Don Hoi Lot, Ban Laem Side
Gulf of Thailand Mudflats, Samut Sakhon

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Let's clear this up first, because a lot of people mix the two up. The famous Don Hoi Lot — the tourist spot with markets and rented mats for picnicking — is at the mouth of the Mae Klong River, in Bang Chakreng–Laem Yai, Samut Songkhram province. The Samut Sakhon side we're talking about here is the stretch of mudflats along the Gulf of Thailand around Ban Laem, Khok Kham and Bang Ya Phraek. It's the same kind of sandy-mud flat, with razor clams, cockles and shorebirds living there, but the feel is more everyday fishing-village life than a fully built-up attraction. If you like quiet, uncrowded places, this side suits you better.

What are tidal mudflats, and why does the tide matter?

Estuary flats form from silty, sandy sediment that rivers carry down and deposit where the river meets the sea. When the tide drops, hundreds of metres of mud emerge, turning into a walking flat covered in fiddler crabs, mudskippers, razor clams and clam holes everywhere. That's exactly why you have to check the tide table before coming. If you turn up at high tide, all you'll see is water — you won't be able to walk out onto the mud at all.

What is a razor clam, and how do you catch one?

A razor clam is a long, tube-shaped bivalve that buries itself upright in the mud. The local way to catch them is to sprinkle a little slaked lime into the hole — the clam pops up on its own, and you gently pull it out. Sounds easy, but it takes quick hands and you need to know how to move across the mud. If you really want to try it, go with a local or a community-tourism group: they know the spots and keep an eye on safety out on the flats.

• Wear shoes you can slip off easily — or don't mind ruining — the mud is sticky and deeper than it looks. Nice sneakers are a bad idea.
• Don't wander too far from shore — the tide comes in fast. Watch which way the water is moving and always remember your way back.
• Take only what you'll eat, don't sweep them up — razor clams are a community resource. Harvest only what's reasonable so the ecosystem can recover.
• Bring water to rinse off — this isn't a sandy beach, and foot-washing spots are hard to find. Pack your own water and a towel.

Watching shorebirds at Khok Kham

What really makes the Samut Sakhon flats special is the birdlife. The Khok Kham–Ban Laem estuary is a stopover for migratory birds, with nearly 200 species recorded — including internationally rare birds like the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, which birders travel from all over the world to see right here. Peak season is winter, roughly November to March.

Where to eat — seafood spots by the water

The big draw on this side is fresh seafood straight off the boats around Mahachai, at prices that are friendlier than the major tourist towns. Most restaurants sit along Sahakorn Road near Khok Kham and along the Tha Chin River on the Bang Ya Phraek side. We've picked places that are actually open and that locals mention often.

Getting there and the best time to go

From Bangkok, it's about a 40–60 minute drive out to the Khok Kham–Ban Laem area (depending on your starting point and traffic). Take Rama II Road and turn onto the Khok Kham–Bang Ya Phraek route, or come via Mahachai and follow Sahakorn Road. There's no public transport that goes right to the flats, so your own car is by far the easiest.

• Early morning, 6:30–9:00 — lovely light, birds out feeding, and the heat hasn't kicked in yet. Best for birdwatching and photos.
• Late afternoon to evening, 16:00–18:30 — the sun softens, the sea breeze cools things down, and it's a good time to walk the mud and roll straight into a seafood dinner.
• Avoid midday glare — out on the gulf there's no shade, and the sun is fierce and very hot.

Plan a half-day or full-day trip