Sawasdee Krup! My name is Chaiwat Pankaew, more commonly called by my Thai nickname, Ae. I think that even my parents have forgotten what my real name is! Fourteen years ago I bought a small piece of land up in the hills, about 50 Kms out of Chiang Mai town, with a river running through it, jungle and fresh air…then the adjoining lands and finally a jungle valley.
Over the years I have done my best to turn it into my idea of Nirvana! I live on the farm and manage every aspect, it’s hard work but the farm and my animals are my joy! Thung Dong gives me so much pleasure and I feel so privileged that I want to share it with others. I therefore warmly invite you to stay on my farm and enjoy it as much as I do!
About Thung Dong Farm
Nestled in its’ own secluded valleys surrounded by National Park, the farm is away from any paved roads and through a river to reach the main gate. The surrounding hills and jungle which ‘turn’ with the seasons, provides perfect seclusion. A dozen cold water springs feed the lakes and ensures a pure water supply throughout the year for irrigation and use on the farm. A river from high in the mountains runs through the farm all year. Thung Dong is an ideal location to grow our crops, raise and care for our animals and provides an idyllic retreat for our guests.
Farm's History
The valley in which the farm now lies was once jungle and the region was frequently invaded and colonized by the Burmese. They sacked the old, now ruined temple on the hill opposite the farm and legend has it that they took the golden Buddha image with them. However, in their haste to escape the advancing local militia they dropped the image into a nearby swamp. Many years later Thung Dong (Literally meaning ‘Flat ground in the jungle’) was cleared of trees and cultivated as rice paddy.
When purchased fifteen years ago much of the land was being used to grow chili. We dredged the spring-fed swamps and, finding no golden Buddha, landscaped into two lakes and converted the old basic chili pickers rooms into our farm-house. Since then we have discreetly built out-houses for us, a few guests and the animals. We have rejuvenated the orange grove and the coffee plants and added a multitude of other suitable crops and, of course, provided a haven for our animals.
We on the farm helped to build our local village temple which sits on another hill near Thung Dong and can be reached via a short walk through the jungle.
The farm and Thung Dong are as one complementing each other and at peace with nature and the surrounding country-side.
When purchased fifteen years ago much of the land was being used to grow chili. We dredged the spring-fed swamps and, finding no golden Buddha, landscaped into two lakes and converted the old basic chili pickers rooms into our farm-house. Since then we have discreetly built out-houses for us, a few guests and the animals. We have rejuvenated the orange grove and the coffee plants and added a multitude of other suitable crops and, of course, provided a haven for our animals.
We on the farm helped to build our local village temple which sits on another hill near Thung Dong and can be reached via a short walk through the jungle.
The farm and Thung Dong are as one complementing each other and at peace with nature and the surrounding country-side.
LocationThe farm is located 50 Kms by road to the North East of Chiang Mai City in Northern Thailand in an extension of the lower foothills of The Himalayas at 620 meters a.s.l.
The coordinates are: 18°53'56.17"N 99°17'28.31"E. From Chiang Mai there is a direct route via Doi Saket town or a slightly longer, more scenic road via Ban Hauy Kaew. Chiang Rai is a further two hours drive to the north and the border to Burma three hours. Pai and Mae Hong Song lie to the west whilst Phayou, Nan and the Laos border a short distance to the East. |