Northern Thailand

Chiang Rai’s Doi Pha Mee – Community-Based Tourism with a Difference

Published

7 years ago

October 25, 2017

Bchcomber

A visiting journalist tries the Akha swing at Baan Pha Mhee in Chiang Rai.- Photo Chester Chin

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CHIANG RAI – “Can you see Kuala Lumpur?” a Thai journalist shouts out as a Malaysian travel writer takes to the skies on a giant wooden swing by the edge of a cliff.

Of course, he was just ribbing as there was no way one could see Kuala Lumpur from there, unless one had superpowers.

After all, we are on the hilly terrains of Doi Pha Mee (which literally translates as “Bear Mountain”) in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai, Thailand. KL is about 2,000km away.

It is my turn now. Two village men hoist the swing up and pull back as far as they can. My feet begin to lift off the ground and then, without any warning, the men let go.

The sensation of the cold wind as I swing upwards and forwards, towards the majestic view of the highlands, is pure euphoria. The scenery beyond is one of clear blue skies meeting emerald-green slopes. On the horizon, Thailand’s northern-most city comes into view.
People of the hill

Journalists who attended the ASEAN Travel Journo Camp had a chance to experience the adrenaline of the Akha Swing.-Photo Chester Chin

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The Akha Swing, named after the Akha hill tribe that calls Doi Pha Mee home, is more than just a thrill-seeking instrument. It forms the basis of one of Thailand’s most interesting cultural rituals – the Akha Swing Festival.

Held during the rainy month of August, the festival brings together the community in celebration of the harvest season. It is also a time for women in the tribe to look for prospective husbands, says our guide Patomporn Pongnin.

“Men show off how strong they are by swinging as hard as they can. The higher the men swing, the better they are as husbands,” says Ms Patomporn amid giggles from some Akha women present at the tour.

During the festival, Akha women are decked in elaborate ornaments and colourful indigenous clothes that they have made.

Ms Patomporn – or Bow as she is affectionately known – works with Local Alike, a Bangkok-based social enterprise that helps rural communities develop community-based tourism in their respective villages.

Akha tribe members wearing traditional costumes at Doi Pha Mee. The polwang (second from left) stands as their community leader.

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This tourism initiative in Doi Pha Mee, which took off in October last year, is something that the villagers are excited to participate in.

In fact, our entourage – comprising participants of the Asean Travel Journo Camp, which is initiated by the Thai Journalists Association and supported by AirAsia – is the first batch of media members to visit the settlement.

For long-time resident Mint Phugsaphantawee, tourist arrivals allow the village to shake off the misconception that comes with the proximity to its border with Myanmar.

“People have this perception that since the village is near the border, it is not safe. But that’s not true. We want to let people know it is safe to visit our village. Please come join us and experience our way of life,” she says.

It is a sincere invitation as, on arrival, we are greeted by bright smiles and a genuine attempt by the villagers to make all guests feel at home.

The folks here are really keen to show off their lifestyle. This is most evident when we make a stop at a workshop to observe the locals weave cloth and make traditional rice cakes.

Here at the little shack, elderly women smile shyly as they show us how to make cotton thread and pound the ingredients for rice cakes.
Royal legacy

The villagers of Doi Pha Mee are always keen to share the story of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej – Photo Chester Chin

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But if there is one thing the folks of Doi Pha Mee love to share more than their way of life, it would be the story of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s visit to the village in January 1970. The king died in October 2016, with Thailand currently observing a one-year mourning period.

Community leader Chanyuth Rungtaweepittayakul recounts how the village used to be a hub for opium cultivation in the late 1960s.

“All that changed when the king visited and brought with him lychee and coffee to grow,” says the man who is referred to as por luang (village head) by the villagers. He adds that many residents wanted to flee from the village back then because it was not safe due to its proximity to the border.

But the monarch managed to convince the villagers to stay and to start planting coffee.

“We have been growing coffee here for almost 50 years now,” the village head says proudly. Today, that legacy stands tall in the form of a two-storey coffee house made of natural materials such as bamboo and attap leaves.

The cherry fruit where the bean used to produce Arabica coffee is found. The Akha tribe prefers to sort the reddest fruit which means the bean is ripe enough to be harvested.

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Visitors will find an array of beverages: espresso, latte, cappuccino, mocha and the home-grown brew – Doi Pha Mee coffee.

I opt for an iced variation of the local brew, with a dash of coconut. One sip of the aromatic beverage and I am thankful the villagers heeded the late king’s advice.

The village is open to travelers all year round, but August is the best time to visit as it is the rice-planting season. The rice is harvested in December to coincide with the birth month of the late king.

