Community-Based Tourism in Ban Huay Tong Kor

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) actively promotes community-based tourism, and I recently had the opportunity to experience it firsthand in Ban Huay Tong Kor, a village in Mae Hong Son province. Despite having limited time after visiting Ban Huay Hee, I was able to immerse myself in the culture of this Buddhist Pga Karen village.

To reach the village, I contacted the community through their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/cbt.huaytongkor/) and arranged for transportation. As a solo traveler, I was provided with a motorbike for the journey.

While my time in Ban Huay Tong Kor was brief, it left a lasting impression. The experience provided a glimpse into the unique way of life of the Pga Karen people and their deep connection to their community and traditions.

The road was a mix of gravel and concrete, making for a fun ride. We went up and down hills until we reached the village of Huai Tong Ko. Boontham, our host, picked us up on his motorbike and we stayed at his house. The room he provided was warm and comfortable.

After packing our bags, we set out to explore the village. The father of our adopted sister (who rode the motorbike to pick us up) is a village elder and a master of swordsmanship. He was sharpening his sword when we arrived.

Many people ask why we came to Huai Tong Ko. Since we were only staying for one night, we did not choose a community learning base. Instead, we chose to walk around the village. We started walking at the village entrance.

This place is very rustic. Electricity is still provided by solar cells, and there is no mobile phone signal. You need to install an additional antenna to use it. If you continue walking, you will find coffee trees along the fence.

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Underneath the house, one can see livestock such as chickens and pigs.

Ascending the slope to a high vantage point overlooking the village, one is struck by the verdant expanse of trees that truly envelops the settlement.

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"Continue walking to the pavilion for meetings or tourist activities in the village."

Continuing on, we descended into the villagers' fields, which had already been harvested.

A natural water source, crystal clear and refreshingly cool, lies nearby.

Large trumpet flowers can be found near water sources.

Walking, you will see a lot of tiger orchids.

The sun had already set when Boontham, my adopted brother, told me to hurry and take a shower. After showering, I had dinner. While eating, Boontham explained that they practice rotational farming here, emphasizing that it's not slash-and-burn agriculture. Rotational farming involves moving cultivation to different areas, allowing the soil to rest for 10 years before returning to the same spot. This eliminates the need for fertilizers and chemicals. The area where the "saba" tree is growing has been left fallow for a year, and the other areas are divided among the households. Boontham also mentioned that international students come every year to learn about their way of life and conduct research on rotational farming. They stay in the village for two weeks. As usual, the dinner was more than enough for one person.

The conversation continued until we had to move closer to the fire, gazing at the star-filled sky. My friend and I tried to capture the stars with our phones (which, as we later discovered, had a night mode!), but all we saw was darkness. Ultimately, unable to bear the cold any longer, we went to sleep before 9 pm.

The next morning, we were awakened by the sound of roosters crowing. The air was so cold that we snuggled back under the covers. We got out of bed and went for a walk around the homestay. Downstairs, there were both crops that were stored for food and animals that were raised for food.

The homestay prepared breakfast for us to enjoy on the balcony, offering a panoramic view of the village.

After eating their fill, they went out for another walk around the village.

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Walking down to the rice field again, I saw a buffalo staring at me, so I didn't dare to approach.

Strolling along the peaceful street, we were struck by the absence of traffic. The tranquility of the environment allowed us to safely capture photographs in the middle of the road.

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After a long walk, we returned for lunch. We were told that the pumpkin seed chili paste here was delicious, so we asked to try it and were served it for lunch. It was indeed delicious.

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Experiencing the authentic lifestyle of a local community through tourism allows visitors to witness daily routines such as farming, foraging for firewood and forest products (from community forests) for cooking, and interacting with villagers. This immersive experience provides a deeper understanding and appreciation for the community's way of life. Homestay accommodations offer the opportunity to savor traditional cuisine and embrace the refreshing mountain air. A refreshing dip in natural spring water completes the authentic experience.

The journey from Huai Tong Ko to Mae Hong Son city took 2.5 hours. Boontham, a local resident, skillfully navigated the winding roads, ensuring our safety both uphill and downhill. Upon reaching the city, my arms ached intensely, forcing me to hold them at my sides to prevent them from shaking. My legs trembled from the prolonged tension of the ride. Despite the physical discomfort, the community visit proved to be far more rewarding than anticipated.

Upon arriving in the city center, we strolled through the Mae Hong Son Walking Street, capturing Wat Jong Kham from the opposite side of Nong Chong Kham.

Walk into Wat Chong Kham, the Royal Monastery.

One corner of the walking street is beautifully decorated.

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Ending the walking street with wrapped noodles.

Before returning home the next morning, I climbed Doi Kong Mu to admire the beautiful sea of fog in the middle of the city.

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