Thailand Village Academy | Nathon Cultural Tourism Community

Stuck for ideas as to where to head to escape the city for the weekend? Then let us point you in the direction of Na Thon village, a sleepy yet culture-packed community in Thailand’s Northeastern Isaan region. Besides being awarded for their community-based travel services, this community also offers many long-standing festivities, such as the lively Boon Heet Sibsong, Ram Phi Mo and Liang Saeng ceremonies, the latter of which can only be found at Ban Na Thon.

This Thai Guan community takes pride in their heritage comprised of three different thriving industries. As the saying goes in these parts – after the rice harvest is over, women weave and men forge iron.

As well as seeing how the locals here go about their seasonal trade and work, another highlight of Na Thon has to be its traditional salt spa. If time permits, other activities include weaving fish traps & fishing equipment, learning about integrated farming and helping out with food preservation.

See how this village’s industry revolves around the female-dominated weaving factories and male’s iron-hitting products. You’ll see how the ancient traditions and beliefs of the Thai Guan tribe have been preserved through religious rites which have been passed on for many decades.

Culture

Ban Na Thon Tai Guan tribal culture
Liang Saeng (Pu Ta Saeng) tradition
Ram Pee Mor worshipping ceremony
Rice cultivation and harvest tradition
Heet sip song merit (boon) making tradition
Merit making tradition on the 3rd day of the waxing moon, 3rd month
Marriage, etc.

Local Wisdom

Forging techniques
Weaving and dyeing techniques
Basketry products for the household, fishery, farming and hunting
Food preservation and local dish cooking
Pandan leaf crafting, reed mat weaving, herbal and local treatments
Rock salt and spa salt processing, etc.

Experience the culture of Ancient Tai Kuan community.
Learn the ancient art of blacksmithing, as well as modern techniques.
Plant gurjan trees, helping with reforestation for the community.
Cook delicious dishes from organic vegetables.
Learn about local wickworks.
Make 2 types of flower decorations: Bai Sri and Khan Mak Beng.
Learn about salt spas from local wisdom.

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

Day 1: Welcome to the holy city of the legendary Sri Kotraboon Kingdom
Morning	Depart from Nakorn Phanom Airport to the city at Paya Sri Sattanakarach. From here, take a tram along the Khong River and while admiring the impressive limestone mountain scenery of Laos along the way (on the other side of the river)
Noon	Northeastern dishes, Signature grilled chicken at Sam Anong Restaurant
Afternoon	Depart for Tai Guan Tribe village, Na Thon, That Phanon District Receive a warm welcome from the Na Thon people at Pu Ta Saeng Shrine, which is considered the most sacred and respected site of the area Introduction to the heads of the community, the hosts and learn about their way of living Take a bike ride or sidecar trip around the community Dinner Listen to the folktales about Phaya Kom, the local Northeastern lord
Day 2: Ironing Hitting Demonstration/ Traditional Tai Kuan Way Life, Baan Na Thon, Bike tour and CSR activity
Morning	Observe then practice the local’s traditional iron-hitting technique with modern innovations You’ll learn about how the products are made through a process of iron-hitting and then take a bike ride or sidecar to 3 different stations, with the first stop at the Loincloth station at Baan Dong Yor (1st station)
Noon	Lunch at the community’s forest
Afternoon	Bike to Baan Dong Kom (2nd station) Traditional Ikat Thai Silk fabric at Baan Dong Kom, and maintain the legend of Boh Mahen salt well at the Baan Donh Yoong learning centre (3rd station) Reforestation CSR activity – Rubber Tree Planting (Biochar and mushroom planting around the trees)
Evening	Tai Guan dishes for dinner
Day 3: Sticky rice cooking, Alms giving – Cruise to observe the fishermen’s way of life – Visit a melon farm – Phra Thay Phanom
Morning	Learn about the technique to traditional sticky rice cooking using firewood and cooling rice that is offered for alms-giving while preserving its softness Alms-giving offering ceremony to the monks and breakfast after Take a cruise – a throwback to ancient times when immigrant of the area traveling from Marukanakorn northward. The Tai Kuan tribe traveled to the north via the Bung Huak route to Song Kok Yang viewpoint
Noon	Lunch on the cruise/ garden by the river Experience the traditional way of living of local fishermen and how they have fun during work
Afternoon	Explore the Khong riverbank, visit a Melon farm and make some local products such as Melon juice, Lychee juice and mango juice etc. and leave for Phra That Phanom, an important pagoda of the Sri Kotraboon Kingdom
Evening	Dinner at SunTree Art & Culture Market
Evening	Depart for Nakorn Phanom Airport

