Global Meaningful Travel Summit 2025 Highlights Laem Sak Among Thailand's New Tourism Products

During the event, Laem Sak was presented as one of the new community-focused tourism products, offering experiences that connect visitors to the most authentic aspects of the country: its people, its culture, and its daily life. Krabi province hosted the event from September 7th to 9th, and the program continues in Bangkok from September 10th to 13th, with activities concentrated in the city.

As part of the summit's program, several communities in Krabi province were presented as examples of community-based tourism and sustainable practices. Among them was the Laem Sak community, which hosted participants in one of the summit's activities. During the visit, participants were able to learn firsthand how residents develop environmental preservation and cultural development initiatives through tourism.

Nature and culture in evidence

Located in the Ao Luek region, Laem Sak is made up of ten villages where different cultures and beliefs coexist harmoniously. The natural scenery is stunning, with limestone cliffs emerging from the sea and geological formations called karsts, shaped by water over millennia. The region combines lush nature and cultural identity, offering visitors unique experiences.

Local tourism includes kayaking expeditions through the mangroves, visits to temples such as Wat Mahathat Laem Sak (Buddhist temple), Sok Po Si Aey Shrine (Sino-Thai shrine), and Solahuddin Mosque (Muslim mosque)—all within just 150–200 meters of each other—and street art tours that celebrate the community's culture. 

The Precious Plastic Bangkok project transforms plastic waste into a sustainable tourist attraction, integrating income generation and educational activities that involve approximately 100 people in the community. The project is supported by the ECCA family, which helped expand the initiative in the community. Simple machines transform plastic waste into new products.

Millennial history in sight

Laem Sak preserves traces of its early inhabitants in caves with cave paintings dating back some 3,000 years. The images depict scenes of hunting, fishing, marine animals, and human activities, offering a rare glimpse into prehistoric life. Accessible by boat or kayak, complementing the region's cultural and ecological tourism.

Flavors and traditions

Local cuisine is part of the experience, with dishes like shrimp paste fried rice (Khao Khluk Kapi) made with small dried shrimp from the region. Visitors also participate in batik workshops, orchid and nipa palm planting, and experience traditional fishing, lobster farming, and sea grape cultivation.

Tourism with a purpose

For the community's president, Chanrit Permzup, community tourism is a driver of sustainable development. "We've created self-managed tourism, using nature and local resources responsibly. We strive to distribute income and protect the environment," he says. Cultural diversity is considered a hallmark of the region, known as the "land of three areas."

Bulan Anda Baba Resort owner Somchai Permzup Quan emphasizes the preservation of family traditions: "Every river has its source and every tree has its roots. We cannot forget our memories and ancestors."

First edition of the summit in Asia

Greg Takehara, CEO of Tourism Cares, highlighted the importance of the event: "We're in our 22nd year, and this is the first time we've held the summit in Asia. It's an exciting time for all of us." The event was curated by Kati Hagedorn, the organization's initiatives coordinator for over 15 years.

The name Laem Sak derives from "Laem," which means "cape" or "promontory" in Thai, and "Sak," the name of the region. In street art, the spelling "Laemsak" is common, but it represents an aesthetic choice, not the official form.

Accommodation and How to Get There

In Laem Sak, visitors can find everything from resorts and hotels in Krabi to homestays in the community and on nearby islands, allowing for cultural immersion and direct contact with local life. Wat Mahathat Laem Sak is approximately 60 kilometers from Krabi Town, about an hour and twenty minutes by car. From Krabi Airport, the transfer takes about an hour, and from Surat Thani, about two hours by private transfer, with stunning scenery along the way.

The event is an initiative of Tourism Cares, in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Report: Mary de Aquino.

Photo: TAT