The Forgotten Mountain Village of Chiang Mai Thailand

[@WalkAboutWayne]

You can watch part 2 here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ_KgqR6mpeXd9k

[@jaidee9570]

My father-in-law taught in the Srinehru school in Khun Chang Khian for almost 14 years. He rode up on a 125cc motorcycles everyday from Mae Hia at about 6:45 in the morning and getting home at about 6:30 in the evening. Despite how the roads look now they were a lot worse until quite recently, it took him 60 minutes each way. He regularly got delayed in windy weather when trees blew down across the road, he would help villagers returning home, who used chainsaws to cut up the trees, move the cut branches etc. so he could ride home. We went up as a family a few times, if he was with us the kids and parents would all shout hello and crowd around us. They all respected and liked him so much we couldn't spend our money there. We went up to see the cherry trees a few months after he retired, the villagers had set up food and drink stalls and every one of them wanted to stop and chat with him, again, we couldn't pay for anything we had. In the school there is a coffee shop with a small skywalk viewing platform that overlooks the city. I think it was his idea to set up a program to teach the kids how to grow, roast, make and serve coffee, and the planning etc. behind running a coffee shop. It's now taught in the school to the more senior children, who get to run it when visitors visit the school. He was also the Scoutmaster for the village, he showed me photos once of him teaching the kids how to light fires and cook. He told me that most of the kids by the age of 10-12 went home after school, and could, if needed, light a fire and have a meal ready for the entire family, some did it everyday. He had to teach so they could get the tick in the box that Scouts troops were graded on. There is a Buddhist temple further along from where you were that is used by the villagers, it's really modest, no fancy decorations or statues but it feels more like a peoples temple than the gold coated tourist temples that you can find all over Thailand. Also in the village there is a portable generator that used to supply the electricity for the village, it was only about 10 years ago that PEA ran electricity lines up to the village, and they lose power regularly when trees are blown down. I don't know if it's still the case but the school was set up after a huge donation was given to the village from India, hence the name of the school, because of this, and government policy towards hill-tribes, schooling for the kids is free. I've sat in for some of the classes and I can't begin to tell you how different the attitude of the kids are to when I was at school, they want to learn, the parents live a difficult life and they understand education is the path to not living such a difficult life. Good to see the video, the village has increased in size since I was last there, again unless it's changed recently, because the village lies within the national park they can't build in brick, all the buildings are made from wood. I might be thinking of somewhere else but I think it's there, because it's a national park the villagers aren't allowed to own the land, they lease it. If any teachers are reading this, I can tell you they are always short of teachers in the school. My F-i-L retired when he was 61 but they asked him to return for what turned out to be another 3 years because they couldn't find anyone to take his place. After he retired at 64 they asked him to come back for another year! To try and tempt teachers to work there, they built a small block that they can stay in to avoid travelling everyday, I think it's free, but they still never had a full quota of teachers. It's a nice place to visit and if you want to escape the heat it's usually 5 or more degrees cooler than the city during the hot season and as you found out - bloody cold in the cold season when it's cloudy!

[@dondobbs9302]

Thanks so much! Great story and great dad!

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Wow great comment and sone awesome info. Yes, I would breads to think what that road was like years ago. It not great now! Thanks for sharing.

[@colinjackson320]

These villages are what makes the north so special. I've come across a few like this by accident. Thanks for showing us around Wayne 🙂

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes, so true Colin. This is why the north is so special. Thanks mate

[@davidnavaho3994]

Found your channel, and wow so happy I did.I started to watch afew, and found myself hours later enjoy so many. I feel your personality has changed to become very relaxed, not saying that your early VDO's are anything wrong, in my opinion you have become relaxed and the beauty of your travels have made you and us appreciate how simple and calming life can be, it doesn't have to be stressful, enjoy your next journey and I will enjoy to Thank you for giving us all a beautiful journey where ever you may go, I will follow and experience the calmness you bring THANK YOU

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thank you David, great comment to read. Yes, it's been a journey and I can see the progress of becoming relaxed in the vlogs. I can't even watch my early videos anymore. They are all me but after time you become more relaxed and confident. It's been a crazy journey. I think it's something you see in nearly every vlogger. Thanks again buddy.

[@MichaelS-h7b]

There's a big Hmong refugee population in Minnesota, US as well. They are a very hardworking, family oriented mountain people with no real country. Great people who've kept their traditions going through a lot of adversity. Thank you for sharing

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks for the info. Yes, great people. This was one of the most real villages I’ve been.

