Bang Pu Coast and Fishponds, covering approximately 385 hectares along the Inner Gulf of Thailand in Samut Prakan Province, is a compact but highly significant coastal wetland near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. The site comprises intertidal mudflats, mangrove forests, brackish marshes, and adjacent fishponds, representing some of the last remaining natural coastal habitats in the heavily urbanized Bangkok metropolitan region. Despite its small size, Bang Pu supports globally significant congregations of migratory waterbirds, including the Near Threatened Black‑tailed Godwit and Brown‑headed Gull, as well as large numbers of shorebirds and gulls, making it one of the most important wintering sites in Southeast Asia. The site is recognized as a Flyway Network Site under the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership.

Bang Pu provides essential regulating and cultural ecosystem services, including flood protection, water quality regulation, shoreline stabilization, and nature‑based recreation and environmental education. The wetland is uniquely well protected through the stewardship of the Royal Thai Army, in partnership with conservation organizations and local stakeholders, yet faces growing pressures from upstream pollution, surrounding aquaculture and industrial activities, and coastal erosion exacerbated by sea‑level rise. Strengthening integrated site management, improving wastewater and pollution control, promoting biodiversity‑friendly aquaculture, restoring degraded mangroves and fishponds, and expanding carefully planned nature‑based tourism offer key opportunities to enhance resilience while safeguarding biodiversity and public benefits in this urban coastal landscape.

RFI Site Snapshot