Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Introduction
Mountains as far as the eye can see. A twisted history of the rampant opium trade. Hill tribes
who have lived there for many centuries. Rafting, hiking, museums and temples around
every corner. Welcome to Northern Thailand, there is nothing quite like it.
Bordering with Myanmar and Laos, Northern Thailand adopts cultural influences from its
neighborsaswellasfromtheYunnanprovinceinthesouthofChina.Whilethepeoplespeak
adialectofstandardThaicalledKhamMeaungandthehilltribesspeaktheirindigenouslan-
guages, regular Thai language is understood throughout the region. You may notice a more
looped script on some signs which is the Lanna script, similar to that of Laos. Historically
the first kingdoms of Thailand were Lanna and Sukhothai, originating from 13th century,
but today the region is inhabited by a mix of Thai nationals and the hill tribes.
There are seven main tribes of people who live in the hills of Northern Thailand, the Akha,
Lisu, Lahu, Yao, Hmong, Karen, and Lawa. These tribes migrated from southern China,
Tibet and Myanmar to northern Thailand around 100 years ago and settled in the rural high-
lands to farm which many still do today. Each group has its own customs, language, dress
and spiritual beliefs like the Padaung women who put brass rings around their neck to elong-
ate them. However this is still done today largely to bring in tourism.
You can visit many of these tribes to see the authentic side of Thailand, possibly the most
genuine experiences that you will find on the tourist track. Generally the villagers prefer to
live above a certain altitude so you will need to find a guide or join a tour. In Chiang Mai
and Chiang Rai you will see many options to take a day trip to the villages but keep in mind
that some of the villages are set up just for tourists, and could feel more like a human mu-
seum exhibit. However some tour operators make an effort to limit the influx of tourists to
preserve the authenticity but this is not always the case.
Whether you're interested in exploring the great north, floating down a river or motoring
through the mountains, in North Thailand you can see how much more Thailand has to offer
than just nightclubs and sandy beaches. There are luscious forests and tangled paths that are
just waiting to be discovered by your hiking boots.