[@D-Dub007]

Good Day Wayne from the USA. I appreciate your adventurous spirit and your exploratory nature. I find myself aligned with you and the things I like to do. I am the same way. My first trip to Thailand was to Chiang Mai. I found the city amazing and low key. You are an inspiration for me to explore more and your spirit is very open minded and accepting. Your attitude in accepting local culture is impeccable. Keep doing what you do and God Bless You Wayne!🙏🏽

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks man, that's very kind of you to say 👍. I hope you are well and can get back to Thailand soon .

[@johngagne986]

Hmong are really interesting people. The care taken in their village speaks of their industrious and hard working culture. Thanks Mate!

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes John, they seem very strong people. This was a great village. Thanks mate.

[@nixferguson7323]

Love that you went off the beaten track the non touristy spots thanks SO much for showing us this side 👌👍😊

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thank you 🙏. Tourists do come here still but it’s definitely one of the lesser known villages.

[@AllThaidUp2]

One of my favourite “quiet time” places to go mate. I’m glad you have shown everyone. This is a very rustic but real side of Thailand. Loving it!

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Still gets a bit touristy up there this time of year especially Doi Pui , but it’s a good spot away from downtown in the city. Khun Chang Khian is one of the better Hmong villages for sure. Hope all is well buddy.

[@GRAEMEBOWYER]

Great vlog. I would feel nervous, but the reality is you bring interest and people will visit. You always bring a reality in your vlogs, honesty and fun. Great to spot out them loos too. It helps everyone. Keep it up and thank you

[@WalkAboutWayne]

I appreciate that! Thanks 🙏

[@hughmalem]

Great video Wayne. Nice to see how these villages really are.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks mate

[@richardlongmore9301]

That staircase was a work of art 👍

[@WalkAboutWayne]

It was! He should be in business making them 👍

[@soniacole3319]

This is the sort of place my husband and I love to visit. My husband loves the mountains. True Thailand. Thanks Wayne.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

This is probably the most untourist village I’ve been. It looks real. Thanks

[@davidkelly-cl4mj]

Thanks for sharing Wayne, I love these kind of vlogs, I like seeing the roads less travelled away from the full on tourist areas. Though I'm sure plenty tourist will visit these remote areas I could easily live there quite happily and knowing that I'm not all that far from the big city of Chiangmai. Stay safe man stay safe 🙏

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks mate. Yes, it’s still a tourist village, but this one is a lesser known one for sure.

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

A+

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Bobby Dazzler mate 👍

[@colinshurey976]

I loved this one Wayne Nice and relaxing ,i almost i felt i was there

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks mate 👍

[@antruok4950]

Beautiful video mate of a very nice village , happy people just living life with what they have & have created - Thanks for sharing champ top notch ✔️👌👍🙏

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks mate, 👍

[@randyirvine5858]

It's a different world in those villages. I think it would take some adjustment. To think life was like that for most people 100 yrs ago. Great vid mate.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes mate, it would take alot of adjustment to live somewhere like this. No way could I do it. Great people. Cheers mate.

[@walternyc]

I made it once to the camping ground with a driver (I don't drive in Thailand). Very nice place. I think that if I told the lady driver to continue to the village, she would have collapsed. Difficult road for a car. Great video as always. Thanks.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes mate, the road is not the faint hearted, especially in a car. I hit a few pot holes and nearly come off a few times. Lots of landslides from wet season also. Thanks👍

[@Rob6020]

Have cycled up to there a few times. Nice spot with at least three great coffee shops.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Nice one! A lot of cyclist up here. Yes, a few little coffee shops and that’s about it.

[@Darryl_Smith]

Great interaction with the youngsters in the start. That mutt is the friendliest that I've seen in Thailand - totally trusting - or maybe hungry... 🙂

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks! It’s always nice to meet the locals. I think the gym dog was definitely looking for food. First time a dog has don’t that to me in Thailand though. Thanks

[@villagefarang]

We normally go see the cherry blossoms in late January. I think we are heading to Doi Angkhang around the 19th. Beautiful time of year up here.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

I really wanted to see the flowers, maybe I didn't look hard enough. Have a good one mate. Yes, great time of year to be up in these villages.

[@villagefarang]

@ whatever you read the flowers don’t come until mid to late January so you still have a chance to see them.

[@johnanderson7883]

Good on ya mate,have a safe and lucky new year.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Cheers John

[@roberttee9790]

I liked this vid. Seemed like you enjoyed the area. Not just going through the motions to make a vid. I know sometimes it must be difficult. Anyway this was Interesting and fun. Will now wait for part 2. Good job. 👍👍

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks mate, yeah I liked this village, it was one of the more real ones I’ve been too.

