Located near Khao Sok National Park, Kao Thep Pitak is an outstanding example of community-based tourism. With the help of a local Thai tourism organisation (North Andaman Network) and an overseas NGO (Planeterra), the community of Kao Thep Pitak has expanded the facilities in their village to attract local and overseas tourists.
The work of the villagers was recognised in the 2023 Responsible Thailand Awards with their restaurant winning in the community-based tourism category. Although the award went to the Kao Thep Pitak Community Restaurant, the Responsible Thailand judges said, “This is far more than a restaurant; this project is deeply rooted in the community it serves by offering responsible and enlightening tourist experiences”.
The Kao Thep Pitak project engages people of all ages to provide a new source of income for the village. By attracting tourists to visit, it brings in revenue to improve conditions while also encouraging local entrepreneurs. The benefit for tourists is they can enjoy local dishes at the village restaurant while also learning about the fruit orchards and the farmers’ way of life in Kao Thep Pitak.
