In the last of the five CF-Hotels series of articles, we present a list of five low-carbon travel routes in Thailand coupled with hotels committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions as members of the CF-hotels platform.
So, pack your bags and get ready for a fun, eco-friendly, comfortable vacation.
Kick back at Eco Hotel and enjoy the taste of the East
Chanthaburi, about 3.5 hours southeast of Bangkok, is an ideal destination for anyone seeking a culinary adventure. The distinctive specialties of the province derive from its forests, orchards and thriving sea, and vary from season to season.
The unique “taste of Chanthaburi” is showcased in its fresh seafood, tropical fruit like salak (snake fruit) and durian, tasty ta dam shrimp paste, and local herbs like ginger, raew hom (bustard cardamom), sour chamuang leaves and pepper.
Stay: The ideal base for your gourmet trip is The Motifs Eco Hotel. Opened just three years ago, this hotel has risen rapidly in popularity thanks to its serious environmental credentials from the very beginning.
The hotel’s eco-friendly strategy is driven by co-founder Ireelda Jirachokchayanant’s love for the environment. She spends her leisure time hiking and learning about nature, so when she got the opportunity to open a hotel, she leapt at the chance to make sustainability its core business ethos.
“The idea was to create a hotel with energy-saving buildings infused with beauty that appeals to the eye, ears, and nose while also responding to travellers’ lifestyles,” Ireelda said. “The design of the building focuses on air circulation and odours, taking full advantage of natural light in the mornings and afternoons, and offering relaxing views of the natural surroundings from all guest rooms. Inside, there are no signs of plastic, and all amenities are biodegradable. Also important to us apart from the environment is the surrounding community, and the hotel was designed to fit seamlessly with this old riverside quarter.”
In addition to saving energy through its structural design, the hotel sources its supplies within a 30-kilometer radius to keep carbon emissions from transportation as low as possible. The furnishings, meanwhile, include mats from the Bang Sakao community and pillows from handcrafting communities in the North and Northeast. The unique scent inside is created by local brand Phutawan. For the all-important culinary experience, the hotel’s restaurant rotates signature dishes from various communities in Chanthaburi, inspiring guests to go out and explore the local cuisine.
As for waste produced on the property, it is weighed, separated and recorded daily to ensure trash is kept to a minimum. The Motifs Eco Hotel has managed to reduce its daily organic waste down to just one or two kilos after separating recyclable material.
Don’t Miss: Sample the “taste of Chanthaburi” by heading to the Chanthaburi Riverside Community, an old neighbourhood that thrives on the bank of the Chanthaburi River not too far from the gems market.
Highlights of the community include its century-old colonial European buildings mixed in with wooden shophouses, but the culinary stars of the show line both sides of the road. Here you can feast on local delicacies like egg cake, traditional ice cream, grilled sweet fish, boiled shrimp, and traditional rice crackers.
Not far away is the small 100-Year Market located behind the province’s main landmark – the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception. Only open on Saturday and Sunday mornings, the market is packed with tasty local treats, especially seafood and rare traditional Thai desserts like boh (sweet pudding), coconut-topped rice crackers, dok kae dessert, and stir-fried Chanthaburi noodles with crabmeat.
True foodies should place the Khanom Plaek Community at the top of their itinerary. As the name suggests, this community offers khanom plaek or “peculiar desserts” that are unusually savoury and sweet. An old sugarcane mill in the neighbourhood is believed to have inspired Chanthaburi’s uniquely sweet and aromatic specialties.
The sweet treats offered at the community sport unusual names like kuay ling (monkey’s penis), khanom thid kho (stick-to-the-throat pudding), khanom tang kuai (rare Chinese-style dessert), and nam yiew wua (cow’s urine). As for savory dishes, especially prized are the large, grilled snails and the aromatic guay tiew moo liang (pork noodle soup) infused with Chanthaburi’s unique herbs and spices.
Visitors can bring a delicious end to their trip at the organic durian orchard, Pathavi Model, where top-quality, sweet, and fragrant durians thrive organically without the help of any chemicals.
