Since first arriving in the breathtaking landscape of Chiang Dao in 1998, Makhampom has gradually developed the Makhampom Art Space into a vibrant theatre village nestled in a valley beneath the majestic Doi Luang Mountain.

The site has evolved into a community-based creative hub for the people of Chiang Dao, for our partners across Thailand and the world, and for the public as a space for social enterprise. The space features two theatre buildings, a guesthouse, a kitchen, a sculpture garden, a café, serene lakes, and rice fields making it an inspiring playground for INTER program participants to explore, connect, and create.

Surrounded by the richness of Chiang Dao’s people and environment, participants are immersed in Makhampom’s philosophy of applied theatre and grassroots engagement. The program sparks deep reflection and ideas for building creative communities, developing ensemble-based work, and engaging in intercultural collaboration.

Mountain Feet Art Academy is an immersive 1–5 day program designed for international participants to experience Makhampom’s unique methodologies in:

• Applied Theatre
• Community Engagement
• Intercultural Exchange

Participants join hands-on workshops, engage in cultural exchange with local communities, join reflective discussions, and share their learning in creative presentations. These experiences foster both artistic growth and intercultural understanding.

Our programs align with global education frameworks including the International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International Education, and American Common Core Standards and are tailored to support:

• Global Citizenship Education (GCED)
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Project-Based and Interdisciplinary Learning

Program Components

Image Theatre

A collaborative, ensemble-based method using frozen images and tableaux to visually explore complex social dynamics. This technique promotes reflection, dialogue, and collective meaning-making ideal for problem-posing education.

Dialogue Theatre

A Makhampom-developed signature method blending forum theatre with conflict transformation. It creates space for structured audience-character dialogue to unpack real-world dilemmas, practice empathy, and explore alternative solutions.

Community Engagement with Pang Daeng Nok

Participants engage directly with the Dara-Ang ethnic community in Pang Daeng Nok, a stateless village in Chiang Dao. This immersive exchange raises critical questions about intercultural ethics, community voice, and the role of theatre in social transformation.

Rooted in Local Wisdom, Growing Global Partnerships

Our international work is deeply grounded in the Chiang Dao Learning City ecosystem, which is formally supported by MOUs with the Chiang Dao District Office and the Chiang Mai Provincial Education Office. This collaboration enables Makhampom to co-develop place-based learning models that bridge formal education with community-rooted knowledge and artistic practice.

Chiang Dao thus becomes a living classroom for global learners where local realities, cultural diversity, and creative practices converge.

Over the past 8 years, Makhampom has implemented “Theatre for Change” projects across Thailand, supported by national institutions such as the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (สสส.).

• These initiatives have trained over 1,200 youth leaders from ethnic and marginalized communities.
• Using theatre, storytelling, and civic participation, these young changemakers have addressed pressing social and cultural issues in their own contexts.

This extensive network and lived experience form a solid foundation for our international programs, where the voices of local youth connect with global partners to co-create learning that is meaningful, empathetic, and transformative.

We Build Cross-Border Collaborations Through:

• Applied theatre and socially-engaged performance
• Participatory learning and curriculum co-design
• Cultural exchange and artist/educator residencies
• Youth- and community-led research initiatives

Our Philosophy

Rooted in the values of
sustainability, diversity, equity, and learning with heart,
We believe: Art becomes a force for real change when it creates space for silenced voices to shine. From ethnic youth in remote villages, to stateless children, LGBTQ+ communities, and other marginalized groups everyone deserves a platform to shape their own future.

Examples of Participating International Schools

• Singapore International School – Singapore
• Canadian International School – Canada
• AIS Dhaka School – Bangladesh
• Yew Chung Hong Kong International School – Hong Kong
• Kardinia International College – Australia
• NIST International School – Bangkok, Thailand
• Prem Tinsulanonda International School – Chiang Mai, Thailand
  

These schools have participated in various workshops, learning programs, and cultural exchange activities organized by Makhampom. The engagements include onsite visits, creative camps, and residency programs that emphasize learning through arts, theatre, and meaningful interaction with local communities in Chiang Dao and Northern Thailand.

Join Us

We invite international schools, educators, cultural partners, and global learners to be part of a movement that weaves together art, culture, education, and compassion to co-create a world that is more inclusive, just, and inspired by community wisdom.