Thailand Village Academy Project
26-Sep-2019
At the end of July 2019, 44 bloggers from 17 countries visited and then wrote about twenty-two villages across Thailand. Their mission was to live in their assigned rural community for six days in order to learn about and understand authentic Thai culture and everyday life in the countryside first-hand – with the help and guidance from each community’s “Local Hero” or “Cultural Guru”. From these 44 bloggers, five Thai and five international young bloggers were chosen as the winners. The Thai winner was Ms.Sarunya Tungtiwaporn who visited Ban Laem Community in Suphanburi. The international winner was Mr. Jian Le Tan from Malaysia who visited Tambon Ban Chiang Cultural Tourism Community community in Udon Thani province
Communities with unique cultural, local wisdom and heritage, together with skilled community masters who are ready and willing to share their knowledge, have been chosen for the Thailand Village Academy project. Twenty two pilot cultural communities were selected, including: seven located in Central Thailand, five in Northern Thailand, five in Southern Thailand and five in Northeastern Thailand.
Central Thailand
1. Sai Noi Homestay Ecotourism Village, Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya province
2. Tai Puan Cultural Tourism Community, Nakhon Nayok province
3. Tam Rong Sub-district Tourism Enterprise, Phetchaburi province
4. Ban Bang Plub Community, Samut Songkhram province
5. Ban Laem Sub-district, Suphanburi province
6. Nong Rong Sub-district, Kanchanaburi province
7. Sappaya Ancient Police Station Market Community, Sappaya district, Chainat province
Northern Thailand
8. Mueang Kao Sukhothai Community, Sukhothai province
9. Ban Ta Ma O Community, Lampang
10. Ban Nam Cham Community, Sankampaeng district, Chiang Mai province
11. Lor Yo Community, Chiang Rai province
12. Lao Vieng Cultural Tourism Community, Had Song Kwai district, Uttaradit province
Southern Thailand
13. Tung Wah Tourism Community, Satun province
14. Laem Sak Tourism Community, Krabi province
15. Ban Lam Kanoon, Trang province
16. Promloke Community Tourism Club, Nakorn Sri Thammarat province
17. Node Na Le Traditional Thai Farmer Village, Songkhla province
Northeastern Thailand
18.Ban Chiang Cultural Tourism Community, Udon Thani province
19.Ban Koke Mueang Community, Buriram province
20.Khemarat, Nawaeng, Jiad Community for Cultural Tourism, Ubon Ratchathani province
21.Ban Na Thon Tai Guan Cultural Tourism Community, Nakhon Phanom province
22.Ban Phu Cultural Tourism Community, Mukdahan province
Ms. Thapanee Kiatpaiboon, Executive Director of the Product Promotion Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand said “It seems like these young bloggers have had a great time and have been amazed by immersing themselves in the villages while learning about each local community’s way of life. These experiences are totally unique to them; to see and to eat something new and different. This is actually what it’s meant to be for young travellers, they’ve got to open up and experience new cultures. TAT is very confident that, thanks to the 44 finalists’ creativity, these story curators will inspire more of the younger generation of global citizens to come and get a taste of Thai culture. This will also help generate a new source of income from tourism for each one of these communities, therefore, becoming a sustainable and well-balanced tool for the community’s economic system to benefit from.”
Ms. Tassachol Thepkampanat, Consultant of the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture said, “The Local Gurus are passing on our valuable cultural heritage and local wisdom to young travellers through their ways of story-telling so that young visitors can learn and familiarize themselves with Thai culture on a global stage. At the same time, the Local Gurus bear a proud ownership of this cultural capital which makes it even more engaging for the gurus to be a part of this experience-sharing to young bloggers. From this point, I believe that every local community would be more than happy to welcome and accommodate their home as a destination of Thai cultural learning.”
Related
Hue ancient citadel tops tourist destinations in Viet Nam
2018-06-29 10:51:24
Man-made ‘beach’ to open soon in Ha Noi
2018-06-29 10:56:01
Siem Reap's Unlikely Culinary Treasure
2018-06-28 17:22:56
Top 5 Tips for a Safe Beach Holiday in Halong Bay
2018-06-28 17:13:19
Vang Vieng "The fun capital of Laos" happy pizzas & Tubing
2018-06-28 15:08:06
Electric Tram Tours of Chiang Mai City
2018-06-28 17:18:30
“Please find enclosed the questionnaire filled in and commented. Sorry for the delay. I would like to thank you for all the efforts you have done, we really appreciate your support regarding the organization of our trip. All members of my small group are really satisfied and keep many pleasant memories...”
“We had an absolutely fantastic time! I think the absolute best tour we’ve ever been on. You made everything incredibly easy and smooth for us and we really appreciate everyone’s responsiveness. The guides were great and young and fun and energetic which is exactly what we needed. Few random thoughts: Really...”
“What can I say about this tour operator, but FANTASTIC!! From the time it took us to decide where and when to tour up until the actual tour Ms. Phuong kept us so well informed with great suggestions and quick responses to all questions mailed to her (and there were many). Nothing was too much trouble...”
“I wanted to praise JTA Tours for they commendable services. From trip planning to services on the our Vietnam holiday, it was meticulously planned. A show of appreciation to Ms Nhung for your outstanding service, I really appreciated all your hard work as the trip turned out really really well. It was...”
