Moving into a new house is an exciting time, but it can also be hard work.  Many Thais spend long hours preparing for their official move-in ceremony called Tamboon Bahn or house blessing.  A flawless ceremony ensures that life in the new house starts off on the right track.

After consulting with monks at a temple, an auspicious date is chosen for the actual move-in day.  Saturdays are considered bad luck.  Sundays however, are good days and most people move in on this day.  All the heavy furniture is moved into the house before the auspicious date.

Before the house blessing ceremony at the pre set auspicious hour, the home owner and his/her family will enter the house with their personal Buddha images and some money.  The statues will be permanently set inside the house and must always face either North or East.  The money that is brought in is to ensure future prosperity.  The housewife then prepares a meal (even though the auspicious hour can be an awkward time, like 3am).  This is more of a symbolic action which formalizes the act of moving in and everyone’s settling into the new home.

The house blessing ceremony is usually held several days later.  This gives the home owner time to prepare for the ceremony.  They will make sure that more than enough food is served for guests and the monks and that the house is spotless.  The spirit house it also catered to as well, with more than enough food and offerings placed inside the shrine for more luck.

Usually five, seven, or nine monks are invited to conduct the ceremony.  Before they arrive a white thread known as Sai Sin is spread around the compound.  This is intended to keep out evil spirits and to keep peace and harmony inside the home.  The monks then file into the house and take their places on provided mattresses against the walls, with the senior monk positioned on the right.  A yarn of white thread is passed along between the monks.  Each one holds onto it while in the wai position while they are chanting.  During the chants, one of the monks will hold a lighted candle over a bowl of holy water.  The ceremony lasts until the candle has died out.  There is usually a break in between chants so monks can have their lunch before noon (monks are not allowed to eat after noon).  Once the candle is lit out, the chants stop and the monks sprinkle the water throughout the home.

Afterwards, one of the monks goes outside, painting religious symbols and sticking gold leaves above the door.  These icons will stay there permanently.

The procession then continues inside the living room where the monks throw jasmine blossoms and seeds onto the floor.  Flowers bought by the home owner before the ceremony are passed around to all the guests.  Each visitor raises them above their heads and meditates for a short while.  The procession then concludes into a more casual atmosphere.

If you would like an authentic experience in a Thai home while you are in the country, then we highly recommend our Thai House Experience tour.  Thanks to our gracious host family, you can fully embrace the activities that go on in a typical Thai household.  Our hosts will also accompany you while you explore Bangkok and also teach you how to prepare Thai food.  You may also contact us if you would like to tweak the itinerary of your home stay to suit your needs or see our Thailand tours page if you would like to extend this tour with another of our recommended programs.

When you think of Thailand, what comes to mind?  Southern beaches and islands may be a thought.  Beautiful palaces and pagodas might also spring up as well as the warm Thai smiles.  Even the spicy and tasty food might come to mind.  However, one aspect that usually gets overlooked but still encompasses an important element to the kingdom is the Isaan region.

Isaan is the north eastern part of Thailand.  The region consists of 19 of the country’s 76 provinces and is bordered by the Mekong River and Laos to the north and east and by Cambodia to the southeast.  The term Isaan is a Sanskrit word adopted in the 20^th century which literally means ‘northeast direction’.  The people in the region speak a unique dialect which closely resembles the Lao language more than the Thai.  However, most people do speak the central Thai language as their second tongue and for those who cannot speak it, they can at least understand the central language.

Isaan is a region that features many plateaus and mountain ranges.  The Korat Plateau covers most of the region, with the Petchabun Mountain range constituting the most of the region’s west.  Because of the abundance of wildlife and flora, there are several protected parks in the area, with the most well known being Khao Yai National Park.

The region is also known for its unique culture.  Mor Lam is the traditional folk music and song from Isaan.  Lyrics in Mor Lam usually feature a theme of unrequited love or the difficulties of rural life delivered with wry wit and humor.  The lyrics are delivered in an almost conversational style, similar to rap music and are usually accompanied by a traditional Lao instrument called the Khene (a free reed mouth organ).

The food in Isaan is also unique compared to the rest of the country which actually resembles Lao cuisine.  Sticky rice is the main staple of Isaan food with the Larb (a type of Lao meat salad) and Som Tum (papaya salad) also being unique to the region and readily enjoyed by the rest of the country.

Isaan’s past is also closely related to Lao history.  After the decline of the Khmer empire, the region was then influenced by the Lao Lan Xang Kingdom from the 13^th century.  During this time, many Thais and Lao started to migrate and settle in the area.  By the 17^th century, the region was heavily influenced by the kingdom of Siam.  During the 20^th century, Thailand tried to unite all of its regions through a policy known as ‘Thaification’.  The policy attempted to integrate the region as an integral part of Thailand and distance its history and roots away from Lao’s.  During this time, the people of Isaan were also starting to study the Thai alphabet and the written script eventually replaced the Lao alphabet.

Isaan’s unique geography, history and culture present a great travel opportunity for you.  The region is the most laid back there is (probably stemming from the Lao background of the people) and offers the traveler a different side of Thai life (aside from the beaches and big cities of Thailand).  On our Isaan Insight tour, you will explore the area’s vast plateau lands, ancient Khmer structures and Isaan’s kind hearted people.  If you would like to spend the majority of your time at Khao Yai National Park, then our Bangkok and Khao Yai in Comfort tour is our suggested tour for you. You can also see Exotissimo’s recommended Thailand tours collection for a chance to extend you time in Isaan with another tour.  As you travel around in Thailand, there is a very good chance you will meet an Isaan person.  Many come to Bangkok and other parts of Thailand looking for work and would very much like to have a friendly chat with you to practice their English and learn about your country.