The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s Phetchaburi Office has organised Bryde's whale-watching boat trips off the coast of Ban Laem, Phetchaburi province, since many can be spotted between October-February.
A Bryde's whale swims off Chao Samram beach. Photo: Smith Sutibut
Bryde's whales can grow to 15m in length. Their body colour is grey black. They can be seen searching for food in a part of the Gulf of Thailand between Tambon Bang Taboon, Samut Songkhram and Phak Bia Cape in Ban Laem and Chao Samran beach in Phetchaburi.
When and where to spot such animals is hard to predict, but they are mostly found at high tide when sea breeze is not so strong.
Sometimes, a herd of up to 10 whales can be spotted when they try to eat anchovies and are followed by seagulls, which come down to the water and wait to eat fleeing fish.
During this season, several fishing boats in Muang and Ban Laem districts of Phetchaburi operate whale-watching tours and provide life vests for all passengers.
At Hat Chao Samran pier, both groups and individuals are welcome. Each boat accommodates up to 10 passengers. The fare is 500 baht per person, per trip. Tourists must wait at Hat Chao Samran Pier and check the weather forecast first. Tours begin at 8am. Call Ple, municipality staff, on 089-395-8852 or Line: pimboon3060.
At Laem Phak Bia Pier and Bang Taboon Bay Pier in Ban Laem district, hiring a boat is the only option..
At the first pier, the rental fee is 2,500 baht for six-seater boats, 4,500 baht for 10-seater boats and 5,500 baht for 13-to-15-seater boats. Call Laem Phak Bia Bryde's Whale Society on 081-856-4939.
At the other pier, the rental fee is 5,500 baht for 12-seater boats, 6,000 baht for 13-to-15-seater boats and 6,500 baht for 15-seater boats. Call Charoon on 032-581-233 or Lek 032-581-306.
Visit www.facebook.com/tatphetchaburi or call the TAT Phetchaburi Office on 032-471-005/6.
Waterfall in Kanchanaburi
The TAT Kanchanaburi Office is promoting the newly discovered Nopphiboon Waterfall in Sangkhla Buri district, Kanchanaburi province, as a new attraction.
Nicknamed "Lt. Dej" Waterfall, it was discovered in February by Lt. Suradej Nopphiboon who had been assigned by his superordinate to set up a checkpoint along Rural Highway 2078 near a stream. This waterfall is a small limestone waterfall with several tiers, ponds and water flowing from the height of about 25m.
This attraction remains very natural without any stores, restaurants or car park. Visitors must park their vehicles along the road and walk 50m to the first tier of the waterfall. Walking up to the upper tiers, they will pass tropical forests. In some areas, they must use wooden stairs built by local villagers.
To get there, take Highway 323 (Kanchanaburi-Saiyok-Thong Pha Phum-Sangkhla Buri) for 210km, turn right towards Three Pagodas Pass, continue for 13km until Takhian Thong Waterfall, turn right to Rural Highway 2078 and keep going 1.5km until reaching a group of small military shelters on both sides of the road. After parking and strolling 50m, you will reach the first tier of the waterfall.
Call the TAT local office on 034-511-200 or 034-512-500.
Email pichayas@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any news to share.
A Bryde's whale swims off Chao Samram beach. Photo: Jetjaras na Ranong