Getting into the muddy waters to plant the seedlings is the highlight of my trip. With my knees deep in the padi fields and under supervision from the resident farmers, the scene really does not get more local than this.

By Chester Chin

Northern Thailand

Tubers on Pai River Draw Anger Over Inappropriate Behavior

Published

7 months ago

July 16, 2024

Thomas3940

The Governor of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has sought stricter rules for tourist tubing on the Pai River, following allegations of tourists sneaking into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police reports and considerable criticism online.

After a resort owner in Pai protested about the existing situation of tubing activities along the Pai River, the Governor became aware of the matter. According to the accusations, wine and beer are discreetly offered to tourists while disguised in plastic water bottles to prevent detection.

After their tubing adventures, these tourists, both men and women, would walk around Pai town in their swimsuits. Men often wear one pair of swim briefs, but most women wear two-piece swimsuits or bikinis.

This behavior was considered derogatory to local culture. Recently, there were instances of tourists slipping into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police investigations and considerable online criticism.

Following the complaint, provincial governor Chuchip Pongchai requested a meeting of the police and allied authorities on July 16 to explore further tourism restrictions.

The province already restricts the selling of alcohol to tourists who go tubing, which involves floating down a river on inner tubes made of rubber tires. Most people observe the guidelines, but others, including some store owners, break them by concealing the alcohol by pouring it in water bottles.

According to TNA, Pai is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular tourist spots, attracting 40,000 visitors each year and strengthening Thailand’s economy.

Tubing in the Pai River has become a favorite activity among foreigners. However, the governor stated that the attitude of some tourists has jeopardised the province’s image.

Tourists Tubing on Pai River

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Northern Thailand

Pregnant Woman Goes Psycho Stabs Family Members in Phayao

Published

7 months ago

July 15, 2024

Thomas3940

Police in northern Thailand’s Phayao province have arrested a 40-year-old pregnant mother for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm.

Phayao Police report they were called after a woman and her daughter had been stabbed and beaten by a family member to a house number 206, Soi 7, Village No. 3, Ban San Nong Niao Subdistrict. Tom, Mueang District.

When officers arrived they found Ms. Chayada Chaiyawan, age 45, and her daughter Ms. Patida Chaiyawan, age 19, with injuries to their bodies and heads. Blood was spread all over the bedroom, and they found Mrs. Sakulkarn, aged 40 years, who was a relative living next door, tied up.

The police then transported all of them to Phayao Hospital for treatment. Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice. Both also sustained head injuries, according to Phayao police.

Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice

Ms. Chayada told police the incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. She was sleeping in the room with her young son, when she heard someone opened the bedroom door. She said at that time it was still dark and all she saw a shadow of a person lifting what she though was a hammer.

She said the got up and fought until she fell after being hit in the head and stabbed with a knife, in fear for her life she screamed for her daughter to come and help. When the daughter entered the room the assailant proceeded to hit her in the head and stabbed her also.

The assailant ran out of the room and was immediately restrained by a neighbour who heard the screaming and ran into the house to help. Mrs. Sakulkarn who was 7 months pregnant was tied up and police and rescue workers were called to the scene. The neighbour told police that all the time they were waiting for the police.

Police said Mrs. Sakulkarn is being held in Hospital and is under psychiatric care. Ms. Chayada and her daughter were treated for their injuries and sent home.

According to Thai Media, Police said charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm will be filed against Mrs. Sakulkarn after she is released from Hospital.

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Northern Thailand

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province

Published

7 months ago

July 10, 2024

Bchcomber

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province.

Five people were killed and two others badly injured when a pickup truck was hit by a north-bound train at an unguarded railway crossing in Phitchit province on Monday evening.

Phitchit police reported the horrific crash occurred around 6 pm at Moo 1 village in tambon Pak Thang of Muang district of Phitchit.

Police said the 201 passenger train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok approached the crossing, which was unguarded and had no safety barriers.

A four-door pickup truck plates drove across the tracks and into the path of oncoming the train which was was unable to stop or slowdown in time to avoid hitting the pickup truck.

The force of the crash drove the pickup about 30 metres down the railway crossing and off to the side. All passengers on the pickup were thrown from the vehicle.

Three women passengers died immediately and two more passengers died later at Phichit Hospital. Two others including the driver of the pickup were seriously injured.

Police investigators said truck driver Pratya Khongthat, 40, was taking relatives, including a 14-yea-old girl, to a funeral at Wat Ratchangkhwan in tambon Pak Thang, approximately one kilometer from the accident scene.