Sam Roi Yot and Green Beach Resort
Located about 230 km south of Bangkok, this beautifully scenic area is perfect for student groups wanting to enjoy a range of activities in a wonderful location.
Accommodation
We have partnered with Green Beach Resort with a management
and staff who could not be more understanding of the needs of student groups.
With 45 twin and triple rooms, we can accommodate groups of up to 90 (with
teachers). Apart from a large swimming pool, the resort has a restaurant which
can cater for all dietary requests, a large air-conditioned meeting room, the
Bamboo Club ( a large room for students to socialize, play assorted games and
table tennis) and there are plans for a cookery school. The resort is also
right next to a lovely stretch of safe beach.
Physical Activities
Hiking
A popular and lovely hike takes groups over a headland with
lovely views along the way. A steepish climb up to the famous Phraya Nakorn
Cave makes the effort worthwhile. Other
half day ‘look and learn’ hikes through
the local countryside visiting the marshes, shrimp farms and pineapple
plantations give students an insight into the ways of life and environmental
issues.
Kayaking
During particular seasons when conditions are calm, there
are great kayaking opportunities in Dolphin Bay with the opportunity of
paddling to the offshore islands. It is also possible to arrange kayak
expeditions in the extensive marshland and even down the Pranburi River.
Biking
Cycling along dirt tracks and quiet back roads is a great
way to explore Sam Roi Yot.
Team challenges and games
The wide beach right next to Green Beach Resort is a perfect place for games of all sorts. Team challenges, beach volleyball, football and rounders and of course fun water activities add more fun elements to any programme.
Conservation Activities
Working with Bring the Elephant Home
We are partnering with this organization to reduce the
impact of the human-elephant conflict in and around Kui Buri national park,
home to the largest number of wild elephants in Thailand. More details can be
found at https://bring-the-elephant-home.org/project/the-tom-yum-project
Students learn about the conflict after arrival, walking
through the farmland adjacent to the park and seeing for themselves and hearing
from farmers about the damage elephants can cause to their crops. They also
learn about the ways farmers try to stop elephants from destroying their crops.
In the afternoon, students will learn about the Tom Yum
Project, introduced by B.T.E.H. which is programme assisting farmers to grow
crops which elephants do not like (and which are some of the ingredients of Tom
Yum -Thailand’s most famous spicy soup! They will then help out with the
project with tasks such as planting seeds, transplanting seedlings etc, before
boarding vehicles and taking a safari into the park where it is hoped that they
will catch sight of elephants as well as other wildlife such as the huge bison
called Gaur.
Working with the local fishing community
For a number of reasons, fish stocks have fallen a great
deal in Dolphin Bay. This has impacted the environment and so for example,
dolphins are rarely seen in bay. It has also had an impact on the livelihood of
the local fishing community. Working with local people concerned about both of
these issues, students can spend a day making a valuable contribution to
efforts to overcome the problems. In the morning, students will used old
fishing nets to make habitats for shellfish and then take fishing boats into
the bay and add these to the existing lines. They will then collect mussels
from nets which were placed over six months ago, and then cook these plus fish
and squid for lunch.
After lunch, make fish nursery habitats from bamboo and coconut palm leaves, and
take these out in to the bay where they act as safe havens for young fish from
larger predators.
Beach cleans
With such a low local population, the beach should be clean.
Unfortunately, prevailing easterly winds and currents bring in rubbish from elsewhere
and in particular it is sad to see so much plastic waste washed up every day.
After an introductory talk about the excess use and dangers of non-degradable
waste, students combine a beach walk with a clear up. This photo shows the
amount of rubbish picked up along just a 500 metre stretch of beach.
Fieldwork
With a range of environments, a variety of geography
fieldwork can be undertaken.
Studies of coastal processes and features are readily
carried out including longshore drift and vegetation succession; and the nature
and impact of coastal protection schemes.
Other fieldwork can include urban studies in the town of
Pranburi, comparative rural settlement studies, tourism impact as well as river
studies on the Kui Buri river.
There are also a couple of excellent sites for studying
mangrove forests – their characteristics, their environmental role and the
threats to their existence.
Working with schools
Local schools are very keen to have international school
students spend time teaching English, playing sports and generally interacting.
However, we also have plans to have both sets of students joining together with
activities such as ‘plastic use education’ and beach clean ups.
