Marasca Khao Yai, the newly launched property under Marasca Hotels Resorts, Narai Hotel Group’s luxury hospitality arm, has officially unveiled its environmental and social initiative, Marasca Care. Developed to accelerate planet-friendly efforts on-property and support local
communities in Khao Yai, the initiative currently focuses on reducing resource consumption, efficient
waste management, and uplifting local Khao Yai artisans and beneficiaries.

CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

     Marasca Care’s inception was a natural consequence of Marasca Khao Yai’s location. Situated in the scenic Khao Yai mountain range and with the National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, at its doorstep, the casual luxury hotel is a lush haven that celebrates the great outdoors. With a build inspired by the natural environment, the hotel’s architecture and landscape has been designed with Khao Yai’s terrain in mind, resulting in a building that encompasses the surrounding greenery, and which preserves many large trees.

     Marasca Care is our commitment to give back to the planet and communities around us who need our help the most. Guided by our mission to deliver a stunning stay experience that will let our guests reset their pace of lives and discover what’s important to them, we want to also extend the same thoughtful hospitality to the surrounding environment and our neighbours in the region.

Marasca Care is embedded into every stay experience at Marasca Khao Yai

     Within the hotel, the same sense of care prevails. To reduce water and energy consumption, guests are encouraged to opt for less frequent linen changes and use fewer towels, while in-room bath amenities are provided in refillable large-format sizes. In addition, bathrobes in guest rooms, designed by local fashion house ‘Atelier Pichita’, are made from Single Jersey Fabric that is 100% recycled textiles. One kilogram of this recycled fabric requires 151 litres less water and 649 less light bulbs to produce as compared to normal single jersey fabric. Similarly, staff uniforms by ‘Atelier Pichita’ are made from recycled oxford fabrics for a smart and eco-friendly fit.

Meals at Treetop: tea house and farmer’s café features fresh local produce

     At Tree Top: tea house and farmer’s café, the hotel’s gathering hub and all-day dining concept, the menu spotlights a dedicated and highly localised farm-to-table approach, with the aim of reducing emissions from transportation and the added benefit of supporting local farmers. With Khao Yai’s temperate climes allowing for a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and dairy products to be cultivated, each dish on Tree Top Cafe’s menu features only fresh local produce from neighbouring Khao Yai farms and farms around Thailand: premium Thai wagyu from ‘Phuphan Cooperative’ (Sakolnakorn); vegetables mushrooms from ‘Sweet Green’ (Pak Chong); corn from ‘Suwan Farm’ and ‘Sweet Green’; chicken from Betagro (Pak Chong); pork from Sampran Farm (Nahonpathom); cocoa from PLearn chocolate (Rayong and Chantaburi).

Homegrown is Marasca Khao Yai’s on-property organic garden

     Greens are also harvested from Marasca Khao Yai’s own on-property organic garden, ‘Homegrown’, which thrives on the hotel’s natural composting programme. To further engage guests in planet-friendly activities, Marasca Khao Yai’s daily ‘Homegrown Hour’ invites guests to join an on-property agricultural expert for a hands-on session to learn more about organic vegetables, composting, and to plant a tree.

CARING FOR COMMUNITIES

     In addition to supporting local farmers, the other pillar of Marasca Care focuses on driving positive social action and bringing tangible benefits to its home region of Khao Yai. Marasca Khao Yai currently partners ‘Baan Dan Kwian Village’ (Nakhon Ratchasima Province) and ‘Baan Bailan Thong Community’
(Pracheenburi Province) for supplies of artisanal goods and services and also supports ‘Makutawan School of the Blind’ in fundraising and infrastructure upgrading.

     As an organisation that has set down roots in Khao Yai, we believe in caring for and empowering our neighbours and local communities in the region. Through these fruitful partnerships, we hope to enliven communities, sustain local artisanal traditions and give these important local businesses a boost, all while supporting local causes.

Plant pots and beads from ‘Baan Dan Kwian’ Village at a workshop for guests

        Marasca Khao Yai purchases plant pots and beads from ‘Baan Dan Kwian’ used in its “Paint a Planter” and “Beading” workshops for guests. ‘Baan Dan Kwian’ is known for its pottery made using quality natural clay from the Mun River that flows through Northeast Thailand. From ‘Baan Bailan Thong’ in Pracheenburi, Marasca commissions handwoven sun hats and bags made from Bailan leaves, which feature in each its 18 villas and glamper accommodations.

     To lend a helping hand to Makutawan School of the Blind, a local school in Khao Yai, guests can donate unused toys in good condition at Marasca Khao Yai, which will be distributed bimonthly to Makutawan’s beneficiaries. In addition, Marasca Khao Yai has raised funds to support the installation of water tanks that will provide clean water to the school and its students.

     In the near future, Marasca Khao Yai seeks to enhance Marasca Care by deepening its network of local partners, such as Khao Yai National Park as a partner for forest welfare activities aimed at guests and Marasca staff. It will also look to intensify its environmental actions on-property, by introducing a more robust recycling programme along with a food and waste management programme. The initiative will also be expanded to other Marasca properties, including the upcoming Marasca Koh Samui resort, slated to open in Q1 2014.