Home UpMekongside: Ban Thanoun

Ban Thanoun lies on the right bank of the river, downstream from Pak Beng. Helps a lot, doesn't it!

A stranger Walks circumspectly around a cluster of houses whose barren site contrasts with the surrounding forest.

Not quite deserted: women and children walk by.

Mystery object.

Barn and barnyard.

Chanting could be heard coming from inside this house.

Inside, children watched a shaman attempt a cure.

The chanter was the man standing with his back to the room.

Over in another corner, a pannier was filled with corn—an American plant that's found its way here.

Pounding kernals to meal.

In the midst of "underdevelopment," a virtuoso display of roofing technique.

Detail of the lashings.