Travel/POI: Thailand Chiang Mai 泰國清邁 2026.01 - 5. The Little House in the Forest Project, Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park 大森林中的小房子多帕洪博國家公園

"Baan Lek Nai Pa Yai" ("The Little House in the Big Forest") is located in Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, in Mae Sao Subdistrict, Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province. It is a well-known royal initiative launched by Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother of Thailand. The project aims to promote sustainable coexistence between local residents and the forest by allowing impoverished hill tribe minorities and villagers to settle, farm, and assist in forest protection within designated areas, thereby addressing issues of deforestation, poverty, and border security. The area promotes the cultivation of "Pha Hom Pok Coffee," which both generates income for villagers and supports forest conservation efforts. Here we saw quite a few coffee plants, as well as many coffee beans drying in the sun.

At the higher elevation, there is a royal residence surrounded by flat lawns with an open, panoramic view, ideal for gazing at distant mountains and seas of clouds. At the lower elevation, there is a management office, a welfare restaurant, and extensive plantings of Himalayan cherry trees (Nang Phaya Sua Krong, also known as Thai Sakura). Each year around January, the mountainside bursts into bloom with pink cherry blossoms, making it a popular flower-viewing destination in northern Thailand. Although I saw quite a few cherry blossom trees when we visited, most of the blossoms had already fallen and covered the ground.

The park has two campgrounds, upper and lower, both offering a tranquil environment and fresh air. Tents are available for rent directly from the park. Camping costs 30 baht per person (plus a 100 baht refundable deposit for waste, returned upon leaving the park).

National park admission: 50 baht for adults, 30 baht for vehicles. Please also note that the mountain roads here are relatively narrow and steep, so careful driving is advised.

「大森林中的小房子」位於清邁府湄艾縣（Mae Ai District）湄紹鎮（Mae Sao Subdistrict）多帕洪博國家公園 Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park）內，是泰國詩麗吉王太后（Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother）發起的一項著名皇家倡議計畫。旨在促進當地居民與森林的可持續共存，透過讓貧困山地少數民族或村民在指定區域定居、耕作與協助護林，解決森林砍伐、貧窮及邊境安全問題。這裏推廣種植「帕洪博咖啡」（Pha Hom Pok Coffee），既為村民創造了收入，又支持了森林保護工作。我們在這裏看到不少咖啡植物，也看到許多在日曬中的咖啡豆。

此處在高海拔區設有王室行宮，周圍有平坦的草坪，視野開闊，適合眺望遠山雲海。在低海拔區設有管理處、福利餐廳及大片栽種的喜馬拉雅櫻花林（Nang Phaya Sua Krong 泰式櫻花)，每年 1 月左右漫山遍野的粉紅色櫻花盛開，是泰北熱門的賞花勝地。這次來我雖然看到不少櫻花樹，但絕大多數的櫻花已掉得滿地。

園區內設有上下兩個露營地，環境清幽、空氣清新。公園提供帳篷，可直接租用。露營費用每人 30 泰銖（另需繳納 100 泰銖垃圾押金，離園時退還）。

國家公園門票：成人 50 泰銖，車輛 30 泰銖。另外需注意的是，這裏山路路面較窄，且坡度較陡，建議小心駕駛。

Making dumplings 包餃子

The joy of communal living — everyone making dumplings together. Each person was diligently focused on their work, making a delicious lunch together.

團體生活的樂趣－大家一起包餃子。每個人都很認真的埋頭苦幹，做出一頓好吃的午餐。

Eating durian 吃榴槤

Although it's not durian season right now, Chulin thoughtfully arranged for someone to send durian for everyone to enjoy. Everyone ate happily and was very grateful to him.

雖然現在不是榴槤成熟的季節，楚林很有心的找人寄來榴槤給大家吃。每個人都吃得很開心，也很感謝他。

2026.01.22 Odds & Ends 雜記

"Food is the first necessity of the people" — and today's breakfast was once again something special. We had preserved egg and pork congee paired with black pomfret that Chulin’s wife bought in Bangkok, specially frozen and shipped to Chiang Mai for us to enjoy. Add to that some local sticky rice cakes, and it made for another rich and delicious breakfast.

Tonight was the last dinner we had up in the mountains this time. How fast — 5 days have already gone by.

民以食為天，今天又有很特別的早餐。皮蛋瘦肉粥配上學姊在曼谷買的黑鯧，特別冰凍後寄來清邁招待我們。再加上當地人的糯米餅，又是一頓豐盛好吃的早餐。

今晚是這次在山上吃的最後一頓晚餐。好快 5 天就過去了。