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Land of Ethnic diversity
Welcome to the land of tehnic diversity. A country of 60 million people, Thailand
hosts a great variety of ethnic groups. There are ethnic Thais: the large majority of the
population, called "Thais," the Thai Yai originally from Myanmar, Thai Lue from South
China and Thai Song Dam from Vietnam. There are ethnic communities such as the
Chinese, the Indian, the Khmer (Cambodian). And then there are hilltribe peoples, each with
its own distinct customs and traditions and together numbering about half a million.
While trekking upcountry you will likely run into one or more of these groups:
Karen: The Karen are the largest tribal group, with 260,000 members. Originally from
Tibet, they live in low-lying areas and are traditionally farmers. A large number live in
Kanchanaburi and Tak, near the border with Myanmar. The Karen are well assimilated to
the mainstream culture and untrained observers may not be able to identify them by
their looks and clothing.
Hmong: The second largest tribal group, the Hmong number over sixty thousands and
live in the mountains and hills of the North. They are skilled silversmiths and in major
tourist towns such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai you may see them selling their
hand-made jewelry in markets and night bazaars.
Mien: The Mien, like the Hmong, are Chinese in origin. They are the most
sophisticated of all hilltribes, very skilled in silvercraft and embroidery. YOu wi1l know a
Mien woman from the broad black turban and red fur boa she wears.
Yao: There are about 40,000 Yao in Thailand. Originally from China, they remain
influenced by Chinese culture and are the only group that maintains written records of the
tribe's history and culture.
Lisu: Though they represent only about five percent of Thailand's hilltribe population,
the Lisu are a prominent presence, not least because of their brightly-colored clothing.
They live in very high altitude areas.
Lahu: Known to Thais as "Musef," these people are traditionally hunters. Though
originally animists, like most other hilltribes, many have converted to Christiaflity A key
to identifying them: Lahu women wear narrow skirts with black and red jackets.
Akha: The Akha are a small minority making up only three percent of the country's
minorities. They were the last among the hilltribes to migrate here, from Tibet. They live
on mountaintop at above 4,000 feet and have mostly resisted assimilation. Akha women wear
headdresses ornately decorated with beads and silver balls.
Padong: The long, bangled necks of Padong women are world-famous. The group
is a very small minoritY and the most recent immigrants to Thailand. They live in
mountainous Mae Hong Son, on the border with Mvanmar, their former homeland.
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