Mahasawat is only about 50 kms from Bangkok in Nakhon Pathom Province, near to Mahidol University’s Salaya Campus. The Province of Nakhon Pathom is criss-crossed by many canals (klongs) and irrigation ditches. Mahasawat is built along one of these canals which is the life source of the community, and for many, the only way of commuting.
Mahasawat is an area which highlights agro-tourism with the active support of various governmental bodies.
From the pier beside the Suwannaram Temple you can take a six-seater boat for a visit to some of the agricultural and horticultural properties. The open boats are used by the locals but the boats for the tours have a makeshift roof to protect you from the sun and are fully equipped with life jackets.
A short cruise along the canal will take you to an export Orchid Farm. Orchids are beautiful, but difficult to grow. Here you can talk to the owner –through the guide if need be – to find special tips about how to get them to flower and keep them flowering. If you’re living here you can buy orchids to take home and generally the prices are a lot cheaper than you’ll find elsewhere.
Back on the boat for a short jaunt along the canal to the next stop which is an Organic Orchard.
This is a working orchard which has opened its doors so tourists can get a glimpse of the rural lifestyle. The “reception” area is the tractor shed and here you’ll be treated to a taste of whatever fruit is in season.
Then its on the trailer for a ride through the orchard. Driving a Thai tractor is unlike any experience you’ll have ever had, especially in the turns!
Here, they also grow organic rice, but you’ll need to go in July to see the fields in this wonderful hue of green.
You’ll get another free tasting on your return from the orchard tour and the opportunity to buy some fresh produce before you leave. With your purchases safely stowed aboard you can continue your trip along the canal, stopping next at the Khao-Tung Hna-Tung or Crusty Rice with Shrimp Dip “factory”.
This cottage industry produces these wonderful snacks in a most innovative manner, using a unique solar cell oven which looks like a hot-house but is used only for drying the boiled rice. There’s a free tasting and some for sale as well. This is where we have lunch for those on our tour.
Back on the boat and off to the last stop which is a Lotus Farm. Lotus flowers form an important part in Buddhist worship and the myriad of temples throughout the greater Bangkok region rely on local producers to meet their daily requirements.
This pond is huge, covering five acres and has a nice sala –funded by the government for the promotion of tourism in this area – where you can sit surrounded by thousands of water lilies. Claude Monet would have been in seventh heaven.
They harvest 3000 flowers on alternate days using a flat-bottomed aluminium boat. The other day they harvest the leaves which are used for wrapping the flowers ready for the market. The stalks are just broken off by hand – not cut – and they are quite prickly so gloves are in order.
That’s it. Time to return to Suwannaram Temple and to leave the tranquillity of Klong Mahasawat for the hustle and bustle of the city once again.
More information on touring Mahasawat can be found here
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