Villagers open their homes to visitors

Matulee villagers, in Nong Mae Na sub-district, Khao Kha, Petchaboon, have joined hands to offer home-stay, a project that promises extra income, while providing alternative accommodation option for travellers.

Accommodation, in typical rural Thai homes costs Bt150 per person, not including meals and activities. There are four houses in the village set aside for visitors that can sleep up to five persons each.

The Home Stay Standards Department of the Office of Tourism Development, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, supervises quality and there are plans to add another three houses and rental tents.

Each house is different as they were all former homes and built to meet the individual requirements of residents.

In the wooden houses, guests share a single upper floor (similar to a long-house) sleeping on mattresses that are folded away every morning. They have to share a single bathroom.

Food is simple local style cooking. The menu features spicy fish in bamboo, chilli paste dip with vegetable stir-fried Chayote and banana blossom savoury pancake. A home cooked fresh meal costs Bt50 to Bt80 per person depending on menu choice.

There are two tour options available. The first one costs Bt250 per person, and involves a 5 km scenic ride by boat upstream to Khek Creek, part of the stream that runs through the village. The second programme is a combination of the boat trip, an agricultural tour of nearby farms and a ride on a local “e-tan” motorised cart used by farmers. The tour costs Bt350.

In May or June every year, the village organises a small fishing boat race (five paddlers) in a Khek Creek near the village. It is an upstream race. Participants come from nearby villages in Nong Mae Na sub-district. So, check out the dates as this is event that encourages visitor participation.

There are other attractions in the Khao Kho area apart from chilling-out in a village, such as rare freshwater jellyfish at Kaeng Bang Rachan seen during March to May and an opportunity to view rare butterflies, year-round.

Foreign guests will need a tour guide to help them communicate with the villagers, although a few do speak English, but not for detailed explanations of customs or farming techniques.

The village is located about 45 km from Phetchaboon province town, following Highway 21 for about 13 km, until reaching the Na Ngua intersection to join 2258. From Phitsanulok, turn at the 100 km marker on Highway 12 at Camp Son Village and follow 2196 to Khao Kho district.