Gplace > Thailand > Yala > Than To > Sakai Village

“Experience the Orang Asli way of life, traditional bamboo houses, blowpipe hunting demonstrations, and ancient forest herbal wisdom passed down for generations.”

Sakai Village, located in Than To District, Yala Province, is home to the indigenous people known as the “Orang Asli,” one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Malay Peninsula with a history spanning thousands of years. Their lives have long been deeply connected to the Hala-Bala rainforest, one of the most fertile and biodiverse forest areas along the Thai–Malaysian border.

Traditionally, the Orang Asli lived a nomadic lifestyle, moving through the in search of food and resources. They relied on hunting, gathering, and an extensive knowledge of the natural environment. Their survival skills are remarkable, including identifying edible plants, using forest herbs for medicine, and constructing shelters from natural materials such as bamboo and leaves.

One of their most distinctive tools is the “blowpipe” (locally known as tumpeh), a long wooden tube used for hunting. Small darts coated with natural poison extracted from forest plants or animals are shot through the pipe with precision. This method is silent, efficient, and environmentally sustainable, allowing hunters to capture prey without disturbing the surrounding ecosystem.

In later years, government initiatives encouraged the community to settle permanently to improve living conditions. Infrastructure, healthcare, and education were gradually introduced, along with economic support such as rubber plantation work. As a result, their lifestyle has shifted from fully nomadic to semi-settled.

The community was also granted the royal surname “Sritanto” by Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra (the Princess Mother), marking an important step toward formal recognition as Thai citizens.

Despite modernization, the Orang Asli of Sakai Village have preserved many aspects of their cultural identity, including:

Traditional attire on special occasions

Unique language and dialect

Spiritual beliefs connected to nature and forest spirits

Deep knowledge of herbal medicine passed down through generations

Visiting Sakai Village offers more than sightseeing—it is an opportunity to experience a living culture and gain insight into a way of life that maintains a close and respectful relationship with nature.

However, tourism should be approached with sensitivity and respect. Visitors are encouraged to avoid disrupting daily life and to engage responsibly, ensuring that the community’s cultural value is preserved rather than turned into mere performance.

How to Get There

By Car: From Yala city, take Highway 410 (Yala–Betong) for approximately 80 km. At kilometer 79–80, turn left and continue about 4 km into the village

Travel Tips