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Mae Khampong
Mae Kampong is a small village in Mae On District, Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is about 50km northeast of Chiang Mai, hidden away in the emerald jungles above Rite 1317. The pocket-sized village of Ban Mae Kampong has become an offbeat retreat for travelers looking to escape the commercialism of Chiang Mai and rediscover the village way of life.

Geography
Maekampong village is in Mae On District, about 50 kilometers northeast of Chiang Mai province, in northern of Thailand. Mae Kampong Village has 120 families, with about 500 population. The total area of the village is about 6.22 square kilometers. The terrain is generally highland and up to 1,300 meters above sea level.

Weather
Mostly cold and humid throughout the year.

History
Mae Kam Pong is a small village located near the creek surrounded by yellow flowers called Kampong flower. Hence, the name of the village. It is the name of the flowers combined with the word ‘Mae’ from the river that pass through the village. Mae Kam Pong Village is about 100 years old. Although the village of Baan Mae Kampong was not officially founded until the early 1900s, it is thought that the first farmers moved to the area from nearby Doi Saket more than 200 years ago so most of the population migrated from Doi Saket for agriculture. Then the settlers came here to do agriculture which were to make a local delicacy known as “Mieng” from fermented tea leaves. Over the years, the demand for Mieng dropped and the villagers started to look for other sources of income.


 * In the 1980s, the people of Mae Kampong began growing coffee under the Royal    Project. The villagers also used the stream running through the village to produce hydro-electric power.
 * In the 1990s, Thai government encouraged each    sub-district or ‘Tambon’ to produce a product, service or activity that could     be associated to what is called OTOP (Thaizer,     2018). The idea of OTOP was initially a concern for the village headman until he decided to propose Mae Kampong as an eco-tourism village to take advantage of the natural surroundings. Mae Kampong accommodation program has proved to become a big success     benefiting visitors and villagers alike. The village acts as a co-operative with the revenue brought into the village used to help local     projects to support the community. Afterwards, the village won awards of accommodation and various eco-tourism initiatives. At last, Mae Kampong became one of the most popular Community Based Tourism spots in Chiang Mai,Thailand.

Traditions/Culture
- Knowledge of tea leaves and coffee from planting as well as privatization products.

- A traditional northern Thai dinner is laid out on a circular tray known as a

‘khan-toke‘, filled with delicious Lanna food.

- New Year's Day or the Songkran Festival in April. There will be a Lanna style of the North, such as building a sand dune in village's temple.

- Sibsongpeng or the twelfth Day of twelfth celebrated on the 15th day of the lunar month, which usually corresponds to September. This is a dedication to charity for the ancestors who passed away. Together, villagers build sand pagoda or the sand pile inside the temple.

- Flight of the Gibbon
Eco-tourism at Mae Kampong was supported by the ziplining company, Flight of the Gibbon. The adventure activity brings tourists to the area who might have not ever visited the place and experienced the local way of life and traditional Lanna hospitality which is found in Mae Kampong. Zipline and home stay make Mae Kampong a role-model for sustainable eco-tourism in Thailand. Villagers have been able to support old traditions, and explore new sources of income to safeguard the future of the village and protect the forests.

- Mae Kampong Waterfall

Mae Kampong Waterfall is the origin of the creek that runs through the village. Some seven stores in height, it is situated at the far end of the village, and offers clear cold water and banks covered in ferns and moss.

- Kanta Prueksa Temple (Wat Mae Kampong)
The village and the temple are built together with the community settlement. The chapel is in the middle of the pond; the old temple made from hardwood and crafted teak wood in Lanna design.

Trekking
Explore the midst of green-clad hills of the Mae Kampong village. The most popular route of the trip leads to a seven-tier waterfall.

By Song Thaew
Song Thaew is the local service bus in Chiang Mai. This bus can travel fixed routes for picking up the passengers en route who are going the same way or rented for picking up the passengers to their destination. The color of Song Theaw in this context is red which is the transport that does not follow a specific route. Prices must be negotiated.

By group tour
Without your own transport, the easiest way to get to Mae Kampong is to go with a tour which can be arranged at travel agent offices in Chiang Mai or arrange a private taxi. Most tour offices in Chiang Mai are also able to arrange the homestay for you if required.

Some car/van rental company for Mae Kampong travelling:

- Chiang Mai Tour info@mychiangmaitour.com Tel.+66(0) 88 4343 199

-Flight of the Gibbon: #123, T. Huai Kaeo, A. Mae On, Chiang Mai 50130

Open: 06:00-23:00 (Daily) | Package: 30 Platforms = 4,199 Baht

Tel. +66 53 010 660

= Bibliography = (2018, 2 7). Retrieved from https://www.thaizer.com/features/mae-kampong-homestay-eco-tourism-village/

(2018, 2 7). Retrieved from https://www.chiangmai-alacarte.com/chiang-mai-private-tours/mae-kampong-day-tours/

Mae Kampong Homestay and Eco-Tourism Village, Chiang Mai. (2018, 2 20). Retrieved 2 2018, 20, from thaizer: https://www.thaizer.com/features/mae-kampong-homestay-eco-tourism-village/

the hidden chiang mai moutain village you always dreamed for visiting. (2018, 2 7). Retrieved from bk.asia-city: http://bk.asia-city.com/travel/news/travel-guide-mae-kampong-northern-thailand

The What’s Up Guide to Mae Kampong Village Chiang Mai. (2018, 2 20). Retrieved from whatsup-chiangmai: http://www.whatsup-chiangmai.com/attractions/mae-kampong/