This is the most prosperous boatman in the village. He owns two boats, plying trade between Luang Namtha and Houay Xai on the boarder with Thailand. Although the village at the time this picture was taken had no electricity (Still not a.f.a.i.k.), he put a propellor driven generator in the river, and charges his battery to run his TV. Outside his house, he has a satellite dish. 21st century arrives in a remote Lao district.His wife still supplements the family income by weaving traditional lao textile. the village is a mixture of Tai Lue and Khmu people.The boatmen run a two day shuttle service, to take tourists from Luang Namtha to the Thai border and back. The night in between the visitors are lodged in the village, sleeping in a boatman's house, and being served food cooked by the family. All in all, it has provided a good source of income for the village over the past few years, making this one of the most prosperous villages on the river.