Our Story & Mission
Created by passionate travelers, Asian Oasis has always committed to working closely with local communities to create sustainable, community-based tourism while preserving the natural surroundings. Stay in our eco-lodge, explore organic tea farming at Araksa Tea Garden, or cruise the serene waters of Phuket and overnight cruising around the Chao Phraya River. Each journey supports local communities, preserves traditions, and protects the environment, offering you a meaningful way to discover Thailand.
We believe that for a destination to be truly brought to life, a traveler should experience the local culture the way it is, rather than a reproduction of what it once was. It is our goal to offer our guests memorable experiences of rural Thai life that are fascinating and real, as well as ecologically, environmentally, and culturally sensitive.
Our Journey Begins:
Experience Thailand Sustainably
1995
Connecting Cultures and Communities
We built our first eco-friendly lodge “Lisu Lodge” in 1995 in a remote hill tribe village by the Lisu hill tribe. The aim was for Lisu Lodge to become a place where visitors could learn about local culture directly from their hosts, the Lisu villagers. We also wanted the village to benefit from tourism. Parts of the income earned at the lodge go towards the village fund to support educational, cultural, and economic projects to improve the quality of life of hundreds of villagers.
1998
Cruise into the Past with June Bahtra
Built in 1988, this charming wooden sailing yacht has captivated travelers with its rich history and elegant design, rooted in the tradition of Chinese junk schooners. These boats has been creating unforgettable experiences in partnership with Asian Oasis since 1998. This charming wooden sailing yacht, a traditional Chinese junk schooner, invites you to step back in time while cruising. Meticulously maintained, the vessel offers comfortable seating with plenty of mattresses for relaxation, whether in the shade or sun. The friendly crew provides excellent service, offering free refreshments and assistance throughout your journey. Committed to eco-friendliness, June Bahtra limits plastic use and primarily operates on engine power, unfurling its stunning red sails for scenic display at select moments. Enjoy a unique blend of history and comfort as you sail through beautiful waters with June Bahtra.
2008
A Community-Based Tourism Experience
Asian Oasis founded Lanjia Lodge as a unique community-based tourism project in a Hmong village along the Mekong River, near the Laos border. Developed in partnership with the village, a local NGO, and the Population and Community Development Association (PDA-Chiang Rai), Lanjia Lodge offers guests an authentic experience of Hmong and Lahu cultures. Local villagers host visitors, and a portion of the revenue supports community projects focused on improving living conditions, education, and healthcare. Unfortunately, Lanjia Lodge won’t be able to operate anytime soon, but we will keep you updated on any future developments.
2014
Tea Garden Rooted in Community and Sustainability
The tea garden was established in 1941 with approximately 50 acres of tea plants. The location was rediscovered after being left untouched for over 15 years in 2014. Nestled in the lush foothills of Banchang, Mae Tang district, the tea plants, ranging from 40 to 70 years old, have not been exposed to chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Recognizing its potential, efforts began to restore the plantation, preserving its rich history while transforming it into a thriving organic tea garden.
2024
Relaunched the Rice Barge to River Cruise
Mekkala Cruises emerged as a refreshed identity, evolving from its original name, Mekhala, which began in the 2000s. Our luxury heritage rice barge is steeped in the historical legacy of the mighty Chao Phraya River. Converted to offer three opulent en-suite cabins, Mekkala provides an intimate and unique setting for both overnight trips and river cruising. Embrace the art of slow travel and embark on a sightseeing journey through Bangkok and beyond, exploring the heritage sites along the River of Kings. This transformation honors its heritage while embracing a new era, continuing to provide intimate, authentic river cruise experiences with a commitment to sustainability and cultural preservation.
Our Mission
A Growing Global Movement
At Asian Oasis, we recognize the value of our guests’ leisure time, our responsibility towards a better and greener environment and the desire of using one’s travel to create a positive impact, connecting with locals, learning about foreign cultures and traditions and supporting a sustainable and green approach - in short to maximize our guests’ travel experiences by introducing them to local communities, cultures and traditions while minimizing the negative impact our tours may have on the daily life’s of the people in the places visited and on the environment by offering sustainable, community-based and cultural tourism products operated in an eco-friendly and responsible manner, thus, benefitting both, the visitors and the ones being visited.
Our Mission
A Better & Fairer Tourism
At Asian Oasis, we believe in connecting people and to help them learn from each other in order to promote a better understanding of, and help preserving the many cultures and traditions our world has to offer, while at the same time minimizing the negative impact our guests’ travel and our business may have on the environment and the socio-ecological structures in place.
Wherever we operate, further sustainable and environment protecting practices will be adapted to lower the negative footprint of our business. We will strengthen the impact of our “Himmapaan” Foundation even further and encourage our guests to participate in our efforts to create a better, fairer and more sustainable type of tourism in which satisfying the needs of the local communities, preserving cultures and traditions and protecting our environment are the main beneficiaries while simultaneously providing once-in-a-lifetime, rewarding and unforgettable travel experiences for our guests, be they young or old, from near or far and in a non-discriminatory and inclusive environment.
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”
— Marcel Proust