Historical Overview

Thailand’s cultural heritage was influenced by ancient India when the Indian merchants and scholars set foot and gradually settled in Southeast Asia some 2,300 years ago. It continued for several centuries. Buddhist religion and popular myth are the most obvious examples. Much of Thailand’s royal tradition is also rooted in Indian culture.

Buddhism is thought to have first come to Thailand at Nakhon Pathom, While Indian concepts of divine kingship first took root in the Khmer empire. By the 6th century AD, many independent states were flourishing in the region we now know as Thailand. One of these was the Mon’s Dvaravati kingdom. Mon dominance over central Thailand has been diminished by the power of an expanding Khmer empire. Eventually, The Khmer became so powerful that they ruled the entire area. Only the southern isthmus where the Srivijaya civilization had taken root was unaffected.

Towards the end of the 13th century, Khmer power in this area waned and new kingdoms dominated by the Thai race developed, including the northern Lanna kingdom. Beginning by nibbling away at the perimeter of the Khmer empire at Sukhothai and in Lanna some 700 years ago, the Thai race later established the glorious court at Ayutthaya, and eventually Bangkok. Over the past centuries, many peoples, among them the Chinese, Arabs, Malays and Westerners, have contributed to Thailand’s cultural heritage.

Thailand’s majestic cultural heritage inherited over the past centuries was dominated or influenced by many kingdoms encompassing the area including the powerful Khmer. The remains of their cultural heritage can still be seen in many places through out the kingdom.

Village Homestays - Sustainable Tourism

Thailand is fortunate in its prime location for tourism in terms of such natural attractions as beaches and mountains, cultural and historical sites which reflect the glories of Thai civilization, and a sophisticated infrastructure, allowing visitors easy access to all these treasures.

The government's policy on tourism for the past years has been gearing towards more and more sustainable tourism development with emphasis on community participation, safety of tourists and non-exploitation. The term “eco-tourism” has been widely used to describe a form of tourism in natural areas that is based on the knowledge about and responsibility towards the ecological system of the area.

At present, the number of real eco-tourism visitors is still minimal. Mostly, those tourists are included in other types of tourism such as nature-based tourism, agro-tourism, cultural and historical tourism and health tourism. Most of such tourism areas are in natural parks and specific historical-cultural areas.

Medical, Banking and Markets

There are excellent medical centres in places like Bangkok - in fact many westerners travel to Bangkok to have their teeth, and other ailments, including surgical, fixed at the hospitals - where costs are a fraction of those charged in first world countries. To find out more about this level of sophistication simply type "bangkok dental surgery" into Google. The Bangkok Phuket Hospital can be seen on the right.

There are bank ATMs all over Thailand - and the system is excellent accepting all cards.

Markets are to be found in all villages and community centres - the variety of goods on sale here will keep you happily occupied for hours!

Mixing with the locals

The basis of the Thai customs and traditions lies in the family, whose structure is of bilateral descent. Like the Chinese and some other Asian peoples, the young are taught to pay respect to and follow the instructions of parents, elders, teachers and Buddhist monks who, in the old days, formed a highly educated class.

The first interesting cultural nicety is in the Thai greeting. Whether you can speak any Thai or not it is always polite when greeting someone by name to start with "Khun" pronounced "Koon". Kuhn means "person" and in their culture addressing them as Kuhn Prakarn (where "Prakarn" is the person's name) is the correct way of greeting that person.

The villagers are often very, very poor - but do eat well. The important role that village homestays offer is the injection of cash into their community.

Fortune tellers play an important role in Thai culture. Many Thai people seek the advice of fortune tellers, or "maw du" as they are known in Thai, which literally translated means "seeing doctor". Often the fortune tellers are monks famous for their divining skills - a fascinating experience for guests who want to explore their spiritual side.

Amongst the villagers you will experience first hand what is known as "heart values". This refers to the genuine, unconditional generosity that come straight from the heart, without agenda, without ulterior motivation for gain or expectation of return.

Try not to ask a Thai a direct question which puts them into a position where they feel they have to answer "Yes" or "No". Even if they do not want to do something they will always answer "Yes" because they do not want to offend you but they could feel put out and the great relationship that you previously enjoyed could become strained. Often despite saying "yes" they will not do what you as. The best solution is to phrase your words in such a way that allows the villagers to decide what course they want to take.

What to expect on a village homestay

First of all, except for the upmarket option listed here, you will bathe out of a bucket of cold water like the Thai people do and. more often than not, use a toilet linked to a septic tank. The beds are a foam mattresses on the floor - not as comfortable as a western bed but not that bad either! One of the guest houses at Baan Hat Pa Kon can be seen on the right.

One could conservatively compare the experience with camping - but in a far better setting than living in a tent!

The meals are traditional Thai food and your host will be able to tailor this to meet any vegetarian or other food preferences you might have.

The homes are very nicely maintained and the hosts carefully handpicked in the participating villages.

Getting to the villages

Our Thaihomestays.com office is located in Bangkok just 20 minutes from the airport - taxi fare about Baht200 or a few dollars. We recommend that guests go there and meet our agent nefore travelling on to the villages. (See below for agents) The daily rate of Baht2,500 per adult per day  (about US$70) includes transfers to and from the villages.

Image right: Our unique office in Bangkok

We have three village homestay options in Thailand - the upmarket dwelling at Nakhon Sawan in central Thailand; and the inexpensive village homestays to the north at Moobaan Nan Laam in the province of Phrae and at Baan Hat Pa Kon in the very northern province of Nan.

Nakhon Sawan is about three hours by car from Bangkok - on very good roads while the province of Phrae is about another three hour drive and Nan to the north about an hour - again on excellent roads. There are excellent but inexpensive bus services from Bangkok to all villages participating in Thai Homestays. Alternatively you can catch a plane from Bangkok to Nan - a trip which takes just an hour and is not expensive.

Thailand Village Homestay Agents

Thaihomestays.com have appointed carefully selected agents to manage the bookings made by guests.

Liam Child

Seventy year old William (Liam) Child (seen right) grew up as part of a travelling 'gypsy' family and so went to schools in all states of Australia except Tasmania.

Liam went to Papua New Guinea in 1946 when it was still very much of a colonial frontier and so had a wonderfully interesting and exciting youth, diving, sailing, fishing and hunting. He came back to Australia to complete his apprenticeship as a shipwright/boatbuilder. He also went into carpentering and eventually established his own construction business in Brisbane which he operated for some 35 years.

In 1991 Liam went to Thailand. The initial offer was to take up the position as project manager for an Australian company which had won a huge contract in Bangkok and needed a person of my background for the position. It was there that Liam fell in love with the people and the country so he opted to stay and work on contracts for Japanese companies.

Liam met a lovely mature Thai lady, Pen, with whom he had a very happy relationship. During this time Liam got to know the people in many Thai villages. It is this very intimate contact that he has with the Thai people that has allowed us to bring these extraordinary villages - rich in Thai culture.

Liam is our primary contact and personally deals with every booking made by guests.

When you make your booking we will contact Liam who will meet you at his unique office just minutes from Bangkok Airport.

Prakarn Khaenguisit and Ali Mohammed Wangvilai

Both our tour guides are based in the province of Nan.

They speak excellent English and Prakarn (seen left with Ali in image on the right) is a Government accredited Tour Guide.

When guests go on tours such as elephant treks it will be Prakarn who organises these unique activities.

Go to the villages of Nakhon Sawan; Moobaan Nan Laam or Baan Hat Pa Kon.