Pranburi Forest Park, Thailand

Walkway at Pranburi Forest Park

Pranburi Forest Park lies a bit to the south of beach town of Hua Hin in Thailand. Full of mangroves and marine life, this is perfect place to take a peaceful walk in the mangrove forests, may be plant a few trees and to see some live crabs.

Best part of Pranburi Forest Park is its walking trails inside the dense forest. There are raised wooden walkways that make it a easy walk while you admire the roots and branches of mangroves criss crossing and hugging each other. I did not observe any animals or birds inside, but then I was there around noontime and in a big group – not the best time and way to visit the animals. I took a leisurely walk on this walkway that I thought is a brilliant way to let visitors experience the forest without disturbing the forest or without getting disturbed by it.

Mangrove Roots at Pranburi Forest Park

Thin tall trees with green top and entangled muddy roots make a contrast against the blue sky that makes an appearance at places. Passing through the canopies formed by the trees on head, making way through the branches crossing over the walkway and listening to air making strange noises as it passes through the trees is quite an experience.

Tied Crab at Pranburi Forest Park

We were engaged in another activity that I found very cheeky. As part of a CSR activity we were asked to release the crabs back in the mangroves. The tied crabs were brought in a bucket – with their legs and mouth tied with thin plastic ropes so that they cannot move. Visitors were shown how to hold them and cut the rope and then leave them in the mangrove.

Demo of 'How to Untie a Crab' at Pranburi Forest Park

I wondered why were they tied in the first place. If it was done to give a kick to the visitors or to make them feel good – I found it ridiculous. I am not an animal person at all and would keep away from them, but I felt very bad for the crabs, as they had to go through the act of being tied first and then providing some moral uplifting to those who freed them from those slimy ropes. I asked questions about where are these crabs picked up from and when and where are they tied – but did not get any answers, at least not the ones I understood. All I gained from this activity was a damn close look at a living crab – but then I am sure there are better ways to do that.

Planting saplings at Pranburi Forest Park

We then went to an empty marshland and planted some mangrove saplings that would add to the forest over few years. Marshland was too muddy and the feet sank in few inches as soon as we kept the foot down. Thankfully we were given long socks to wear to avoid carrying any infection from the earth, though it also meant that we missed the touch of the earth under our feet – the best way to feel in-touch with a place.

On the drive we found it an upcoming area where lots of expats are choosing to live. So you see lots of advertisements for property and lots of construction activity and you silently pray that they do not go overboard