Rainforest adventure in central Thailand
In the mist-kissed lush forests of Kanchanaburi, travellers can opt to follow in the footsteps of World War II prisoners of war, stopping off for refreshment at the many waterfalls, or taking a relaxing raft ride down the River Kwai. Those wishing to push themselves further can opt for a multi-activity adventure involving rafting, trekking, and exploring the province’s awe-inspiring caves.
Stay: Amateur adventurers will find all their needs well catered to at The Legacy River Kwai Resort, an eco-friendly hotel offering a variety of carbon-free activities like SUP boarding, rafting, and biking. Accommodation at this 300-rai resort comes in the form of log cabins or camping in nature’s embrace beneath the shade of over 4,600 trees along the riverbank. The resort also offers farm tours to give visitors a first-hand experience of 360-degree sustainability practices along with forest bathing to heal the mind.
Another CF-Hotels member conveniently close to city attractions is Mittapan Kanchanaburi Hotel, offering spacious, comfortable rooms with views that take in over 30 rai of greenery with 17 species of tree. The hotel relies on solar energy from panels installed on the roof and has swapped plastic items for reusable materials. Mittapan Kanchanaburi Hotel’s target is to become a wholly sustainable property.
Don’t Miss: Kanchanaburi, about an hour and a half’s drive west of Bangkok, boasts a multitude of natural attractions ranging from national parks and waterfalls to caves and rivers. The most popular activity here is chilling out on a bamboo raft as it floats gently down the river, but adrenaline-lovers can opt for motorized craft or rubber dinghies, as well as SUP boarding and kayaking.
For those who prefer dry land, hiking trails like the Chong Khao Khad or Hellfire Pass offer fascinating journeys through both history and nature. Before you embark on this adventurous trek, we strongly recommend a stop at the History Museum for the story of how the railway and bridge over the River Kwai were built by Allied prisoners of war during World War II. The Hellfire Pass trail is considered to be among the best and most popular walking routes in Thailand.
If getting close to nature is your thing, why not set up camp and immerse yourself in the Milky Way at Khuean Srinagarindra National Park? Visitors can marvel at the dazzling stars from the middle of the forest, while also enjoying stunning views of the seven-tiered Huai Khamin Waterfall. Or for those seeking the serenity of slow travel, a train trip from Krasae Cape to Sai Yok Noi Waterfall is the perfect option. Iconic attractions like Sai Yok Yai Waterfall and Erawan National Park make Kanchanaburi the perfect place to soak up the beauty of nature.
If you’re looking for extreme excitement, however, then opt for the Lam Klong Ngu adventure route. This rainforest trek features hiking, climbing, floating, waterfall jumping, and cave exploration. Making the most of this expedition can take up to two days. An interesting new route and destination is the newly restored forest of the Ban Chong Sadao Community. Visitors here will not just learn about the forest way of life, but also about the six years of backbreaking work that locals put in to bring their badly degraded environment back to life.
Explore Lanna vibes and ways of nature
Chiang Mai is still the most popular tourist destination in the North of Thailand thanks to beautiful watershed forests and an ancient Lanna culture that has been preserved from generation to generation. The old capital’s special charm lies in its blend of urban lifestyle, traditional culture, and rich nature.
Stay: Accommodation in Chiang Mai comes in many forms and prices to match pretty much every lifestyle and budget. A CF-Hotels member IMM Hotel Tha Pae is tapping the increasingly eco-conscious travel market with its commitment to cutting energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
The city hotel has initiated various practices to ensure energy resources like electricity, fuel, and cooking gas are used in the most cost-effective and efficient ways for long-term sustainability. Guests can also take a low-carbon cycling tour run by the Co Van Kessel team to experience Chiang Mai like a local.
Another eco-friendly city hotel is dusitD2 Chiang Mai, which focuses on carefully selecting organic products and ingredients from local communities. All waste at dusitD2 is separated for treatment and recycling. For nature-loving guests, trips offered by the hotel include the Mae Taeng Elephant Camp, the famous weaving-and-natural-dyeing village of On Tai, and the natural wonders of Ban Pong Ngan.