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

No. of visitors	2-3 persons	4-5 persons	6-18 persons	19-40 persons
Rate/Person (THB)	24,500	16,500	14,500	12,500

Included in the program:

2 nights’ homestay accommodation
Meals specified in the program (1 breakfast/2 lunches/1 dinner)
Transportation for the entire program, including VIP van, bicycle, boat and trolley motorcycle
Activities specified in the program
English speaking guide, community masters and communicator
Travel insurance with a sum insured of 1 million baht
7% VAT

Not included in the program:

Food and drinks not specified in the program
Personal expenses

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

Day 1: Welcome to the holy city
Morning	Depart from Nakorn Phanom Airport to the city at PayaSriSattanakarach and take a tram along the Khong River Enjoy a signature drink of Nakorn Phanom at Gooba House, a 100-year-old French Colonial style building Go on a bike ride along the Khong River and appreciate beautiful limestone mountain scenes of Laos across the river.
Noon	Enjoy some signature Northeastern Thai dishes, including grilled chicken at Sam Anong Restaurant
Afternoon	Depart for Tai Guan Tribe village, Na Thon, That Phanon District Receive a warm welcome from the Na Thon people at Pu Ta Saeng Shrine, which is considered the most sacred and respected place of the area Introduction to the heads of the community, the hosts and learn about their way of living Take a bike ride or sidecar trip around the community “Baai Sri Su Kwan” and pay respect to the sacred image of the village Dinner
Day 2: Knowledge exchange about ancient Tai Guan Tribe, Na Thon
Morning	Take part in Buddhist rituals focusing on the ancestral spirit
Morning	Observe then practice the local’s traditional iron-hitting technique with modern innovations
Afternoon	Take a bike ride or sidecar to the sacred silver mine and listen to the legend of Kaew Sadet Temple. Visit the integrated agricultural farm inspired by His Majesty the King Rama 9’s initiative. Visit a local vegetable farm
Evening	Tai Guan dishes for Dinner
Day 3: Tradition, Customs and Culture
Morning	Learn about the techniques for making traditional sticky rice cooking using firewood and cooling rice that is offered for alms-giving while preserving its softness Alms-giving offering ceremony to the monks and breakfast after Learn about Baai Sri tray (Khan Mak Beng) making at Sri Mongkol Temple
Noon	Witness the striking of a big drum – a signal that it’s lunchtime. First, you can make a food offering to the monks before having something to eat yourself.
Afternoon	Pay respect to Marukanakorn Pagoda at the old area of Bung Huay on which the legendary Marukanakorn was once situated Take a cruise – a throw back to ancient times when immigrant of the area traveling from Marukanakorn northward. The Tai Kuan tribe traveled to the north via the Bung Huak route to Song Kok Yang viewpoint
Evening	Dinner, followed by a weaving lesson before bed or attend the “Healing Spirit” dancing rite
Day 4: Bike and Adventure in three areas and Reforestation CSR activity, Salt spa in the Northeast
Morning	Bike to 3 different stations: (1) Learn about loincloth making at Baan Dong Yor, (2) Traditional Ikat Thai Silk fabric at Baan Dong Kom, and maintain the legend of Boh Mahen salt well at station 3.
Noon	Local dishes for lunch at Baan Pa Yoong village
Afternoon	Enjoy the salt and spa activity that applies local wisdom, and enjoy a rejuvenating foot massage
Evening	Dinner and listen to the folktales about Phaya Kom, the local Northeastern lord
Day 5: Rice Field activity, Fishery and Cooking Class with Organic Ingredients
Morning	Rice Planting (plowing/ planting/ irrigating/ seedling)
Noon	Cooking class, organic vegetables, bio farming, collecting mangoes and digging bamboo shoots
Noon	Enjoy a papaya salad (som tam-style), bamboo shoot soup and other local dishes
Afternoon	Experience the traditional way of life of the local fishermen and see how they have fun during work.
Evening	Dinner “Relax at the end of the day”
Day 6: Khong Riverbank Exploration and Local Products
Morning	Explore the Khong riverbank, visit a Melon farm and make some local products such as Melon juice, Lychee juice and mango juice etc.
Noon	Lunch at Vietnam Dao Thong Restaurant
	Visit Ho Chi Mihn Monument and Chakri Dynasty Hall (Nong Yart) and Aquatic Animals Museum
	Leave for Nakorn Phanom Airport
	Fly back and arrive safely in Bangkok

