Hilltribes in and around Pai Thailand (Hmong)

Hmong

The Hmong [Meo] is found in many countries in South-East Asia, such as Laos, Yunnan, Thai and Viet-Nam. The Hmong belongs to the Meo - Yao branch of the Austro - Thai linguistic family. There are about 130,000.

The Meo peoples are known as the Miao in China, where they number about 5 million. Meo migrated from China into upland Southeast Asia in the 19th century, particularly into Laos, where they numbered less than 200,000 in the early 1990s. The Laotian Meo supported the United States during the Vietnam War. Many Hmong were killed by the Vietnamese army, fled to Thailand, or were resettled in the United States. Hmong refugees fled to camps to Thailand when their country came under communist control in 1975.

The Hmong are one of the most spread out minority groups. They are scattered throughout South China in Kweichow, Hunan, Szechwan, Kwangxi, and Yunnan provinces. There are also Hmong communities in North Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and even a few in Burma and in USA and Europe. The Hmong are the second largest group In Thailand after the Karen. about 20% of all hilltribes people in the country.

The Hmong in Thailand are divided to 3 subgroups:

-The Blue Hmong [Mong Njua, black Meo, Flowery Meo or Striped Meo]
Women in the subgroup wear the distinctive indigo dyed pleated skirt or kilt with a batik design.

- The White Hmong [Hmong Daw]
White Hmong women wear a white pleated skirt only on ceremonial occasions, but when engaged in everyday work, they put on indigo-dyed trousers.

-Gua M'ba Meo [Hmong Gua M'ba, Armband Hmong]
They are actually a subgroup of the White Hmong. Most are confined to refugee camps. Around and to the west of Chiang Mai, most of the villages are Blue Hmong, whereas in the east only White Hmong villages can be found.

The Hmong are animists and ancestors worshippers they have a shaman and worship nature spirits. The Chinese influence is obvious in their beliefs and practices. The available information indicates that there are eleven clans in Thailand. The names and origins of these clans are recited in Hmong legends.

The Hmong specialized as poppy growers and you can see beautiful blossom in some villages [Try Doi Pui village near Doi Sutep in Chiang Mai].

The Hmong prefers to locate their villages at high altitudes of 1,000 -1,200 m. Rice and corn are the main subsistence crops, and opium is the principal cash crop. The Hmong are more heavily engaged in opium production than any other highlanders in Thailand. The Hmong migrated to Nan Province more then 100 years ago from Laos, but they originated in western China, possibly Mongolia.Tradition:
Blue Hmong women wear beautiful pleated skirts with parallel horizontal bands of red, blue and white, intricately embroidered. Jackets are of black satin, with wide orange and yellow embroidered cuffs and lapels. The hair is tied in a large bun. Men wear baggy black pants and jackets embroidered in a similar way to the women's, closing over the chest with a button at the left shoulder.

White Hmong women wear black baggy trousers with a long wide blue cummerbund with a central pink area which hangs almost to the ground. Their jackets are simple, with blue cuffs. A brimless blue cap is worn by some groups.

Hmong clothing is much in demand in Thailand, and the Hmong have proved in the last few years to be good business people. Hmong women will be seen at markets throughout Thailand selling their handicrafts. Although like the other tribes generally poor, some families have become quite wealthy.

Hmong villages are usually at high altitudes, below the crest of a protecting hill. The Hmong live in houses that sit right on the ground, not on stilts as do some other hill-tribes. However, the main floor of their houses is not at ground level, but rests upon a kind of above-ground basement or root cellar that they use for food storage. Moreover, their house-fronts slope outward and downward, an architectural feature that is the trademark of their villages. Some build the more expensive and comfortable Thai style houses, but in general the Hmong have retained their traditional way of life.

Houses have a dirt floor and a roof which extends almost to the ground. They live in extended families, with two or more bedrooms. There is a large guest platform. The headman has little power, since the Hmong are fiercely independent people who take orders from no one. Before marriage, promiscuity amongst the young is normal. Marriage is followed by a trial period before the bride price is paid. The family is the most important basic unit of social organization and polygon is allowed. Hmong men are expected to do most of the work within the family. Men do the heaviest work, but in practice this means they do little, and expect to be supported by their wives. The Hmong historically grew much opium, and addiction rates in some villages are high, mainly among older males.

