visit primary school and see how students spend their days in school. Then a tranquil stroll by the lake with mangroves in Mai Khao temple. Next is a visit to Baan Ar-Jor, an 86 years old mansion, then conclude […]

Tour 2: Good Evening Mai Khao

The program starts with a little fun activity...mole crab catching. You might have tasted the deep fried mole crab before. But it doesn't matter if you haven't, let's go and try to catch some right from the sea! There'll be an expert showing how then you could try by yourself. Next is a short walk to Sarasin Bridge then we go for a sunset cruise arranged by Morgan villagers. Then a visit to Baan Ar-Jor, an 86 years old mansion, then conclude the program with a special dinner featuring Phuket lobster as highlight at Toh Daeng, a Michelin certified restaurant.

Tour 3: Good Day Mai Khao

A combination of program "Morning" and "Evening" becomes a "Good Day" that presents the highlights of Mai Khao. The diversity ranges from tranquility at Mai Khao temple, excitement of airplane watching at airport, fun with mole crab catching, to romantic sunset at Sarasin bridge, and turning back. Plus, exclusive lunch and dinner with Phuket lobster at the Michelin certified Toh Daeng restaurant.

People

Nate Dechakul

Owner of the “last rice field” of Phuket located in Mai Khao

Phattaranit Wichianban

Director of Baan Mai Khao school Mrs. Phattaranit Wichianban (Van) was the first child of a traditional Chinese family and, being a girl, she felt the disappointment of the parents. Most family members work as government officers because they believe in serving the people and she was expected to be a nurse. But she didn’t […]

La Varee

Uncle Varee was born a sea gypsy of “Moglen” (sometimes called “Mogan”) over 70 years ago. His ancestors migrated here since 300 years ago to escape from war. He’s now 4th generation and he’s been living here since the beginning. His life is simple, being a fisherman, that he sails to the sea before dawn,

Phra Preeda Pritho, Abbot of Mai Khao temple

Phra (monk) Preeda Pritho, or “Arjan Wek” as called by acquaintances, was born in Phangnga province. He has been in monkhood for 26 years and has been based in Phangnga and in north eastern part of Thailand before serving as abort of Mai Khao temple since 2012, or 11 years ago.

Kamolwat Napadolrungrueang (Chalee), manager at The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation

Khun Chalee is from Bangkok. Before Phuket, he’s been a marine biologist in Phi Phi, and then 2 years in Maldives where he took care of multiple kinds of sea animals such as sharks, rays, and turtles. As he prefers to stay away from big city life, when manager position at Tha Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation was open, it was the right choice since his experience fits the job and his wife is from Krabi, so he’s familiar with southern people’s way of living.

Wichai Takarnkit (Noom) Head of Reserved Marine Lives Conservation Center

Khun Wichai, or “Noom” has been head of Reserved Marine Lives Conservation Center for 4 years. The center was found in 1990 by Mr. Sombat Sae Iew (Pa Cheng) who initiated buying turtle eggs with his own money to protect turtle babies from natural or human risks until they’re strong enough then to release them to the sea. In 1997, there was correction of trawling law that expands trawling area for boats much closer to the shores, which causes danger to turtles laying eggs on the beach.

La Varee

Uncle Varee was born a sea gypsy of “Moglen” (sometimes called “Mogan”) over 70 years ago. His ancestors migrated here since 300 years ago to escape from war. He’s now 4th generation and he’s been living here since the beginning.

Phattaranit Wichianban

Mrs. Phattaranit Wichianban (Van) was the first child of a traditional Chinese family and, being a girl, she felt the disappointment of the parents. Most family members work as government officers because they believe in serving the people and she was expected to be a nurse....

Nate Dechakul

Owner of the "last rice field" of Phuket located in Mai Khao

Phra Preeda Pritho, Abbot of Mai Khao temple

Phra (monk) Preeda Pritho, or “Arjan Wek” as called by acquaintances, was born in Phangnga province. He has been in monkhood for 26 years and has been based in Phangnga and in north eastern part of Thailand before serving as abort of Mai Khao temple since 2012, or 11 years ago....

Kamolwat Napadolrungrueang (Chalee), manager at The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation

Khun Chalee is from Bangkok. Before Phuket, he’s been a marine biologist in Phi Phi, and then 2 years in Maldives where he took care of multiple kinds of sea animals such as sharks, rays, and turtles...

Wichai Takarnkit (Noom) Head of Reserved Marine Lives Conservation Center

Khun Wichai, or “Noom” has been head of Reserved Marine Lives Conservation Center for 4 years. The center was found in 1990 by Mr. Sombat Sae Iew (Pa Cheng) who initiated buying turtle eggs with his own money to protect turtle babies from natural or human risks...

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