[@Deadfoot-Dan]

I remember that video you discussed your first meeting and your channel getting so many views, I honestly think that might have been one of the first videos of your channel I ever watched man, if not it was probably pretty close

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Nice one Dan, yes that video was the biggest one I've done. The lady done alright from it also. She had alot of customers.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

We were directed up market street in the car at Doi Pui we ran out of road and had to drive through the Market street. Crazy. Such a steal road. Very nice area.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes, I know that road. I’ve never driven up where the market is. The roads are not for the faint hearted. You should see it in rainy season 🤣 . Hope you had a great time up here Les. 👍

[@stevemahoney6493]

Interesting day. My girlfriend is Akha from a similar village in Mae Taeng. You'll always feel a bit of a knob but at least this one had coffee shops to explain your being there.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

That’s true mate, the coffee shops save the day. I always do feel abit of a knob in these mountain towns. 🤣

[@stevens8785]

Loved this one mate. Beautiful village. So laid back. The people have likely rarely seen a farang around. As you said it is probably not on the Tourist list of must see tribal villages hence the absence of multiple little shops selling toot or, as you know, bottles of wine 😂🤣😂 Looking forward to that one when you revisit shortly. Great work as always Wayne 🤩

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Cheers Steven! Some tourists do come here but it's definitely a lesser known one. Revisiting the wine lady is another funny one coming next mate. She was on top form again 👍

[@dondobbs9302]

LOVE Kun Chan Kien! Need to get back there. I screwed up and lost all my (stupid digital!) photos of it. Stayed over night at the coffee plantation just back down the road about 500 meters or so. Lovely! There's a nice series of decks at the back of the school and another café. + the little temple is quite nice with a view and a great look in the PM sun. Last time there, my visiting Farang friend and I were pulled into a wedding ceremony. Got to drink home brewed rice whiskey and ate pork that had been grilled on an old refrigerator's coil. The time that my wife and I stayed over night at the plantation, we got a ride home, the rough way, down to Huy Khun Taw reservoir. That road is rough!

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Nice! I was going to take the Huay Tung Tao road but decided against it. I think it’s still a rought road now. Thanks

[@Caferide1]

Wayne thanks for that loo moment with the water malarkey;)) made me laugh;) thanks for the smiles and taking us along on your trip up the mountain for a coffee mate ☕️

[@WalkAboutWayne]

🤣🤣 Cheers mate! Always good to have a laugh in the videos.

[@geoffreydavies6570]

Told you before Wayne, it's not the dogs you need to worry about it's the lady's. And that dog with his chin on your leg can't beat it, you got a friend for life there m8t 👍💗

[@WalkAboutWayne]

🤣 Nice one mate. Yeah I think he was hungry. Maybe I should get a dog though 👍

[@vs123]

Beautiful locations my friend

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes, great little village.

[@davemassingham2096]

Lovely little villages mate I bet those roads are fun during rainy season

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes mate, I wouldn't attempt it in rainy season. I went past so many land slides as I went up on that road.

[@ChilloutLars]

You are not a knob, Wayne. You're a Bobby Dazzler youtuber. I'm definitely making an effort to visit this village. Can do the ride up Doi Suthep blindfolded, but for some reason, I never went much further than the first viewpoint. Have to dig out the old eskimo jackets. Very pleasant to watch, mate.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

🤣 Thanks mate. Sometimes I feel a bit of a knob in these small villages but it's all good. I can't believe I never went up this far before either. I always normally turn back at Doi Pui viewpoint. Freezing up there mate.

[@mywwwow]

I like to see and hear you happy. Not complaining and be more thankful 😊. Thank you for sharing this, before I go to explore Thailand as well 😊

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Always Happy buddy . Disagreeing with things don’t mean you’re not happy. Happy days mate, keep smiling 🙂

[@stanleymoore8084]

That’s where I was Christmas Day

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Nice 👍

[@chrisfinn7907]

Boom Boom wine...love it..🤠

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yeah, that was funny 🤣

[@roymarchant9536]

Feel so happy watching your videos. Feels like that’s where my soul belongs rather than crappy uk. Keep up the great work. Top bloke.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thank you Roy, much appreciated for watching the channel mate. I know the feeling of being back home. Thanks again buddy.

