Salt pan, Bangkok

Few visitors to Bangkok realize they can witness one of Thailand’s oldest industries just an hour from the city center. The salt pans of Samut Sakhon have been harvesting “white gold” from seawater for generations, creating a landscape of geometric pools that stretch toward the horizon. This working salt farm offers an authentic glimpse into traditional Thai salt production methods that remain largely unchanged from centuries past.

Walking among the salt fields reveals an intricate system of shallow rectangular ponds filled with varying levels of seawater in different stages of evaporation. Workers rake crystallized salt into neat white pyramids that dot the landscape like miniature mountains. The sound of metal tools scraping against concrete mingles with the calls of waterbirds feeding in the brine pools. Early morning visits reward you with the sight of salt farmers beginning their daily harvest, their movements creating ripples across the mirror-like water surfaces that reflect the changing sky.

Tranquility defines the salt pan experience, broken only by the gentle splash of water being channeled between ponds and the rhythmic work of the harvesters. The vast open sky creates a sense of space rarely found near Bangkok, while the repetitive patterns of the salt beds produce an almost meditative quality. Photographers particularly appreciate the interplay of light and shadow across the geometric landscape, especially during golden hour when the white salt crystals seem to glow.

Visit during the dry season months for active salt production and the best photo opportunities. Take the train from Bangkok to Ban Laem station, then catch a local songthaew to the salt fields. Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, and plenty of water – there’s little shade here. A hat and sunglasses are essential as the white salt surfaces create intense glare. This authentic cultural experience showcases a side of Thai life that most tourists never see.