SERVICE AND SUSTAINABILITY ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS IN LAMPHUM AND LAMPANG
Pilot Route:
Lamphun – Ban Ta Pa Pao – Lampang–Chiang Mai – Bangkok – Nakhon Nayok
The sustainability of the route lies in its essences of cultural heritage and the preservation of traditional Thai life, supporting communities’ natural resource management, art, wisdom, architecture, agriculture, gastronomy and wellness.
Day 1:
Lamphun – Ban Ta Pa Pao |
| 05:45 |
Depart for airport |
| 07:45 |
Depart Bangkok by TG 102 to Chiang Mai |
| 09:05 |
Arrive at Chiang Mai airport. Met by local guide and transfer by van to the village, Ban Ta Pa Pao, about 60 kilometres from Chiang Mai.
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| 10:30 |
Arrival at Ban Ta Pa Pao Community Based Tourism community. Welcome by the villagers with a welcome drink, served in a coconut shell cup. The village leader welcomes the group and introduces the community and the host families to the guests. Check-in at the home stay. Hosts inform the guests about the family and the accommodation.
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| 12:00 |
Local lunch at the home-stay, prepared by the hosts.
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| 13:00 |
After lunch, guests join the community in their daily activities
such as making rice cakes, folding banana leaves etc.
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| 15:00 |
Time to explore the community, including a small temple and museum
on the hilltop with panoramic view over the village. Then visit the local
village school. Here the young generation learn about recycling waste plastic bag and papers as well as helping to conserve the local culture. Elder people transfer their wisdom and knowledge to the school children.
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| 16:00 |
Continue to explore the fascinating community forest with the local
guide and learn about medicinal plants and herbs in the forest.
|
| 17:00 |
Return to the home stay. Relax. |
| 18:30 |
Guests dressed in proper attire meet with the villagers at the community centre and participate in their welcome ceremony called “Bai Sri” which is a traditional welcome ceremony of the North, followed by a traditional khantoke dinner accompanied by northern style music and dances performed by the villagers. Guests join dancing with the villagers. Guests have an opportunity to socialize with the villagers and learn more or exchange with them about way of life, culture and traditions.
|
| 21:00 |
Overnight at the home stay |
Day 2:
Lampang |
| 07:00 |
Join your hosts to present morning alms to the monks. |
| 08:00 |
Thai breakfast at home stay |
| 09:00 |
Check out. Drive to Lampang. |
| 09:45 |
Visit a centre for coconut shell products at Hang Chat district. Items produced by the villagers including bags, lamps, mobiles, accessories.
|
| 10:30 |
Continue on to the Lampang Herb Conservation Assembly. Introduction and briefing about the activities of the assembly as well as its health and spa services including herbal steam and Thai massage. Enjoya one-hour Thai massage with herbal compress. (Herbal products are available for sale).
|
| 12:15 |
Drive to BB Coffee Restaurant for lunch. |
| 13:00 |
Visit a home factory producing Lampang’s famous rice crackers made of sticky rice and water melon juice called “Kao Tan Nam Taeng Mo”. Taste the delicious rice crackers and see the production process before continuing to Patamasevee Learning Centre which locates in a well conserved old northern Thai house. Learn about the production process of beautiful paper lanterns made of bamboo sticks and colourful hand-made papers. The lanterns contain several wisdom and metaphoric meanings in Buddhism and therefore, have been used in religious and traditional ceremonies.
|
| 15:00 |
Visit the temple Wat Pong Sanuk, which won international plaudits for its inspirational model of community-led conservation in saving a unique form of Lanna architecture. The temple received a Heritage Award of Merit in 2008 form the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its inspiring restoration efforts.
|
| 16:30 |
Drive to ambient Lampang River Lodge Resort. Check-in. |
| 17:30 |
Transfer to the city centre to board a horse carriage to explore Lampang city. Ride past well conserved old wooden houses and buildings built in the traditional northern style along the Forestry Lane and Kaad Gongta old market. The trip ends at a local restaurant for dinner.
|
| 18:30 |
Dinner at Khong Gin Ban Hao Restaurant. Enjoy typical northern style food which contains various kinds of local herbs and vegetables.
Overnight at Lampang River Lodge.
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Day 3:
Lampang – Chiang Mai – Bangkok – Nakhon Nayok |
| 07:30 |
Breakfast at the hotel |
| 08:00 |
Depart for Thai Elephant Conservation Center |
| 08:30 |
Arrive at the center and have a short briefing about the conservation activities of the center. Then get on an elephant’s back to enjoy half an hour of gentle elephant riding, passing by the elephant nursery. |
| 09:15 |
Stop at the elephant hospital. See how sick or wounded elephants are cured by the veterinary team. |
| 09:45 |
See how elephants are bathed and trained by the mahout to
work in the forest. The elephants here are highly intelligent and talented and enjoy playing musical instruments. They also enjoy painting. |
| 10:30 |
Transfer to Chiang Mai. On the way visit Baan Ta market to see
interesting exotic fresh products offered by the villagers. |
| 12:00 |
Arrive in Chiang Mai. Lunch at the local restaurant Just Khao Soy.