The Hmong are strict animists, whose shamans use dramatic methods to contact the spirits. Every house has an altar with a piece of paper covered in cock's feathers affixed with chicken blood. So far there have been few converts to Christianity or Buddhism.

For a long time the Hmong have supported themselves by the cultivation of opium poppy. Most of the Hmong people are turning from opium growing, and are now seeking to market their exquisite needlework in order to supplement their income.

The Hmong , even more than the other tribes, practice a strict male-female division of labor. One custom that especially illustrates this is that of giving a newborn boy a gift of metal from which he will one they forge a weapon, whereas newborn girls receive no special gift. Hmong women traditionally make clothing for their families from cotton or hemp. Their clothing is richly decorated with magnificent embroidery and silver jewelry.

Blue Hmong women wear beautiful pleated skirts with bands of red, blue and white intricately embroidered. Jackets are of black satin, with wide orange and yellow embroidered cuffs and lapels.

White Hmong women wear black baggy trousers with a long wide blue cummerbund. Their jackets are simple, with blue cuffs. Hmong men make crossbows, musical instruments, and other items of wood, bamboo and rattan. Many of the men are also skilled in blacksmithing and gunsmith.

The Hmong are diligent and independent people, fond of wearing their silver ornaments during ceremonies and much devoted to the sky spirit they believe has created their own ancient way of life.The New Year celebration which normally takes place in December is the most important festivity.

Hilltribes in and around Pai Thailand (YAO)

Yao

The Yao [Mien] is linguistically grouped together with the Meo tribe in the Meo -Yao branch of the Austro - Thai family, found in Yunnan in China [Kwangxi and Kwangtung]. There are about 60,000 Yao people in Thailand. Their villages are widely scattered throughout the northeast, with concentrations around Nan, Phayao and Chiang Rai. There are also a few Yao villages in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, and Tak. There are perhaps 10,000 or so refugees from Laos, living along the border. The Yao are animists and ancestors worshippers and are influenced from Chinese Taoism. They have adopted many characteristics of Chinese culture as well. The Yao hail from southern China, and at one time had considerable power within the Chinese empire, to the extent that at one time a Yao princess was married to an emperor of China.
They are the only hill tribe to use a written language. Their language, long ago derived from Chinese, is written in Chinese Characters, and they practice a written religion base on medieval Chinese Taoism, although in recent years there have been many converts to Christianity and Buddhism.
They are a very peaceable and friendly people, who pride themselves on cleanliness and honor.
Traditions:
Yao women are noted for their magnificent cross-stitch embroidery which richly decorates the clothing of every member of the family.The costume of the women is very distinctive with a long black jacket with lapels of bright scarlet wool. Heavily embroidered loose trousers in intricate designs are worn and a similarly embroidered black turban. The teeth are commonly capped with gold. The skull caps of babies are very beautiful, richly embroidered with red or pink pom-poms. On special occasions, women and children wear silver neck rings with silver chains extending down the back decorated with silver ornaments.
Men wear a loose jacket which buttons diagonally across the front, with embroidered pockets and edgings.
Yao villages are at high altitude, built usually of wooden planks on a dirt road. There is a guest platform of bamboo in the communal living area, and two or more bedrooms. Girls of marriageable age have a private bedroom in which they can entertain suitors. Their houses feature a space designed for a cooking fire in the center of their main room, as well as a small shrine dedicated to their ancestors and to the guardian spirit they believe to inhabit each individual house. Girls of marriageable age have a private bedroom in which they can entertain suitors.
Households with extended families are common, and polygamous marriage is practiced. Like the Hmong, Mien boys must choose their wives from outside their clans. When a proper bride price is paid they take their wives to live with their parents and any children automatically become members of the father's clan. If a man is poor or a woman is an only daughter, the man may either live all his life with his wife's family or live with them for just a few years before taking his family back to his parental house. Premarital sexual relationships are common and cross-cousin marriage is preferred. The adoption of children from outside or inside the tribe is widely practiced.
The Yao are the "businessmen" among the Hill-tribes, and they also excel in the making of metal farm implements such as axes and plows. Because they've long had a written language, unlike several of the other tribes, they also know how to make high quality paper.The Yao hold their New Year celebration on the same days as the Chinese.

Hilltribes in and around Pai (continue)

Lisu

There are about 30,000 Lisu People in Thailand. They are scattered throughout all of north Thailand particularly between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, and also in western Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Tak, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Rhet, and Phetchabun provinces.

