In his hometown of Khon Kaen, Thailand, Ekalak “O” Hongliam rallies an international crew—including professional rock climbers Anna Hazlett and Tom Randall—to help turn his local cliffs into a legal, sustainable climbing destination. Their mission: not just to open routes, but to open minds, to a future where climbing uplifts an entire region.
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Climb Duai Gan (Climb Together/ปีนหน้าผาด้วยกัน) is my first big documentary, and I was honored that O entrusted me with this project. I know I learned so much with this project, working with multiple talented videographers for our vision. We wanted to not only help the locals create a lasting and sustainable path for ecotourism through rock climbing in Si Chomphu, Thailand, but to also capture the beauty of Isan culture and the excitement surrounding our efforts to legalize climbing in Thailand.
The film is now touring with Climbing Film Tour across Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the US.
Acknowledgements:
Rab, our main film sponsor / rab.equipment
Evolv, for shoe donation / evolv_worldwide
MyTendon, for ropes donation / mytendon_official
The village of Si Chomphu, for EVERYTHING!
Ekalak "O" Hongliam, project coordinator
Thamrongrat Thana-phaphonchai, Director of the Nam Phong National Park
Sutham Wongchan, Head of the Phu Wiang National Park
Sukanya "Preaw" Promthong, Native of Pha Nam Thiang Village; Rose farmer & rubber tree farmer
Chaiwipat, Native of Mahasalakham Province; Taxi driver in Bangkok
Tao, Thai native & founder of TCDA nonprofit
Snook, Thai native & TCDA Communication Director
Gavriel Jecan, Khon Kaen Climbing Club, foreign advisor of KKCC, 1st developer of bouldering and sport climbing in Isan Region of Khon Kaen County
Crew:
Gavriel Jecan
Joey Valenzuela
Maigl Ullrich
Adreas Bauer
Anna Hazelnutt
Tom Randall
Mimi Chindasook
Matthew Chatfield
Ozzy Auswin Aueareechit
Banlu Rogaway
Bongkotrattana "Kot" Lailert
Mark Brown
Sivadol Sitipol
Verapat Sitipol
Eunice Lin
Malcolm Jitam
Brad Ausink
Videographers
Tony Cheung
Karen Chan
Felix Jou Minowa
Color
Ryan Broomberg
Translations
Ekalak "O" Hongliam
Director/Editor
Anna Hazelnutt