THAILAND – Chiang Mai – Live Like a Local in the Countryside

Description

Chiang Mai’s countryside is developing fast, but there still are some small villages where the pace of life is slow and old traditions are still very much alive. This activity gives guest the opportunity to learn all about life in the countryside and get some hands-on experience with fun and engaging activities. During the day there is the chance to try local food, help with farming activities and interact with friendly locals.

Selling points

• To get get experience of life in a local village
• Suitable for everyone interested in local life, especially for families
• A great half day activity, that can become a full day depending on the interest of the guests
• A very local place right on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, easily reachable by all transportation
• The program on spot is flexible, guests can bike or use local transportation to move around

Level Of The Excursion

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Environment Impact

Economic Impact

Additional Information

Positive Impacts

• Guests engage with local traditions and customs, helping to keep them alive and relevant. This promotes appreciation for cultural heritage among visitors.
• The activity encourages interaction between guests and locals, fostering mutual understanding and respect for different ways of life.
• Direct contributions to the community fund support local development and infrastructure, providing resources for education, health, and other essential services.
• Participants gain knowledge about sustainable farming practices, which can promote environmentally friendly agricultural methods and inspire guests to adopt similar practices in their own lives.
• By trying local food, guests support local farmers and businesses, which helps maintain traditional agricultural practices and promotes food security.

Negative Impacts

• More visitors may lead to increased waste production, which could overwhelm local waste management systems if not properly addressed.
• The use of transportation to and from these rural areas may contribute to carbon emissions and environmental degradation.

Conclusion:

This activity supports cultural preservation and provides economic benefits to rural communities while fostering meaningful interactions between visitors and locals. However, managing tourism growth is essential to prevent disruption of traditional lifestyles and environmental impacts.

Time And Transportation

Duration

5 hours 30 minutes (approximately 09:30 until 15:00)

Min pax

1

Max pax

30

How to sell it

• To let travelers have an immersive and hands-on experience in a local village
• For travelers who are interested in local life and culture
• For families who want to combine fun activities with culture and learning experiences
• To get to know the countryside surrounding Chiang Mai and the lifestyle there

Why this activity

• This activity responds to requests for guests who want to see rice fields, do rice planting, or learn about rice
• To have interesting family activities in our database
• To support local and sustainable initiatives

Good to combine with

• Any evening activity in Chiang Mai that starts after 18:00

Do not combine with

• Any other half day or full day activity
• Long transfers to other destinations

Market suggestion

Competitor comparison

• This program is not signature, but the community does not work with any other major DMC’s. They do however work with some smaller local agencies that focus mainly on sustainable tourism and volunteering.

Pros

• While not Signature, this activity is not known or available to the wider public
• A fun, interactive family activity that stands out
• By doing this program we support a local community

Cons

• Not a Signature activity, on the longer term it may become more well known / widely available
• Relatively expensive for a local activity
• Not possible without guide

Information

• Although difficult due to narrow roads, the village is reachable by bus
• Arrival at the village should be about 9.30am (45min driving from Chiang Mai city)
• Program (subject to change according to the situation)
  • 9.30am: arrive at Baan Nam Jam, briefing about the village and the day
  • 10.00-10.30am: visit the local temple and museum:
  • 10.30-11.00am: sightseeing around, see local life and ricefields
  • 11.00-13.00pm: spend time at a local farm, plant rice (possible all year round), and have lunch
  • 13.00-14.00pm: go to a local house to plough fields with buffalo, shower buffalo
  • 14.30: leave and return to the city
  • In case clients like it and want to spend more time on spot, we can add initiation to Muay Thai, or wood carving if they like.
• What to bring:
  • comfortable clothes
  • shoes that can get a bit dirty
  • sunscreen
  • mosquito repellent
  • sunglasses and/or a hat

Alerts

• This activity is recommended for children of 4 years or older
• Even though local people can speak some English, it is mandatory to have an Easia guide accompany the group to ensure smooth operations and consistent service quality.
• The tour cannot operate without an Easia guide
• Dietary requirements can be catered for, but need to be advised in advance
• While the program is private, there maybe other groups or volunteers in the village or nearby communities. They will not interfere with the program though
• In case of last minute bookings, it may not be possible to prepare the rice planting activities in time. So these may need to be replaced with other activities instead.

