BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s Lalisa Manobal has drawn fresh attention to Ban Rak Thai, a small mountain village in Mae Hong Son province featured in the Amazing Thailand campaign. Set in Mok Champae subdistrict, the village is known for its quiet atmosphere, layered history, and strong cultural identity shaped by Yunnanese Chinese heritage.
Mae Hong Son is widely recognized for its cultural diversity, and Ban Rak Thai offers a clear example of that character. The community was founded by Yunnanese Chinese settlers who migrated to Thailand around 1967 and gradually developed what was once undeveloped land into a peaceful highland settlement. A large reservoir sits at the heart of the village, where traditional Chinese pavilion-style paddle boats glide across the water, reinforcing the area’s cultural roots.
The village becomes livelier during the Chinese New Year season, when red lanterns decorate streets and shops and restaurants serve Yunnanese Chinese dishes. Cool temperatures and light morning mist over the reservoir create a calm setting that appeals to visitors seeking a slower, more reflective travel experience. Winter, from November to February, remains the most popular period, with comfortable weather and frequent early-morning mist.
Visitors can explore Ban Rak Thai through guided nature walks, tea plantation visits, cycling routes, and boat rides across the lake. Local markets offer handicrafts such as silver jewelry, wood carvings, gemstones, and Shan-style clothing, while the Ban Din War Museum documents the community’s migration history. Open daily, the village presents a setting where cultural heritage, mountain scenery, and everyday life combine in a simple and memorable way. (NNT)
