Bu Hom: Place Name and Origin Stories

Bu Hom can be discovered through local stories: one origin story is about three Lao Phuan siblings and their journey along the Mekong; a story about the place name links it to Thao Bua Hom. Nearby is Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Khwai Ngoen, which also has a traditional belief about who could reach it in the past. The origin stories of Ban Bu Hom thus come together with a named temple destination in the area—two distinct points of interest to consider when planning your trip.

Origins and Name

According to the local story about the place name, Bu Hom takes its name from Thao Bua Hom, the eldest brother and village head at the time; the name later changed to Bu Hom. The story thus links the name to a person and his role in the village.

According to the origin story, the history of Ban Bu Hom goes back about 400 years. It tells of three Lao Phuan siblings: Thao Bua Hom, Thao Bua Hong and Thao Bua Hiao. Together, they travelled down the Mekong on a raft and settled at the home of Thao Bua Hom.

The origin story traces their raft journey from the mountains of Tibet, via Luang Prabang, along the Mekong to the mouth of the Huai Nam Suai. After hearing about Ho raids on villages, the siblings reunited at the home of Thao Bua Hom.

The two local strands of the story emphasize different things: the place-name story explains the name’s connection to Thao Bua Hom, while the origin story recounts the siblings and their journey to a shared home. If you are interested in the origins of the place, you can distinguish between the explanation of the name and the story of the siblings’ arrival. The connection between the two stories is Thao Bua Hom: the place-name tradition identifies him as the eldest brother and village head at the time; the origin story makes his home the place where the siblings settle and later reunite.

Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Khwai Ngoen Nearby

Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Khwai Ngoen is located near Bu Hom, in Ban Pha Baen, Bu Hom Subdistrict. The temple sits on a hill 400 metres above sea level. In the past, people believed that only those with special merit could reach the temple because of the difficult path. If you plan to visit, check in advance what visiting options are currently available.

When looking for a holiday rental in Bu Hom, you can use these points of interest to help choose your destination: the local stories revolve around Ban Bu Hom, while the temple is nearby. Consider whether you are mainly interested in the local history or whether Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Khwai Ngoen also features in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Tha Li, Lat Khang, Chiang Khan, Pong, Pak Chom, Kok Thong, Wang Saphung, Kut Pong.

For the broader travel overview: Loei.