Community-Based Tourism Enhancement through Environmental Action at Ban Li Khai Village

Chiang Rai, Thailand, 14 March 2026 – The PATA Thailand Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) Student Chapter organized a community engagement activity at Ban Li Kai Village aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and responsible tourism practices. The initiative brought together university students and local villagers to discuss tourism challenges and implement practical environmental solutions.

Event Description

The PATA Thailand MFU Student Chapter organized its first community engagement activity at Ban Li Kai Village in Chiang Rai, focusing on environmental sustainability and responsible tourism management. The event involved 27 university students and around 50–60 community members, including the village head, local residents, and children involved in tourism activities. The event began with a knowledge-sharing session between students and villagers. Students introduced themselves and conducted an ice-breaking activity to create a collaborative atmosphere. They then presented the tourist journey and shared observations from their previous visits, highlighting key challenges and suggesting practical solutions related to waste management, visitor navigation, environmental protection, and responsible tourist behavior. Community members also shared their perspectives, creating an open discussion on improving tourism sustainably. After the discussion, students carried out environmental improvement activities. Trash bins were installed at strategic locations, including two at the hiking trail entrance and two along the trail. Environmental and directional signboards were also placed to guide visitors and promote responsible behavior. In addition, students organized a trail clean-up activity with local children to remove litter along the route. Offline maps were also prepared and distributed to help visitors navigate the trail due to limited internet connectivity.

Impact of the Event and Key Success Metrics

The activity generated both environmental and educational impacts for the community and participating students. In total, 27 students from Mae Fah Luang University and 50-60 villagers from Ban Li Kai Village participated in the project, creating an opportunity for meaningful knowledge exchange on sustainable tourism and environmental responsibility. Several concrete environmental improvements were achieved during the activity. The team installed four trash bins along the tourism route, including two at the entrance of the hiking trail and two additional bins placed along the 1.8-kilometer hiking trail to encourage responsible waste disposal. Students also installed environmental and directional signboards to provide clearer visitor guidance and promote responsible tourism behavior. In addition, a trail clean-up activity was conducted along the hiking route to remove litter and improve the overall environmental condition of the area. The project also improved visitor accessibility and safety. Because internet connectivity in the area is limited, the team prepared and distributed offline maps and basic safety information to help visitors navigate the trail more easily. Through participation in this project, students gained practical experience in applying sustainable tourism concepts within a real community setting.

The initiative supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

● SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – by supporting sustainable community-based tourism development.

● SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by promoting proper waste management and responsible visitor behavior.

● SDG 15: Life on Land – by encouraging environmental protection and reducing litter in natural areas.

Event Documentation

The activity was documented through photographs taken during the knowledge-sharing session and the environmental improvement activities conducted in Ban Li Kai Village. These photos capture key moments of the event, including the discussion between students and villagers, the installation of trash bins and environmental signboards along the hiking trail, the trail clean-up activity, and the distribution of offline maps for visitors. The photographs demonstrate the collaborative effort between the MFU

PATA Youth Student Chapter members and the local community in improving environmental management and visitor experience within the tourism destination. These visual records highlight the practical outcomes of the project and serve as supporting evidence of the initiative’s impact.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DmQMziamn/

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Conclusion

The Community-Based Tourism Enhancement through Environmental Action at Ban Li Kai Village project demonstrates the value of collaboration between university students and local communities in promoting sustainable tourism development. Through knowledge sharing, community discussion, and practical environmental improvement activities, the project contributed to improving waste management, visitor guidance, and environmental awareness within the tourism area.

This initiative also provided valuable experiential learning opportunities for students, allowing them to apply academic knowledge of sustainable tourism in a real-world context while building stronger relationships with the local community. The MFU PATA Youth Student Chapter hopes that this collaboration will continue to support environmental sustainability and responsible tourism practices in Ban Li Kai Village in the future.

Student Chapter Bio

The PATA Thailand MFU Student Chapter serves as a platform for students passionate about tourism, hospitality, and sustainable development. The chapter encourages leadership, professional growth, and industry awareness through academic activities, community engagement, and collaboration with tourism stakeholders, while promoting PATA’s values of responsible and sustainable tourism.

Student Chapter Social Media

● Facebook: PATA Thailand Mae Fah Luang University Student Chapter

● Instagram: @patamaefahluang.u.sc

● TikTok: @patamfusc

For More Information

Please contact our Student Chapter representatives listed below.

Student Chapter Contact Persons

1. Miss Thet Phoo San

Chairperson

Email: 6631205120@lamduan.mfu.ac.th

2. Mr. Win Htut Linn

Vice-Chairperson

Email: 6631205123@lamduan.mfu.ac.th

3. Miss Khin Sandar Han

Secretary

Email: 6631205104@lamduan.mfu.ac.th

About Mae Fah Luang University

Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), located in Chiang Rai, Thailand, is a public autonomous university known for its strong focus on international education, sustainability, and innovation. MFU offers multidisciplinary programs taught in English and aims to produce globally minded graduates who contribute to sustainable development and regional growth.