Here the famous Northern style curry noodles called “Khao Soy” will be
served, followed by home-made herbal ice cream or seasonal fruits. |
| 13:00 |
Depart for Chiang Mai airport and check-in |
| 14:50 |
Flight TG111 to Bangkok |
| 16:10 |
Arrive Bangkok Suvannaphumi Airport. Transfer to Nakhon Nayok |
| 18:00 |
Arrive Nakhon Nayok. |
Service and Sustainability Highlights in Lamphun and Lampang
Operated by Ami-Thai Travel
Web site: www.ami-thai.com
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More than 20 years' experience in tourism |
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Sustainable tourism policy to respect environment and local culture |
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Products and deep knowledge about culture and ecotourism |
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Pay a fair price to our suppliers |
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Quality, professional tour guides |
TA PA PAO COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM
“We are proud to share what we have.”
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The people of Ta Pa Pao community live a simple life, close to nature |
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Basic but comfortable, Homestay accommodation and a warm welcome |
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Explore community forest, learn about herbal remedies with local guides |
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Multiple awards for conservation and cultural renaissance – the community have worked together to preserve traditional performance arts and games |
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Drug-free and healthy community – “Eat well and sleep soundly” |
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Environmental camps and specialist nature study tours can be organized |
LAMPANG HERB CONSERVATION ASSEMBLY
"Our aim is to encourage people to love herbs, propagate knowledge about their use and simultaneously teach the need to conserve them."
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Lampang Herb Conservation Club provides a one-stop service that includes herbal spa, medicine, cosmetic products and seedlings for sale. The place has a mountain of information for those interested in learning about herbs. |
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Health spa, massage, body scrub, facials, herbal sauna and bath, mud skin treatment are expertly administered and on offer at reasonable prices. |
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The club has 100 members and grows more than 150 types of herbs on its 17-rai plot in Muang district of Lampang and those of its members who account for 60 per cent of its production. Visitors can walk a 500-metre path laid with stones of various kinds and sizes conceived as a massage for the feet. It is lined with herbal plants and trees, complete with their names.
ISO9001 rating. |
WAT PONG SANUK
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Wat Pong Sanuk received an Award of Merit from UNESCO. |
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Restoration works are an inspirational model of community-led conservation in saving a unique Lanna temple. The project showcases the collective achievements of the monks and local residents working in close cooperation with traditional craftspersons, local authorities and academic advisors. |
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The project has achieved educational aims in teaching local history, seen in the thoughtful on-site exhibits and subtle notations of the earlier building footprint. |
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By empowering the traditional caretakers of the temple, the restoration project ensures that Waf Pongsanuk can continue to be sustained as a vital part of the cultural heritage of Lampang and northern Thailand for many years to come. |
GAD GONGTA MARKET AND HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE IN LAMPANG
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This market is several hundred years old – a historical melting pot |
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Nationally awarded and protected Thai architecture |
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Community managed market giving opportunities to local householders |
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Evening market at the weekend, something interesting for the whole family |
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Litter collection and clean up every evening, agreement on ‘ethical products’ |
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Explore Lampang in the city’s carbon friendly, historic horse-drawn carriages |
THAI ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CENTER (TECC)
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TECC was established to conserve and protect Thai elephants and to distribute knowledge to interested people. The Center was officially opened by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on March 4, 1992. |
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Elephant rides and elephant shows
Take a ride on an elephant's back around this picturesque natural site. The TECC presents the most eco-friendly show in Thailand, just as elephant traditionally worked in our forests. |
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TECC announcers have extensive knowledge. The Center demonstrates a strong commitment to the humane treatment of their elephants and are devoted to their well-being. |
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Mahout and elephant training school:
Guests have a unique opportunity to become a mahout (or elephant rider). The Mahout Training School trains tourists to become mahouts, teaching basic methods to beginners, intermediate students and advanced courses to professionals. Learning to ride an elephant is a fascinating and memorable experience found nowhere else in the world. |
LAMPANG RIVER LODGE
"Come and stay with us to recharge your personal battery, feel energised and experience this delightful hideaway in the mountains of the north of Thailand."
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Tree growing for 30 years. Fallen leaves are used for compost. |
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Employs a team of 100% local staff |
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The resort was recently awarded the Unseen Paradise in Thailand award by TAT. |
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The resort is environmentally-friendly and works closely with the local community. There is a good water treatment system to prevent the release of waste water into the Wang River and light bulbs used at the resort are electricity saving. |
KHONG GIN BAN HAO RESTAURANT AND BB COFFEE
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Local ingredients, Northern Thai food in a natural ambience |
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Easy access |
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Waste management and choosing biodegradable packaging |
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Employ local staff |
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Fantastic coffee at BB Coffee |
THE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND MARKET ACCESS PARTNERSHIPS PROJECT (CSR-MAP)
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