Hilltribe Culture Festival, 2002:
Support Tourism & Environmental Preservation

The idea of "tourism and environmental preservation" doesn't have to be an oxymoron. The annual Hilltribe Culture Festival in the Doi Hua Mae Kum village has been helping raise awareness of hilltribe and environmental issues in Northern Thailand for the last 15 years. Organized by the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Tourism Association of Chiangrai, the festival promotes truly "eco friendly" tourism to Doi Hua Mae Kum and other villages in Chiangrai Province.

WHERE IS THE VILLAGE?

Chiangrai is Thailand's northern most province, connected by Dan Lao Mountain and Mae Khong River to Myanmar (Burma) and Laos. Doi Hua Mae Kum is located in the mountains just on Thailand's western border with Myanmar, within the Mae Fah-Luang District of Chiangrai Province. Although it's only about 100 kms. from Chiangrai City, expect a two to three hour drive in a 4-wheel drive vehicle due to the mountainous roadway.

WHO ARE THE VILLAGERS?

Native people who live in the mountains are known as hilltribes. Doi Hua Mae Kum village is made up of about 1,800 people from four main tribal groups. The majority of them are Lisor (Lisu), considered to be very friendly and kind. The Egor (Akha) are the most fun-loving, throwing festivals all year round. The Hmong (Meo) come from Chinese roots and are known as patient people and good fighters. The Muser (Lahu) are very religious and peaceful, but expert hunters.
The Doi Hua Mae Kum village also shares Mae Fah-Luang district with two other hilltribe villages: the Baan Therd Thai and Doi Mae Salong. These villages are mainly settlements of former KMT soldiers who fled China in the 1950s.

HOW IS THEIR LIFE?

On-going disputes between Myanmar and Thailand hasn't had a very positive influence on the villages, but the Border Patrol Police opened a school in 1969, complete with a large open field for the children to play and a nursing room. Not every child in the area has easy geographical access to the school, however. In times of relative peace between the two nations, the Thai government has been able to help develop Doi Hua Mae Kum with agricultural assistance, particularly in the cultivation of tea, flowers and seasonal fruits. And a road from Baan Therd Thai was completed several years ago.
Presently, the quality of life of hilltribes in this area is improving although the surrounding mountain ranges make activity between rural populations and the cities difficult at best.

WHEN IS THE FESTIVAL

This year's festival takes place on 16th November 2002. From the village, there's a gorgeous panoramic view of the valleys of northwestern Chiangrai Province, and at this time of year the scenery blooms with buatong, or wild sunflowers, peeking through the chilly, winter morning fog.

The festival aims to advertise Doi Hua Mae Kum and the hilltribes for tourists, since tourism is the main source of income for these villagers; provide knowledge of cultural and environmental preservation to the native community; and support TAT's "Thai Teaw Thai" policy. The "Thai Teaw Thai" policy encourages Thai nationals to visit their own country before holiday making overseas.