Things to Do in Phetchaburi, Thailand: Salt Flats & More
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- By: Peter Orsel
Salt flats were not the first thing I expected in Thailand. Thailand is known for its beaches, its limestone cliffs and of course Bangkok. But when I saw a picture of Phetchaburi, I knew I had to go there.
Phetchaburi is located 2 to 3 hours away from Bangkok and makes a perfect getaway from the city. This guide covers the best things to do in Phetchaburi: the salt flats that got me here in the first place, plus the cave, the temple, and the monkeys you’ll run into along the way.
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How to get to Phetchaburi?
You can head to Phetchaburi from multiple directions. Usually you’ll get there from either north or south, say from Bangkok or the Chumphon/Surat Thani area. That makes Phetchaburi a good stop between the tropical islands of Ko Tao, Ko Phangan and Ko Samui and the busy city life of Bangkok. If you’re spending time in the capital first, check out my guide to Bangkok’s best photography spots to find the best photo locations.
The best way to get to Phetchaburi is by train. Multiple trains a day stop in Phetchaburi and the train station is close to most accommodations in town. I personally use 12go.Asia for finding and booking train tickets. It’s the easiest way to check times and prices and lock in a seat before you travel. It takes about 3 hours from Bangkok, 6 hours from Chumphon or 9 hours from Surat Thani. Night trains with beds are available too.
Where to stay in Phetchaburi?
Before booking your accommodation, check how far your hotel is from the train station. Phetchaburi is a city, but also a province, so a cheap find can turn out to be 20 kilometers out of town. You don’t want that. The city itself isn’t very big, so once you’ve narrowed down the city, it doesn’t matter much where exactly you stay. I usually book my accommodations through Booking.com.
To get around, it’s convenient to rent a motorbike. Please keep in mind that driving takes practice. If you’re an inexperienced driver, practice first! The bikes are powerful and you won’t be the first one getting involved in an accident. Once you manage to get around safely, it’s a convenient way of transportation!
Things to Do in Phetchaburi
I didn’t visit every attraction in the province as I only stopped by for a couple of nights, before continuing to Ko Tao. I’d rather give you my real experience, instead of sending you to places that I didn’t experience myself.
The Salt Flats of Phetchaburi
Many people visit Phetchaburi for the temples, the national park or the city. My number one reason was visiting the salt flats. When I visited, I had just gotten my new drone and was too excited to fly it above the colourful patterns. It did not disappoint.
The salt flats are along what locals call Salt Farm Road, routes 4012 and 4028, in the Ban Laem district east of Phetchaburi city. Phetchaburi is Thailand’s largest salt-producing province, and Ban Laem is the center of that industry. What you’re photographing is a working landscape, still active with salt production today. Along the way, you’ll likely see salt farmers working and beautiful patterns all around.
When you have your own motorbike, it shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes to get to the salt flats. If you rent a taxi, try to rent it for the full day or trip. You won’t see lots of tourists or taxis around the salt flats and I can imagine that you want to get back to the city when the night kicks in.
When to visit the Salt Flats?
The harvest season is usually from March to April, but some farms are running year-round these days. If you visit the salt flats outside the active season, you might find flooded and empty ponds instead of the piled salt you’re after.
If you’re after the colours from the sky, you’ll be able to see them year-round.
Photography tips for the Salt Flats of Phetchaburi
To capture the salt flats well, know that the colours look far stronger from the sky than from the ground. If you don’t have a drone, don’t be disappointed by what you see at eye level. If you do have a drone, you’ll see how strong the colours really are.
My own drone shots were taken mid-day. Next time I’d shoot closer to sunrise or sunset instead, for softer colours and a warmer glow.
With a camera, or your phone, it’s great to capture local life. If you see farmers working, ask before you take their photo. Never shoot without permission, this isn’t a zoo. These people live on little money and work in hard conditions, so the last thing you want is to make them feel like part of the scenery.
With a drone, you can get a bit more creative. Don’t fly low over people without permission. Focus on capturing the patterns and the colours around them. It’s an incredible sight, closer to a painter’s palette than anything else I’ve photographed in Thailand
Tham Khao Luang Cave
There’s more to do than just the salt flats. One of the most beautiful other places I visited was Tham Khao Luang cave. The sunlight hitting the cave interior is worth capturing on its own. You’ll get there by navigating to this spot. From the parking area, a small shuttle bus takes you to the cave entrance. The cave isn’t too deep, but make sure you’re in decent physical condition for the way down and back up.
Phra Nakhon Khiri (Khao Wang)
If you’re up for a hike, consider Phra Nakhon Khiri, or Wat Khao Wang. This temple offers great views over the area and is one of the must visits of Phetchaburi. You can find it by navigating here. It takes a hill to climb, but the views are definitely worth it. This is a place where you run into a lot of monkeys, so read on to learn more about the Macaque Monkeys of Phetchaburi.
Macaque Monkeys of Phetchaburi
Wherever you go, there’s one thing to keep in mind. There are lots of Macaque monkeys in Phetchaburi. They might look cute, but they can turn aggressive when they feel threatened. With the amount of tourists coming through, they also know exactly where you keep your snacks.
If you’re visiting any of the sights above, bring a closed backpack for food and drinks, skip plastic bags, and keep a safe distance, especially from mothers with babies. The photo above was taken with a 200mm zoom lens, specifically to keep a safe distance. You won’t see the monkeys at the salt flats.
More things to do in Phetchaburi
As mentioned before, I made a short stop in Phetchaburi before heading on to Ko Tao. That’s why I can’t give my personal recommendations about the following spots, but they’re worth looking into. Head to Lonely Planet’s Phetchaburi guide to find out more in detail.
- Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand’s largest national park
- Chao Samran Beach and Cha-Am Beach, both a short ride from the city
- Wat Mahathat Worawihan, the city’s main temple near the old morning market
- Wat Kamphaeng Laeng, Khmer ruins and the oldest structure in Phetchaburi
- The Laem Phak Bia mangrove walk
- Hua Hin, technically a different province but close enough for a day trip. Famous for its resorts.
FAQ about the best things to do in Phetchaburi
What time of day is best to photograph the salt flats?
The best time for photography would be either sunrise or sunset. I took my photos during the middle of the day, but the light turned out a bit harsh. For a daytrip, anytime is fine. Bring some water and sunscreen as there’s not a lot of shade.
Is there an entrance fee for the salt flats?
No. It’s a working agricultural area along a public road. Be respectful of the farmers and their equipment while you’re there.
Can I visit Phetchaburi without renting a motorbike?
Yes. However I do recommend getting a driver for the day. It’s not the place where you can rely on Grab or drivers being standby all the time. A personal driver is still affordable, and will wait for you between your stops.
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About Me
Peter Orsel is a Dutch travel photographer based in Bali, specialized in drone and landscape photography. He has visited over 40 countries and writes detailed, no-nonsense guides based on firsthand experience.