Ban Huai Tat

Ban Huai Tat Tambon of Inthakhin in the District of Mae Taeng in the Province of Chiang Mai. The Village of Ban Huai Tat is located in the village group Nr. 16 in the Community of Inthakhin in the District of Mae Taeng in the Province of Chiang Mai. It is a Lahu or Musur village. Officially, there is no tourism in this village except there are some Thais coming to visit and look at the way of life of the villagers, and then buy some products of the women group. The activities of this women group are supported and trained by foreigners. Some of them also live in the village. The village has now a population of 482 persons in 106 households and 110 families. Most of them are Christians.

The village is located on a forested area with origin woods. There are now coffee plantations among the woods. Many brooks surround it. The village is situated 70 kilometers from the City of Chiang Mai. One follows the Highway 107 Chiang Mai-Fang, and turns at Km. 62, following the route to the Settlement of Doi Chiang Dao for other 8 kilometers

Festivals and Traditional Rituals : The Lahu New Year or Kinwo festival is carried out around the beginning of January every year and takes place on the Bodhi Ground in the middle of the village. There are traditional dances and folk sports and games. Men will play spinning tops, and women play a traditional pitching game.

The traditional New Rice Feast is set up during the month of November. Every household growing rice has to join this festival. All families will come together and donate money, with which foods will be bought. Guests from other villages are invited to join. After having thanked to gods and holy spirits for raining, sunshine and growth of crops, they all have a banquet a feast together.

Places of Attractions : You can come to the village by bus or a private car, by taking the route Chiang Mai-Fang, passing the Districts of Mae Rim and Mae Taeng. It lies about 62 kilometers from the City of Chiang Mai.

In the neighborhood of the village, you have the Cave of Wat Khu Ha Pha Suk, the Cave of Huai Fak Dap in the village of Huai Fak Dap, the Spring Ki Lit in the village of Ban Bang Kit. The village itself has guesthouses, a Cultural Center with demonstration of traditional dances of the Lahu, tea plantations, and green and abounding woods.

It costs 500 Baht per night to stay overnight in a guesthouse, but 200 Baht in a homestay in a Lahu family. There are no restaurants in the village. Local food can be prepared by villagers. It is recommended to make a trekking walk from the village of Ban Mae Thalai via Ban Huai Tat to Ban Huai Fak Dap. You can learn a lot about the nature and daily life of villagers. Not forget to bring enough drinking water and lunch with you.