Ban Phu Homestay Mukdahan

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Ban Phu Homestay Mukdahan

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

In 1844, the ancestors of Ban Phu decided to relocate from their village on the eastern side of Mekong River to this peaceful area of flat land in the valley. Their new settlement soon became part of what is now known at Mukdahan province, a Northeastern Thai province which shares a border with Laos. Tall trees surround in all directions, with the small community well-known locally for its traditional farming and unique handicraft businesses.

The most interesting aspect of this little valley village lies in their nonchalant vibe. Locals genuinely care about each other – while age-old traditions are still cherished. Everything you’ve heard about the ‘slow life’ in Thailand’s Isaan region seems to appear before your very eyes in Ban Phu. Cultural aspects like the unique language, games they play, drum parades, Phu Thai dance and the Bai Si ceremony all resonate positivity. Their cuisine emphasizes home-grown ingredients and their traditional dress even brings back hand-sewn indigo-dyed shirts into fashion.

A number of skilled, knowledgeable individuals, both old and young, are on hand to meet outside visitors and share their wisdom on how to fully embrace nature and their many resources. They dye their own fabric using tree bark and mud. Local fruit and vegetables also make for perfect homemade skincare cream and lotion (which are definitely not like the overpriced ones found in your typical department store).

CULTURAL AND LOCAL WISDOM HERITAGE

Performing arts such as games, clothing, drum procession, welcoming ceremony
Craftsmanship such as weaving, carving, basketry, decoration
Good coexistence principles, including good weather, good food and good mood, following the sufficiency economy principles (building strength from the inside + unity).
Cultural space for public activities
Heet sipsong kong sipsee tradition
Nature and universe: Bamboo-boiled soup, palm soup and jaew som chili paste

ACTIVITIES

Dye fabrics using colors from tree bark and leaves.

Try making herbal soaps.
Learn how to make handicrafts and wickerworks.
Enjoy folk plays and local musical instruments.
Trek through the forest to collect bark and wild herbs.
Make Bai Sri or Khan Mak Beng flower arrangements for the elders.

Program 4 Days 3 Nights

Day 1: Warm Welcome to Baan Phu Homestay
Morning	Depart from Nakorn Phanom Airport to Muang District to pay respect to Phra That Phanom, part of the invaluable cultural heritage of Sri Kotraboon Kingdom at Phra Thay Pranom Waramahaviharn Temple.
Noon	Lunch at Sirichai Roasted where suckling pork is served Restaurant, Kang Kra Bao, Mukdahan
Afternoon	Kang Kra Bao is located opposite Chaiburi City in Laos with the Khong River in between. During the dry season, an island emerges in the middle of the river and this is believed to be the place where Naga Phaya Sripuchongmukda, the highly-respected dragon-like god of the Northeastern and Laotian people, emerges.
Afternoon	Leave for the Phu Tai Tribe at Baan Phu in Mukdahan Province Receive a warm welcome from the Phu Tai tribe with an introduction to their briefs and local way of life by the local tour guide at Baan Phu Learning Centre Introduction to the local elderly people and the hosts and get to know the hosts’ way of living Take a bike ride or walk around the community and pay respect to the invaluable patron of the village Dinner with the hosts
Day 2: Traditional dance – Folk plays, Folk musical instrument – Dinner and Performance
Morning	Traditional Dance – learn about the ‘Lan’ local dance and Paslop dance, along with the Phu Tai dance, which you can try performing in the evening activity
Noon	Lunch with the local people at Baan Phu Learning Centre
Afternoon	Enjoy folk plays with traditional musical instruments which reflect the tribe’s identity, including “Mai Thok Thek” and try to practice playing yourself (ready for the evening) Take a bike ride to learn the local fishing techniques using hooks and net casting
Evening	“Pa Lang”- welcoming dinner and performance for the guests with the welcoming garlands, Lan and Paslop Dances and “Baai Sri Su Kwan” Ceremony while enjoying dinner
Evening	Free time and rest at the homestay
Day 3: Sticky rice alms offering – Handicrafts – Local landscape improvement – Cooking Class
Morning	Sticky rice alms-offering to the monks in front of the homestay Experience the Buddhist way of life at Buddha Kiri Breakfast and reforestation activity Learn how to make Baai Sri tray or Khan Mak Beng, the highly-regarded meticulous craft that uses local materials such as banana leaves.
Noon	Lunch
Afternoon	Cooking class to make a local dish with organic ingredients
Afternoon	“Su Kwan the Elderly” – Pay respect to the local elderly people for blessings and listen to their fascinating stories
Evening	Dinner at the homestay and free time
Evening	“Dinner and storytelling by the elders – Kom Folk bedtime tale”
Day 4: Handicrafts – Local products – Herbal compress – Nakon Phranom
Morning	Handicrafts activity with Basketry and Weaving groups
	Learn about how dyeing colors can be extracted from tree bark and leaves
	See how the weaving process and wood carving is done
Noon	Lunch
Afternoon	Learn how to make some local products, such as herbal soap (which can be taken home as a souvenir)
	Herbal compress and foot soaking and Thai massage
	Leave for the city centre of Nakon Phanom and admire the impressive limestone mountain scenery of Laos along the way (on the other side of the river)
	Visit some attractions of the town, including the Phraya Srisatanakaracha image, believed to be the protective god of the region
Evening	Dinner in Muang District, Nakon Phanom
Evening	Leave for Nakon Phanom Airport and fly back

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