During 15-21 January 2020, Ms.Lada Phumas, Director of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs led a group of 19 participants under the Pre-Retirement Training Programme for 2020 to visit Thailand’s northern provinces, namely, Nan, Phrae and Chiang Rai.  The purpose of the visit is to learn more about the latest development in the region through the so called “action learning method”.  It is through this method that the participants learnt more about local culture, history, knowledge and different genres of local artistic traditions.  They had an opportunity to exchange views and experience with local leaders and gurus at each cultural site.  At some sites, they were allowed to join the local community services.  They were encouraged to explore new hobbies and work as alternative ways of living after their retirement.

In Nan Province, the group of participants was given an opportunity to learn more about local history and culture with local gurus.  The group paid visits to various sites such as Pew Pa Fai, Keleb Jordan coffee house, Manipruk Village and Baan Nam Pak.  At Pew Pa Fai, the group learnt a weaving teachnique used by Thai Lue, an ethnic group living in northern Thailand.  It is at Mr.Keleb Jordan’s coffee house where Mr.Keleb shared with the group his insight into his coffee production.  At Manipruk Village, the group had an opportunity to explore cultural diversity in ethnic communities.  It was at Baan Nam Pak in Tha Wang Pha where the group was provided a briefing by representatives from the Royal Project Pid Thong Lang Phra District and the Mae Fah Luang Foundation on forest preservation and poverty eradication.