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    the top of Three Whale Rock in Beung Kan, Thailand.
    • Travel
    • Article

    Thailand's tourism goes green

    Responsible tourism has created an exciting new realm of natural and cultural experiences in Beung Kan, Thailand.

    Hikers to the top of Thailand’s Three Whale Rock are rewarded with an unspoiled view that stretches as far as the beaches of the Mekong and the mountains of neighboring Laos.
    Photograph courtesy Tourism Authority of Thailand
    ByDouglas Paton
    • 7 min read
    This is Paid Content. The editorial staff of National Geographic was not involved in the preparation or production of this content.

    Thailand, a country known for both its cultural and natural splendors, is keenly aware of the effects of tourism. Upwards of 34 million people visit the country from abroad every year. With that yearly influx of people comes a need to ensure that the natural and cultural wonders that Thailand is known for are protected.

    Tourism, as great as it can be for local businesses and communities, comes with a price. Well-meaning travelers can sometimes bring unintended harm to the places that they visit: from the destruction of a natural wonder to the intrusion on the lives of the locals.

    The need to protect natural and cultural splendors is more important now than ever before. There’s nothing quite as tragic as visiting a spot you’ve heard about, only to discover that too many years of overtourism has stripped it of its magic and beauty.

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) developed the 7 Greens initiative in 2011 with the goal to promote sustainable tourism throughout the country.

    These guidelines are helping to create carefully managed tourism attractions that allow tourists to continue to see for years to come, the unrivalled beauty and unique cultures that Thailand has to offer. They are built around the idea that if we travel with sustainability in mind, these places won’t succumb to overtourism.

    Bueng Kan, Thailand’s newest province, is an excellent example of the kind of destinations that TAT hopes to conserve and protect by promoting the 7 Greens. Located in the northeastern part of Thailand, 466 miles (751 kilometers) away from Bangkok, Bueng Kan is a haven of immersive cultural experiences and staggering natural beauty.

    Hin Sam Wan (Three Whale Rock)

    Hin Sam Wan, which means Three Whale Rock, is a 75 million-year-old rock formation jutting majestically out of the mountains. It earned its name because from the right perspective, it looks like a family of whales.

    Aerial view of the Three Whale Rock.
    Seen from above, the Three Whale Rock looks like a family of whales.
    Photograph courtesy Tourism Authority of Thailand
    Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

    Reachable by an extensive network of trails, a hike to these impressive stone leviathans makes for a breathtakingly memorable, not to mention eco-friendly way for visitors to explore the amazing views and surrounding forests.

    From the vantage point atop these “whales”, you can see the beaches of the Mekong, the mountains in Pakkading district of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Phu Wua Forest.

    Fisheye view of Three Whale Rock and surrounds.
    A surreal landscape awaits travelers to the Three Whale Rock.
    Photograph courtesy Tourism Authority of Thailand
    Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

    It’s very easy to dedicate an entire day to the Three Whale Rock. Visitors can choose from nine different routes to hike. On these hikes, you can find waterfalls, a wide variety of plant and animal life, and even a little bit of peace and quiet. While here, stay for the sunset if you have the time. There’s nothing quite like watching the sun go down over Thailand from the back of a giant stone whale.

    The Life Community Museum

    For those who like to dive into local culture, the Life Community Museum is a great way to immerse yourself in the way of life in Beung Kan, in a manner that doesn’t intrude on the local Isan people. It is a living museum that allows visitors to participate in the Isan culture without interfering with the community outside. Founded by a Thai food stylist whose father lives on the premises, the museum was established as a partnership between 45 families living in the surrounding community.

    the community that runs the Life Community Museum.
    Run by locals, the Life Community Museum creates a way for tourists to engage with the local Isan community in a non-invasive, responsible way.
    Photograph courtesy Tourism Authority of Thailand
    Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

    The Life Community Museum occupies 12 rai of land (almost five acres) and includes a house built in the Isan architectural style, a market and an area dedicated to street art.

    Naga spirits at the Life Community Museum in Beung Kan, Thailand.
    Stylized representations of the Naga, Mekong River spirits, can be found throughout the village.
    Photograph courtesy Tourism Authority of Thailand
    Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

    The local street art showcased here includes unique representations of the Naga, the guardian spirits of the Mekong River. Painted on corrugated metal sheets in the market and other buildings throughout the museum property, the art is particularly amazing and make for great photo opportunities.

    The market itself is not to be missed. Local food growers, artisans and craftsmen bring their wares out on Saturdays to sell. It presents a wonderful opportunity to find souvenirs and get to know the locals a little better. The stories the locals tell while people look at their goods stick with you long after the trip ends.

    an Isan meal in progress at the Life Community Museum in Beung Kan, Thailand.
    In addition to the cultural artifacts on display, live community experiences such as the partaking of an Isan meal, are featured at the Life Community Museum.
    Photograph courtesy Tourism Authority of Thailand
    Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

    A local temple also opened their doors to help visitors to the Life Community Museum explore the spiritual side of Isan culture. The temple houses a room dedicated to the handicrafts of the Isan Buddhists that depict the journey from life to death.

    a man posing outside the barbershop at the Community Life Museum in Beung Kan, Thailand.
    Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
    live Isan music being performed at the Community Life Museum in Beung Kan, Thailand.
    Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
    Left: Things can get a little funky while in the village.
    Right: Live traditional music is performed in the marketplace at the Life Community Museum.
    Photographs courtesy Tourism Authority of Thailand

    Please enjoy responsibly

    Reducing mankind’s negative impact on the world is an important responsibility we all must shoulder in today’s world.

    By treating the places we visit and the people who live there with respect, we can continue to visit them for generations to come. In the end, it all comes back to the saying: take only photographs, leave only footprints.

    Discover more amazing Green Routes in Thailand at the 7 Greens website.



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