Readme before you journey
When the Body Craves Nature…
Sri Dharma Raj is the Destination
[Video: "โอ่โอปักษ์ใต้บ้านเรา" by YouTube user "7EmK4bb0sJA"]
Oh, oh, the South of Thailand, our home
Oh, oh, the South of Thailand, our home
Rivers, mountains, and vast seas
Don't go anywhere, come back home to the South, don't go anywhere, come back home to the South
Yes, we are heading south today to explore the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
This province is known as the "City of Two Dharmas" - Dharma (righteousness) and Nature. Our check-in point is the "Phra Loke Community," where we will immerse ourselves in the local way of life and traditional wisdom.
We will also delve into the legend of King Taksin and follow his footsteps to the impressive Phra Loke Waterfall.
The Promlok community is located in Phrom Khiri District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, adjacent to Khao Luang Mountain Range.
It is also conveniently situated near Nakhon Si Thammarat city center and only 20 kilometers from the airport.
The villagers here lead a simple life, with most of them practicing mixed farming.
Surrounded by nature, Promlok offers a refreshing escape, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural environment.
"Promlok community boasts some of the best air quality in the region."
There are many homestays in the Phromlok community.
Each one takes turns welcoming tourists.
And today we are staying at "Sergeant Tit Homestay".
When we arrived at the community, we went to the Phromlok Community Tourism Club first.
After that, Uncle Athit came out to pick us up and take us to the homestay.
Uncle Tit and Aunt Lek, the owners of the house, welcomed us warmly.
It made us feel like it was a stay home, not a homestay.
The homestay is charmingly decorated.
The rooms are very inviting.
After settling our luggage, we began our journey with a delicious southern meal prepared by Auntie Lek.
The food was spicy and flavorful, leaving us feeling satisfied and energized (a southern expression for "full of energy").
After picking fresh mangosteens from the tree next door,
I heard that the Brahmakiri mangosteen is the most delicious.
Mmm... it's as delicious as its reputation ^_^
And while in Nakhon, you can't miss the mangosteen selection.
(It's a specialty of Nakhon Si Thammarat.)
Aunt Lek picked fresh mangosteens from the tree and made a selection for us to try.
She also taught us how to make a mangosteen selection.
Uncle Tit said that a mangosteen selection is a mangosteen that is selected because it is not beautiful, so people use it to make skewers.
But Aunt Lek said that a mangosteen selection is a mangosteen that is peeled. Peeling is called a mangosteen selection.
Uh.... Who should I believe? 5555
* The mangosteen selection is crispy, sweet, and delicious. *
It's not easy to get each piece of wood. Even Aunt Lek, who is considered an expert, has been injured by the knife.
..
Next, we head to the "Phrom Lok Waterfall".
This is a lower-level waterfall with crystal-clear water, perfect for swimming.
The waterfall flows along a long stream.
You can swim anywhere along the way.
On the day we visited, there were many children playing in the water, having a great time.
The water is not deep, so it's safe for children to play.
From the waterfall, we ascended to the summit of "Khao Luang National Park."
The summit is a verdant haven with a refreshingly cool climate and a diverse array of tree species.
The ascent is not strenuous, and the path is well-maintained.
This upper waterfall is incredibly beautiful. Notably, Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit once visited and rested here. Before departing, both Their Majesties left their royal initials, ภปร. and สก., on the cliff face beside the waterfall.
After admiring the beauty of the national park, we headed towards "Wang Pla Ngae."
Wang Pla Ngae is a vibrant natural wonder, teeming with fish swimming in crystal-clear, cool water. The sight of the fish is truly captivating.
Adding to the charm, the backdrop offers a breathtaking view of mountains shrouded in mist throughout the day. The atmosphere is simply enchanting.
This evening, I will visit the Phromlok Community Tourism Club.
To learn how to make desserts and batik fabric.
Today, P'Biew is also teaching us how to make sweet bananas.
Sweet bananas are similar to fried bananas, but we use whole bananas for frying.
The secret to the deliciousness of sweet bananas here
It must be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. When you eat it, it melts in your mouth.
