Thailand - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 748

thatched with grass. Some Lahu women wear a distinctive black cloak with diagonal white
stripes, decorated in bold red and yellow on the sleeve, but many now wear ordinary clothes.
The tribe is famous for its richly embroidered shoulder bags.
AKHA
The poorest of the hill tribes is the Akha (pop.50,000). Every Akha village is entered through
ceremonial gates decorated with carvings of human attributes - even cars and aeroplanes - to
indicate to the spirit world that only humans should pass. Akha houses are recognizable by
their low stilts and steeply pitched roofs. Women wear elaborate headgear consisting of a
conical wedge of white beads interspersed with silver coins, topped with plumes of red taffeta
and framed by dangling silver balls.
MIEN
The Mien (or Yao; pop.42,000) consider themselves the aristocrats of the hill tribes. Originating
in central China, and widely scattered throughout the north, they are the only people to have
a written language, and a codified religion, based on medieval Chinese Taoism, although many
have converted to Christianity and Buddhism. Mien women wear long black jackets with
bright scarlet lapels, and heavily embroidered, loose trousers and turbans.
LISU
The Lisu (pop.30,000), who originated in eastern Tibet, are found mostly in the west,
particularly between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. They are organized into patriarchal clans,
and their strong sense of clan rivalry often results in public violence. The Lisu live in extended
families in bamboo houses. The women wear a blue or green knee-length tunic, with a wide
black belt and blue or green trousers. Men wear green, pink or yellow baggy trousers and a
blue jacket.
LAWA
The Lawa people (pop.17,000) have inhabited Thailand since at least the eighth century and
most Lawa villages look no different from Thai settlements. But between Hot, Mae Sariang and
Mae Hong Son, the Lawa still live a largely traditional life. Unmarried Lawa women wear strings
of orange and yellow beads, white blouses edged with pink, and tight skirts in parallel bands
of blue, black, yellow and pink. All the women wear their hair tied in a turban.

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restaurants. Many guesthouses make their bread and
butter from trekking and will encourage you to use their
service; though this can be convenient, it's always worth
shopping around. None of the places listed should hassle
you to trek.
Awana House 7 Soi 1, Th Ratchdamnoen T 053 419005,
W awanahouse.com. This helpful, Thai-Dutch guesthouse
has a tiny pool, fan rooms sharing hot-water bathrooms
and large, nicely furnished, en-sui te, a/c rooms. Internet
access and free wi-fi. Double B375
Chiang Mai Thai House 5/1 Soi 5, Th Tha Pae T 053
904110, W chiangmaithaihouse.com. There's a choice of
smallish but well-furnished rooms with fan, hot shower
and TV or bigger ones with a/c in this centrally located
place, which also has a tiny pool. Wi-fi and internet.
Double B500
Eagle House 1 16 Soi 3, Th Chang Moi Kao T 053
235387, W eaglehouse.com. Friendly, well-maintained
Thai-Irish guesthouse with a good garden café and
en-suite doubles with cold or hot showers; well-organized
treks are on offer, plus fr ee pic k-ups from train or bus
stations or airport. Double B220

Eagle House 2 26 Soi 2, Th Ratchawithi T 053 418494,
W eaglehouse.com. Under the same management as
Eagle House 1 , a decent guesthouse with garden café and
en-suite double rooms with hot showers, plus two- or
three-bed dorms; cookery co urses a re on o ffer, as well as
treks and free pick-ups. Dorm B150 , double B300
★

Giant Guesthouse Soi 6, Th Moonmuang T 053
227338, W giantguesthouse.com. This popular option is
right next to the market and has its own kitchen - ideal if
you fancy practising your Thai cooking. The staff are
helpful and offer free pick-ups from airport or bus station,
free bicycles and free internet, and also put on films in
their comfortable lounge. Rooms, all with wi-fi, come with
fan (shared or en-suite bathrooms) or a/c. There's another
branch at the bottom of Th Rat chapha kinai with three- or
four-bed dorms (B120). Double B180
Green Tulip 85 Th Samlarn T 053 275858, W green
tuliphouse.com. In a handy location near Wat Phra Singh,
with vivid colour scheme and a bar-restaurant downstairs
offering good food. Clean, bright, basic rooms with fan o r
a/c and en-su ite hot showers. Internet access. Dorm B150 ,
double B500