about coolers and other such things: if you are planning to make your "adventure" at high season, then on your place I will think about warm clothes: nights may be quite chill esp. at early morning hours...

about tent idea: are you sure what you are ready to find snake in your tent at some day?

about sleeping in village home: I did that few times in Isaan, in national park - in 50 km from Udon Thani and that been nice adventures... we (me and BF) had feelings like we are white elephants in circus - almost all villagers found reason to visit that family for to take a look at us, but in general it was great - we went to rice fields, rubber-tree farm, visited local temples and monasteries, had quite far side-tours to Vientiane, to some waterfalls, caves and lakes