Coconuts factory, rubber plantation, rice plantation visit

[Anahech]

We are curious about local know how and educative visits.

I saw you can visit factories/plantations if taking a highly expensive tourist tour. Any idea of where can we visit such places on our own ?

We are interested in coconuts factory (place we could see how to make oil and other coconut products), rubber plantation, rice plantation, and any place that could have an educative interest for kids.

Thank you :-)

Edited October 20, 2016 by Anahech

[samuijimmy]

This is a tough one to answer:  As timing is different for all crops.

 

Rubber

Mainly because you have to time things to when say rubber trees are producing, and the "latex" (I think that is the correct term) is being processed in to squares..... the is usually a smell in the air. When the rubber is hung out to cure.

There are number of rubber tree farms dotted around the island, some are up the hills in the centre of the island... On the ring road between Lipa Noi and Hau Thanon (Almost across from  Samui Business school) there is a demonstration area, but usually manned by the Tour companies when they do their stop.

 

Coconut Processing

Several processing places around the island, ..... some on back roads.  I believe there is one place that makes oil on the ring road between Hau Thanon and Lipa Noi, You just need to watch for signs... But again timing could be a problem!

 

Rice Paddies

None on Samui that I know of, but have heard there maybe a small one at the Farmer Restaurant between Maenam and Ban Tai. Really to see rice farms you would need to go to Songkhla Province,  or Isaan,  even then sowing and harvesting can be hit and miss. Never seen demonstrations down or up there.!

 

Palm Oil  trees.

A few small plantations around, but I believe processing done off the island.

Other crops would include Mangoes, Durian etc....

Hydroponic farms.... Lettuce growing mainly, quite a number around the island ... best is probably on Soi 4 in Maenam, beyond the Temple... follow the sheep signs,  that would probably be fun for the kids depending on their age.

 

Even if you were to do a guided tour around the island, you would not be very likely to see all these things on one go around!!

 

Hope that helps.... perhaps other input from other members would help?

 

 

 

 

.

 

[khunPer]

Agree with SamuiJimmy above.

Rubber trees can only be cut (the trees, and "milk" harvested) during rain season – so my clever girlfriend says, and she must know as her family have lots of rubber trees – so after these extreme dry month, I would not think much rubber is cut at Samui. However, what about a car-trip to the mainland where there are lots of rubber-plantagen, and lots of other things to see – you can stop over and sleep in a jungle-hut, up in the trees.

 

The Farmer restaurant in Western Maenam grow various sorts of rice, but I'm not sure of time, as rice is grown when there's lot of water available, and harvested when dry season comes.

 

The monkey shows, also show how coconuts are harvested by monkeys – the show is a bit circus, but that's of course a question of opinion – but just driving in the very south of the island, you may see coconuts being plucked by monkeys. I think it's called "Laem Set Road", the small road passing the Butterfly Garden from Tiger Zoo, towards road No.4170, that I use to stop with friends when down on the flat plantagen-area; they also seem to be doing some processing there. Later following 4170 south to the sea, you will at left hand find the entrance to the Boat Temple (which I think is private) and "Laem Sor Pagoda", which is worth a visit (there is a various sorts  mummified munk sitting in a boat), and also the mountain top temple, which has a fantastic view. At Laem Sor Pagoda there are two stalls selling local coconut oil. When 4170 reach the beach, it's a good place to stop for refreshment, and also take a walk on the beach and look for crabs and corals – well you are mainly walking on dead corals – and see the color-full longtail-boats.

Edited October 20, 2016 by khunPer

[evadgib]

In addition to earlier answers the OP might like to tag along at the local Hash as much of what he has listed can be seen during their weekly jaunts. The whole family will be welcome.

 

HTH

[Anahech]

Thank you all for the feedbacks :-) Lots to see, we will see how much of that we can find and visit !

I also found out this one: http://www.samuirenong.com/

Edited October 23, 2016 by Anahech

[evadgib]

Re 4: See column on the right for details of todays run/walk followed by  BBQ:

 

http://www.ksh3.com/

Edited October 28, 2016 by evadgib