“We are returning from a journey for 17 days in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam which we had entrusted the organization, JTA Tours. Knowing that we wanted to avoid the places invaded by too many tourists, they have prepared a dream itinerary with very good hotels and very competent guides. We were well...”
“With 3 weeks to discover Vietnam, everyone was surprised that we had seen so much. No double thanks to the travel agency that had organized everything from the smallest detail. The price was very reasonable. During the trip, we would have revised some routes, days to take the time for visit other...”
“Quite frankly, we were bowled over from start to finish, the itinerary is jam-packed but it was an entirely stress free trip. JTA Tours ensured all airport meetings and transfers were seamless, private travel arrangements and guides were of a high standard. We began our trip in Siem Reap, and travelled...”
“We corresponded extensively before booking the trip and were given lots of suggestions and alternatives to this tailor made holiday. We started in Hanoi where we were met at the airport and taken to our Hotel as a tour guide. The guides have a good grasp of English and extensive knowledge of their country....”
“Hello Nguyen, Yes we are all settled back home in Australia now. Thank you so much for organising this tour for us. We were very well looked after. While all the accommodation in Vietnam was really good, I wouldn’t recommend the Juliana hotel in Phnom Penh, it was too far away to walk to...”
“We have had great experience with JTA Tours. When we had private tour: Highlights Of Vietnam Tour - 11 Day arranged by Ms. Phuong. We had a long e-mail correspondence prior to it with her, she being highly professional and helpful. The tour itself was exactly what we wanted, hotels were to our satisfaction,...”
“Booked this tour in Myanmar through internet. Must admit when first booked we were a little worried, but from the moment we arrived in Yangon everything ran smoothly with JTA Tours. Tour guides in all areas were very helpful and informative especially "Khin Thet Mar" our guide in Bagan. All hotels...”
“Our family of 4 people just finished a 2 weeks holiday from vietnam to cambodia, we honestly highly valuate the professional organization & meticulous cares of JTA Tours. From the beginning, we emailed to them to customize a suitable trip with a combination between sightseeing & beach relaxation...”
“We had an absolutely amazing time in Myanmar, thanks to JTA Tours and our Guide Aung Aung, the sites we saw were incredible. We want to thank Aung Aung for being so good to us and making this trip worth every minute we were on it. For his expertise in Myanmar history and for always doing his best in...”
“The tour was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed the walking routes each day, with the mountain from Sapa, the walk at Lao Chai & Ta Van, and the day walk at Hoian/trip to Halong bay my personal highlights. The first nights meal at the winery, and the last 2 at the family at Mekong were amazing. Our...”
“This agency was recommended by my friend - Mr Jito and they really provide good service. Mr Thang helped us all the way from the moment we touch down the airport until the last day we go home, he never disappoint us and we really enjoy very much. all the itinerary they planed for us never go wrong. this...”
“Many thanks Jito for your kind support! My and husband's dream to visit Ha Long Bay was finally fulfilled. Tham from JTA Tours provided a good deal and clear itinerary during for visit Ha Long Bay. It was a last minute deal since we were already arrived in Hanoi and seems most good cruise was no longer...”
“Hi Suharjito, we are now fine in Indinesia. Thanks so much for amazing trip to the north of Vietnam including Hanoi, Halong& Ninh Binh also. Excellent experience and very high-level service. JTA Tours took amazing care of us from the moment we landed. Were very open for changes and for every...”
“Dear Thang, we have now returned back to Australia and the chores of work! – We have very pleasant memories of the sights, sounds, food and people of Vietnam….. We shall treasure for a lifetime I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of our group to say we had a wonderful time – the...”
“Hi Thang, I do apologize that it has take me so long to email you and thank you for yet another super lot of organization on your part which helped to make our time in Vietnam so enjoyable. We really do appreciate so much your professional and reliable services which make our job in taking our small...”
““Our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia was superbly organised by JTA Tours. We were met promptly and efficiently by very friendly and helpful guides at each stage of our holiday. Our hotel in Seam Reap, Hoian & Hanoi was lovely. The trips were well organised and in formative. The floating villages were...”
““We wanted to write to you personally to let you know how much we enjoyed our holiday in Myanmar and to thank you for organizing this memorable trip. We had such an amazing time discovering your diverse and beautiful country, it's people and of course the strange food. We found your tour was...”
“Hi Mr. Thang, “BEST SELLING VIETNAM FAMILY TOUR - 17 DAYS" with JTA Tours, just a quick note to say thank you for an amazing experience! Our participants commented on how wonderfully it was organized and we received lots of positive feedback (along with a few suggestions but it was overwhelmingly...”
“I search into Goggle for Vietnam & Cambodia tours, I contacted approximately 5 different companies, it was my contact with Ms Na Na that made me select your agency. She was superb in every way and a pleasure to work with, she had excellent suggestion for myself and three Granddaughters. She is truly...”
“Hi, thank you for your note. I would also like to make special mention of two of your staff – Mr Thang who prepared the tour for us and the second tour guide that we had, who I only knew as Phuong (he was our guide in both Dalat and Nha Trang). The service we received from both of these people was...”
“Hi Mr. Thang, We are doing fine. We want to let you know that our guide Mr Nam was excellent. He saw to all of our needs and had us back to our hotel on time for our dinner with or tour group. I would highly recommend Mr Nam to anyone that needed a private guide while visiting Vietnam. And, thank...”
