Our small arts guest house is in the sleepy riverside town of Phon Phisai in rural NE Thailand far from the main tourist centres. It has two large high quality rooms overlooking the Mekong River and a guest lounge with all facilities including bar. Our land goes right down to the river and our terrace has a lovely view. We have a games room, bicycles and much more.
We provide art tuition, and our Thai family will introduce you to village lifestyle. We can take you on day trips to a choice of many interesting and unusual places in the Nong Khai province, plus Vientiane the capital of Laos.
The rates quoted here are for B&B accommodation only. You can add to this with full board (lunch and dinner), airport shuttle (1.5 hours drive away), sightseeing trips and art tuition at additional cost. Alternatively you can have an All Inclusive Package for a fixed price. See our photos for the tariff table.
Our All Inclusive Package includes accommodation, meals, tuition, visits to village life, temples, markets, landmarks etc. You chose where and when you want to go. In a province of Thailand where there are few tourists and almost no English spoken it is very difficult for foreigners to access local Thai culture. We provide you with transport and members of our family to show you around.
When you want to explore on your own, it is quite safe as local people are very friendly and helpful. They will always return your smile.
We can only take bookings with at least 7 days as you will need that amount of time to discover the Thai culture and if you decide to have painting tuition. Our changeover day is Saturday as this reduces trips to the airport and as we only have two rooms its very difficult when one is occupied for part of a week. However, we try to be as flexible as possible so contact us if you can't fit a Saturday to Saturday visit in and we will work something out for you.
As we provide a unique combination of painting/photography tuition and Thai rural culture, we only take up to 4 guests at a time so we can dedicate our time to your needs. Our reputation is everything to us and we will ensure that your stay with us is a success. Reviews by our guests attest to this and there are links to them on our website.
If this is your first trip to Asia, our guest house is ideal for you. The town has all normal Western facilities including good medical and banking services. We drive you from and to the airport (100 kms away) and look after you every minute of your stay. We even provided you with a mobile phone to call us if you need help any time day or night. We prepare a choice between delicious Thai cuisine or Western food for our guests. Tropical fruit and a variety of local NE Thailand Lao dishes are available.
We only open from October to January each year when the weather is perfect in NE Thailand, warm, sunny and dry. The views across the majestic Mekong to Laos and the distant mountains are magnificent. You can enjoy the view as you have breakfast under the pergola on the terrace.
Our art and photography tuition is matched to individual requirements from beginner to professional. Our tutors are available for teaching 8 hours every day and if you want an intensive course you can paint all week. We teach our students to discover how to let the painting talk to them and work intuitively. This level of immersion is essential for the growth of all artists. The choice is yours relax in this lovely part of Thailand, visit the villages and meet the people, shop in the incredible markets, take lots of stunning photos, paint as much as you want.
If your partner doesn't paint there is plenty to do while you are painting. We work with you to develop a schedule that meets both your requirements. There are so many interesting to see and to do. There is so much to photograph and if you want assistance in post processing or storing your photos we can help you.
All rooms have coffee/tea facilities, ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, satellite TV, free WiFi, use of mobile phone, hairdryer, first aid kit, safe for your valuables and drinking water.
We have a large guest lounge with a bar, TV, DVD, karaoke, keyboard instrument, free WiFi, coffee/tea making, drinks fridge, air-conditioning, lounge suite, dining table and chairs with view of Mekong.
Our terrace overlooks the river and under the pergola you can relax, eat, drink and paint if you wish. We have a games room with table tennis, and we play informal badminton in the back garden.
We will take you to our family's village where the culture is rich in unusual customs. The people believe completely in spirits that inhabit trees, lakes and rocks. They will go to a shaman to cure a disease, or remove a bad spirit. These animist beliefs are overlaid with a gentle Buddhism which is integrated into their lives. All men spend some time as monks and in the village we give the monks food in their alms bowls every morning. Depending on what's going on at the time of your visit we will take you to local weddings, making the monk ceremonies, wats, village aerobics, dances etc
There is a quiet narrow road along the bank of the river from Mekong House to Phon Phisai town centre. It is ideal for walks or bike rides. We have bicycles for guests to use.
The local people have small allotments along the banks of the river during the dry winters when the river is low. They grow vegetables in the rich soils which are covered when the water rises in the wet season.
Many small fishing boats are moored along the banks below Mekong House and fishermen can be seen working with their nets on the river throughout the day. We buy some our fish from the fishermen.
The Mekong is so strong and wide that it has an almost uncanny presence. The local people gather in small groups leaning against the railings watching and chatting in the mornings and evenings. You will find that you are always drawn to this mighty river.
Phon Phisai Is a lovely Thai town on the Mekong River not far from the capital city of the region, Nong Khai, and the bridge to Laos. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, Phon Phisai has the unique Laos street market along the banks of the river. Poor Lao people cross the river in small boats to sell their goods at the market. It is an easy walk or bike rider from Mekong House along the river bank to the market which is full of interesting and strange things to see and buy.
There are several restaurants and bars along the river bank where food, alcoholic drinks and coffee can be enjoyed overlooking the river.
If you decide to visit us I guarantee the you will have a holiday that you will always remember as a great experience.