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

No. of visitors	2-3 persons	4-5 persons	6-18 persons	19-40 persons
Rate/Person (THB)	34,500	26,500	22,000	20,000

Included in the program:

5 nights’ homestay accommodation
All meals
Transportation for the entire program, including VIP van, bicycle, boat and trolley motorcycle
Activities specified in the program
English speaking guide, community masters and communicator
Travel insurance with a sum insured of 1 million baht
7% VAT

Not included in the program:

Food and drinks not specified in the program
Personal expenses

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Day 1: Welcome to the holy city
Morning	Depart from Nakorn Phanom Airport to the city at PayaSriSattanakarach and take a tram along the Khong River Enjoy Nakorn Phanom’s signature drink at Gooba House, a 100-year-old French Colonial style building Go on a bike ride along the Khong River and appreciate beautiful limestone mountain scenes of Lao across the river
Noon	Northeastern dishes, including signature grilled chicken at Sam Anong Restaurant
Afternoon	Depart for Tai Guan Tribe village, Na Thon, That Phanon District Receive a warm from the Na Thon people at Pu Ta Saeng Shrine, which is considered the most sacred and respected place of the area Introduction to the heads of the community, the hosts and learn about their way of living Take a bike ride or sidecar trip around the community “Baai Sri Su Kwan” and pay respect to the sacred image of the village Dinner
Day 2: Knowledge exchange about ancient Tai Guan Tribe, Na Thon
Morning	Take part in Buddhist rituals focusing on the ancestral spirit Observe then practice the local’s traditional iron-hitting technique with modern innovations You’ll learn about how the products are made through a process of iron-hitting.
Afternoon	Take a bike ride or sidecar to the sacred silver mine and listen to the legend of Kaew Sadet Temple and visit an integrated agricultural farm inspired by His Majesty the King Rama 9’s initiatives Visit a local vegetable farm
Evening	Tai Guan dishes for dinner
Day 3: Tradition, Customs and Culture
Morning	Learn about the technique to traditional sticky rice cooking using firewood and cooling rice that is offered for alms-giving while preserving its softness Alms-giving offering ceremony to the monks and breakfast after Learn about Baai Sri tray (Khan Mak Beng) making at Sri Mongkol Temple
Noon	Witness the striking of a big drum – a signal that it’s lunchtime. First, you can make a food offering to the monks before having something to eat yourself.
Afternoon	Pay respect to Marukanakorn Pagoda at the old area of Bung Huay on which the legendary Marukanakorn was once situated Take a cruise – a throwback to ancient times when immigrant of the area traveling from Marukanakorn northward. The Tai Kuan tribe traveled to the north via the Bung Huak route to Song Kok Yang viewpoint
Evening	Dinner, following by a weaving lesson before bed or attend the “Healing Spirit” dancing rite
Day 4: Bike and Adventure in three areas and Reforestation CSR activity, Salt spa in the Northeast
Morning	Bike to 3 different stations: (1) Learn about loincloth making at Baan Dong Yor, (2) Traditional Ikat Thai Silk fabric at Baan Dong Kom, and (3) get to know about the legend of Boh Mahen salt well
Noon	Local dishes for lunch at Baan Pa Yoong village
Afternoon	Participate in the salt and spa activity that applies local wisdom and get foot massage
Evening	Dinner and listen to the folktales about Phaya Kom, the local Northeastern lord
Day 5: Rice Field activity and Cooking Class with Organic Ingredients
Morning	Rice Planting (plowing/ planting/ irrigating/ seedling)
Noon	Lunch in the field
Afternoon	Learn about plants, organic vegetables, bio farming, collecting mangoes and digging bamboo shoots
Afternoon	Cooking class, making papaya salad, bamboo shoot soup and local dishes
Evening	Enjoy the delicious dishes made by the top chef
Day 6: Learn about fishery and CSR activity, Reforestation
Morning	Morning alms-giving with sticky rice and visit the local market
Morning	See the traditional way of life of local fishermen and find out how they have fun during work
Noon	Lunch
Noon	Reforestation CSR activity- Rubber Tree Planting (Biochar and mushroom planting around the trees)
Evening	Dinner “Relax at the end of the day”
Day 7: Khong Riverbank Exploration and Local Products
Morning	Explore the Khong riverbank, visit a Melon farm and make some local products such as Melon juice, Lychee juice and mango juice etc.
Noon	Lunch at Vietnam Dao Thong Restaurant
	Visit Ho Chi Mihn Monument and Chakri Dynasty Hall (Nong Yart) and Aquatic Animals Museum
	Leave for Nakorn Phanom Airport

