Ban Lo Kho

The Village of Ban Lo Kho is located in the village group Nr. 10 in the Community of Kosamphi in the District of Kosamphi in the Province of Kamphaeng Phet. It is an ethnically mixed village, with group of the Hmong and Karen. The history of the village began in 1805 when the first villagers cam to settle down here. Geographically, it is located on a highland, at the altitude of 500 meters above the sea level. Main occupation of the villagers is working in agricultural sectors. The village has now 93 households with 103 families and 616 inhabitants, most of who are Buddhists, and only some Christians.

Festivals and Traditions The Festival of Hmong New Year takes place annually in December or in January, with many interesting activities, including religious ceremonies like Building up the Chedis with sand, and tribal sports and games and folk entertainment. Recommended handicraft products of the village are textiles of all kinds: Karen-patterned, knitted and wax-painted textiles.

Places of Attraction The main places of attraction in and around the village are the Khlong Pong Waterfall, the Big Banyan Tree (or in Thai: Ton Sai, after which the village was once named), and the village as source of community life itself. A homestay accommodation for interested visitors is offered at the house Nr. 10 in the village.

Ban Pa Kha

The Village of Ban Pa Kha is located in the village group Nr. 8 in the Community of Pong Nam Ron in the District of Khlong Lan in the Province of Kamphaeng Phet. It is a Hmong village. The village has a long history. Forefathers of the villagers had come to live here since 1932. Seven years later their settlements were turned officially to be a village, first with the common name Ban Phu Yai Yi, after the name of the Headman Yi. The official name was Ban Mai Chom Chon Sai. Main occupation of the villagers is working in agriculture. The village has now 107 households with 169 families and 880 inhabitants. Geographically, it is located on a plateau, at the altitude of 900 meters above the sea level. The distance from the village to the provincial City of Kamphaeng Phet is 96 kilometers.

Festivals and Traditions The Festival of Hmong New Year takes place annually in December or in January, with many interesting activities, including tribal sports and games and folk entertainment. Recommended handicraft products of the village are hill tribe-patterned textiles. Specialty of these textiles is that they have been painted with wax.

Places of Attraction The main places of attraction in and around the village are waterfalls, hot spring, caves, one-day trekking tours. A homestay accommodation for interested visitors costs 100 Baht per person and night.

Ban Song Khwae

The Village of Ban Song Khwae is located in the village group Nr. 5 in the Community of Ban Sa Nian in the District of Mueang Nan in the Province of Nan. It is a Hmong village. They moved from Ban Pong Ang and founded the village in 1968. The areas around the village are mountainous and are covered by woods; there are also two brooks. The village has now 265 households with 335 families and 1,413 members. Its inhabitants make their living out of agriculture and working for a day loan. Most of them are Buddhists and some are Christians.

Administratively, the village borders Ban Huai Raphi in the north, areas of the Community of Rueang in the south, Ban Nam Khong in the east, and Ban Pang Poei in the west. The distance from the village to its cultural center is about 300 meters, and to the community forest is 300 meters and 500 meters to the nearby waterfall.

The main festival of the village is the New Rice Feast, which takes place annually in September and October. The festival concentrates on the beliefs of the villagers, religious ceremonies. An another very important festival is the Hmong New Year in December. The celebration is very colorful, for there is a wide variety of activities, actions and "Sanuk". Recommended products of the village are textiles with wax-paintings of ancient Hmong patterns, and with famous Hmong knitting.

An interesting place of attraction in the village is the Hill Tribe's Cultural Center, which also functions as the village's museum. It displays instruments, tools and utilities of the group from the past until now. There are demonstrations showing the ways of life of the group, almost in all aspects. It is located only 300 meters from the village. About 500 meters from the village lies a waterfall, which actually is a part of Sanian Brook: the Sua Tua Waterfall.

If you want to come to visit the village by a public bus, take the bus route Nan-Phayao or Nan-Ban Luang. After about 30 minutes drive, you will be there. By a private car, you drive from the provincial City of Nan only 19 kilometers, then you stand already in the village.

Ban Huai Yuak

The Village of Ban Huai Yuak is located in the village group Nr. 6 in the Community of Mae Khaning in the District of Wiang Sa in the Province of Nan. It is a Hmong village. In 1971, the villagers from Ban Phu Keng had moved to this place and founded the village. It has now 100 households with 123 families and 868 members.

Geographically, the village of Ban Huai Yuak is situated 44 kilometers away from the provincial City of Nan. Administratively, the village borders Ban Pang Poei in the north, Ban Huai Na Ngiew in the south, Ban Pang Poei again in the east, and areas of the District of Ban Luang in the west.

Festivals and Traditions The main festival of the village is the Hmong New Year, which takes place annually in December to January. The festival takes place on the central ground in the village, with religious ceremonies, sport and games and other tribal entertaining activities.

Places of Attraction The community of "Phi Tong Lueang" group (Mlabri), which is the least developed tribal group, is also a part of this village. The Hmong community in this village itself has preserved its culture and way of life in its origin.

