Thailand Village Academy | Ban Khok Muang Community

Prasat Muang Tam and Prasat Hin Phanom Rung in the Northeast of Thailand offer hugely significant historical and archaeological evidence of the ancient Khmer civilization. Their advanced construction methods, technology and arts have combined to create a distinct cultural heritage in the area inhabited by the Siamese – the present-day Buriram province.

Laos and Cambodia influences have gradually extended across the border into the nearby Buriram area over hundreds of years. As a result, the sizeable Ban Khok Mueang community has been transformed into a melting pot of Thai-Lao-Cambodia culture. A wide range of arts and culture, as well as indigenous knowledge passed along through generations, are all aspect that the new generation can appreciate today.

Whether you’re a history-buff or not, the real highlight here is visiting the spectacular archaeological sites; they offer a chance to see the region’s diverse arts and learn about innovations of the Khmer Empire. Spend a night at a homestay, and don’t forget to set your alarm clock early, ready to explore the community on rented bike in the morning. Along the way, stop off and learn about cotton weaving using local volcano mud as part of a unique dyeing technique. Put your skills to the ultimate test by weaving fern designs with silk, an ancient art form, under the patient instruction from local masters. Die-hard sports fans will be having a blast visiting the nearby Chang International Circuit, and the Chang Arena stadium – an impressive landmark home to Buriram’s pride and joy, the Thunder Castle football team.

Gain knowledge about the history of this community through ancient cities, notable attractions in the town, and local skills that are used to earn a living for many households. Enjoy various activities such as weaving silk fabric with unique patterns and mats from local material. Learn about traditional ceremonies of the community which have been preserved for generations.

Worship ceremonies for gods and sacred spirits of Prasat Mueang Tam
The “Heet sip song kong sip see” monthly festivals
The “Boon Bang Fai” rocket festival
Local activities, including practicing local skills such as how to weave fabric and mats

Take a bicycle tour around Prasat Hin Muang Tam.
Try fermenting and weaving fabrics using mud from old reservoir.
Silkworm rearing, silk reeling and dyeing with natural dye.
Experience rice farming and agricultural life.
Learn about the traditional cuisine and way of life of the area.

Program 3 Days 2 Nights
Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

Day 1: Bangkok – Ban Koke Mueang
1.30 pm	Meet at the designated meeting point (Buriram Airport or hotel) and head to Ban Koke Mueang community.
3.30 pm	Travel to Ban Koke Mueang community, Prakonchai district, which is famous for its volcanic soil rice and hand-woven cotton dyed with Baray soil.
4.30 pm	Arrive at the community. Leave the luggage at the homestay accommodation and enjoy leisure time.
5.00 pm	Cycle through the village, passing by several interesting places such as: The hermit’s house: Built as a hospital for those who traveled to Prasat Mueang Tam to practice ceremonies. Baray Mueang Tam: Built in the same age as Prasat Mueang Tam, Baray Mueang Tam is a huge reservoir located in the northern part of the complex. It was used as a water storage facility for the public. Prasat Mueang Tam: Built according to Hindu beliefs, it is assumed that the castle was constructed as an offering for Lord Shiva. It served as the community’s religious center and was designed in a Cambodian Bapuan style.
6.30 pm	Return to the accommodation with time to relax and freshen up.
7.00 pm	Enjoy a traditional Isaan dinner and a leisurely evening.
Day 2: Ban Koke Mueang
6.00 am	Make merit and learn about Buddhist rituals in the early morning at Khao Plai Bad Temple before enjoying breakfast.
9.00 am	Learn about the process of hand-weaving with Baray soil from a master who will teach you using a hands-on approach.
11.00 am	Learn to cook “Pad Kung Jom”, a not-to-miss local dish of the community.
12.00 pm	Have lunch – which includes this self-cooked dish.
1.30 pm	Learn about the process of weaving reed mats from the master, starting from the dyeing process, pattern designing and then actually doing it yourself!
3.00 pm	Learn how to weave silk with ancient patterns, such as the “Pak Kood” pattern inspired by a stone castle.
4.00 pm	Leisurely time
6.00 pm	Dinner at the homestay with the rest of the evening free.
Day 3: Ban Koke Mueang – Chang Arena Stadium – Bangkok
8.00 am	Breakfast at the accommodation
9.00 am	Say goodbye to the community and travel to Chang Arena Stadium, Buriram’s modern-day “castle” which is home to Buriram United Football Club, known as the Thunder Castle, and enjoy a tour of this impressive stadium.
11.30 am	Lunch
12.15 pm	Return to the meeting point.

