#City of a Hundred Rice Fields, Mae La Noi

Mae La Noi District is known as the "City of a Hundred Rice Fields".

Characterized by vast rice fields, particularly terraced paddies.

Due to the complex mountainous terrain,

The hill tribes here are the Lahu and the Akha.

The practice of shifting cultivation has led to the degradation of the forest ecosystem.

Arid and barren, the villagers live in hardship and poverty.

When His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX)

His Majesty's arrival in 1971 marked a turning point.

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Let's go, let's go together, let's see many stories, let's take pictures of the green rice fields with me.

Our Journey

On this trip, I flew with Nok Air to Chiang Mai Airport and rented a car to drive to Mae Hong Son.

Via Highway 108, passing through Ob Luang National Park, passing through Bo Kaew Pine Forest, passing through Mae Sariang.

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The scene abruptly cuts to Chiang Mai airport, where it is early morning and raining.

The translation of "รับรถที่จองไว้ของไทยคาร์เร้น" is:

Pick up the reserved car from Thai Car Rent.

Grab a quick bite to eat at Kad Luang Road.

The original text is in Thai and translates to:

"Hmm, it's really simple. When you come to Chiang Mai, eat Khao Man Gai at Muang Nonthaburi."

This sentence is a casual statement expressing the speaker's opinion on the simplicity of a dish and suggesting a place to eat it in Chiang Mai.

And then the journey began.

#Ob Luang National Park

108 scenic routes, passing through the beautiful Hod district, with unique and picturesque landscapes.

We make it a habit to stop by various places on every trip.

This line passes through Ob Luang National Park.

It's not the tourist season, so there won't be many people.

After a short walk, we continued on our journey.

Pine Forest Park, Bo Kaeo

Moving on from the park for a while, this zone starts to see pine forests on both sides.

Turn left at the sign.

Enjoy taking photos.

Suneo, what are you doing here?

The road I passed on that day

The road to Mae Hong Son is truly beautiful, passing through mountains, rice fields, villages, and coffee shops.

The journey was punctuated by occasional rain showers, and some stretches were shrouded in darkness, necessitating cautious driving.

At times, it is bright and clear.

The rain continued to fall heavily as we reached Mae Hong Son's Sob Mae River.

I found a roadside cafe and stopped in to escape the rain and have a drink.

The name of the shop is Ko Jae Ko. It's a cute shop. The drinks are pretty average.

The view from the restaurant was amazing, but unfortunately it was a bit dark and gloomy due to the rain.

Mae Sariang

As the rain began to ease, we continued our journey.

The sky was clear and bright when I arrived in Mae Sariang, and I felt a sudden urge to stop. I had heard that the Salween River was located in Mae Sariang.

Set GPS to Salawin National Park.

Follow the path.

This neighborhood is so beautiful.

Come and enjoy the view like this

Where is this place?

Mae Salap Village

I don't know what river that is, but it's definitely not the Salween.

Where is Salawin?

Just a little further from Ban Mae Salab, you will reach Salawin National Park. However,

However, the Salween River that they are going to is not this way.

They went to their mother-in-law's house in Mae Sam Laep, which is about 30-40 kilometers from here.

The park side is accessible by off-road vehicle, requiring a journey through the forest.

The officer said the bridge is broken and the road is impassable. No one goes this way anymore. Oh dear!

Then give up, what are you waiting for? This is what happens when you go places without doing your research.

Let's head back. It's getting late, so let's go straight to the accommodation.

#HinTree Resort, Mae Lan Noi

The ultimate compliment: incredibly beautiful and wonderful.

Upon reaching Mae La Noi district, turn left down the hill before reaching this point, following the signs.

We have arrived, Uncle Tai.

They then entered the room.

We stayed in this house, the lower floor, for 900 baht including breakfast.

Let's look inside the room.

The room is fully equipped.

No need to worry about hardship, TV, refrigerator, air conditioning are all available.

The bathroom is similar to the pier bathroom. The hot water uses a gas system.