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

No. of visitors	2-3 persons	4-5 persons	6-18 persons	19-40 persons
Rate/Person (THB)	36,000	28,000	23,500	21,500

Included in the program:

6 nights’ homestay accommodation
All meals
Transportation for the entire program, including VIP van, bicycle, boat and trolley motorcycle
Activities specified in the program
English speaking guide, community masters and communicator
Travel insurance with a sum insured of 1 million baht
7% VAT

Not included in the program:

Food and drinks not specified in the program
Personal expenses

Seasons/ Periods of Visit: All-year-round

Boiled chicken soup with mulberry leaf tea
Salted buffalo skin dipping sauce
Thai copper-pod soup with salted buffalo skin
Kaeng son soup and spicy seaweed salad

Tai Guan Na Thon Spe Salt (OTOP)
Knives and forged metal products (OTOP)
Basketry products (rice container, reed bag, fishing equipment, etc.)
Tai Guan figure key rings

Mr. Chalerm Weerawong

Pu ta saeng, liang saeng cultural master

Mr. Weerasak Srisamut

Tai Guan tribe cultural master

Mrs. Wan Kampai

Ram pee mor cultural master

Mr. Wantee Yodprasong

Mor sut cultural master

Mr. Prasit Pimpa

Local forging master

Mrs. Sanit Kampao

Local Fishery equipment weaving master

Mrs. Amporn Nanchana

Local spa salt master

Mrs. Plengsri Paneenit

Local salted buffalo skin and salted buffalo skin dipping sauce master

Mr. Sompan Nuansri

Mr. Somboon Somsri

View All

Deema Home Homestay

Por Homestay

Pratat Marukanakorn, Pratat Renu, Pratat Phanom
Mekong riverside cycling route

AirAsia has 3 daily flights between Don Mueang-Nakorn Phanom at 08:40, 15:00 and 16:20
Nakornchai Air, Transport Co. Ltd. and Cherdchai Tour Co. Ltd. buses
Rental car (with driver) and local van from Winwin Smile Co. Ltd.

Community’s Contact Information

Community tourism coordinator:
Mrs. Waranya Somsri Phone: 09-8618-8024
Ms. Kannika Yodprasong Phone: 09-9985-8085
E-Mail: [email protected]
Social media: Na Thon Tai Guan Touristic Community, Nakorn Phanom
Address: Ban Na Thon Tai Guan Cultural Tourism Community, Moo 1, 2, 12, 14, Na Thon sub-district, Tat Phanom district, Nakorn Phanom province 48110

Tour Agent Contact Information

Tour operator’s name: Win Win Smile Co., Ltd.
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 08-6366-9708, 09-8015-0027
Line@: @happinessgroup
Social media: www.facebook.com/winwinsmile.i, www.happinesssmiles.com

Nathon Cultural Tourism Community

Nakhon Phanom

About the Community

What will you learn?

Cultural and Local Wisdom Heritage

Activities

Programs

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

Included in the program:

Not included in the program:

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

Program 6 Days 5 Nights

Included in the program:

Not included in the program:

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Included in the program:

Not included in the program:

Seasons/ Periods of Visit: All-year-round

Local Foods

Local Products

Home stay

Community homestay

Hosts/Local Masters

Local Master for Culture

Local Master for Local Wisdom

Local Interpretors

Photo/VDO Gallery

Nearby Accommodation

Deema Home Homestay

Por Homestay

Nearby attractions

How to get there

Community’s Contact Information

Tour Agent Contact Information

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