A Day in Ban Nai Nang: Discovering Responsible Travel in Krabi

As we left the main road, our adventure truly began. The road turned bumpy as pineapple fields and patches of lush forest came into view. After about 10 minutes, our driver made an unexpected stop, requiring our Tour Director, Pat, to hop out and direct from the roadside.

My journey into Thailand’s rural life started with a trip organized by Tourism Cares and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, spotlighting the beauty of responsible travel. After three exhilarating days in Bangkok, we took a short flight to Krabi. The Krabi airport greeted us with a calm simplicity, and by late morning, we were in a 15-passenger van heading for Ban Nai Nang, a community renowned for sustainable tourism and conservation practices.

Upon arrival at Ban Nai Nang, we were warmly welcomed by a young woman who introduced herself as Ba. “Sawasdee Ka” in Thai and “Hello” in English, she introduced us to her neighbors and shared about her community where tourism isn’t just about sightseeing but a means to uplift every member. Here, they embrace community-based tourism, focusing on environmental conservation, organic farming, and sustainable livelihoods. Through a shared enterprise model, all earnings from visitor activities go directly back to support the village, making a real difference in the lives of everyone involved.

Our first activity was cooking in an open-air kitchen overlooking the gardens, where we learned to make a traditional steamed banana cake. The ingredients were simple but fragrant: bananas, rice flour, and coconut milk. Mixing everything by hand, we carefully wrapped the dough in banana leaves before steaming it over an open fire, adding a rustic authenticity to this flavorful treat.

Afterward, we strolled through the community’s garden, where morning glory (similar to spinach) flourished under the care of the villagers. We picked fresh leaves for lunch, which were then stir-fried with chilies and oyster sauce in a massive metal pan over a clay pot with a crackling fire. The smell was incredible as the morning glory sizzled and softened, and it added a uniquely local flavor to our meal.

Later, we visited Ban Nai Nang’s beekeeping enterprise, “Phung Phrohng Bee Farm.” The setup was simple yet ingenious: little huts made from logs and topped with tin roofs were arranged along a path through the forest. The bee farm, a collective effort by the villagers, supports conservation by encouraging indigenous forest trees to flourish. The bees, a local species called Apis Cerana Fabricius, are allowed to forage naturally, producing honey with medicinal properties akin to wild forest honey.

The honey was irresistible, and I couldn’t leave without buying a jar! But the experience didn’t stop there. Each of us was handed a log, complete with bees burrowed inside, to place in the mangroves. As we made our way through rubber tree groves, down a lush hill and over some logs across a small stream, we finally reached the mangrove forest. Placing the logs in this rich, vital ecosystem, we played a part in rehabilitating the mangroves – a symbolic moment of giving back to the earth that sustains us.

At EF Ultimate Break, we seek to do more than just “visit” Thailand. Visiting Ban Nai Nang isn’t just an excursion; it’s a deeply fulfilling experience that highlights how travel can positively impact communities and ecosystems. Not only do you get an intimate look into the lives and traditions of this warm community, but every moment of your visit goes toward supporting projects that benefit the environment and locals alike.

Traveling here means taking part in something meaningful—connecting with the people, contributing to sustainable practices, and leaving a positive impact on the land itself. This day in Krabi reminded me that responsible travel isn’t only about seeing a place but about connecting with and supporting the people who call it home.