Pa Kia Mae Taman Highland Agricultural Research Station
(สถานีวิจัยเกษตรที่สูงป่าเกี๊ยะดอยเชียงดาว เชียงใหม่)
Chiang Mai
Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Research Station is the institute under Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University. It is very popular among the tourists because they can obviously see Doi Luang Chiang Dao. Moreover, there are various kinds of birds such as orange-bellied leafbirds, Japanese Tits, velvet-fronted nuthatches, and silver-eared mesias. This is the paradise of bird and nature lovers. In winter, there is sea of mist in the morning and brilliant stars and lights from Chiang Dao city at night. The Station provides camping area and facilities but the visitors have to bring their own tents and beddings. Cottages are also available in the Station but normally they are for trainees from Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University. The cottages have toilet, kitchen, and kitchen utensils but the visitors have to bring food and bin bags by themselves. The accommodation fee is 50 baht per night/person. The visitors can donate books at Ban San Pa Kia School since students there love reading. Musical instruments are not recommended for donation.
For anyone who are interested to visit the Station, drive along 107 route from Chiang Mai, Mae Rim, Mae Malai (food is available at Mae Malai market), and Mae Taeng. At Baan Mae Na intersection, there is a guide post “Mae Ta Man Water Management Unit” on the left hand side. Then turn right at the second intersection, 21 kilometers from the first one. The road here was made from gravel and is quite steep. The road will be steeper from Pak Hong village and Pak Hang village to Pa den Ya Khad Forest Protection Unit. Going straight, there will be an intersection to Ban San Pa Kia School and then Mae Ta Man Water Management Unit. Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Research Station is 500 meters from the intersection. To go back, the visitors can use the direct route from the Station to the 107 route at Baan Kaeng Pan Tao Tai. About 12 kilometers from the Station, there will be an intersection. On the right hand side of the intersection, there is a guide post “to Pak Iak” (Tire chain is not allowed to use in rainy season, fine 500 baht for any disobedience). Turn left or right are both available since both ways lead to the main road. The right route passes Pak Iak village, tea plantation, Hill Tribe Occupational Promotion Center. This route was made from concrete but the downhill route is quite steep until Baan Kan Pan Tao and the 107 route.
The Visitors should contact Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University for permission at least 10 days before arrival. Tel. 053-222-014 or 053-944-052.