Another Chiang Mai property that combines local wisdom with environmental awareness is Ratilanna Riverside Spa Resort. This place stands out thanks to Lanna-inspired architecture that makes the most of natural ventilation and light. The lush garden also gives guests the chance to enjoy cool breezes flowing from the Mae Ping River. The resort has cut the use of plastic to zero in its rooms, while the waste separation bins are displayed clearly so that guests can begin helping to save the environment as soon as they check-in. The resort also supports eco-friendly handicrafts and uses seasonal ingredients from local communities in Chiang Mai.
Don’t Miss: Chiang Mai has a multitude of natural trails to choose from, ranging from nature parks to mountains. But two routes stand out by offering visitors a deeper understanding of nature and the importance of ecosystems and local communities.
The first is the Ang Ka Nature Trail on the forested slopes of Doi Inthanon, whose endless trees covered in moss and ferns make it feel like you’re stepping into a primeval forest. The trail is considered by some to mark the end point of the Himalayas. The rich peat forest is cool all year round, with moisture locked in by khao tok ruesi (Sphagnum moss) trees.
A wooden walkway helps people make their way around the trail, guided by signs that offer information on the surrounding ecosystem. The walkway has been designed with the guidance of environmental experts to ensure humans don’t damage the delicate tree roots or water sources.
Another Doi Inthanon attraction that captures green hearts is the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail. This hiking path incorporates the wisdom of the Pga K’nyau community of forest dwellers. A local guide enriches the experience, providing trekkers with insights into conservation efforts from community members and informative signs at key checkpoints.
The highlight of this route is Pha Dok Siew Waterfall, which is spanned by a traditional Pga K’nyau bridge made from bamboo and rope without the use of a single nail. The trail includes stops at rice terraces, organic coffee fields, and the Pga K’nyau community, who have woven deep care for the forest into their way of life.
Explore the green heart of Phang Nga
Along with silver-sand beaches, myriad islands and a beautiful underwater realm, the southern seaside province of Phang Nga also boasts an equatorial forest as the perfect foil for its turquoise sea. A visit to Phang Nga during the green season reveals a refreshing idyll of nature in harmony with local traditions.
The highlight is Ko Yao Noi, a small island in the Andaman Sea that graces Thailand’s growing list of eco-friendly destinations. Life here is lived at a slow pace, with locals observing sustainable practices ranging from pesticide-free rice farming to preserving the forest.
Stay: As well as homestays, Ko Yao Noi has two luxury resorts that blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings.
Nestled deep in a forest at the northern tip of the island, Paradise Kohyao Resort offers both pool villas and studios to choose from. Here, conservation and tourism go hand in hand, highlighted by hornbills whose existence is an important indicator of a healthy ecosystem in Ko Yao Noi. The resort has set up the Hornbills Watch Project, which offers guests precious opportunities to get up close and personal with these giant birds of paradise.
The resort is also serious about waste treatment and cutting plastic use to protect not just the hornbills, but also the coastal and undersea environment and the traditional way of life in Koh Yao Noi communities.
Environmental awareness is also at the root of Tree House Villas Koh Yao, where each villa is adorned with a small pool and a treehouse design of wood and natural materials. Its restaurant, Koh Yao Culinary, serves fresh ingredients from the island’s fishing community to keep carbon emissions to a minimum and support local people.
Tree House Villas Koh Yao also organises a range of tours that offer guests deep insights into local life, a forest trek to a giant ta khian (Ironwood) tree, and mountain biking and snorkelling expeditions.
Don’t Miss: Apart from the fun activities, the real highlight of a visit to Ko Yao Noi is learning from the local community how to co-exist harmoniously with nature. The heart of the island has organic rice fields where farmers still use buffalo to plow the land, or you can venture to fishing villages and check out how fish are raised in baskets submerged in the sea. If art and handicrafts are your thing, you can opt for lessons on batik making or shop for handcrafted souvenirs. The Hornbill Conservation Club also provides lessons on the life of the magnificent local birds.
