Conservation and Luxury Intersect at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

The connect with nature is almost instantaneous at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle – one can be forgiven for leaving the digital footprint far behind in this jungle-clad setting. Here, bamboo and rattan are two very significant natural resources, with some native varieties having being harvested as both a food source as well as a versatile building material. “Traditional homes in many parts of South-East Asia have long been erected on sturdy bamboo frames, with thatched bamboo leaves and woven rattan serving as roofing material and for a number of household purposes,” suggests Camp Manager Paweena Waraha.  From golden bamboo and weeping bamboo to fishpole bamboo and more, there are so many local varieties, each contributing to the local way of life in their own unique way.

Local Craftsmanship

At the Camp, bambusa nutans or weeping bamboo grows naturally and is hand-harvested sustainably for use as hand-rails and pathways that are visible across the campsite. Similarly with rattan, the uses for these fast-growing plants are plenty, and when harvested in a sustainable way, they provide a means of livelihood and ecological substitutes for plastics and synthetic products. “Showcasing this synergy with the environment and honouring local traditions, the team has made a concerted effort to encourage the use of hand-crafted bamboo and rattan artifacts such as baskets, furniture, and many decorative items around the campsite,” explains Paweena. Guests may try their hand at Bamboo Rattan Making, joining in this cultural preservation initiative at the Camp where local artisans are employed to show guests the intricacies of crafting some beautiful natural ornaments.

Nature’s Embrace

Immerse in the tranquil luxury of the Camp’s jungle spa, where the Ruak Bamboo ritual offers a sublime retreat. This unique treatment combines locally-sourced herbal oils and smoothed bamboo batons for deep relaxation and rejuvenation, reflecting Four Seasons commitment to natural luxury. Guests can also engage directly with the lush surroundings by creating their own organic face scrubs from locally harvested ingredients. Spa Supervisor Jutatip Sakulpanitcharoen highlights the DIY coffee, yogurt, and tamarind scrub, a simple blend of local flavours that exfoliates and moisturizes, offering guests not just a spa treatment, but an authentic piece of the jungle's essence.

Meaningful Connections

“Getting your hands dirty at the Camp is not all grit and grind though,” grins Filippo Meloni, Director of Restaurant and Bar. Khao Tom Mud is a delicious local dessert made from local bananas, sticky rice and black beans, mashed together and then rolled into banana leaf parcels and steamed. Used commonly as an offering to the monks, this is a genuine Northern Thai treat, and at the Camp guests can now get their own little parcels wrapped up for fun. “With the Making Khao Tom Mud experience, our kitchen team at the Camp will show guests just how easily these nutritious snacks can be prepared right from prepping the ingredients, to wrapping them up into little pockets of glutinous joy,” says Filippo. “This is another way to connect with the local way of life, and help in our sustainability efforts as well, since all the ingredients used are sourced exclusively from local farms.”

Sustainability at the Forefront

The need for an eco-conscious approach to hospitality is very important in a fragile ecosystem such as the Golden Triangle. With the Camp’s Tree Planting activity, guests can directly contribute to the health of this wilderness setting, by joining the gardening team in planting some native species of fauna in and around the Camp.

“Every little effort at sustainability helps nudge the needle a little, and from local craftspeople, to farmers and even the wildlife, the goodwill too travels a long way,” says Paweena. “We know that our guests value this wilderness experience, and by introducing these short 30-minute activities, we want to help guests foster a connection with the Camp and the Golden Triangle, feeling enriched having given back to the land and the people here.”