I wonder if the newer, Western origin folks, who are interested in the Lanna rural lifestyle are aware that, given a rudimentary grasp of Thai language, can approach most any 'pu yai baan' and ask for a place to stay for the night ? I have had numerous experiences being on the lee side (physically and metaphorically) of a tough route back and simply asked the neareast 'village boss' for accommodations. I have never been refused and most often been the centre of entertainment for the evening. It is an expense...being an ambasador of your race, but, if you put your self out a bit...The rural Thais ...just might, not let you go without a pleasant memory.

...Ken

You may need a little more than a rudimentary grasp of Thai to first find the PuYai Ban's house as not every tambon has a PuYai Ban. Sometimes he may cover 4 or 5 villages spread out a little and you may also end up with eating Thai food a little spicier than normal, eating strange things and sleeping on the floor. The toilet may be difficult to use especially if your bones are old and creaky like mine.

I would think that it will appeal to the younger people (I am 71) and if it does then go for it, as it will be an experience that you may not find in your home countries.

Double post.

Sorry.

You have discovered one aspect of country life that makes so many of us love Lanna Thai.

I read a book by a guy who had traveled all the way down the Ping river from the Burma border. That was what he did for accommodations. He never had a problem. Wish I could remember the name of the book.

I suspect that he was younger as billd766 points out some of the accommodations and the food might be a little bit hard to deal with. But the guy loved the trip.

I once read a book about a couple of young people who bicycled around the world and they found that this tactic worked in most places. They said it worked especially well in my home state of Michigan.

Now that I think of it, we've put a couple of similar travelers up for the night on our farm in Michigan. In the summer months we did most of our living outdoors and slept in screened-in "summer house" so we weren't exactly inviting strangers into the house.