The Lisu belongs to the Tibeto - Burman branch of the Sino - Tibetan linguistic family.Lisu is divided into two ethnic subgroups

The Flowery or Hua Lisu

The Black or He Lisu.

Most of the Lisu in Thailand is flowery Lisu. Their settlements are located in the highlands at an average altitude of about 1,000 meters. Like most hill people, the Lisu are heavily engaged in agriculture, grow rice, corn and vegetables as subsistence crops. They draw additional income from the sale of domesticated animals such as pigs and cattle.Traditons: The Lisu are known for their colorful dress, The Lisu tribe is made up of several clans. The clan is important because it stands as the chief determinant of kinship relations and marriage rules. Monogamy and clan exogamy are the ideal practices which, when followed, strengthen familial ties and provide a cohesive force in Lisu society. Kinship relations are centered on the family and extended in increasingly wider circles to the tribe as a whole. Lisu solidarity despite the lack of a political secular leader at village level, depends on this in a way that differentiates them from other tribes.Cultivations: Culturally speaking, the Lisu have adopted much which is Chinese, celebrate their New Year on the same day as the Chinese. They are animists and ancestors worshipper sand their reputation as individualists makes them quite distinct.

The Lisu is a fiercely independent people who are in general adjusting well to the changes taking place in their society. They make their clothing from gaily-colored cloth stitched into outfits trimmed with row upon row of varied colored strips of cloth.
The women wear brightly colored costumes, consisting of a blue or green parti-colored knee length tunic split up the sides to the waist with a wide black belt and blue or green pants. Long hair is tied at the back. Sleeves, shoulders and cuffs are heavily embroidered with narrow, horizontal bands of blue, red and yellow.
At New Year festival, in mid- January, dazzling displays of wealth are worn, including waistcoats and belts of intricately fashioned silver and hats with multi-colored pom-poms and streamers. Men wear green, pink or yellow baggy pants and a blue jacket opening vertically.

The Lisu live at moderate to high altitudes. Their houses are built on the ground, with dirt floors and bamboo walls around a central ridge. They live as extended families, the number of bedrooms depending on the family size. The Lisu like to settle near the tops of mountains, as close as possible to streams or waterfalls. Their houses never have more than one door and are oriented to stand parallel to the face of the mountain on which they live.
Each village has a spirit house, and each house has a small shrine to spirits an ancestors. In addition, because the Lisu are the engineers among the hill-tribes, most of their villages feature a large bamboo pipe, a conduit, that carries to the village water from the nearest source. Unmarried girls have a private bedroom after puberty. Every home has an altar at the back of the communal living area with a shelf holding vessels and incense sticks honoring their ancestors.
The Lisu believe strongly in the spirit world. Their shamans are used to divine the causes and cures of all problems and sickness. These hill-tribe people are perhaps the best looking of all the tribes, and they like to think of themselves a little bit above their other hill-tribe neighbors. They are among the least bashful of these ethnic groups and in general adjusting well to the changes taking place in their society.
Although promiscuous, courtship and marriage are highly stylized, involving a high "bride price". There are twelve clans of Lisu, and marriage should be between members of different clans.
A Lisu headman has little power over his community with the clan system generally over-riding his authority.
The Lisu are a handsome people perhaps the best looking of all the tribes, and they like to think of themselves as a cut or two above their other Hill-tribe neighbors. Consequently, they are among the least bashful of these ethnic groups, and, although patient, like to be a bit competitive as well. Villages of this colorful ethnic group are to be found in the mountains of China, Myanmar (Burma) and northern Thailand. There are approximately 21000 Lisu living in Thailand. For many generations the main means of lively hood for many of the Lisu people has been the cultivation of the opium poppy. Some of these people have given up poppy growing and seeking to supplement their income through the sale of skillfully produced crafts. Lisu men produce crossbows, musical instruments, bird and animal traps, and other items made of wood, bamboo and rattan. A few Lisu people have been converted to Christianity by western missionaries.

