Climate

Santikhiri is a hilltop village in the Mae Fa Luang district of Thailand’s Chiang Rai Province, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Chiang Rai. Santikhiri is on the highest peak of the Doi Mae Salong range of mountains, at an elevation of 1,800 metres (5,904 ft) above sea level. It has an alpine-like climate, with crisp cool air all year round and chilly in the winter months of November through February. Santikhiri is accessible via two routes – Route 1130 from Ban Basang and Route 1234 from the south, which until being paved were only accessible by pack horses.^[12] Now regular minibus services, running from 6 am to 4 pm, are available from Chiang Rai to Santikhiri.^[16]

Santikhiri has long been the home of many hill tribes such as the Akha, Yao, Karen, and Hmong that originated from southern China and Myanmar. Each tribe has its own language, and follows animist customs and practices. Living among the native inhabitants are the ethnic Chinese, who form the majority of Santikhiri’s estimated population of 20,000.^[4]

*Source: Wikipedia