Historical Background of Ban Thapaen
- Historical Background of Ban Thapaen
According to the history, told by local elderly people a long time ago, there were two families who migrated and settled along the banks of the Huai Si stream. Gradually, more families migrated and settled there. Thapaen Village was established in 1889. The village’s name, ‘Tha Paen’, originated from the reality of the early settlers along the Huai Si stream. The people used wooden planks (“paen”) to pave the area along the edge of the water, creating a convenient place to wash clothes, place belongings, or bathe along the banks. Thus, it became the name of the village, Tha Paen, to these days. The word “Tha” means a landing or mooring place along the water’s edge, and “Paen” refers to wood that has been sawn into thin sheets used for flooring or platforms at the waterfront.
Ban Thapaen is located 30 kilometers from the provincial municipality, at the edge of the Kuang Si Falls National Park, based on government relocation and resettlement initiatives for villages within the upper areas of the park, implemented to improve the environment and the living conditions of the residents and to regulate and limit uncontrolled deforestation from slash-and-burn agriculture which is a cause of forest and environmental degradation. Therefore, in order to conserve the forests, which are in the area of the source of the Nam Si River within the Kuang Si Falls, it was necessary to relocate villages from the founding area to form various other villages.
           Currently, Thapaen Village has a total of 126 households, a population of 596 people with 304 females. This includes 3 ethnic groups: Lao Loum (51 families), Khmu (73 families), and Yao (2 families). The total land area is 1,775.59 hectares, and it borders:
 – To the north:  Ban Ou and Ban Nong Haeo
 – To the south:  Ban Yang
 – To the east:  Ban Long Lao Kao and Ban Long Lao May
 – To the west:  Ban Pak Xi and Ban Khok Man
- Tourism Activities and Programs
Tourism activities serviced within Ban Thapaen are mainly connected to the Kuang Si Waterfall, the most beautiful and well-known natural tourist attraction in Luang Prabang. Â Along with this, the community living conditions depend on their well-preserved customs and traditions as well as the natural setting which remains. The interesting activities are the following:
- Sightseeing spots in Ban Thapaen start from the Electric Car station, where Tad Keo Moungkhoun waterfall can be visited, and then a walk up along the road to stop to visit the Butterfly Garden. Continue walking up to Kuang Si Waterfall, and climb up to the View Kuang Si Café on the tree. From there walk up further to see Tham Phra Leu Si Cave, the source of the Si stream.
- Home stays are also provided in the village. Try to experience the local daily lifestyle by staying with local families and participating in their interesting routine activities such as: Â
- In the morning: Giving alms.
- In the afternoon: Sightseeing at the Kuang Si Waterfall, bathing, trekking along the trails, and / or visiting some nearby temples and farms. and observe and experience traditional locals’ livelihoods such as making wood handicrafts and thatched materials and other activities.
- In the evening: Gardening, feeding pets, cooking and/or volunteering to teach English to young children in the village.
- Tourism Rules and Restrictions
- Follow guides’ instructions strictly to respect local customs and ensure safety.
- Prohibited actions include cutting down trees, collecting plants, flowers, stones, or any natural materials from tourist sites.
- Absolutely no deforestation activities, damage to natural habitat, logging, or wildfire risks are tolerated in reserved forest zones.
- No littering is permitted, so all trash must be carried back to lodging areas.
- Report inappropriate behavior by staff or guides to village authorities.
- Bringing weapons and illegal items into this village is strictly prohibited. If found, authorities will be notified for prosecution according to the law. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Using or purchasing any types of narcotics is against the law and strictly prohibited. Violators will be reported to the authorities.
Homestay Rules
- Register upon arrival and stay at officially authorized home stay lodgings approved by the Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism of Luang Prabang.
- Do not stay up late and return to your home stay after the curfew time.
- Notify guides in advance of allergies, dietary restrictions or medical conditions, and such.
- Keep valuable items with you at all times and do not leave them unattended for safety.
- Gambling, alcohol consumption, loud noises, smoking, prostitutes and entering hosts’ private rooms are all prohibited.