Sea Salt Farms

If you travel towards popular seaside towns of Cha-Am or Hua Hin, about 50km south west from Bangkok between the provinces of Samut Sakhon & Samut Songkhran, you would not miss a stretch of salts farms both sides of the Rama II Road. In fact there are countless salt farms scattered between the coast and the main road for possibly a hundred km!

Satellite view of the section between Samut Sakhon & Samut Songkhran (along Rama II Road in yellow on Google Earth). The white patches are likely to be reflections from salt beds.















These are large shallow & flat pools with sea water pumped in by wind power and the use of solar energy in evaporating water to leave a layer of salt behind. The process is repeated over and over. Don't ask how many times and what happens when it rains before harvest!

This view is from the road side restaurant I normally stop for breaks.
















A little walk to check out the windmill driven water pump. Notice the low bushes along the foot path are salt resistant.
















Nothing hi-tech here! Almost made out of wood except for the steel wheels, simply ingenious!
















Close up view of wooden conveyor belt to draw water up.
(picture of one found in antique store)
















Harvesting scene if you are lucky to pass at right time, this was taken before the raining season begins in May
















Panoramic view of salt piles during harvest








At left is a salt storage shed.





Fancy pulling over to buying a sackful? Last you a life time!
















The final impression? Simple and effective, clever use of solar & wind as primary energy source!