Muang Kluang Village
Way of Life
Muang Kluang village offers an insight into a unique way of life in Thailand, removed from the tourist path.
Small-scale fishing and agriculture, such as rubber and fruit plantations, are the area's main livelihoods. Village-produced seafood goods include shrimp paste, dried shrimp, and grouper.
Nearby, organic fruit orchards and a mangrove conservation center provide access to a wealth of traditional knowledge. Extraordinary scenery surrounds the village, including Laem Son National Park.
The village began opening their homes and lives to guests as an effort to preserve their culture. Community-based tourism allows the village to be self-sustaining without becoming a tourist center. The benefits of exchanging language and culture are rewarding for both guests and villagers.
Location
Muang Kluang is located in Tambon Muang Kluang, Kapoe District, Ranong Province. The Tambon consists of approximately 900 households with a population of 3,343. The large majority are Muslim. Muang Kluang contains four villages: Ban Muang Kluang, Ban Bang Ben, Ban Samnak and Ao Khoei.
Tambon Muang Kluang is surrounded by Tambon Ratchakrud to the north, Tambon Kapoe to the east and south, and the Andaman Sea to the west. The Tambon has an area of 56.24 km2 (35,105 rai) of which roughly 45 percent is flat terrain, 25 percent is mountainous, and 30 percent is Kapoe Bay. Area map.
History
Muang Kluang, which translates directly as "hole in a mango tree," takes its name from a legend of the settlers who came from Phuket more than 100 years ago, and chose a giant mango tree as the center of their village. Muang Kluang Ecotourism and Homestay Club is a flagship member of the Ranong Eco-tourism Network.
We all sat and ate some great food. For me this was the most interesting part of the trip because I felt like I was in true Thailand.
Ruth, Ireland
Religion in Muang Kluang
Muang Kluang is a traditional Muslim village. Islam shapes the villagers' daily lives. Throughout the year there are important ceremonies, presided over by the Imam (Muslim High Priest). Some of these important cultural traditions are:
- The beginning of Ramadan, when the villagers prepare for the Ramadan ceremony. Ramadan, lasting 30 days, during which villagers must not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset.
- Eid-al-Fitr, big celebrations that mark the end of Ramadan
- The Sunut cultural ceremony, which takes place when a boy is nine years old and a girl is fourteen years old
- Nika (Marriage ceremony), the man and woman consent to marriage
- Funeral ceremony at the Koobo (graveyard)
- Lamaad (praying) where Muslim people pray five times a day
Awards
In 2007, Muang Kluang was awarded "The Most Outstanding Community-based Tourism Award" by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The awards are designed to promote the conservation of the country's precious natural and cultural resources and support sustainable tourism development in tandem with the quality development of the Thai tourism industry.
