Once impacted by exploitative tourism, the village has become a pioneer in Community-Based Tourism (CBT), a model that allows residents to share their cultural heritage on their own terms while building a brighter, more equitable future.

Through a partnership with Fair Tourism and the Mae Hong Son CBT Network, more than 200 villagers are shaping the project’s direction, from decision-making and training to the creation of a new digital booking system that promotes transparency and safety.

Training programs in English, hospitality, marketing, and financial literacy are helping residents step confidently into roles that align with their talents and passions—fostering both ownership and opportunity.

As the CBT Network continues to expand training and support, Huay Pu Keng stands as a leading example of regenerative tourism—one that uplifts people, protects the environment, and preserves culture. Here, every tour and every exchange tells a story of resilience, renewal, and community-led progress in action.

Your support makes projects like Huay Pu Keng CBT project possible—a powerful collaboration between the indigenous Karenni community of Huay Pu Keng, Thailand, and the changemakers at Fair Tourism.

With your continued donations, Crooked Trails can fund more inspiring projects that empower local communities and create meaningful connections through responsible travel. Keep the momentum going—donate today and help us bring more stories like this to life!

Huay Pu Keng CBT project Update

In the forested hills of northern Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province, the Karenni village of Huay Pu Keng is charting its own course in tourism—one that celebrates cultural pride and community power.

Huay Pu Keng Community-Based Tourism Project

Photos courtesy of Charlotte Louwman-Vogels

The Huay Pu Keng Community-Based Tourism project is a collaboration between the Huay Pu Keng community members in Thailand and Fair Tourism, a Thailand-based non-profit committed to shifting the narrative around indigenous communities from passive tourist attractions to empowered leaders of their own stories.

Fair Tourism supports local communities in reclaiming agency through Community-Based Tourism (CBT), a model that allows them to preserve and share their cultural identity on their own terms.

Their mission is rooted in the belief that ethical, respectful tourism has the power to enrich both travelers and host communities, fostering genuine connections that go far beyond superficial experiences.

Since 2012, Fair Tourism has collaborated closely with the Karenni village of Huay Pu Keng, located in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province, to establish a new standard for responsible travel. Previously subjected to exploitative tourism, the village is now a pioneer in Community-Based Tourism (CBT), offering immersive, community-led experiences such as traditional weaving, bamboo and jewelry-making workshops, and nature-based tours that focus on medicinal plants.

Huay Pu Keng is Thailand’s only Karenni village practicing this model, and it’s a vibrant example of how tourism can be a force for cultural preservation and economic resilience.

The project is deeply community-driven, with over 200 residents—including Karenni subgroups (Kayan, Kayaw, Pakayor, Red Karen) and ethnic Shan—taking part in decision-making processes.

Cultural values, traditional knowledge, and natural heritage guide how tourism is structured and delivered. Villagers select local representatives to ensure leadership is genuinely reflective of community needs. Fair Tourism’s role is to support and empower, offering tools and training while ensuring that the community itself defines all priorities.

Looking ahead, we are continuing to adopt the 5C model of CBT—Consider, Conceive, Craft, Connect, and Conserve—as developed by experts Peter Richards and Potjana Suansri.

New training programs, informed by local input, will help address gaps in areas such as English, hospitality, marketing, and financial literacy. A digitized booking system will also be introduced to enhance safety, transparency, and efficiency. The formation of a local CBT group will enable villagers to assume roles that align with their skills and passions, thereby further encouraging meaningful participation and ownership.

Ultimately, this project aims to establish Huay Pu Keng as a leading example of regenerative tourism—one that harmonizes cultural pride, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity.

Visitors gain a richer understanding of indigenous life, while the community benefits from fairer working conditions, continued skill development, and long-term sustainability.

Through capacity building and a shared commitment to ethical tourism, we’re helping lay the foundation for a future where indigenous voices are heard, respected, and celebrated.