Baan Thong Luang

Established in 2003 for agriculture, and opened for tourism in 2006. The purpose of opening for tourism is to generate income for hill tribe peoples whilst preserving the culture. This village has 5 different hill tribe peoples, with a total community of around 150 villagers including: Ka Young, White Karen, Lahu, Hmong and Dara Ang (Palong)

Ka Young (Long Neck Karen hill tribe)
Refugees from Myanmar (Burma). The rings on their necks are actually a coil. The girls start wearing the rings from as young as 5 years old and every year or so the coil will be unwound and a slightly longer one put on until they reach about 20 years old. After which it is never changed. Today's young generation can choose for themselves whether to wear the rings or not. There is a myth that their neck loses strength and they die if the rings are removed, but that is only a myth. Another misconception is that the rings stretch the neck, that is also incorrect, the weight of the rings force the collar bones and ribcage down, the lengthening of the neck is only an illusion. Why do they do it? Simple. They believe it is beautiful.

White Karen hill tribe
Unmarried girls and women dress only in white. When married they may wear the highly colourful costumes.
Karen are a gentle, peaceful, people. But have strict laws regarding morality. In some villages, the punishment for adultery is death. The village chief highly respected in the community, and is regarded as the spiritual as well as the societal leader. Karen are originally Animist, but some have been converted to Christianity by western Missionaries.

The Lahu refugees may have originated in Tibet and south west China and migrated to Thailand, through Myanmar, as well as Laos and Viet-Nam. Larger numbers have settled in Chiang Rai province. Females wear very large earrings. Originally Animist, many have been influenced by Christian Missionaries.

Refugees from Myanmar (Burma). The women wear a very colourful sarong-like dress, a wide silver waistband and black rattan amulets for protection from ghosts and devils. They call themselves "Dara Ang" and do not like the name "Palong". Originally Animist, most have converted to Shan style Buddhism but retain many Animist beliefs.

Originaly from southern China, some Hmong found a better life in Laos, Vietnam, Burma and Thailand. A significant number of Hmong fought against the Communists in the so called 'Secret War' between the Communist Pathet Lao and the Royal Laos Government which ended in 1975. The victorious Pathet Lao party singled out the Hmong peoples for retribution, so many had to flee Laos to Thailand.

Why does it have to be at the far end of the village and the top of the hill