Route Map

In the afternoon, we drove from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, the light blue line on the map.

Mae Salong Hill Tribes Village

We had an optional tour this morning to the Mae Salong Hill Tribes Village. Photo: village houses.

Mae Salong Hill Tribes Village

There was a souvenir market at the village.

Mae Salong Hill Tribes Village

There were at least four hill tribes here. This woman was from the Yao Hill Tribe.

Mae Salong Hill Tribes Village

This woman was from the Akha Hill Tribe. Each hill tribe has a distinguishing dress and headwear style.

Mae Salong Hill Tribes Village

This woman is of the Long Neck Karen Hill Tribe, distinguished by the gold rings around her neck. Rings are placed around the females’ necks from about the age 5. The reasons for the rings are varied: to prevent tigers from biting their necks, to make the women unattractive to slave traders, to make the women more attractive to men, and to make them a tourist attraction.

The women’s necks are not actually longer but visually appear to be so. However, the rings do damage to their necks. If the rings are removed, their necks have become so weak that they will not be able to hold their heads up.

The hill tribes in Thailand are not citizens of the country. The hill tribes were nomads who farmed in an area until the soil and environment were ruined. Additionally, they were slash and burn farmers. The Thai government moved many of the hill tribes to new areas and taught them how to do sustainable farming. Their major crop is tea.

I have put my photos of the hill tribes on a slideshow. Go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/mae–salong–hill–tribe–village/

(Slide Shows, Asia, Thailand–2, “Mae Salong Hill Tribes Village”).

Long Neck Karen Hill Tribe Dance

The women of the Long Neck Karen Hill Tribe entertained us with a dance. To view it, go to Movies, Asia, Thailand, Page 3, “Long Neck Karen Dance.”

Le Meridien

Back to our hotel, Le Meridien, in Chiang Rai before traveling on to Chiang Mai.

Le Meridien

We had time for the lunch buffet.

Le Meridien

More of those wonderful Thai desserts.

Cabbages & Condoms

This was definitely, without doubt, the most bizarre rest stop that I have been at. Its theme is “condoms and safe sex.” I had put some of its posters on Facebook while I was in Thailand and one of my friends recognized the posters as ones used when she taught family planning at a refugee camp in Thailand around 1989. Nu said that family planning started in Thailand in the 1960s. These posters have been around for a long time.

Cabbages & Condoms

A different color for each day of the week.

Gem Factory

Next stop: The World’s Largest Gem Factory.

Le Meridien, Chiang Mai

We made it to our hotel in Chiang Mai, another beautiful Le Meridien. Our hotel was located in a great spot––right near the night market and lots of activity.

Khantoke Dinner and Show

Tonight we had an optional Khantoke Dinner and Show. It was a Northern Thai–style dinner where we sat on the floor on mats and put our legs straight out under the table. We shared many good dishes.

I had put my photos of our drive to and from Chiang Rai to the Hill Tribes Village and from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai on a slideshow. Go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/from–chiang–rai–to–chiang–mai/

(Slide Shows, Asia, Thailand–2, “From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai”).

Khantoke Dinner and Show

These women were doing the Fon Lep, the Thai Finger Dance. To view the movie, go to Movies, Asia, Thailand, page 4, “Thai Finger Dance at the Khantoke Show.”

Khantoke Dinner and Show

This man was doing a Drum Dance. To view the movie, go to Movies, Asia, Thailand, page 4, “Drum Dance at the Khantoke Show.”

Khantoke Dinner and Show

This man was doing the Ram Dab, the Thai Sword Dance. To view the movie, go to Movies, Asia, Thailand, page 4, “Thai Sword Dance at the Khantoke Show.”