Community Based Tourism in Northern Thailand
Why Fair Tourism?
Many Karenni people have fled from Myanmar to Thailand due to the violence in their country. They were given three options: they could stay in the refugee camp (without freedom of movement), resettle abroad (to countries like Australia, Finland and the Netherlands) or move to villages open to tourism. Many chose the latter but because many of the Karenni people do not have Thai citizenship, they are only allowed to leave the province when asking permission from the government.
Tourism has become an important source of income, next to agricultural activities. Like many other villages still are, Huay Pu Keng used to be a 'show village' where people would come to take photos, maybe buy some souvenirs and then leave again.
The tourists spent hardly any time in the village and there was no interaction between the community and its guests. On top of that, most of the income would go to Thai business men.
Fair Tourism has assisted the village of Huay Pu Keng with their transition to community-based tourism in which there is interaction with one another which benefits for the host community are key elements.
Huay Pu Keng is now the first and only Karenni village that made this transition. Visitors now have the opportunity to participate in many workshops in the village and learn about Karenni traditions and way of life.
The villagers have so many interesting stories to share! Some workshops will teach you about the Karenni handicrafts in the village and you will be able to make your own hairband, bracelet or bamboo cup.
Visiting a Karenni village
When entering Huay Pu Keng, you will encounter numerous craftsmen and women. There are people weaving scarves, making bracelets, working with bamboo and weaving leaves for the roofs.
The Karenni people have so many interesting skills and stories to share that visiting the village should definitely be on your bucket list. With your visit, you will also support the village financially.
The income will be divided amongst the people working in tourism but a part of it will also be dedicated to education and other social projects. In this way, the entire village can benefit from tourism. But what if you cannot visit the village yourself?
Buying their products is the next best thing to support them!
Workshop bracelet making in Huay Pu Keng
The story of the Brass Rings..
The Kayan are a subgroup of the Karenni who are known worldwide for the brass rings they wear around their necks. There are many stories to be found online about these rings. Some people say that the Kayan wear them to protect them from tiger bites or that they will die when they take off the rings. This is not true. The purpose of wearing the rings is cultural identity, associated with beauty. From these rings, the Kayan make new jewellery, like bracelets and earrings. 
Why buy locally made handcrafted products?
Here are five reasons that make buying such items is an ethical choice:
- Support of small-scale businesses - By buying products from the Karenni you support the ethnic communities in Thailand. Instead of making the rich even richer by buying mass consumption products, you are supporting individuals and communities.
- Trickle down effect - When you are buying something from a small community (member), the chances are higher that this income is spent again in the community itself. In that way, the money is multiplied in the community’s economy instead of leaking out of the destination. Click here to learn more about tourism leakage.
- Handcrafted items are produced more sustainably - Especially in the case of this Kayan jewellery, it is produced more sustainably than most jewellery that is produced in factories (for mass production). The Kayan jewellery is made from the traditional brass rings, which means that the materials are being upcycled. Additionally, the jewellery is handmade and therefore no electricity is used.
- Support of traditional craftsmanship - Often, when you are buying handmade products from indigenous communities, you are buying something that is a product of their traditions and history. In doing so, you are supporting their traditional way of living.
- Unique products - Handmade products are often one of a kind. The story behind the Kayan jewellery makes the product unique. Who can say that they are wearing jewellery that was originally a neck ring worn by Kayan women? Additionally, to get Kayan jewellery you would either need to travel to one of the Kayan villages or buy a product online at Rainbow Life which ensures that the product is unique.
Workshops between locals and tourists in Huay Pu Keng
This blog has been written by Fair Tourism. To learn more about the story of the Kayan people in Huay Pu Keng, we would recommend watching this video (with footage made by CBT coordinator Aye Muang and edited by Fair Tourism team members Nicoletta and Guusje) or visit the website of Fair Tourism. You can also find us on social media: Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Tiktok.