Tim in Thailand : Baan Tong Luang Hill Tribe Village

Baan Tong Luang Village was certainly a different place to visit for me and I was left in confusion (still am) over the meeting of the long-neck karen - who have been refugees in Thailand since 1985 - from the Kayah State in Burma / Myanmar.

A full description of the tribes can be read here.

I could not come to the conclusion what sort of attraction this was - should we celebrate this OR should we avoid this. I am not able to tell you what to do BUT here is a review which describes ethical travel and the worst attraction.

I read that the neck rings are added from when the girl is 5 year olds - one a year - until they are 21.

Then I read this

"When the Thai government officials saw these women on their doorstep, they felt it was going to be a great business opportunity for Thailand. They gave Karen visas and work permits, they leased them some land and took pretty photos of the women standing outside of their bamboo huts. Then, they used these photos in shiny, colourful brochures, advertising the northern region of Thailand and told the women to smile to tourists, who were willing to pay money to see something different and exotic. Long Necks’ villages became an attraction, a human zoo, where for 300 Baht you can take a photo with women dressed in colourful outfits, with a neck so long that her head looks almost like a poppy flower."

I read more and am still left with incomplete understanding. Whether you visit or not is your choice - there is lots more here than simply the long neck tribe.