Price range

$$$

Quotation guideline

• ERP –> Activity –> Chiang Mai – Live like a local in the countryside –> Baan Nam Jam – Live like a local in the countryside
• Transportation:
  • Regular vehicle – Full day visit Baan Nam Jam
• Guide – Full day

Inclusion

• Farmers clothes to use on spot
• Drinking water,
• Lunch
• Local guide to take care during the activities
• Local transportation as needed
• Choice of initiation to Muay Thai, or wood scultping if client want to

Exclusion

• Transportation
• Easia licensed guide

Remark

• Even though local people can speak some English, it is mandatory to have an Easia guide accompany the group to ensure smooth operations and consistent service quality.
• The tour cannot operate without an Easia guide

Important notes

• Make sure to check with the guide and driver if they know Baan Nam Jam community, the place is not very well known, and the access road is not clearly marked
• Make sure to check the clients profile and inform the community in advance (ex: are clients able to bike or not, do they have food requirements, etc.)
• Even though local people can speak some English, it is mandatory to have an Easia guide accompany the group to ensure smooth operations and consistent service quality.
• The tour cannot operate without an Easia guide

Special Guide notes

• Some local people can speak some English, so it is important to let them tell their story and interact.
• Creating interaction and helping with the community is important

Different Choice

• “A day of Northern hospitality in the countryside” has a similar concept, however, it is in Chiang Dao, which is considerably further away from the city. This focus in Chiang Dao is also more on nature.

Contact

Baan Nam Jam cultural experience:

Khun Jack, Tel: 093 903 37 41

English

After breakfast you will head into the countryside surrounding Chiang Mai. You will spend a day in a local community learning about the history, culture and the daily life of the locals. Of course, there is plenty of time to get hands-on experience. For example, you will learn about rice production and you will even get to try out some of the steps involved in the process, like rice planting or harvesting (depending on the season). Throughout the day you will get to know local people, enjoy delicious food, and have close encounters with buffaloes. A fun day out in the countryside for young and old!

French

À la découverte de la vie des habitants de la campagne thaïlandaise

Après le petit-déjeuner, votre destination sera la campagne des alentours de Chiang Mai. Cette journée dans la communauté locale vous permettra d’en savoir plus sur l’histoire, la culture et la vie quotidienne des habitants, tout en laissant la place à des expériences interactives. Vous apprendrez par exemple les rudiments de la culture du riz et pourrez même vous essayer à certaines des étapes du processus, comme la plantation ou la récolte du riz (selon la saison). Au cours de cette journée, vous ferez la connaissance de la population locale, mangerez des mets délicieux et pourrez vous approcher au plus près des buffles. Une plaisante excursion à la campagne, qui séduira petits et grands !

Spanish

Viva como un habitante local en el campo

Después de desayunar, se dirigirá hacia el campo que se encuentra en los alrededores de Chiang Mai. Pasará un día en una comunidad local, en la que podrá descubrir la historia, la cultura y la vida cotidiana de sus habitantes. Por supuesto, tendrá mucho tiempo para vivir experiencias prácticas. Por ejemplo, aprenderá acerca de la producción de arroz e incluso podrá realizar algunos de los pasos que forman parte del proceso, como la plantación o la cosecha de arroz (dependiendo de la época del año). Durante todo el día podrá conocer a los habitantes locales, disfrutar de deliciosa comida y acercarse mucho a los búfalos. ¡Un día de diversión en el campo, para pequeños y mayores!

Italian

Un giorno in una comunità rurale

Dopo la colazione vi recherete nelle campagne che circondano Chiang Mai. Trascorrerete la giornata in una comunità locale per conoscere la storia, la cultura e la vita quotidiana della gente del posto. Avrete inoltre molto tempo per mettere in pratica quanto avrete imparato. Apprenderete ad esempio come avviene la produzione del riso e potrete anche cimentarvi in alcune fasi del processo, come la semina o la raccolta (a seconda della stagione). Farete conoscenza della gente del posto, assaggerete i loro piatti deliziosi e vedrete i bufali da vicino. Una giornata divertente in campagna per grandi e piccini!

German

Leben wie die Einheimischen auf dem Land

Nach dem Frühstück machen Sie sich auf in die ländliche Umgebung von Chiang Mai. Verbringen Sie einen Tag in einem einheimischen Dorf, um einen Einblick in die Geschichte, die Kultur und das tägliche Leben der Menschen zu erhalten. Selbstverständlich haben Sie auch jede Menge Zeit, praktische Erfahrungen zu sammeln. So lernen Sie beispielsweise, wie man Reis anbaut, und können sogar bei einigen Arbeiten wie dem Anpflanzen von Reis oder der Reisernte (je nach Jahreszeit) selbst Hand anlegen. Sie haben den ganzen Tag lang Kontakt zu den Einheimischen, genießen köstliches Essen und schließen nähere Bekanntschaft mit Büffeln. Ein erlebnisreicher Tag auf dem Land für Jung und Alt!

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