Thailand Tribal Tales

Northern Thailand is home to a variety of hill-tribe groups. These groups migrated to Thailand from various parts of Southeast Asia (including Myanmar and China) seeking refuge. In Sangkhlaburi , a Mon village of ethnic Burmese refugees is connected to a Thai village by a wooden bridge, separating the two communities. Mae Hong Son is surrounded by Shan and Kuo Min Tang (KMT) camps and the Lisu, Hmong, and Lahu hill tribes. The Long-Necked Karen village, where residents gradually stack metal wrings around their neck, is right next door to Mae Hong Son; the Red Karen state sits just across the border. The Hmong villages in Chiang Khong remain secluded, as they are accessible only by bike during the dry season. Chiang Mai’s Tribal Museum pays well-researched homage to the nine hill tribes of Thailand and the Nan National Museum in Nan also displays a thorough history of Thai hill tribes. Sample the silk products woven by Isaan women of the northeast at Village Weaver Handicrafts in Nong Khai . The night market in Chiang Rai offers a plethora of hill-tribe handicrafts. For those interested in the hill-tribe lifestyle, check out the Living Museum near Mae Salong .

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