The Culture

In Baan Chiang Yeun, rural Thai culture is alive and well. One of the main reasons why Rustic Pathways has established its regional Base in this often overlooked location is precisely because of the amazing culture and people who live here. It doesn’t have the bright lights of Bangkok or the lush hills of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, but it does have friendly people and an incredible welcoming culture. Very few tourists have ever ventured to these parts, and western influence is very limited in this region.

Thai culture in general is very pleasant and unobtrusive. Perhaps the most important element involved in Thai culture is the family. In Thailand, the ‘family’ is not limited to immediate relatives, as even distant relatives and close friends are looked upon as family. Thai’s often refer to those close to them as their ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ even though they are not related by blood. In the same way, it is standard to refer to older women and men as your ‘aunts’ and ‘uncles’ or your ‘grandmothers’ and ‘grandfathers’, and children as your little brothers and sisters. This is not merely a linguistic tendency however, because this extended family is also very functional. It is common for young children to spend most of their day with their grandmothers or aunts around the house while their parents are off to work and provide for the entire family. Members of the family are always keen to help others when they can, and they know that they can expect the same from the rest of the family.

Buddhism also plays a huge role in Thai culture, and especially in the Issan region. This is apparent in how accepting Thais are as a people, and how they always try to maintain a ‘middle path’ type of attitude in nearly every aspect of their lives. Thais never directly show frustration or anger toward one another, preferring instead to keep these unpleasant feelings to themselves in the interest of maintaining calm on the surface. Three common expressions which illuminate this sort of Thai virtue include ‘jai yen yen’ –“keep a cool heart”; ‘mai pen rai’ – “no worries, its nothing”; and ‘mai mee pen-ha’ – “there is no problem”.

Though not directly related to Buddhism, many Thai people (and Issan people in particular) believe in the existence of ghosts. Local legends of ghost sightings and haunted places and buildings are common. Nearly every property in the country has a ‘spirit house’ which is designated to house the spirits of the land and of those who have passed away. Daily offerings of food, drinks, incense, and flowers are offered to the spirits at the spirit house. These offerings express mindfulness of their presence, and are meant to please and care for the spirits while earning the favor of the spirits in the area.

These are just a few aspects of the unique culture that you will find in Chiang Yeun village. The genuine warmth of this place truly needs to be experienced to be believed. Upon arriving here, you will quickly feel like a part of the family, and memories of Baan Chiang Yeun will stay with you forever.