About Thailand Hilltribe Holidays
Thailand Hilltribe Holidays was founded by Chiang Mai local ‘Pat Mongkron’ who had a vision to create a form of tourism that would be fairer to locals, whilst offering more authentic and real experiences for travellers. His family history and upbringing in northern Thailand fuelled his passion for helping villagers around him and so his idea of responsible hill tribe village tours and homestays was born. Thailand Hilltribe Holidays is a grassroots social enterprise that works together with their family of locally sourced staff to provide responsible tours that aim to ;
- Channel tourism to benefit local communities directly
- Bring cultural exchange and provide enriching experiences for travellers and host communities
- Allow travellers to visit hilltribe villages in an ethical and responsible way
- Offer travellers a chance to experience the real northern Thailand outside the realm of commerical tourism
Pat
(Founder and Tour guide) Pat is originally from Chiang Mai and is Shan (an ethnic minority group in Northern Thailand). With humble beginnings as a tuk-tuk driver, he has since worked as a tour guide for more than 10 years. Over time he has seen the erosion of traditional Thai values and ways of life, through tourism and westernisation. His mother is the head nun at a Buddhist temple, nestled between hilltribe villlages in the mountains of Mae Hong Son, which is how he came to know and work with the hilltribe communities in this area. Pat’s father is an iconic figure for the Shan people, considered the first ‘freedom fighter’ for Shan state independence from the Myanmar government, it is perhaps his father’s legacy and strong family heritage that gave rise to Pat’s strong desire to help marginalised ethnic minority groups, by providing them with sustainable opportunities for growth whilst maintaining their cultural identity. Pat saw that well managed and responsible tourism could be a means to help in this plight, and so the idea of ahilltribe homestay was born. Pat has a huge heart and wants to reach out to people from around the world, by welcoming foreigners to share in the beauty and culture of his homeland.
Masu
(Host Mother) ‘Masu’ is the wondeful host mother of our Kayan Long Neck Homestay. She is from the Kayan Long Neck tribe, who are an ethnic group native to Myanmar. She fled to Thailand from Myanmar to escape conflict and holds refugee status in Thailand. She lives with her husband, son and youngest daughter. One of Masu’s many talents is being able to whip up a feast of mouth-watering dishes for her homestay guests using fresh and local ingredients over a basic handmade fire. She also weaves on a back-strap loom producing colourful ethnic scarves and tunics. She can teach you how to cook and weave !
Winai
Winai – Lawa Hill tribe guide
(Tour Guide) Winai is Lawa hill tribe and from La up village. We came to know Winai as he was helping out Pat’s mum (the head nun at the village temple), he started off as our full time driver for 2 years before he progressed to become a fully qualified tour guide. We are very lucky to have Winai on our team as he’s such a friendly, personable and caring guy who is really good at customising tours on the way.
Sak
(Tour Guide) Sak is Karen hill tribe and from a remote village in Mae la noi district, 6 hours away from Chiang Mai. His childhood spent in the remote mountains and forests, means that he knows lot about nature, flora & fauna. As with most hill tribes in Thailand, he comes from a family of farmers, whose life depends on agriculture and the land. Sak has an interest in Buddhist amulets but also attends church every week. This just goes to show how open minded he is, and is perhaps a reflection of the new beliefs of todays young Karen generation.
Jakur
(Village Guide) ‘Jakur’ is one of the charismatic villagers you may have the pleasure of meeting on our tours. He can take you on a hard trek through deep forest, teaching you about local plants and herbs along the way. His firsthand knowledge of local herbs and their medicinal purposes is gathered over his lifetime of living with nature. Jakur has so many skills! He can also teach you how to play traditional Lahu musical instruments, build a herbal sauna hut from forest leaves and foliage. Armed with just a machete, bamboo and his bare hands, he can skillfully whack/carve out a bamboo cup in a matter of minutes.