Heading to Thailand’s northern region, where the Pakanyaw or White Karen hill tribe lives in the area of Khlong Wang Chao National Park, we find Woongkasang village in Kamphaeng Phet Province, which is well known for its outstanding food, fashion, language, tradition, and architecture that represent the wisdom of the Karen people.
Traveling here is like arriving at a “one-stop destination,” since it has beautiful scenery, natural tourist attractions, and interesting traditions. Tourists can explore caves and waterfalls and gaze at giant fig trees. Pakanyaw villagers still preserve their old traditions, including speaking and writing in the Karen language, along with music and folk shows.
Weaving is a form of arts and crafts the villagers here perform. They weave their daily costumes, such as scarves, sarongs, headbands, blankets, blouses, shirts, and satchels, and they sometimes give them to other people as gifts. Pakanyaw people also weave a sacred flag to pay homage to the holy objects.
Karen people wear woven clothes. Male Karen like to wear a red shirt and straight-leg pants. Single female Karen wear a white blouse with a small decoration on the chest made with red cloth. Married women tend to wear a striped, red tube skirt, with black, blue, and brown thread, and their blouses are varied according to the tribe.
The most common and well-known ceremonies of the Karen people in this village are Wian Thian, or walking around the temple with a lighted candle, wedding ceremonies, and housewarming ceremonies.
In addition, Karen food is very healthy, because they use local and organic ingredients such as fish, vegetables, and herbs to promote good health. Another benefit of living here is that the air is fresh.
More information
Visiting period: Monday-Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Target group
Families, tour groups, government and private sectors
Best months to visit
January, February, March, September, October, November, December
How to get there
By car
Take the main road no. 1 to no. 32 until you reach Nakhon Sawan Province. Then, drive along route no. 1 and turn on to route no. 1117. Next, change to route no. 1116, the way to Klong Chao waterfall.
By public transportation
Bus: There are buses from Bangkok to Kamphaeng Phet, and after arriving, please contact the head of the village to arrange a pick-up.
Contact persons
Mr. Amnoeychai Dabbin on tel. +66 613 687009; Ms. Atcharee Khunlabud on tel. +66 83 630 6968
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