The Thai Youth Hostels Association of Chiang Mai (also known as Chiang Mai International Youth Hostel or CMIYH in short) was established in 1979 with the original aim to encourage young people with limited financial means to experience the culture and sights of Northern Thailand in order to gain new experience and knowledge and to learn how to be self-reliant, love themselves, gain understanding and live with others peacefully.

    Its office is currently located at 54 Papraow Rd, Tambon Padad, Muang, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand. Web-site: www.chiangmaiyha.org

E-mail: peter@chiangmaiyha.org

    Chiang Mai International Youth Hostel is associated to the name of Hostelling International and the blue triangle sign that are synonymous with quality budget accommodation around the world. To be a member of Hostelling International, CMIYH meets the conditions implemented under a quality assurance program under which only hostels that meet agreed international standards may display the sign and appear in the International Guide.

The main activities of CMIYH allow young people of differing nationalities, cultures and social backgrounds to meet informally, share experiences, learn about themselves, each other and their surrounding as well as foster a remarkable international awareness about current issues.

Like all youth hostels, CMIYH also has a fundamental, but unofficial, role in the development of young people as future employees in a global market. CIYH environment encourages social awareness and the importance of living in a community, plus it develops the kind of self-discipline skills that result from experiencing different situations, having to make individual decisions and learning from them. CMIYH emphasizes affordable costs of room stays for young tourists who are members of international youth organizations irregardless of age, race, nationality and religion.

The young have become the spearhead of environmental concerns on this planet and they expect us to join them. At CMIYH, activities are set up to study and preserve the environment through working camps and development works in rural and hill tribal communities by both voluntary Thai and foreign youths. Such works can include social debates, food and handicraft exhibitions, language and IT courses, sports and recreational exchange as well as youth leadership training and cultural exchange. In addition, CMIYH partners with government and private charitable organizations to assist in running their activities especially in areas where young people with limited opportunities are involved. Through CMIYH’s continuing vigour, we are living up to their expectations. And we will continue to do so as new generations are born, and as today's youth become the hostelling families of tomorrow.

All revenue generated by our activities is 100% reinvested, and in this way, CMIYH is able to assist communities that are less privileged as well as promote physical and intellectual activities and improve general environmental awareness among hostel users.

CIYH has received assistance and support from many international charitable and educational organizations that were invested in helping more than 1000 students in 25 schools to better their livelihood. With such a track record, CMIYH was recommended by a number of non-government organizations to continually handle and cooperate on new projects due mainly to lack of experienced personnel, volunteers, advisors and new technology as well as financial budget. It is with this reason that CMIYH has therefore decided to establish a non-profit foundation to handle and run the projects more efficiently and effectively.

For the above reasons Mr. Pattrapol (Peter) Poonlahpyos, director of CMIYH set up the Thai Youth Community Foundation (TYCF) and successfully received its foundation license from the Office of the Nation and Cultural Commission, Ministry of Culture.

The objectives of TYCF are:

• To promote formal and informal education to students from low-income families by providing educational materials and teaching equipment in which there shall be no distinctions in race, nationality, colour, religion, sex, class, age or political opinion.
• To represent NGOs, both local and overseas, in working closely with government and international agencies to achieve community self-reliance.
• To develop environmental projects within communities to live in harmony with nature and the environment, bringing forth a better quality of life.
• To enhance and work in community development projects under the patronage of His Majesty the King’s supervision.
• To promote and preserve the local cultures, customs and rituals of the community and the nation.
• To promote cooperation with charitable organizations in community development and better understanding of their fellow men, both in Thailand and abroad
• To maintain absolute neutrality with regards to any political, racial or religious matters

The logo of the foundation is:
The globe in the center depicts the global spirit of Youth Hostelling International encircled by youth who, hand-in-hand, are ever ready to be of service to the global environment and community. They are, in turn supported by a pair of hands representing the various charitable and government organizations through projects with TYCF. The two sheaves of leaves represent the commitment of international peace and understanding through community activities by youth while the burning candle represents the hope and desire for a bright future for our new generation.

Management Committee:
1. Mr. Pattrapol Poonlapyos Hon President/Founder
2. Dr. Bordintra Laliad Hon Vice president
3. Mr. Norapatra Poonlapyos Hon Secretary
4. Ms. Jidapha Sapboonmee Hon Treasurer
5. Mr. Wichian Charoensap Hon Member
6. Mr. Likhit Sapboonmee Hon Member
7. Mr. Udom Kompriyaratra Hon Member

Board of Directors:
1. Mr. Pattrapol Poonlapyos Hon Executive Director (Thailand)
2. Mr. Puwanart Poonlarpyos Hon Manager
 

Hon. Advisory Committee:

1. Mr.Kumjohn Prommawan Hon Chairman of Advisory 

2.  Lt.Gen.Uthai Chaichana Hon Advisory

1. Since the founding of TYCF, many youth, local and overseas, have participated in its many community projects. Below is a sample list of projects that the Thai Youth Community Foundation has successfully completed recently:

Completion of a multi-purpose hall at San Klang village, Pong District, Payao province in partnership with Singapore International Foundation (SIF) and National University of Singapore (NUS) in the amount of 300,000 Baht

Expansion of a school building at the R.O. Yama Border Patrol Police School, Paka village, Fang district, Chiang Mai in partnership with SIF and the Rotaract Club of NUS in the amount of 200,000 Baht

Completion of a kindergarten at the Lion 33 Border Patrol Police School at Pang Khaw Larm village, Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai, in partnership with the SIF and Kaki Bukit Centre

Completion of a dining hall at Patai school in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai in partnership with SIF and NUS in the amount of 300,000 Baht

Completion of a computer room including 16 computers at Muang Ngam School, Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai, in partnership with Singapore Polytechnic (Phase 1), Interact Clubs of Singapore (Phase 2) and Rotaract Club of Temasek (Phase 3) in the amount of 100,000 Baht

Provision and support of a Lunch Project for the Border Patrol Police Schools all over the northern region following the Royal Princess Sirinthorn Project to raise chicken and pig farms and grow non-chemical vegetable gardens in partnership with the Sophia University, Japan and Nanyang Junior College, Singapore in the amount of 70,000 Baht per project

Provision of grant to the Thai forestry department to preserve the environment

Coordination of Youth Exchange Programme between Thai, D.G.I. Denmark and Singapore students (in education and sports)

Promotion of an Anti-drug Campaign at Pang Huay Tat village school in Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai

Provision of a Bicycle Project for poor students of Chiang Mai

Completion of a computer learning center in partnership with the Interact Coordinating Committee of Singapore and Intel Asia Pacific under the “Junior White Jumbo” project in Chiang Mai. The center boasts over 20 IBM laptops and desktops donated by Intel Asia Pacific.

More and more.. at “Activities”

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