Pak Nam Prasae is a coastal wetland located at the mouth of the Prasae River along the eastern Gulf of Thailand in Rayong Province, extending marginally into Chanthaburi Province. The site comprises extensive mangrove forests and intertidal mudflats that form one of the most important coastal wetland systems in the eastern Gulf of Thailand. It is nationally recognized for its biodiversity value and supports internationally significant populations of migratory waterbirds, including the Endangered Spotted Greenshank, with seasonal congregations exceeding 5% of the global population. These coastal ecosystems play a critical role in maintaining habitat connectivity and supporting fisheries productivity along the Gulf of Thailand coastline.

The site is also essential to local livelihoods, supporting fishing-dependent communities through coastal and estuarine fisheries, crab and shrimp aquaculture, agriculture, and small-scale tourism. Pak Nam Prasae provides key ecosystem services, including food provision, coastal protection, and climate regulation through its mangrove forests, alongside cultural and recreational values. However, pressures from coastal erosion, invasive species, aquaculture expansion, and climate change threaten long-term sustainability. Strengthening site-based management, restoring degraded mangrove habitats, improving climate resilience, and promoting sustainable aquaculture and fisheries present key opportunities to enhance livelihoods, reinforce community stewardship, and safeguard the ecosystem services of this nationally important coastal wetland.

RFI Site Snapshot