Chiang Mai Province is located in northern Thailand, where a blend of natural beauty and vibrant cultural activities makes the region a popular destination for travelers. Visitors can meet local hill tribes, sample delectable regional cuisine, and raft along the Ping River. On this day, a local guide led our small group of travel writers and editors on a tour of Lanna—the “land of a million rice fields.”

Follow this photographic journey featuring the transplanting of rice: 

Khum Lanna 

We were set for a sunrise biking tour along the rural road from San Kwang village to Phrao to visit the local markets. Leaving the charming Khum Lanna, we were met by steady rain that prevented a view of the sunrise. Despite that, the early showers on the emerald-green rice paddies provided a tranquil atmosphere for the sojourn.

Transplanting Rice 

We visited the local markets, stopping for tea and an interesting traditional drink made mainly of raw eggs, before heading off to the area of the paddies where the rice was being transplanted. Working in the rice paddies appeared to be labor-intensive, but smiles were common among the local inhabitants. This work is essential to the economic success of Thailand, which is the world’s biggest rice exporter according to the Bangkok Post.

The highlight of the morning was an opportunity to enter the rice paddies for some hands-on learning. It’s one thing to observe the nature of the labor, but having your legs ankle-deep in mud while bending to stick rice plants into the ground gives a new level of understanding. We were fortunate to have a guide who had relationships with the community. Sometimes, it’s worthwhile to forgo complete independence while traveling.

Traditional Cups

Minor updates and edits were made from the original article.

Photos © Gennaro Salamone

This press trip to Thailand was courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. 
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Please contact him with questions regarding article or photo submissions.