Program 3 Days 2 Nights

No. of visitors	2-3 persons	4-6 persons	7-9 persons
Rate/Person (THB)	16,500	9,800	7,000

Instructions

Prepare sun protection, such as sunglasses, sun cream, hat and umbrella.
Wear comfortable clothes and practical footwear like sneakers.
Refrain from carrying valuable items.
Kindly respect and follow the staff’s instructions.

Included in the program:

Meals as stated in the program (2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners)
Transportation as stated in the program
Accommodation as stated in the program
Activities as stated in the program
Guide or Local Alike staff member
Community communicator
Travel insurance
7% VAT and 3% WHT

Not included in the program:

Personal expenses
Food and drinks not mentioned in the program
Bangkok-Buriram round-trip air ticket

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Day 1: Bangkok – Ban Koke Mueang
1.30 pm	Meet at the designated meeting point (Buriram Airport or hotel) and head to Ban Koke Mueang community.
2.00 pm	Lunch on the way.
3.00 pm	Travel to Ban Koke Mueang community, Prakonchai district, which is famous for its volcanic soil rice and hand-woven cotton dyed with Baray soil.
4.00 pm	Arrive at the community and check-in at the homestay accommodation.
6.00 pm	Enjoy a traditional dinner and leisure time for the rest of the evening.
Day 2: Ban Koke Mueang
6.00 am	Make merit and learn about Buddhist rituals in the early morning at Khao Plai Bad Temple before having breakfast.
8.00 am	Learn about hand-woven cotton made of Baray soil. Search for natural dye ingredients such as butterfly pea flower, marigold, roselle. Learn about the process of hand-weaving with Baray soil from the hand-weaving master.
12.00 pm	Lunch
1.30 pm	Learn how to weave silk with ancient patterns. Get to know about mulberry, a plant used for feeding silkworms. Learn about the silkworm breeding process, as well as silk extraction, silk bleaching and dyeing using natural dyes. Learn how to tie and develop patterns on the fabric before trying to weave the silk yourself.
4.30 pm	Enjoy leisure time.
6.00 pm	Dinner at the accommodation
Day 3: Ban Koke Mueang – Learning Activity
8.00 am	Breakfast at the homestay
9.00 am	Learn about the process of weaving reed mats from the master. As part of the lesson, you’ll: Get to know more about reeds and learn how it is collected to use as the main material for the mats. Learn how to cut the reed into strands for weaving. Learn about dyeing with natural dyes along with the sources of colors, such as mango leaves, as well as the pattern designing process from the master. Finally have a go at weaving your own mat!
12.00 pm	Lunch
1.30 pm	Learn how valuable and beneficial sustainable agriculture is to the community, from the integrated plantation to growing edible vegetable fences, all while you soak up the countryside lifestyle.
3.00 pm	Return to the accommodation.
6.00 pm	Enjoy dinner and free time before bed.
Day 4: Ban Koke Mueang
8.00 am	Breakfast at the homestay
9.00 am	Learn to cook some local dishes and experience the community’s everyday lifestyle. The community master will introduce traditional and local dishes, explaining where each ingredient comes from. Learn how to cook the dishes from the community’s very own master cooks.
12.00 pm	Have lunch – which includes your self-cooked dishes.
1.30 pm	Enjoy some free time with the chance to chat with local members of the community.
6.00 pm	Dinner
Day 5: Ban Koke Mueang – Prasat Mueang Tam – Phanom Rung Castle
8.00 am	Breakfast at the homestay
10.00 am	Say goodbye to the community and travel to: Prasat Mueang Tam, an ancient castle built according to Hindu beliefs. It is assumed that the castle was constructed as an offering for Lord Shiva. It served as the community’s religious center and was designed based on Khmer architecture. The hermit’s house: Built as a hospital for those who traveled to Prasat Mueang Tam to practice ceremonies.
12.00 pm	Lunch
1.30 pm	Visit Phanom Rung Historical Park Phanom Rung Castle is situated on an inactive volcanic crater and is one of Thailand’s most famous Khmer stone castles.
3.00 pm	Travel toward Buriram city.
4.30 pm	Check-in at the accommodation and enjoy leisure time.
6.00 pm	Dinner
Day 6: Ban Koke Mueang – Khao Kradong Forest Park
8.00 am	Breakfast at the hotel
9.30 am	Visit a second crater of your trip at Khao Kradong Forest Park, another attraction popular in Buriram. Inside the park lies an inactive volcano of which the crater can be clearly seen, surrounded by lush vegetation. There is also a Khmer archaeological site, a model of Buddha’s footprint and a huge Buddha image where visitors can enjoy a great view of Buriram city and pray for good luck.
12.30 pm	Lunch
1.30 pm	Travel to Chang Arena Stadium, Buriram’s modern-day “castle” which is home to Buriram United Football Club, known as the Thunder Castle, and enjoy a tour of this impressive stadium.
6.00 pm	Have a Buriram-style dinner at Sohkraw Market near Chang Arena Stadium.
8.00 pm	Return to the accommodation and enjoy free time before bed.
Day 7: Ban Koke Mueang – Buriram City Pillar Shrine – Bangkok
8.00 am	Breakfast at the hotel
9.30 am	Check-out and travel to Buriram City Pillar Shrine to pray for good luck before heading home.
10.00 am	Buriram City Pillar Shrine is constructed as a 5-tier Prang. Each tier is decorated with wedged decoration pieces and images of the guardians of the directions. The shrine is admired by both Buriram locals and tourists.
10.30 am	Head to Taworn Melon Farm.
11.15 am	At the farm take a look round the melon plantation and hydroponic garden where the farm products are converted into dishes. Lunch is also served at the restaurant here.
12.15 pm	Head to the meeting point to embark on your return journey.

