Live Like a Local: Rice Farmer for a Day from Chiang Mai

As the world's top rice exporter, Thailand is the perfect place to gain a working knowledge of rice farming. With hands-on experience in a northern Thai community, you’ll take part in the daily work of a rice farmer, helping to plant or harvest rice and learning about the many processes involved in reaching the final product.


After hotel pickup in the morning, depart by private, air-conditioned vehicle to the Phrao district. Traveling north along a scenic route with your guide, you’ll pass a teak forest and see other trees at Sri Lanna National Park and then arrive at a farm.

Change into traditional Thai farm clothes and head out to a rice paddy, nestled against a forested mountain, where you will work alongside local farmers for approximately 1.5 hours. Discover age-old techniques for planting or harvesting rice grains on the plantation, learning under the supervision of a knowledgeable local.

When your work is done, take a break for lunch featuring Thai cuisine, resting sore muscles as you appreciate what it takes to grow your grain.

Then depart for Baan Thungdang, where your guide takes you to visit a typical farmer’s home. Stop by for a cup of tea and chat with the residents (with translation by your guide) to learn about the different rice varieties and hear legends about this staple grain.

Gain more insight into the processes involved in rice farming with a visit to Baan Patang, where you’ll see how rice is stored and milled into rice powder. Before heading back to Chiang Mai, visit the villages of Baan Nameng and Baan Pa Ha, passing through more farmland and orchards along the way.

Your full-day tour ends with drop-off at your hotel.

Please note: This tour does not operate March - June as local farmers do not plant rice during this time.