Ban Pha Lai (Huai I Ko)-2

Places of Attractions There are many places of attractions in the village that show the living ways of the Karen, the Lisu, the Akha and the Parong. There are also caves and waterfalls. Other tourist activities are hiking and walking in the woods, not far from the village, which are rich in wide variety of plants. Proper dressing is highly recommended. You can ask for information and maps from any Village's Committee members.

Local products, including hand waved cloths, sacks, bags and many products made of Bamboo can be purchased in the village's shop and in front of any houses.

In order to go to the Ban Pha Lai, you can take the regular service bus route Chiang Mai-Fang, starting from the Chang Phueak Station, which takes about 2 hours. With a private car, you take the Highway Nr. 107 Chiang Mai-Fang, passing the Administrative Offices of Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Chiang Dao. The whole distance is about 80 kilometers. The village has a guesthouse for 50 Baht per night and person. You can also stay overnight in the guesthouse at the nearby Ban Pang Daeng Phatthana (in the village group Nr. 9) at the same price.

Ban Pha Lai (Huai I Ko)

General Information: The Village of Ban Pha Lai (Huai I Ko) is located in the village group Nr. 16 in the Community Chiang Dao in the District of Chiang Dao in the Province of Chiang Mai. It is a village with mixed ethnic population. Karen, Lisu and Akha live peacefully together. The first villagers were Karen, who came in 3 families in 1957. About 20 years later, 15 Lisu families came to settle down in the west border of the village. In 1982, 10 more Akha families came to join and build their houses, also in the west border. The first trekking tourists come to the village in 1984. In 1998, the village has got an asphalt street coming directly into the village. There are now 94 households (17 Karen, 42 Lisu and 35 Akha households) with 124 families and 814 inhabitants in the village.

The village of Ban Pha Lai is situated geographically on an intermontane plain, surrounded by mountains. The distance from the Administrative Office of Chiang Dao to the village is 12 kilometers. Administratively, the village borders Ban Huai Nam Rin, a Lisu village, in the north, the administrative areas of Phrao in the south and in the east, and Ban Pang Khae in the west. The distance from Ban Pha Lai to the nearby waterfall is 3 hours by walking, to the Chiang Dao Cave is 20 kilometers, to Ban Parong 5 kilometers, and 10 kilometers to Ban Musur.

Festivals and Tradition: The main festival in Ban Pha Lai is set to celebrate the Christmas events in December. The festival takes place in the village's church with entertainment activities of the ethnic groups. The Swing Festival of the Akha takes place in January-February with their entertainment activities like folk dancing and singing.

Ban Huai Luek

The Village of Ban Huai Luek is located in the village group Nr. 7 in the Community Ping Khong in the District of Chiang Dao in the Province of Chiang Mai. It is a Hmong village, and was set up in 1967. At that time, there were some Hmong moving from the District of Chom Thong in Chiang Mai and from the District of Lom Sak in Phetchabun. A Royal Project has been set up the help the villagers to promote the growing of vegetables and flowers. There are now 155 households in 192 families and for 1,403 inhabitants in the village. Most of them make their living with agriculture, they are all Buddhists.

The village is situated geographically near the Highway Nr. 107 (Chiang Mai-Fang) between the district cities of Chaiprakan and Chiang Dao, at Km 85. The village is therefore well connected to other places. You can come to it with a regular service bus.

The village is located on a plain at the altitude of 559 meters above the sea level. There are stony mountains in the north and the west. In the east, there is a river. In the village, there is a pond and a reservoir. The village itself borders Ban Huai Chakhan in the north, Ban Mai Samakkhi in the south, Ban On in the east and Ban Nong Tao in the west. The distance from Ban Huai Luek to the well known tourism destination of Ang Khang is 70 kilometers, to the border pass of Kiew Pha Wok 70 kilometers, 300 meters to the Royal Project Station, and 4 kilometers to the mountain climbing point.

Festivals and Tradition : The Festival of New Year in Ban Huai Luek is set to celebrate in December till January. The festival takes place in the village with entertainment like sword dances, and folk games and sports like spinning tops.

Festivals of Ban Um Yom

Festivals and Traditions The Festival of Lahu New Year takes place annually in January, with many interesting activities, including tribal sports and games and folk entertainment. The New Rice Feast is held in September, with typical tribal dances of the group, the Chakhue Dances. Main concept of the festival is to thank the Spirits, Gods and other Holiness for having contributed to the fruitful cropping year. The villagers also make merit together and convey it to all these holiness.

Places of Attraction The main place of attraction in and around the village is the community with its specific way of life. Recommended and well-known product of the village is fresh coffee beans Arabica. In its production process, no chemicals are added. Taste of the Um Tom's coffee beans is much beloved by professional coffee drinkers

Ban Um Yom

The Village of Ban Um Yom is located in the village group Nr. 6 in the Community of Mae Tho in the District of Mueang in the Province of Tak. It is a Lahu village. The first villagers, Lahu Shele or Musur Shele, who had moved from the Doi Chang in the Province of Chiang Rai, came to live here in 1947. Their settlement was called with the name Ban Cha Khae. Twelve years later, in 1959, their settlements were turned officially to be a village, now with the name Ban Um Yom, after the name of the brook of the village. Geographically, it is located on a mountain pasture plain, at the altitude of 930 meters above the sea level. The connection of the village with the outside world is good for the whole year. The village has now 67 households with 77 families and 287 inhabitants. Main occupation of the villagers is working in agricultural section and working for a day loan. Most of the villagers are Buddhists.

