Lao Song (Thai Song Dam Cultural Centre)
Thai Song Dam or Lao Song cultural centre is at Moo 5, KhaoYoisubdistrict. Visitors can drive along Highway No. 4to get there. You need to pass the junction to KhaoYoi and head towards Phetchaburi downtown for a kilometre. Then make a left turn at the entrance of Ban Wang School and go 300 meters further. Thai Song Dam or Lao Song is a group of minority people from Dien Bien Phu near the borderline between North Vietnam and Laos. They have migrated and settled down in Thailand for more than 200 years. They have their own culture and traditions, e.g. wearing all black. In terms of communication, they have anoral language and a writing systemof their own. They have considerable expertise in textile weaving and basketry. The majority of Thai Song people live in Phetchaburi. Every year in April, they organise a social gathering that each village takes turn as a host. Thai Song Dam Cultural Centre houses a huge collection portraying the way of life of Lao song people in the old days. It displays equipment and appliances used in their everyday life, the duplication of their house, the ancient scriptsand the demonstration on how to weave. Visitors can buy souvenirs, for example clothes, bags, or accessories. The cultural centre opens daily from 8.30-17.00 and free of charge. There are some costs incurred for group visits that would like to watch the cultural show, such as the ceremony to make offerings to house spirits, In-gon, Luk Chuang (children’s folk game), and reed mouth-organ dancing. The cultural centre also provides traditional Thai houses for guest accommodation. For more information regarding Thai Song Dam Cultural Centre, please contact KhaoYoi municipal district at 0 3256 1200. If you wish to earn an experience of staying with Thai Song dam people in their house, please call KhunWiwanthaneeSatpan at 0 3256 2153 or 08 1434 4997.To get there by public transportation, catch either Bangkok-Phetchaburi or Bangkok -PrachuapKhiri Khanbus line. Get off the bus at KhaoYoi intersection, then proceed by a motorbike taxi for 2 kilometers. The motorbike taxi service should cost you 20 Baht.
