Thailand Villa Holidays With a Difference. Off the Beaten Path Thailand Vacation Rental with a Private Pool & Tasty Thai Food

The Northeast of the Kingdom is reputed for its friendly and good-natured people, who are always ready to welcome those who make the effort to discover their home. Here, in the rural heartlands of Siam (yet easily accessible by road, rail or air), relax amongst the emerald paddy fields, and savour the forgotten rhythms of country life. We take every measure to ensure that your stay is a memorable one, and offer you a rare opportunity to escape from the banality of impersonal hotel accommodation and to immerse yourself in this still unspoiled and undiscovered region.

We aim to make a deliberate, albeit small contribution to bringing these trees back, and to encouraging local sources of income through the promotion of indigenous traditions and pride in these, thus stemming the migration of locals to Bangkok and enabling them to enjoy a better quality of life at home. We have a deliberate policy of planting trees around the property, and acquiring existing woodlands where the owners intend to covert such woods into rice fields. We plant and grow organic herbs, fruit and vegetables. Whether you are enjoying a traditional Thai massage here, taking a boat ride amongst the lotus flowers of Nong Han lake, enjoying meals, visiting a school or simply conversing in English with the inhabitants of the area, you can be assured that the local villagers are benefiting directly.

The crew of the BBC3 series Blood, Sweat and Takeaways stayed with us whilst filming the episode Rice.

We have to date acquired a plot of approximately 20 rai (8 acres or 3.2 hectares) of existing woods, home to numerous species of wildlife, and an area originally slated for conversion for the production of cash crops. We have planted an additional 20 rai with a variety of trees - including teak and other slow-growing, indigenous hardwoods. This wood protection and tree planting is funded with proceeds from our guests' stays at the holiday rental. We are also proud that through the experience of helping to operate the property, a number of villagers can now afford better schooling for their children, whilst others have secured employment in international hotel groups.

We do all we can to assist the local Nam Thieng primary school, which provides education to around 165 of the local villagers' children between the ages of approximately 4-13 years. The school has started to earn a name for itself as a guardian of indigenous traditions and practices, and has often put on exhibitions in other areas of the kingdom. Teachers are delighted to welcome guests to the facility: this gives the schoolchildren the possibility of practicing their English, and guests the opportunity to make direct donations to the school, either directly in or in the form of used computers, educational materials and games, clothing, blankets and sporting equipment etc.

Gecko Villa was chosen by Thai's in-flight magazine as one of its Top Ten Nature-Friendly Destinations in the world.

All proceeds from your stay remain with the locals, and as such your rental will contribute to this sustainable tourism project.