Beyond Ko Yao Noi lies the Phung Chang Cave, hidden deep in the heart of the mountains. Visitors need to take a rubber dinghy or raft to get to the cave, where they are rewarded with wondrous and weird stalactites and stalagmites.
Another way to experience Phang Nga’s mountain forests is by rafting down the Kiang Khu Creek with Wang Kiang Khu Bamboo Rafting. The 3-kilometer trip usually lasts about 40 minutes, though visitors can always take a break by jumping into the cool, clear water when they get to the end.
No visit to Phang Nga is complete without a stop at Khlong Sangne, or “Little Amazon”. Its maze of centuries-old banyan tree roots is best traversed by kayak or canoe. Look out for the many wild birds that make their home in the banyans, including kingfishers swooping down to catch fish.
However, the most mysterious residents are the snakes that can be spotted sleeping in trees, ranging from green bootlaces to giant pythons and beautiful golden-ringed mangrove snakes – a variety of species that can only be found in the mangroves of southern Thailand.
Hua Hin: a resort city brimming with character
The seaside resort town of Hua Hin has retained its charm over the decades and remains a popular destination just under 3 hour’s drive from Bangkok. No wonder: its beaches are beautiful, and the town is conveniently close to major attractions like Cha-Am, Pran Buri, and Sam Roi Yot. Add the huge variety of global cuisines, plus fascinating communities for off-the-beaten-track trips, and Hua Hin is still a great destination for a weekend retreat.
Stay: There is plenty of beachside accommodation in Hua Hin, ranging from small boutique hotels to pool villas and bungalows. For environmentally aware travellers in search of resorts on the CF-Hotels platform, there are three choices:
Baan Talay Dao offers modern Thai vibes in a lush green ambiance shaded by makham (tamarind), tabaek (guava crape myrtle), tako (ebony bark), payom (Shorea roxburghi), peeb (Indian cork) and hang nok yoong (flame) trees. The restaurant sources fresh ingredients from the onsite organic vegetable garden, Suan Rak Talay.
Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco boasts 40 rooms perched beside a 120-metre-long swimming pool. Guests can open the door and jump right in. Employing an eco-chic aesthetic, the resort’s modern minimalist design extends to rooms that are flooded with natural light and kept cool with clever ventilation. Let’s Sea also focuses on local products and produce to support neighbouring communities. Meanwhile, EV-charging stations and bicycles for guests maintain the sustainability theme.
Named after the local species of squid, Loligo Resort Hua Hin is decorated with cute designs of the creature made by local artists. However, its commitment to saving energy and eco-friendly practices is anything but cosmetic. All waste is carefully managed, most supplies are purchased locally to reduce emissions, and the reception aims for paperless check-in and check-out. The management also encourages guests to be environmentally kind by providing them with natural handwoven loincloths in place of towels by the swimming pool.
Don’t Miss: Located just north of Hua Hin towards Cha-am is the Bang Kwai Fishing Community, which serves as a dock and source of fresh seafood. Here, visitors can order a fresh catch and watch as it is steamed, fried or grilled before being served at their table.
One hidden gem is the chef’s table-style restaurant, Krua Lom Chiew, where Chef Pla-Suchat Jitsur cooks up succulent delicacies. Born locally, Chef Pla-Suchat honed his skills in far-flung hotels before returning to run his own place. The menu changes daily depending on the day’s catch. Reservations must be made at least one day in advance. Call +66 84 362 5564.
Another popular spot in Cha-am is Fresh-1 Lemon Farm, an organic orchard stretched over 30 rai where visitors can sample various natural citrus drinks and products.
Heading southwest to Pran Buri, cyclists will be delighted by the bicycle track running next to the beach, while foodies will find umami-packed sun-dried squid practically everywhere.
For nature lovers, the Pran Buri Forest Park is an unmissable treat on the way to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Thailand’s first marine national park. Khao Sam Roi Yot boasts a spectacular lotus lake, birdwatching area, and the Khao Daeng viewpoint overlooking miles and miles of beautiful coastline.
These many attractions make a weekend trip to Hua Hin a unique and awe-inspiring experience.
