Horse riding in the mountains
Phayao western-style ranch has fifty horses and can be hired as a business retreat
For the horse-loving pharmacist owner of Siam Mountain Pony, the only horse farm in Phayao, what began as a hobby 10 years ago has become a promising business.
Woottichai Sriwoot said the property in Chun district was known as a horse-sport farm because several of the horses had won endurance gold medals at national competitions.
“Thanks to them winning, we are now becoming one of country’s top-five Western-style country farms. This should help draw more business to the farm,” said Woottichai.
The farm has 50 horses in a 10 rai camp and a 20 rai camp near Wiang Lor Wildlife Sanctuary, where people can visit all year round.
The farm recently introduced a new restaurant to serve Western-style food and drinks.
It also offers horse rides, a carriage tour, a chance to observe peacocks and camping facilities.
Woottichai, a full-time pharmacist, said he was now also focusing on two new businesses at the venue – an outdoor event service and horse riding class.
For the events service, he said an event, including a country camp and Western activities, could be tailor-made to suit a customer’s needs.
The horse riding class costs Bt15,000 for an eight to 10-day course, compared to Bt30,000 in Chiang Mai and up to Bt80,000
in Bangkok, he said.
“There is still no direct-competitor farm in Phayao province, so we can get many students from the province as well as from Chiang Mai,” he said.
The farm is also planning to build permanent accommodation.
In terms of marketing, the farm is working with hotels and resorts in province.
It is also set to host few annual events in a bid to maintain regular customers and lure new ones, Woottichai said.
