Lamai Homestay

Do you desire to "visit beyond" the same old tourist attractions? If the answer is yes, then book the Lamai Homestay tour in Isaan, the huge rice-growing region in Thailand's northeast. This area is a gem that is too often neglected by tourists.

Each room is equipped with air conditioning or a ceiling fan. Jimmy and Lamai, who own the house, seldom have more than one group of visitors at a time, which means you will get the most out of your visit. They will take you on daily excursions into the surrounding area so that you get an intimate understanding of rural Thai life.

Jimmy left England 10 years ago and settled in Thailand, where he met Lamai. They moved together to Lamai’s hometown, Ko Phet, and live with their daughter Lizzie.

Season:
Year-round. Be prepared for heavy and brief monsoon showers in the rainy season from May/June until September/October.

Day 1: Bangkok to Sida to Bua Yai:
Depart from New Road Guest House at 8:00 am with a taxi to Mochit Bus station, where the bus leaves for Sida at 9:00 am. (This part of the trip is on your own). The bus ride takes about 5 hours, and you can look forward to travelling through some of the most beautiful nature in Thailand. Jimmy will receive you at the bus station and will take you to his home.

You will likely meet other villagers because it's always a special event when foreign visitors drop by. Jimmy will show you the family's rice fields and explain the whole process from sowing to harvesting. You are welcome to have a look inside the houses of the local people in the village to see the traditional way of life. Returning to Jimmy and Lamai's, you can sit and enjoy the peace and quiet of the natural surroundings while Lamai cooks a traditional Isaan meal. This is followed by drinks on the terrace. Here you can savor the beautiful view of water buffalos meandering through the rice fields while the sun sets over the lake.

Day 2: Ban Prasat, Sai Ngam, Phimai:
After an early breakfast in the garden you will depart for Ban Prasat, where you can see a 3000-year-old archeological site where there was once a pottery mill. At a short distance from Ban Prasat lies Sai Ngam, which is the oldest and biggest Banyan grove in Thailand, stretching over 1,300 square meters. A temple is hidden among the intertwined branches. Lunch will be served at one of the local floating restaurants, which are famous for having the best traditional food in the Isaan area. After the meal you will continue to Phimai, where you will visit a temple complex built between the 10th and 11th centuries. This is one of the must significant temple areas for Khmer people. Finally, you will return for dinner at Lamai Homestay.

Day 3: Bua Yai:
After breakfast you will drive to a small and very rarely visited village, where you will see how silk thread is produced. You will see the whole process from silkworm breeding to the finished product. (Here we should point out that these activities are not typically arranged for tourists. It's a way for the local women working in their own homes to earn extra income for their families.)

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you will visit Bua Yai market, where you'll see the exotic fruits and herbs which are used in local Isaan food. On the way back to Lamai Homestay you will visit a Hindu temple from the 11th century.

Day 4: Bua Yai to Bangkok:
Enjoy breakfast in the garden one last time before you return to Bangkok (or, if you're thirsty for more, before your trip continues north to Laos.) Arrive in Bangkok around 5 pm.

We reserve the right to make changes to the program without prior notice.

Note that the following prices take effect on November 1, 2010:

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