The room amenities are excellent, meeting the standards of a good hotel room.

The scenery is breathtaking, to say the least.

And then they took a lot of photos.

It was getting late, so we went fishing for dinner. The food at the restaurant was delicious.

This is the restaurant's recommended menu, Yum Hen Tai, which is similar to banana blossom salad but with a sweeter taste.

Satiated and content, we returned to our room, hoping to see a multitude of stars.

But it didn't appear. The sky was overcast with rain clouds.

Let's get some rest. We'll head out to the Mae La Noi Royal Project tomorrow morning.

The morning is so refreshing, with green rice fields and distant mist.

It was a Buddhist holy day, and the farmers came to pay respects to the rice.

They say that during the rice-planting season, you must come and pay respects like this every Buddhist holy day.

Let's go have breakfast now.

There is a decent variety of food available, including fruits such as bananas and passion fruit.

Dragon fruit and other things, but we only ate this much. I'm full.

However, the sticky rice with custard was particularly delicious.

Full and satisfied, it's time to pack up and say goodbye to Hen Tai. We'll be back again next time.

Deeply impressed.

#Royal Project Mae La Noi

1971

King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great

Accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen

Visited the people at Ban Huai Hom.

This marks the commencement of the Royal Project at this location.

In 1976, Their Majesties visited Huai Hom again.

And used his personal funds to improve the living standards of the people in Huai Hom.

In 1978, His Majesty the King made a private visit.

The government has instructed relevant agencies to develop the area.

In 1979, Their Majesties visited Ban Dong.

And His Majesty instructed Mom Chao Pisan Dech Rachanee to assist in the development of agricultural, social, and public health professions.

1980

Royal Project Development Center Mae La Noi

The project has been fully implemented, with the Ban Dong area serving as the operational base.

In 1992, the royal couple made their final visit.

**Information from the Mae La Noi Royal Project**

Turn right at the entrance to Hen Tai.

Follow the signs and enjoy the scenic beauty along the way.

Terraced rice fields along the way

I wonder why they are parking here.

Let's go see.

Oh, they are working.

Upon reaching this point, turn in when you see this sign. (If you continue straight, you will reach Ban Huai Hom.)

Path through the village

And then I arrived.

The rice harvest season is in full swing.

I remarked to the person next to me that this place is very far away.

How did the King know in the past that people lived in such a remote place?

Even in such a remote and hidden mountain forest, His Majesty the King still managed to reach.

The person next to me said that

"His Majesty always sees his people."

The following is a translation of the provided text from Thai to English:

No matter where in this land, no matter how dark or difficult the path, His Majesty the King will always reach his destination.

We talked, looked at each other, and then tears welled up...

This area has now recovered from its previous hardship.

The land is fertile, and the people enjoy a good standard of living and have various occupations.

The quality of the Royal Project's products is unquestionable.

Every detail is meticulously selected, starting with the seeds.

Nurtured from tiny seedlings to mature harvest.

Additionally, there is also the "weaving" craft.

An intellectual heritage of the Lawa people.

The Royal Project has established and promoted the "Lahu Handwoven Cotton Learning Center".

The woven fabrics here are beautiful, soft, and affordable.

The following is a translation of the Thai sentence "ใครมาเที่ยวก็ช่วยอุดหนุนกันนะคะ" into English:

"If you come to visit, please support us."

We were accompanied by the lovely and knowledgeable guide, Kittima Sakdi.

The Royal Project has accommodations available, but advance booking is required.

There are homestays available in the nearby villages, or you can stay at the Baan Huai Hom Homestay.

Bidding farewell to Mae La Noi with a heavy heart, knowing that I will surely return.

#Huai Hom Village

A little further up from the Royal Project.

The Huai Hom Village community is made up of villagers who are of the Pga K'nyaw ethnic group, also known as Karen.

This village alone has been graced by the King's presence on three occasions.

And used his personal funds to help the villagers.

The King addressed the villagers of Huai Hom.

Let's work together to conserve and protect our natural resources, water sources, and forests.

