Pak Nam Prasae Community Tourism

Pak Nam Prasae is an old fishing town on the Rayong coast, run by its residents as a community-tourism area. The draw is a cluster of low-key, genuinely local experiences: the Thung Prong Thong golden-mangrove boardwalk, a walking street of century-old shophouses, evening firefly cruises on the Prasae River, and a retired navy ship kept as a memorial. Entry to the town and boardwalk is free — you pay only for boat trips and homestays.

What to do

The signature sight is Thung Prong Thong, a one-kilometre boardwalk out over a mangrove field that glows gold in the low light of dawn and dusk, finishing at a sea-facing pavilion. Back in town, the old Prasae shophouse street is worth a wander, and after dark a wooden fishing boat will take you up the Prasae estuary to watch fireflies in the mangroves. Add the HTMS Prasae warship memorial (a decommissioned navy vessel on the riverbank), the Prince of Chumphon shrine, a bike ride to the Prasae bridge, and a homestay night, and it fills an easy overnight.

Insider Tip: Time the boardwalk for late afternoon and roll straight into a dusk firefly cruise — the golden mangrove light and the fireflies are both best in the last hours of the day, so you can catch the pair back to back.

Getting there

Pak Nam Prasae is in Klaeng District on the east Rayong coast, beyond Mae Ramphueng and Mae Phim beaches — about 90 minutes from Pattaya by car, and best reached with your own vehicle. The community has no hotels, but homestays fill up on weekends, so book ahead if you want to stay.

Watch out: This is a working fishing community, not a resort strip — facilities are simple and it’s quiet after dark. That’s the appeal, but come with the right expectations (and cash, as card payment is patchy).

Pak Nam Prasae is at 330 Mu 8, Klaeng District, Rayong 21170. View on Google Maps.