Ban Lo Cha (บ้านหล่อชา) They migrated from southern China and have settled in the northern part of Thailand for more than 100 years. The Akha or also known in Thai as the Iko still preserve their indigenous lifestyle and traditions, which visitors can enjoy; such as, the swing ceremony (Lo Chingcha), New Year’s Day (Pi Mai Khai Daeng), hunting with handmade equipment, animal husbandry, textile weaving, sewing, and smithing. Ban Lo Cha is one of the community-based cultural tourism villages supported by the Population and Community Development Association (PDA-Chiang Rai). This village was the winner of the 7th Thailand Tourism Awards in 2008 in the culture category. The admission fee is 50 Baht/ person.
To get there: It is on Tha Ton – Mae Chan Road. From Lan Thong Village, turn left onto Highway No. 1089, Mae Chan – Tha Ton, Kio Sa Tai T-junction, between Kilometers. No. 54 – 55, pass the police kiosk, and this Akha hill tribe village is on the left-hand side.
For more details, contact Tel/Fax. 0 5374 0088, 08 7180 0031.
