Ban Thong Agricultural Station

En route to Krabi, about 22 km (14 mi.) north-west of the town, Highway 4 passes Ban Thong Agricultural Station, a pilot farm for breeding new varieties of rubber, tea and coffee plants (open to visitors). Proof of the results can be seen in the rubber plantations stretching between here and the town. White mats of latex, made from the rubber sap that oozes into the cups on the trunks of the trees, are laid out to dry in front of the mostly wooden huts. Thailand's rubber plays a major part in its balance of trade and is exported to many countries throughout the world.