Mae Kampong: a haven for eco-tourists
In Mae Kampong, 50 kilometers from Chiang Rai, electricity is generated with hydropower and the villagers use herbs as medicine. Tourists can learn how to pick and ferment tea and get information about the Lanna culture of the village. They can go hiking, climbing mountains or cycling. And they spend the night and eat with residents.
All of that is part of the homestay service introduced 15 years ago. Not only has it increased the income of the 134 families, but it has also brought recognition to the village. In 2010, it won the Gold Award in the culture category from the Pacific Asia Travel Association, and in June it received an award from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports as the best role model for Thailand's home stays.
“We have successfully turned Mae Kampong into an agricultural and ecotourism destination,” says former village chief Teeramate Kajongpattanapirom, who oversees the homestay. He was founded in 1999. The demand for fermented tea, which, along with coffee, was the villagers' main source of income, declined. It homestaymodel provided an alternative source of income, now worth 2 million baht per year plus 30.000 baht for each participating household.
One Tambon One Product
The start coincided with the launch of the One Tambon One Product program, which aims to allow villages to specialize on one product, with the Otop organization taking care of the marketing and selling the products in Otop stores and at fairs. Mae Kampong had no product, but it did have a rich nature and culture and a serene ambiance.
The Kiriwong homestay in Nakhon Si Thammarat served as an example and Mae Kampong brought her homestay to the Otop program. The villagers rolled up their sleeves and built a welcome arch and a wooden staircase with signposts to the nearby waterfall. Initially, seven households made their homes available, now there are 24. The number remains limited, because quality must be delivered.
The village is now able to receive 4.000 travelers per year for the homestay service plus visitors who drop in all year round. Sixty percent of the visitors are Thai, the average length of stay is two days. An overnight stay costs 100 baht per person, three meals 180 baht. Groups can hire a guide for 200 baht and visitors can enjoy a cultural performance Bai Si Sukwan book a welcome ceremony for 1.500 baht or a traditional music performance for 1.000 baht.
Guests, especially foreigners, have praised Mae Kampong on travel websites such as Tripadvisor.com, but that doesn't mean the villagers are resting on their laurels. “Despite what we have achieved, we will continue to develop our village to improve the lives of the villagers,” says Teeramate. 'I regularly organize meetings to discuss matters such as what to do with waste.'
Source: Bangkok Post