Born from a vision of living differently, Panya has grown into a living experiment in community, culture, and care for the earth.
Panya Forest began as a question: what if people from different backgrounds could come together, share a piece of land, and build something that honored both the earth and each other?
Rooted in the hills of Chiang Mai, Thailand, we have spent years cultivating not just gardens, but relationships. Between people. Between cultures. Between the old ways and the present moment.
"We explore how to live harmoniously across cultures, create alternatives to capitalism, raise children as a village, heal from loss, regenerate the land, and live simply in ways that nurture both people and planet for generations to come."
In 2026, Panya enters a new phase. After years of building, losing, learning, and beginning again, we are reimagining what the community can be. This chapter is about deepening roots, welcoming new people, and asking harder questions about how we want to live.
The land is still here. The seeds are still here. The invitation remains open.
"Beginning anew does not mean forgetting. It means bringing everything we have learned and asking: what do we want to grow next?"
Day to day, Panya is a living school. We tend gardens, preserve seeds, build structures from natural materials, share meals, and hold space for ceremonies and learning. No two days are the same, and that is the point.
See our projectsPanya is held by a rotating circle of long-term residents, seasonal contributors, and visiting guests. Here is who you might meet.
Young leader/change-maker from Myanmar. Aspiring seed saver and community organizer.
Surya is the next generation. Everything we do is for her. The entire village raises her. She is wild and free.
Storyteller, musician, father, and apprentice of the Land.
The Matriarch. The Heart of the village. The Queen Bee.
Hear directly from the community — through conversations, articles, and reflections on how we live.
In conversation with Gregory Pettys — an in-depth reflection on slowness, community, and the courage of living differently in the modern world.
Read article →A candid dialogue exploring life at Panya Forest — the rhythms of community, the practice of sustainability, and what it means to live with intention.
Watch on YouTube →A deep-dive into the history, vision, and daily life of Panya Forest — how a community in northern Thailand became a living school for the soul.
Watch on YouTube →