Fah Thai Magazine Jan-Feb 2019

OVERTURES
THAILAND TREASURES
Tucked away in the hills of Mae Hong Son
province and in the north of Thailand, Chumchon
Baan Ja Bo (Baan Ja Bo community) in Pang Ma Pha
district is an hour drive from the town of Pai.
Baan Ja Bo, a village where the Black Lahu, an
ethnic minority live. A hospitable community,
travellers who go there get treated as friends.
Many find it hard not to fall in love with the
warm-hearted villagers who take pride in their tribal
identity, culture, language and unique dressing.
The hill tribe community offers homestay
accommodations where visitors can appreciate
the authentic and unique experience of the
traditional Lahu way of life. After an overnight
stay, enjoy the sea of mist that forms in the
morning and spend time visiting the prehistoric
Tham Phee Man (Coffin Cave) where wooden
coffins from olden times were found. Visit
Tham Bo Naam Saksit (a sacred well) where the
water never runs dry. In addition, learn about
sewing, basket weaving, and khene making
(a mouth organ) or try out some volunteer
activities like making a weir or trap, creating a
firebreak, assisting in re-foresting a mountain
and enjoying the cultural performances from
the Lahu people.
Those who cannot get enough of Mae Hong
Son’s breath-taking vistas should not miss doing
so at Kway Tiew Hoi Kha – a rustic noodle stand
with a million-dollar view. Amidst valleys and
over misty panoramic views, visitors can slurp
noodles and sitting on suspended benches
above the clouds with feet dangling in mid-air!
A Rich Culture
In Misty Valleys
Story & Images Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Translation Chusri Ngamprasert
Making plans for winter? Here is an ideal place to chill
out that’s at the foot of a mountain touched by mist.
Travel Information
By Plane
Book a Bangkok Airways flight
to Mae Hong Son, with options
to chose a preferred means of
transport.
By Car
Head straight to Pang Ma Pha,
and continue on for another 12
kilometres to the Ban Mae Rana
intersection. Keep going for
another 4 kilometres to the village.
By Bus
Take the Pai – Mueang Mae Hong
Son bus or red minibus to Baan
Mae Rana intersection. Then hitch
a ride or contact the village for a
pick-up service. (Contact Sornchai
from Ecotourism by Baan Ja Bo
Community at
+66 (0) 80 677 5794,
or facebook.com/cbtbaanjabo.)
For more information, call 1672.
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