Episode: Thailand Part 2
Date: 22nd February
Story: Hill Tribe Villages (Day 8)
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane and Nigel Ruck

When touring Northern Thailand, a visit to the Hill Tribes is a must. Trevor and Nigel, along with their tour leader, Kit, visited a Hill Tribe village to see what life is like in these communities.

• There are 18 Hill Tribes in Thailand. The most common Hill Tribe is the Karen and Hmong Hill Tribes. The Karen is the largest Hill Tribe and the Hmong the second largest in Thailand.
• Over 100 years ago the Hill Tribes migrated from China into Burma, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand and the lifestyle has changed very little in that time. The tribes live in the remote upland regions and practice subsistence farming.
• While the main source of income is agriculture, they also earn extra money through making handicrafts which they sell to visitors. They craft items such as jewellery, baskets and clothes.
• At the village Trevor and Nigel visited, the women dress in distinctive and brightly coloured clothing to attract and keep their men.?
• Another way they make themselves look attractive is by blackening their teeth by chewing beetle nut.
• Trekking into the heart of Northern Thailand to see the Hill Tribes is a unique experience. A good way to see the Tribes is through an organised tour. Trevor and Nigel was guided by Kit from Imaginative Traveller so why not give them a call for more information on how you can experience this for yourself.

For more information:
Imaginative Traveller
Level 7, 189 Kent Street,
Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Tel. 1300 135 088
Email: res@imaginative-traveller.com.au
Website: www.imaginative-traveller.com

Tourism Authority of Thailand
Suite 2002, Level 20, 56 Pitt Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Tel:  (61 2) 9247 7549       
Fax: (61 2) 9251 2465
Email: info@thailand.net.au
Website: www.thailand.net.au