The monsoon turns a crisis into opportunity as "white shrimp" flood Wang Kaew Bay in Rayong Province. Fishermen head out to sea, setting nets to catch them and selling at 250-280 baht per kilogram, earning tens of thousands of baht per day.
On 2 September 2026, Mr. Anon Wongyaem, the district chief of Klaeng, along with Mr. Chanchai Sriprasit, village headman of Village No. 2, Chakphong Subdistrict, Klaeng District, Rayong Province, visited to observe the lifestyle of small-scale Wang Kaew fishermen while they set nets to catch white shrimp in Wang Kaew Bay. This occurs during the rainy and monsoon season, from around late June to September each year.
The fishermen revealed that during this period, the sea experiences strong waves and winds, but it is also the time when many white shrimp come to feed in Wang Kaew Bay. This is thus an important season for small-scale fishermen, who temporarily stop setting nets for crabs and instead go out to set nets for white shrimp about 2-3 times per day.
The shrimp caught can be sold at about 250-280 baht per kilogram, enabling some fishermen to earn several tens of thousands of baht daily. This income supports their families and circulates within the fishing community during this season.
Wang Kaew Bay has a unique geography compared to some other coastal areas, as mountains shield it from waves and wind, creating suitable conditions for aquatic animals to feed, even during the monsoon season. The strong waves and currents during the monsoon stir up sediment, along with accumulated organic matter and marine remains from the seabed, dispersing them into the water. This natural food source attracts white shrimp to feed in the bay.
After the rainy and monsoon season ends, the number of white shrimp decreases. Small-scale Wang Kaew fishermen then return to their usual practice of setting nets for fish and crabs. This shift reflects their adaptation of fishing methods in line with seasonal cycles and the abundance of marine resources.
This pattern has become a regular traditional fishing cycle every year. The monsoon season is not only marked by strong waves and winds but is also a "golden season" that generates income for small-scale Wang Kaew fishermen and nearby fishing communities. After catching the shrimp, they prepare various dishes such as shrimp in fish sauce, grilled shrimp, tom yum soup, garlic-fried shrimp, spicy shrimp salad, and many other recipes using these fresh seafood ingredients.
