Chiang Mai villa accommodation, Northern Thailand

All staff are paid considerably above market rate and have western style employment contracts, which ensure fair holidays and medical assistance. Staff have been provided with dedicated housing which far exceeds the standard of most housing in N. Thailand. All live-in staff have been given TVs. We employ mainly disadvantaged hill tribe people. Zero interest loans are available to staff, to help with family and land investments. Where possible, all food is purchased from the local market. Guests are provided with information on local amenities and services which they are encouraged to use. These include shops, restaurants, local hot springs, local spa, the local golf course (although we are aware of the environmental damage that golf courses cause) and several national parks which are nearby. All profits from the trust bar are given to the staff.

Our catering emphasizes the use of fresh produce bought in the local market. This reduces packaging and transport related pollution. We divide out waste that can be composted or recycled. Our water is provided by a deep well (152m!). The garden is only watered in the cool morning and evening to limit at evaporation. We also grow garden plants that only require limited watering. Air conditioning is only provided in the bedrooms and living rooms, although we encourage guests to use fans at night. All the light bulbs are low energy (where available).

The house has been designed specifically to deal with the tropical environment: the walls are 25cm thick (very unusual in Thailand); there are large verandas and shutters to keep the sun out and the roof uses advanced insulating materials to keep the house cool. The house was constructed using local materials. This was a deliberate policy. The wood is all re-claimed teak. Our vegetable garden uses organic composting. The garden has been designed to incorporate many trees to encourage wildlife and assist with maintaining a cool environment. The original land had virtually no trees at all. Part of the garden is being used to restore natural forest, by adopting a progam developed by Chiang Mai University called the framework species methodology.

We encourage activities in the local area which leverage the natural environment including forest walks and cycling. Our environmental practices are outlined in our guest pack. A log is maintained for guests to record local flora and fauna and any environmental observations they might have. The office operation is as far as possible paperless. The property sponsors a program to educate local people about the dangers of forest fires, with the aim to reduce local pollution in the area during March and April.

A dedicated guide pack is provided for all guests giving information on local attractions including restaurants, cafes and local artisans who specialise in dress making and teak furniture. The focus is on special attractions that are rarely visited by foreign guests. Where appropriate translations are provided (e.g. restaurant menus). All these attractions can be visited with our in-house guide or by self-drive. A mountain bike trail guide has been designed specifically for our guests. This not only leverages the stunning natural environment but also plots local shops and businesses which can be visited by bicycle. Staff training is provided in-house and includes learning English and cooking.