#Homestay Baan Huai Hom

This homestay is truly a local experience.

Stay with the villagers and help them with their work when you have free time.

Ideal for those seeking an authentic local experience.

The price per person per night is 150 baht.

Contact the village center. The house with coffee available for tasting.

The following is a translation of the provided text:

You can contact them directly or call 089 8540914 for more information.

This is the phone number of Ms. Maliwan, the president of the weaving group.

The ideal time to visit the Royal Project and Ban Huai Hom.

It is likely to be the winter and rainy seasons.

Personally, we prefer the rainy season.

To see the lush green rice terraces.

I met a young woman that day who was wearing a Karen dress.

Assist in the production process by folding woven fabrics and provide sales and educational support to visitors.

I thought she was a local, but it turned out she was a tourist.

She said she was only going to stay for one night, but somehow she got hooked. Now she's been here for almost a week.

Not wanting to leave, I'm blending in so well that I might become a local.

#Huai Hom Coffee, so fragrant!

As I drove into Huai Hom, the aroma of coffee wafted to the front of the village.

You're right! I was thinking, "Wow, it smells so good!"

Coffee was originally introduced to Thailand by missionaries.

Subsequently, the Royal Project has developed and introduced additional varieties for cultivation.

Huai Hom is renowned for its Arabica coffee.

The aroma and flavor are very intense.

Coffee grown naturally without the use of chemicals.

Intercropping with other plant species to promote their simultaneous growth.

The Huai Hom coffee generates millions of baht in revenue for local residents annually.

Feel free to try it out.

#Woven fleece

Her Majesty the Queen graciously bestowed a gift of fine sheep breeds from abroad.

To provide villagers with a supplementary income, namely, sheep wool weaving.

The sheep here are not like the beautiful show sheep on farms.

However, it is a sheep breed with very thick wool.

Certainly, the fleece woven by Ban Huai Hom is incredibly soft.

The villagers raise sheep in a simple way.

Less complex than a farm

The provided text is in Thai and translates to:

"Just let it go, up the hill, down the stream, eat straw, eat grass, as it goes."

This is a metaphorical expression that suggests letting go of worries and anxieties, and simply living life as it comes.

That day, I didn't see the lambs because they had all left the pen to graze on the other side of the hill.

The body was too weak to follow him across the mountain.

A simple, basic sheepfold.

#Some feelings

Aunt Maliwan recounted the events of the day before the disaster.

Where the King has come...

"The King arrived by helicopter, but landed far away on that mountain," he pointed to a distant peak.

He then walked down to the villagers. It was all forest, nothing but forest.

The King and Queen trekked through dense forests and crossed mountains.

The aunt spoke, raising her hands in a wai gesture.

"I never thought I'd see the King here. There's nothing here at all."

The King has done all of that for us.

We have been living well and eating well together until now.

It was the King and Queen who made it possible to find it.

The aunt spoke and then stopped… falling silent.

I am looking at my aunt.

Tears welled up in her eyes...

"But today the King is no longer with us... the King is no longer with us..."

And then I burst into tears that day.

I remember every word that Aunt Malaiwan told me.

Every life that opens its eyes and breathes is because of the King.

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There is no place in this country that the King has never visited.

His footprints are everywhere.

…………………………………………………………………………..

On every journey, I always find traces of someone.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, I have always talked to those close to me.

Throughout the land, there is no place where the King has not set foot.

How great must one's heart be to act so selflessly for others?

Farewell

It's time to go home.

Impressed with everything here, I told myself I must come back again.

• Traveling to Mae La Noi from Chiang Mai

If you are driving yourself, take Highway 108 as mentioned above.

Public transportation options include minivans and buses departing from Arcade Bus Terminal.

**From Mae Hong Son, there are both vans and buses available.**

Please check the time.

To reach the Royal Project and Ban Huai Hom,

For those arriving by van or bus, it is recommended to hire a taxi to go up.

If you are staying at Hinta, you can contact Hinta to arrange transportation for you.

This concludes our trip review.

Thank you all for visiting.