** Sweet bananas must be made with unripe bananas, P'Biew told me.**
The final activity for the first day of our trip was learning how to make batik fabric.
Nu Ni and Nong Bai Plu were our instructors, guiding us through the art form.
Art isn't really my forte, haha...
But it's all about creating your own vision, right? Beautiful or not, it's beautiful in its own way.
Making batik fabric starts with boiling wax and keeping it warm throughout the process.
The wax is essential for drawing lines, which act as barriers to prevent the colors from bleeding together.
When drawing lines, make sure they connect, as they will prevent the colors from mixing.
If you feel the wax is no longer hot, change it immediately.
(Theory is perfect!)
Even harder than drawing lines is drawing the actual design!
My hand was shaking a bit when I first started drawing lines, but after a while, it became smooth.
The results are in! Let's see who's the winner.
Upon returning to the accommodation, Aunt Lek had already prepared dinner for us... or rather, supper.
It seemed as though Aunt Lek knew we were hungry... The menu was very tempting.
Day Two Morning
Woke up to shrimp congee. I have to say, Aunt Lek's cooking is delicious every meal.
It's so good here, I get to eat delicious food all the time.
Mushroom Cultivation: A Delicate Process
After a hearty meal, Uncle Tit led us to observe the intricate process of mushroom cultivation. The steps involved are surprisingly meticulous, requiring considerable time and effort before the mushrooms reach maturity and are ready for sale. The success of the harvest hinges on a crucial factor: whether the mushrooms will thrive or succumb to spoilage. Witnessing the dedication and precision required in mushroom cultivation has instilled a newfound appreciation for the craft. From now on, I vow to refrain from haggling over the price of mushrooms, recognizing the labor and uncertainty inherent in their production.
After visiting the mushroom farm, we stopped by to see how to make brooms from wild grass flowers.
The wild grass flowers used here are called "Rapo" flowers.
Have you ever noticed that some wild grass brooms have yellow flowers and some have green flowers?
Actually, they are the same wild grass flowers.
However, if the flowers are dried, they will be green, and if they are sun-dried, they will be yellow.
(Pure knowledge)
A must-visit when in Phromlok is the statue of King Taksin at "Wat Khao Khun Phom".
Legend has it that King Taksin passed away here.
The Final Destination: Tak Fa Cave
The journey culminates at Tak Fa Cave, accessible by climbing 245 steps. A steep staircase then leads down into the cave itself, a descent that may leave you breathless.
However, the effort is well worth it, as the cave's interior reveals the stunning beauty of nature's handiwork.
Before heading back, let's stop by the delicious local "khanom jeen" (rice noodles) shop in the Phrom Lok community.
The shop is called "Aun Nap's Khanom Jeen" and it's located right at the entrance of the community. This place is a must-try!
Two days and one night trip with One Night Stay With Locals
What I got from visiting the Phromlok community this time
It's not just about sightseeing
But it's about the good friendship from the people in the community
Learning about the community's way of life
Seeing smiles and receiving kindness from the people in the community
And getting to know the charm of the Phromlok community
I believe that many people still don't know this community. Come and see... you'll fall in love with this community, just like us.
Thank you to the TAT's Social Project for taking us on a trip to the community, one of the good projects from TAT.
That allowed us to get to know "Phromlok Community".
Travel
For private cars, you can use GPS to navigate directly to the Promlok Community.
Take the train and get off at the station. Then, take a shared taxi for about 20 baht to the 7-Eleven store at the entrance of the Phrom Lok community.
:: The plane landed at the airport, then took a taxi to the Phrom Lok community for 150 baht.
:: Voucher Package ::
2 days 1 night with food and activities in the community
Price: 1,800 Baht (It is recommended to book your accommodation 15 days in advance.)
For those interested in visiting the community, please contact my sister at 081-0819150.
What's included in the 2-day, 1-night program? Click here to find out: Phrom Lok Community, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
Thank you for reading the review to the end. :)
Additional reviews: www.facebook.com/paigunmai
paigunmai
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 7:43 PM
