[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his post congratulates Sampran Riverside for being recognized as a 2013 Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards Finalist. This award recognizes engagement and efforts by tourism businesses in preserving, enhancing and promoting local cultures and heritage.
Sampran Riverside (formerly known as Rose Garden Riverside) is a family-run property close to Bangkok, where visitors can experience authentic Thai way of life and learn about local wisdom. For decades it has been considered one of Bangkok’s favourite attractions because of the obvious dedication to preserving Thailand’s natural and cultural heritage by engaging with the local community.
Our favourite things about them!
- Supports cultural preservation through preservation of buildings and also preserving Thai culture, provides high employment.
- Good resource management practices.
- Good story about protecting trees and sites of cultural and spiritual significance.
- Use of local building materials.
- Good practices to educate visitors.
- Various ways to incorporate local art and culture into visitor activities, and specific events/activities highlighting local heritage.
- Successfully implementing “edutainment”.
- It’s a very managed business for a ‘Thai village’, but beautifully and sensitively presented, and the emphasis on organic farming, local crafts, providing training for local people and students, etc protects Sampran from feeling staged.
- The community market and organic agriculture development centre is a clear positive development.
- Provides a unique Thai cultural experience with a focus on cultural and architectural preservation. Has a long history of serving the tourism industry and providing local employment opportunities through the preservation and presentation of Thai culture.
Community Engagement and Development
- Arts and crafts workshops support 50 local jobs in traditional e.g. silk processing, bamboo dancing etc. Initiated through local staff’s traditions that may be lost.
- Initiated workshops as a programme to promote awareness of Thai culture through participation.
- Sell locally made organic herbal products to support local economy.
Cultural Preservation
- In 1967 the management saved old teakwood houses from local farmers in the area who where shifting into modern housing, and reconstructed (same materials) them around the central lake as accommodation for guests.
- Preserved 7 Thai houses to provide a unique cultural experience for visitors.
- Cared for trees around the property are 50 to 100 years old during the growth of business, including a spiritual bulletwood tree and a banyan tree that is used for traditional Thai wedding ceremonies.
- The Thai Village House and market pavilions (host weekly farmers market with local traders, including artisans) is constructed from local natural materials incorporating traditional design.
- Welcome briefings inform guests of local customs and traditions. Including briefing on how to dress for ceremonies in presence of monks.
- Provide guided tours and engage in Organic Farming, Thai art and craft workshops, informing of cultural significance.
- Daily cultural show with literature explaining cultural aspects, includes Elephant Demonstration to educate guests on livelihoods of elephants in Thailand.
- Guests can participate in traditional alms giving ceremonies and learn more. Thai weddings take place, guests explained about customs.
- Traditional Thai cuisine, ingredients sourced from own organic farm or other local farmers. Promote seasonal produce.
- Thai culture throughout business, e.g. garlands at theme events, pottery making workshops.
- River cruise to temples etc, restored traditional barge.
Resource Efficiency
- Minimise waste from food produce, e.g. serve food in coconut shelves, use leaves for decorations, rice seedlings as table centre pieces.
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