# I discovered Chiang Mai’s quieter side: Coffee farms, village stays and forest bathing

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/i-discovered-chiang-mais-quieter-side-coffee-farms-village-stays-and-forest-bathing/
- Published: 2026-11-07T00:14:44+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T01:35:19+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/travel/chiang-mai-forest-bathing-coffee-farms-village-stays-6492371
- Topics: World

## Key points

- A Chiang Mai trip explored community-based tourism.
- A farm serves seasonal meals using its own produce.
- Baan Pa Ngiew residents guide forest-bathing walks.

## Summary

A nature-focused trip to Chiang Mai introduced the writer to village stays, mountain coffee farms, local food and forest bathing. The itinerary showed how tourism can connect visitors with communities whose livelihoods and traditions are closely linked to the land.

At Wasunthara Farm, chef-owner Wilat Junlakan serves a seasonal, eight-course floral meal made with produce he grows himself; the restaurant offers one seating a day and requires reservations about a month ahead. In Baan Pa Ngiew, home to about 300 S’gaw Karen residents, villagers manage sacred and community forest zones, and helped develop a forest-bathing programme that creates guiding and food-preparation work.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.