Amidst the lush mountains and forests of northern Thailand lies Ban Huai Hin Lad Nai, a community of the Pgak’yau (ปกาเกอะญอ) ethnic group whose way of life is deeply rooted in harmony between people and nature, culture and environment. Situated in Ban Pong Subdistrict, Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai Province, the village was declared Thailand’s first “protected ethnic way of life area” by a 2010 Cabinet Resolution.

Rather than practising monoculture, the community relies primarily on bamboo shoots, forest tea, and wild honey for its livelihood. Rotational farming is still practised for household consumption, sustaining an intricate body of knowledge about the land, water, forests, seeds, ecosystems, and seasonal rituals. These traditions are not only passed down but lived daily, forming an identity interwoven with the rhythms of nature. This is not merely farming—it is a holistic way of living where humans, plants, and other beings coexist in an ecological system in which people are only one part of the whole.

On this journey, participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Pgak’yau way of sustainable co-existence with nature. Suitable for those who are physically fit and passionate about trekking, the program begins with a short forest walk on the first day to gather leaves from wild tea trees growing among diverse flora. Participants will then learn how to process, brew, and taste the tea. On the second day, a longer trek leads to the rotational fields, where one can hear the philosophy behind rotational farming, witness the biodiversity of the cultivated forest, and help collect produce from both field and forest. The day ends with a collaborative cooking session, creating a special dinner menu together with local chefs using foraged ingredients and traditional dishes.

Participants will also visit sites impacted by the flash flood of September 2024, exploring local experiences of recovery, resilience, and disaster preparedness. The journey concludes with a conversation with community elders and youth on the preservation and evolution of indigenous knowledge—discussing dreams, challenges, and how their way of life may be passed on to future generations.

This learning journey will be led by Asst Prof Dr Suwichan (Chi) Phattanaphraiwan, a Pgak’yau scholar from the School of Liberal Arts, Mae Fah Luang University. Deeply committed to the conservation of eco-cultural heritage and sustainable development, Dr Suwichan is also a poet, songwriter, and traditional musician (te-naku). He plays a key role in the Karen Network for Culture and Environment, serves as Vice President of the Foundation for Culture and Environment in Southeast Asia (FCESA), and was recently involved in founding the Karen Environmental Museum in Tak Province.