The People, Ethical Concerns, Responsible Tours

If you’re visiting Northern Thailand, particularly the Chiang Mai region, you’ll hear the phrase “hill tribes” thrown around often, especially by travel agents promoting tours.

The term “hill tribe” (Chao Khao in Thai) refers to groups of ethnic minorities living in Northern Thailand. Originating in the 1960s, this term encompasses various communities. Many hiking and trekking companies and travel agencies offer hill tribe tours, where visitors can hike into mountains or take drives to reach remote villages.

During these visits, tourists are frequently charged an entry fee and encouraged to purchase handicrafts made by these ethnic groups. The Paduang subgroup of the Karen people from Myanmar/Burma, known for their vibrant traditional attire and elongated necks adorned with brass rings, have long been considered a tourist attraction in Thailand.

The Hill Tribes

Many hill tribe individuals migrated into Thailand from Myanmar/Burma and Laos. The Karen hill tribe, comprising numerous subgroups, is among the largest, numbering in the millions.

While some festivals are shared among different hill tribes, each group retains unique languages, customs, and cultural practices.

The seven main hill tribe groups in Thailand include:

• Akha
• Lahu
• Karen
• Hmong (or Miao)
• Mien (or Yao)
• Lisu
• Palaung

The Long-Neck Paduang

The most prominent tourist attraction among the hill tribes is the long-neck Paduang (Kayan Lahwi) subgroup of the Karen people. It is both shocking and fascinating to see women wearing stacked metal rings on their necks, placed there from birth, resulting in distorted and elongated necks.

Sadly, it is extremely difficult to find tours that provide an opportunity to meet “authentic” Paduang people—those who wear the rings not simply out of compulsion or for financial gain.

Even for independent visitors, a relatively high entrance fee is typically charged to enter a “long neck” village in Northern Thailand, with little of that fee benefiting the local community. Expect a commercial experience rather than an authentic cultural encounter; the accessible part of the village is largely a marketplace for handicrafts and photo opportunities.

For the most ethical experience, it may be wise to avoid any tours that prominently feature the Paduang hill tribe.

Ethical Issues and Concerns

Concerns have arisen in recent years regarding the ethics of visiting Thailand’s hill tribe communities. These issues stem from the fear that interaction with Western tourists could undermine their cultures, as well as the troubling trend of tour operators profiting from the popularity of these people, with minimal financial benefit returning to their villages.

Some observers have characterized hill tribe experiences as akin to visiting “human zoos,” where individuals are confined to their villages and compelled to wear traditional clothing, all for little pay. However, this viewpoint does not apply universally, as there exist hill tribe villages that offer more dignified experiences.

The predicament faced by these ethnic minorities in Thailand is complicated by factors such as refugee status and lack of Thai citizenship. Consequently, they often find themselves marginalized with limited rights and opportunities.

Ethical Hill Tribe Visits

Visiting villages in Northern Thailand in an ethical manner is possible. Tourists who wish to make responsible choices must conduct thorough research on the types of tours available and the operators running them.

Typically, the most ethical tours feature small groups and involve staying in the villages themselves. Such homestays are often basic by Western standards, with minimal housing and shared facilities. For those desiring genuine cultural interaction, these experiences can be incredibly rewarding.

The dilemma persists: travelers must consider whether to support hill tribe communities reliant on tourism, or to refrain from visiting to prevent further exploitation. Many members of hill tribes face limited employment opportunities, often relying on agriculture or tourism for their survival.

Recommended Tour Companies

Ethical tour companies are operating in northern Thailand! To avoid supporting exploitative practices, take the time to research trekking companies carefully before making a decision. Here are two ethical tour companies in Northern Thailand:

• Eagle House (based in Chiang Mai)
• Akha Hill House (based in Chiang Rai)