Located in the Ao Luek district to the north of Krabi Town, Laem Sak offers an experience that feels a world apart from Krabi’s well-known tourist areas of Ao Nang and Railay. This quiet coastal area is home to three cultures — Buddhist, Muslim and Hokkien Chinese — living side-by-side in harmony.
This is Laem Sak Community Tourism Enterprise, an award-winning model for community-based tourism (CBT) that’s redefining what responsible travel looks like in southern Thailand. If you want to discover a different Krabi that you won’t find in the travel brochures, head to Laem Sak. Experience life in the local community and do good at the same time, with every baht you spend here helping sustain local livelihoods and protect one of Thailand’s most serene marine environments.
A community working together for a sustainable future
Laem Sak’s story began in 2014, when local residents joined forces to create a sustainable tourism network that could supplement traditional fishing and farming incomes. With support from organisations like Planeterra and the North Andaman Network, the enterprise developed tours that highlight the area’s natural beauty and unique way of life, while ensuring profits go directly to local families.
The project now unites ten villages and around 450 residents who share guiding, cooking, homestay hosting, and craftmaking roles. The result? Visitors experience the traditional side to Krabi, and locals maintain control of their land, culture, and resources.
“Our goal isn’t mass tourism,” says one community leader. “It’s meaningful connections; people learning from one another, and leaving the place better than they found it.”
Experiences in Laem Sak
What sets Laem Sak apart isn’t just the scenery, it’s the sense of purpose behind every activity. Tourism here is a tool for empowerment, not exploitation. Income stays in the community, coral and mangrove zones are protected, and travellers leave with a deeper understanding of southern Thailand’s cultural diversity.
This harmony of nature, culture, and sustainability makes Laem Sak a model destination for anyone seeking authentic, responsible experiences in Thailand.
Experience three cultures in one community
Few places in Thailand showcase such rich cultural coexistence. A local guide might take you to a Buddhist temple viewpoint, a Chinese shrine, and a Muslim village in a single morning. Along the way, you’ll hear stories about how these communities have lived side by side for generations.
Kayak through bays and mangroves
Laem Sak’s tranquil coastline is sheltered by offshore karst formations, which makes it one of the best spots in Krabi for year-round kayaking. Paddle through emerald-green channels fringed with mangroves, glide beneath dramatic cliffs, and visit caves decorated with prehistoric rock paintings.
Try hands-on local workshops
Back on land, join a batik dyeing class, learn to make khanom chak chai (a traditional dessert wrapped in palm leaves), or visit a sea-grape farm to sample this delicate ‘green caviar.’ These sessions are not tourist shows; they’re led by locals eager to share their skills and heritage.
Awards and recognition
Laem Sak’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. The community has received multiple honours for its approach to tourism and conservation:
- Responsible Thailand Awards 2022: Best Community-Based Tourism
- Thailand Tourism Awards 2021 & 2023: Silver
- Thailand Tourism Awards 2019: Gold (Local & Community Tourist Attraction)
Laem Sak is part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Krabi Prototype, a model for responsible travel, and also featured as a case study for sustainable travel during the 2025 Meaningful Travel Summit hosted in Krabi and Bangkok.
How to visit Laem Sak
Laem Sak is situated an hour’s drive north of Krabi Town or Ao Nang. From Krabi International Airport, you can rent a car, hire a private driver, or join a tour arranged by the community or responsible-travel operators such as Andaman Discoveries or Local Alike. Options range from half-day kayak trips to two-day homestay programs including meals, workshops, and guided eco-tours.
Laem Sak Community Facebook page
Good to know
The Andaman coast’s dry season (November–April) offers the best weather, but because Laem Sak’s bay is protected, kayaking and community tours operate year-round.
When deciding what to pack, quick-dry clothing, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, strap-on sandals, and a dry bag are all useful. Remember to dress modestly when visiting villages, temples, or mosques. Cover your shoulders and knees and remove shoes when entering homes or sacred spaces.
- Ask before taking photos of people or private homes.
- Avoid alcohol and pork during homestays out of respect for Muslim households.
- Use refillable water bottles and avoid single-use plastics.
- Follow your local guide’s instructions in sensitive areas such as caves and mangroves.
