- real stories from Thailand on community, culture, and sustainability
2. Thailand: Homestays in Chiang Mai
In Northern Thailand, small families offer homestays for tourists who want a real taste of rural life. Guests may cook traditional dishes, plant rice, or join festivals with their hosts.
Mrs. Somchai, who runs a homestay, says: “We provide simple accommodations and real experiences. Guests often learn more than they expect—they see the hard work and daily life behind our culture.”
Homestays give visitors personal interactions, cultural immersion, and memorable experiences while supporting local economies. Hotels and larger resorts can also adopt lessons from these small operations, emphasizing authenticity and guest engagement.
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Discussion Questions:
- What makes a homestay experience authentic?
A homestay experience is authentic when it allows travelers to live like local people. Guests stay with a family, eat local food, and share daily activities such as cooking or visiting the market. This helps them understand the culture and traditions of the community. Talking with the hosts gives a real view of their lives and creates warm connections. Authentic homestays are not about luxury but about genuine experiences and respect between hosts and guests. When both sides share, learn, and help each other, the stay becomes meaningful and unforgettable — a true window into local life.
2. How can tourists respect local traditions while staying with a family?
Tourists can respect local traditions by being polite and open-minded. They should learn a little about the local culture before arriving. During the stay, guests can ask the family about customs, greetings, or what clothes are suitable to wear. It is important to follow the family’s rules, help with small tasks, and join their daily life. Tourists should speak kindly, listen carefully, and show interest in local traditions and festivals. Taking off shoes before entering the house or eating in the local way shows respect. Simple actions make hosts feel valued and happy.
3. What can large hotels learn from homestay models?
Large hotels can learn many good things from homestays. In a homestay, guests feel like part of a family. The hosts talk to them, help them, and make them feel welcome. Hotels can also try to give this personal feeling by training staff to be friendly and caring. Homestays show local life and culture, while hotels can offer local food, decorations, or small tours to share traditions. Homestays are simple but full of warmth. If big hotels learn to create this same warm and personal atmosphere, guests will feel happier and remember their stay longer.
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Interview with Mrs. Somchai,
a Homestay Manager in
Northern Thailand:
1. Q: Mrs. Somchai, can you tell us about your homestay?
A: Yes, our homestay is a small family house in a quiet village in Northern Thailand. We welcome tourists who want to see how local people live. Guests stay in simple rooms, eat Thai food, and take part in our daily life.
2. Q: What kind of guests usually come to stay?
A: Most guests come from other countries. They are friendly people who want to learn about our culture, our food, and our traditions. Many of them like nature and village life.
3. Q: What activities can guests do at your homestay?
A: Guests can help cook Thai dishes, plant or harvest rice, visit the local market, or join village festivals. Some guests also like to walk in the rice fields or talk with local people.
4. Q: Why do tourists enjoy staying at your homestay?
A: They like the real experience. They say it feels different from staying in a hotel. They can learn new things and feel like part of our family.
5. Q: What do you think makes a homestay special?
A: A homestay is special because it is personal. We take time to talk with our guests, share stories, and help them understand our way of life.
6. Q: How do guests usually feel after their stay?
A: Most guests are very happy. They often say it was their best experience in Thailand. Many keep in touch and send messages even after they go home.
7. Q: What do guests learn from staying with you?
A: They learn about Thai food, farming, and family life. They also see how people in the countryside work hard but stay happy and kind.
8. Q: How does your homestay help the local community?
A: It helps local people earn extra money. We buy food and materials from neighbors, and sometimes they help us with activities for guests.
9. Q: What challenges do you face in running a homestay?
A: Sometimes it is hard when many guests come at the same time. We also need to keep everything clean and comfortable. But we do our best.
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10. Q: Do you think big hotels can learn something from homestays?
A: Yes, I think hotels can learn to be more personal. Guests like when staff talk with them and show care. That is something we do naturally in homestays.
11. Q: How do you make guests feel welcome?
A: We smile, talk to them kindly, and invite them to join our activities. We want them to feel like home and part of our family.
12. Q: What is your dream for the future of your homestay?
A: I want to keep it small and natural. I hope more tourists come to learn about our culture and help us protect our traditions and environment.