Rating: 5/5 (1 votes)

Open Days: Visits are available by advance appointment

Opening Hours: Approximately 09:00 – 17:00

 

BPK Clay Industry is one of the places that clearly reflects the history of local industry in Ang Thong Province. This old brick factory is located in Bang Plakot Subdistrict, Pa Mok District, Ang Thong Province, and it has been a source of clay brick production for more than seven decades. The site is not only a brick factory, but also a learning center for traditional Thai brick-making wisdom passed down from one generation to the next. It also reflects the role of Ang Thong Province in the development of Thailand’s construction industry over many decades.

 

Ang Thong Province has long been associated with traditional craftsmanship, whether in drum making, woodworking, basketry, or pottery. This is because the province lies in the Chao Phraya River basin, where alluvial soil is especially suitable for producing construction materials such as bricks and tiles. The local soil is fine-textured, highly cohesive, and rich in minerals that produce a distinctive reddish-orange color after firing. As a result, bricks made from this soil are strong, durable, and visually appealing.

 

BPK Clay Industry began in 1944. Its founder, a craftsman of Chinese descent whom local people referred to as “Akong,” brought brick- and tile-making knowledge from China and adapted it for use in Thailand. He founded a brick factory under the name “Heng Mui Lee,” which was considered one of the country’s earliest producers of exposed bricks and tiles at that time.

 

During that era, Thailand was entering a period of urban and construction development. Many buildings and homes began using fired clay bricks instead of more traditional materials. This brick factory therefore played an important role in supplying bricks for construction work in Ang Thong and nearby provinces, as well as for various building projects that required strong, high-quality materials.

 

The name “BPK” stamped on the factory’s bricks comes from the name of the subdistrict where the factory is located: Bang Plakot. It was used as a mark on the bricks to identify their place of origin. Bricks bearing the “BPK” stamp gradually became a symbol of quality and were widely recognized among contractors and architects for many years.

 

One of the key strengths of this old brick factory is its use of surface soil from the Ang Thong area, which has particularly suitable properties for brick making. This type of soil has a fine texture and a reddish-orange hue from natural minerals. When fired at high temperatures, the bricks become especially strong and develop a beautiful surface texture, making them ideal for exposed-brick architectural use.

 

The brick production process at BPK Clay Industry still preserves many traditional methods. It begins with soil selection, followed by mixing the soil to the proper consistency, shaping it with molds, drying the bricks, and then firing them in large kilns. These steps require considerable skill and experience, since controlling the firing temperature and duration directly affects the final quality of the bricks.

 

The factory’s main products include several types of clay bricks, such as exposed bricks for decorative walls, ventilation bricks that help improve airflow and reduce indoor heat, and clay roof tiles used in both traditional and modern architecture. These bricks have long been favored by architects and designers because of their natural texture and distinctive character.

 

Ventilation bricks are another highly popular product in modern building design, as they help improve airflow and control natural light entering a building. They also add pattern and dimension to walls, creating architectural beauty.

 

Over a period of more than 77 years, this old brick factory has gone through continuous change and development. Today, the business is maintained and carried forward by the second and third generations, who remain committed to preserving production standards and product quality while also adapting to the demands of the modern market.

 

Even though construction material technology has advanced considerably, products from BPK Clay Industry continue to be favored by many customers and designers because clay bricks are strong, durable, and naturally beautiful in a way that is difficult to replicate.

 

Today, BPK Clay Industry also welcomes interested visitors to tour the factory and learn about the clay brick production process. This is especially valuable for school groups, university students, and various organizations wishing to study industrial production and local craftsmanship. However, visits must be arranged in advance.

 

A visit to this old brick factory allows visitors to see the brick-making process from beginning to end, while also experiencing the atmosphere of a traditional clayworks that still preserves its old production methods in a fascinating way.

 

This place is therefore considered another important learning destination in Ang Thong Province, because it not only reflects local wisdom in the production of construction materials, but also forms part of the valuable economic and industrial history of the area.

 

Getting There BPK Clay Industry is located at 80/kor, Moo 1, Bang Plakot Subdistrict, Pa Mok District, Ang Thong Province. From Bangkok, visitors can take Highway 32 toward Ang Thong Province. After reaching Pa Mok District, continue driving toward Bang Plakot Subdistrict along local roads. The BPK Clay Industry factory is located not far from the community and the district’s key landmarks.

 

 

A: It is a historic clay brick factory in Ang Thong Province that was founded in 1944.

 

A: The factory is more than 70 years old and is still operating today.

 

A: Yes. Visitors can tour the factory and study the production process, but advance booking is recommended.

 

A: Fired clay bricks are strong, durable, and have a naturally beautiful surface texture.

 

A: They help improve airflow, reduce indoor heat, and add architectural pattern and visual interest.