Rating: 4.4/5 (5 votes)

Open Days: Generally open daily (recommended to check weather conditions, especially during the rainy season)

Opening Hours: Recommended 08:00 – 17:00 (best visited during daytime and return before dark)

 

Doi Tham Community Forest (Village No. 9, Ban Doi Tham, Nam Phrae Subdistrict, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai) is a community forest that quietly reflects a deep sense of love for one’s homeland. Its essence is not about turning the forest into a check-in attraction, but about a shared understanding among villagers that the forest is a source of water, food, and life’s basic foundations. It is not something to be invaded or privately claimed. With this shared belief, the community is committed to preserving the forest for future generations, allowing it to remain lush and alive through collective care.

 

What makes Doi Tham Community Forest truly worthy of respect is its mindset of coexistence rather than exploitation. Forest resources can only endure when everyone in the community takes part in caring for them. This is why many communities choose shared rules and participation over relying solely on warning signs. When an entire village upholds the same values, the forest has a real chance to recover and maintain its richness over time.

 

For visitors, this is a place best experienced by slowing down and observing deeply, rather than seeking excitement. Gentle nature walks allow you to listen to the wind through the trees, notice the moisture of the soil, and observe surrounding vegetation, gradually understanding how the forest functions like a natural sponge for the community. Visiting in the morning or late afternoon offers softer light, cooler air, and a calmer atmosphere than midday, making the walk more relaxing and reflective.

 

Another strength of Doi Tham Community Forest lies in the community’s serious commitment to forest protection. Local residents have established surveillance and patrol systems to monitor access and reduce illegal logging. Equally important is their effort to instill environmental awareness in young people, nurturing a sense of pride and responsibility toward the forest. Ultimately, the most sustainable form of conservation is ensuring that future generations feel shared ownership and willingly protect the forest themselves.

 

To make your visit respectful to both forest and community, it is recommended to wear shoes with good grip, bring drinking water, insect repellent, and a small bag to carry out your trash. Avoid leaving food scraps in moist areas, keep noise levels low, and refrain from collecting plants or natural materials. These small acts of courtesy help preserve the forest’s tranquility and long-term vitality.

 

Getting There Start from Hang Dong District and head toward Nam Phrae Subdistrict, then continue to Ban Doi Tham (Village No. 9). Follow local signage or ask residents for directions to the starting point, as access routes within community forests may change depending on season and management. During the rainy season, it is advisable to avoid entering deep forest areas and instead remain in zones recommended by the community for safety.

 

 

A: It is located in Village No. 9, Ban Doi Tham, Nam Phrae Subdistrict, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai. The forest is jointly managed by local residents to conserve natural resources.

 

A: Morning or late afternoon is recommended for cooler weather and softer light. The forest can be visited year-round, but heavy rain days during the rainy season should be avoided.

 

A: Visit respectfully by following community-recommended paths, keeping noise low, not littering, and refraining from collecting plants or natural materials.

 

A: Shoes with good grip, drinking water, insect repellent, a hat or light jacket, and a small bag to carry out trash. During the rainy season, a light rain jacket is also recommended.

 

A: If rainfall is heavy, avoid entering deep forest areas and remain in safe zones or return early to reduce risks from slippery paths, flash floods, or unstable ground.