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

No. of visitors	2-3 persons	4-6 persons	7-9 persons
Rate/Person (THB)	38,000	24,000	18,000

Instructions

Prepare sun protection, such as sunglasses, sun cream, hat and umbrella.
Wear comfortable clothes and practical footwear like sneakers.
Refrain from carrying valuable items.
Kindly respect and follow the staff’s instructions.

Included in the program:

Meals as stated in the program (6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners)
Transportation as stated in the program
Accommodation as stated in the program
Activities as stated in the program
Guide or Local Alike staff
Community communicator
Travel insurance
7% VAT and 3% WHT

Not included in the program:

Personal expenses
Food and drinks not mentioned in the program
Bangkok-Buriram round-trip air ticket

Notes:

The program may be adjusted to suit the weather and situation. If any outdoor activity cannot be conducted as per the program, Local Alike will arrange a back-up (indoor) activity to ensure an authentic community tourism experience for our visitors. The satisfaction of our guests and community members are our priority.

Seasons/ Periods of Visit: All-year-round

Reed mat weaving
Silk weaving
Cotton weaving
Cooking
Herb activity
Making wicker products.
8-component fertilizer activity
Dessert-making activity
Plaster pot activity

All activities
Fieldwork during May-June

All activities
Rice harvest during November-December

Stir-fried fermented shrimp
Steamed fish served with spicy dipping sauce
Bamboo shoot/eggplant soup
Clear soup with egg sausage, stir-fried fermented shrimp

Volcanic soil rice
Silk woven with “Pak kood” pattern
Reed mats, patterned reed mats and various processed products
Hand-woven cotton dyed with 1000-year-old Baray clay
Coconut shell products

Mr. Onchan Putpan

Master of the monthly festivals

Mr. Tamnong Boon-at

Master of the traditional welcome ceremony

นางดวงเดือน-ศรีบุญเรือง-ปราญช์ด้านพี่เลี้ยงนำชมฐานแต่ละฐาน

Mrs. Duangduean Sriboonrueang

Station guide local master

นางพาพัชร์-ศรีชนะ-ปราญช์ด้านพาเที่ยวในชุมชน

Mrs. Papat Srichana

Community guide local master

Mrs. Saowaluck Nammoontripatta

View All

Tanyaporn Homestay

Amanee Park

Prasat Mueang Tam
Phanom Rung Castle

Private car, 96 kilometers from Buriram to the community. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Hire or rent a car or a van from the airport.
Transfer from the airport in a community truck
No public transportation

Community’s Contact Information

Community tourism coordinator: Mrs. Somkliang Suebwan
Phone: 08-8193-8840
Social media: Ban Koke Mueang Homestay
Address: 134 Moo 15 Jarakemak sub-district, Prakonchai district, Buriram province

Tour Agent Contact Information

Tour operator’s name: Local Alike Co., Ltd.
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 0-2115-9861, 08-1139-5593
Social media: www.facebook.com/LocalAlike, localalike.com www.instagram.com/localalike, twitter.com/localalike

Ban Khok Muang Community

Buriram

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

Instructions

Included in the program:

Not included in the program:

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Program 7 Days 6 Nights

Instructions

Included in the program:

Not included in the program:

Notes:

Seasons/ Periods of Visit: All-year-round

All-year-round activities

Rainy season activities

Winter activities

Local Foods

Local Products

Home stay

Community homestay

Hosts/Local Masters

Local Master

Local Interpretors

Photo/VDO Gallery

Nearby Accommodation

Tanyaporn Homestay

Amanee Park

Nearby attractions

How to get there

Community’s Contact Information

Tour Agent Contact Information

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