The village borders Ban Hmong Mae Tho in the north, Ban Hmong Ton Mamuang in the south, the National Park of Lan Sang in the east and the Provincial Development and Hill Tribe Welfare Center of Tak in the west. The distance from the village to the provincial City of Tak is 28 kilometers. The village itself is located on the Highway Nr. 105 Route Tak-Mae Sot, at the Km 26

Ban Kriang Krai Bon

The Village of Ban Kriang Krai - Lam Kha Khaeng is located in the village group Nr. 3 in the Community of Khao Chot in the District of Si Sawat in the Province of Kanchanaburi. It is an old settlement of the Karen, who live with the Thai of flat land. These people make their living out of working in the fields or working for a day loan. The woods and mountains surround the village, which is situated on the edge of the reservoir of the Sri Nakharin Dam. The village has now 30 households with 32 families and 152 inhabitants, most of who are Buddhists.

The village borders the Wild Animals Conservation Area of Huai Kha Khaeng in Uthai Thani in the north, Ban Nam Phu in the south, Ban Ta Phoen Khi in the east and the Upper part of River Khwae Yai in the west. The distance from the village to Thung Makok is 30 kilometers, to animal viewing spot 5 kilometers, to the Nature Trails 2.5 kilometers and 1.5 kilometers to the Protestant Church.

The Festival of New Rice takes place annually in March on the ground near the abbot's living quarter. The ceremony of Drinking of Boiled Water is held in April. Each family will bring boiled water, rice, food and desserts / sweets to the living quarter of the abbot of the village's temple, wash his feet as symbol of respect, ask him for apology for what they may have done wrong to him and give him water and foods. The abbot will forgive all sins, blesses all the present laymen and give them their water back. This water will be drunk in turn from the eldest members of the village to the youngsters. The ceremony is concluded with musical entertainment, dancing and singing.

Places of Attraction The main places of attraction and spots of interest have something to do with the Sri Nakharin Dam and with wild life of Huai Kha Khaeng Conservation Park for Wild Animals. Trips with boat or raft, fishing, viewing of wild life or just enjoying the nature's beauty are recommended activities for interested visitors of the village.

Ban Den Yang Mun

General Information

The Village of Ban Den Yang Mun is located in the village group Nr. 12 in the Community of Na Sai in the District of Li in the Province of Lamphun. It is a Karen village. The history of the village began in 1963, when the community of Phrabat Huai Tom was not an officially founded village yet, but still a wild community amidst the forests and belonged administratively to a village of Na Liang in the village group Nr. 1. In that village's temple, the most respected Khruba Wongsa lived, after he had widely traveled a lot in the northern region and had taught to members of many hill tribes. He was well known and much respected and loved by the tribal peoples.

In 1971, a group of Karen (18 families with 65 members) in the Community of Mae Tuen in the District of Mae Ramat in the Province of Tak has moved to live there. Since then the village has developed rapidly. In 1975 the village got its own headman. The village borders Ban Phae Nong Ha in the north, Ban Mae La in the south, Ban Na Liang in the east and Ban Pha Tai in the west. The distance from the middle of the village, Phrabat Huai Tom (or the Buddha's Footprint of Huai Tom), to the laterite pool is 2 kilometers, to the Ironsmith Group 2 kilometers and 3 kilometers to the Silversmith Group.

Festivals and Traditions

The Festival of Amazing Karen takes place annually on the 14th January on the demonstration ground of the village, with many interesting activities, including Cotton Dance, Sword Dance, blowing the buffalo's horns, and folk music.

Recommended handicraft products of the village are Karen-patterned textiles, which are used to make bags, table sheets, hand made clothes. Other products are silverwares. The community shop for textiles has a telephone number: 0-9553-9038, and for silver products 0-9265-2688. How to Get There At the Bus Station of Li, you take the public serviced bus route Li-Huai Ya Sai, and after a drive of about 30 minutes, you will be there. With a private car, you take the Highway route 106 at the start in the provincial City of Lamphun. The village is located about 10 kilometers after the District Office of Li

Places of Attraction

The main place of attraction in the village is the Buudha's Footprint of Huai Tom or Phrabat Huai Tom with religious sites, including the Chedi Sri Wiang Chai. The visits at the laterite pool and of the Ironsmith, Silversmith and Textile Groups are worthwhile.

In the nearby Royal Project of Phrabat Huai Tom, there are research and demonstration fields of fruit trees, rice, vegetables and herbs. This Royal Project also offers an accommodation for 300 Baht per person and night. You can also get an accommodation at the National Park Mae Ping in the Community of Ko in the same District of Li for the same price, that is for 300 Baht per person and night.