[@roberthornbrook8374]

This is the real authentic Thailand 🇹🇭 the bike is making some funny noises is it ok Wayne

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Lucille running like a champion mate 👍

[@robbied9313]

I love that little village. And by getting that coffee, I believe you can feel a bit better about being as you say "a tourist"-you've left a few baht in town. I think there is a line between being a tourist and being a "bad tourist" and you never fall into that latter catagory.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Cheers! I normally get a coffee in most places, so yeah I’m buying something. I stopped buying stuff I don’t need though. Thanks

[@robbied9313]

@@WalkAboutWayne oh, I'll bet you've purchased your share of things over time- no offense meant, mate. I think you are showing us some great things-

[@richardlongmore9301]

Honestly I think I would prefer to live there than my house in England right now. England has never been more disappointing than it is right now 😢 It looks very peaceful there and I bet the people of that village would welcome you if you wanted to stay for a bit

[@WalkAboutWayne]

For sure mate, they would welcome anyone I think. This is one of the better mountain villages I’ve visited. Sorry to hear about life back home mate, I remember the feeling.

[@j.m.5831]

I've bought you 10 rubber bands to put around your phone holder to keep it from rattling so much.

[@MIchael-d2i]

I know what you mean regarding filming somewhere like that. I couldn't do it. But enjoyed seeing you do it 😂 love your vlogs Wayne.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes, sometimes I feel ab it of a prat, but it's all part of the journey. Thank you

[@worldview2888]

**** CHEERS TO THIS CHANNEL **** I visited Chiang Mai for the first time - i watched this channel to gather some tips on what to do in CM. This time watching this video i actually find out that THIS "forgotten mountain village" is the true experience. (I personally did not completely enjoy the usual old town and the surrounding area. I even walked from Maya back to my hotel. I completely CANNOT find any meaning. I will try to come back and instead explore these beautiful hidden spots.)

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thank you for liking the channel, I’m glad it can help. If you don’t like Chiang Mai city so much, you can go to so many small towns around the north. Khun Chang Khian might be a bit to detached but some great small towns around. Thanks again.

[@ubolubol5972]

At this time, the mountain cherry blossoms ( Sakura Mountain ) should begin blooming pink and white flowers.😊

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes, I was hoping to see the flowers in January.

[@ubolubol5972]

@WalkAboutWayne At Kun Wang and Doi Ang Khang ,too ,have Sakura Mountain and Native Maple trees,😊🌸💮🍁🍂

[@pannysymeou]

Great vlog mate, I’ve been watching your travels now for the past couple of years 👍 Next time you come to Rayon give me a shout and we can go for a coffee/ chicken nuggets

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Thanks mate, appreciate it. If I'm ever in Rayon I sure will buddy.

[@bdown]

😂omg crash the funeral,”wheres the coffee and toast mate?”😂

[@WalkAboutWayne]

🤣🤣

[@bdown]

And there better be butter for that toast…

[@SteveSmith-zz4ih]

It seems a Genuine village, they are a close knit community and probably have had bad tourists coming through so they are reserved till they suss you out.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yeah, this one seems one of the most genuine I’ve been. Doesn’t look set up for tourists at all.

[@jimsinthailand]

I've been there once about 5 years ago. That road was pretty sketchy!

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes, the road is a crazy one. Lot's of landslides from the wet season also.

[@kocken780]

NICE 😊

[@WalkAboutWayne]

👍👍

[@trevorlayton9407]

Have you visited the Karon Tribe

[@WalkAboutWayne]

yes mate

[@D.Hozzie]

Oh …one more thing. Are you David Gilmours lil brother? 🥳

[@WalkAboutWayne]

I’ve heard that one a few times. I wish I had his money 💰

[@phillray9082]

I.bet they used grow lots of poppies around there.

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Yes, maybe.

[@davidlevi-k4w]

thanks Wayne

[@WalkAboutWayne]

Cheers mate.

[@bobwelo]

[@WalkAboutWayne]

👌👌👌

[@watahyahknow]

maibe an idea to go on a longer roadtrip packing up the scooter with all wat they need and camp "in the wild " in a small pubtent , can probably eat streetfood so actuall cooking stuff whont be needed likely be hot as heck and im not sure if its alowed , i bet you can ask a local farmer to park and camp on his land somewhere (watch out for the dogs) and go intoo a hotel every few days to take a shower and have youre clothes washed "ita like winter" eeeh yeah it is winter in thailand just not as bad as here i guess .......

[@WalkAboutWayne]

🤣🤣

[@D.Hozzie]

The cell tower😅

[@WalkAboutWayne]

👍👍

[@2kkto2]

its probably the funeral depressing the area...

[@WalkAboutWayne]

I didn't see many people depressed, all happy mostly. The funeral wasn't the best time to see the village though.

[@salvehimor1704]

The accent so sexy😊😊😊

[@WalkAboutWayne]

🤣 Thanks