Ban Huai Ya Tai, Village Chiang Mai Province
Another Ma Deluxe Journey
The goal of this trip is to visit Ban Huay Ya Tai in Chiang Mai Province to visit the source of our natural ingredients, the knowledge of herbs and gain insight into the local wisdoms. These are the key strengths and core values of Ma Deluxe products. Today we will find the answers to the basic questions mostly asked such what cause the bubbles? How does the dirt from the laundry vanish as well how come it improves on the discoloring of the clothes? Or where does the clean and fresh scent come from? Well curious people like us will find the answers for you.
In early the morning we were ready to go off to visit Khun Suphap’s home within the Pakakayo community of Kalayani Wattana District. It took us about 4 hours of travel time passing through the forest areas where blue pine tree grows. On certain part of our journey, we can see tree-less mountains transformed into strawberry fields rising up on different levels. Above the plantation, one can see a two hundred-liter oil tank spraying fertilizers onto the strawberry fields. Well different beliefs, different methods all leads to different paths of production growth.
Getting closer to our destination the roads conditions have changed from asphalt to cement roads leading on to steep roads heading towards the village. From the strawberry fields we travel on to the Benchaphan Forest and the famous Three Pine Forest of Ban Wat Chan. From travelling in the early morning hours through the cold weather we arrived at the village just before noon with a cooler weather.
After lunch we strolled around village forest and along the ranch surrounded by bamboo fences to prevent the oxen from eating the crops that consists of black beans, red beans and rice. Whilst walking, Khun Suphab stopped and pointed towards the trees, the plants and herbs. He said "the bunch of vines climbing on the tall trees is the “Saba Monkey Tree”. It is used to wash clothes, by cutting the branch loops into pieces then pounding it and put inside the bamboo tube together with some water. When washing clothes pour the Saba monkey liquid into the basin and soak the clothes for a while followed by rubbing the clothes together. The clothe stains easily vanishes, even today this traditional old method still works. Walking further we enter a sparse forest again, Khun Suphab points to a tree "This huge tall tree is called the “Prakomrekwair Tree” or Soapberry. The round fruit falls to the ground annually and is collected during November of each year. We take the fruit to soak in the water and this makes the liquid foamy. This is used in laundry wash, dish wash as well as hand wash which can also be used when shower. In the past, the Ma Deluxe team bought the fruits from the villagers and send the seeds back for planting seedling plants. These seedling plants are then replanted back in the forest by the villagers. Through this it helps to keep the forest conditions with new trees being grown and villagers having an additional income source".
The weather in December quickly cools down late in the day. In the evening we get to sit around the warm kitchen fire enjoying our meal that even now still unforgettable; the scent of fragrant cooked rice, aromatic curries, stir fried vegetables, nam prik and blanched vegetables stuffed with fresh ginger flowers all fresh from their gardens.
One of most memorable conversation before our departure Khun Suphab said "I don't have a lot of money yet I am not poor. This is because I have sufficient food to eat, earn a living from the forest and in return I must keep the forest alive forever to the best that I can”.