Hilltribes in and around Pai (continue)

Lahu
Lahu [Musur] originated in Tibet and southwest China and migrated to Thailand, through northern Burma, as well as to Laos and Burma and Viet-Nam. The Lahu belongs to the Tibeto-Burman branch of the SinoTibetan linguistic family.
There are about 80,000 Lahu scattered in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Tak and Kampeng Phet. Most of their settlements are concentrated close to the Burmese border.
The Lahu are divided into several ethnic subgroups and only these six are to be found in Thailand:
Lahu Nyi [Musur Daeng or Red Lahu]
Lahu Na [Musur Dam or Black Lahu]
Lahu Shehleh [Musur Na Muey]
Lahu Laba
Lahu Phu
Lahu Shi
These main subgroups are further subdivided into smaller groups.
The Lahu are animists and ancestors worshippers. About 30% of the Lahu have been converted to Christianity and have abandoned their way of life. Many have abandoned their traditional way of life as a result. Animist Lahu believe in one spirit with overall control all the others, and they are rather predatory in search of a marriage partner, but divorce and adultery are common.
The Lahu language has almost become a "lingua franca", spoken throughout the other hill tribes since amongst the Lahu, hiring out labour to other hill tribes has become common.
Lahu villages are at high altitudes at about 1,000 meters. The Red Lahu is the only tribe to build a central Animist temple, surrounded by banners and streamers of white and yellow flags. If there is a source of water near the village, they build a series of bamboo pipes to bring water into the village.
Houses are built on high stilts with walls of bamboo or wooden planks, thatched with grass. A ladder leads to an open central living area, with a store room to one side and living quarters to the other. There is one large bedroom, partitioned off as necessary according to family size. The main room has a central fireplace.
"Lahu" means "hunter", the Lahu obviously pride themselves on their skills in hunting and trapping. They are also famous for their knowledge of herbal medicine.
The Lahu are physically larger than the members of the other tribes, but rather than their greater stature leading to aggressiveness. They are independent people and love entertainment and the easy life, and have skills in hunting and trapping.Traditions: The Black Lahu is the most reserved, but wear the most distinctive costumes.
Lahu women are skilled in weaving cloth, both on back-strap and foot-treadle looms, producing delicate patchwork trims, and unusual embroidery work.
The Black Lahu women wear the most distinctive costumes within this tribe. They wear a black cloak with diagonal cream stripes. The top of the sleeve is decorated in bold colors of red and yellow.
Red Lahu women wear black trousers with white edging and vivid sleeves of broad red and blue stripes.
All the other Lahu tribes have supplemented their traditional costumes by sarong and Thai shirt. Men and women together make some of the finest baskets to be found anywhere in Thailand.
Lahu men produce excellent crossbows, musical instruments, and other items made of wood, bamboo and rattan.
Lahu society is monogamous. The nuclear family forms the most common domestic unit and plays the most important part in the social and political organization of the village. When a Lahu man marries a woman from another village, he is expected to live with his parents-in-law for a certain time to provide bride-service. In such cases, the household becomes extended but usually for not more than 5 - 6 years. Kinship ties are not particularly important in the Lahu society.
Cultivation:
The Lahu base their economy primarily on swidden agriculture. They clear fields in the forest by slash-and-burn. A plot of land is used for as long as the yields are good, and after the soil becomes exhausted, the owner looks for other places to exploit.
Today, the Lahu staple crops are dry rice and corn. Many varieties of cash crops are also grown e.g. melons, peppers, beans, yams, millet, and vegetables. In some villages, opium remains an important cash crop. Animal husbandry is also important, and every household raises pigs, fowl, cattle and horses for various purposes such as for feasts, and ceremonial offerings and for transport.
The Lahu is theistic animists ruled by one god named "Geusha". Like their highland neighbors, they also worship their ancestors. In Burma, the Lahu were considerably influenced by Buddhism and Christianity. A large number become Christian during and immediately following British rule. Most Lahu in Thailand follow their old beliefs. Religious practitioners remain prominent in Lahu society.
The New Year ceremony “Kho Cha Lor”, the most important event, is held for five days between January and March to thank their god "Geusha".

Hilltribes in and around Pai Thailand (Karen)

Karen

Karen [Yang or Kaliang] belong to the Sino-Tibetan linguistic family. They are found along most of the length of the Thai Burmese border. Their population is about 350,000 in Thailand, with over four million in Burma. This group is the biggest in Thailand. Karen is concentrated mainly in Mae Hong Son province, and western areas of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phayao. Karen are to be found also in the provinces of Tak, Kanchanaburi and Phrachuap Khiri Khan, Lampang, Lamphun, Sukhothai, Phrae, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchaburi, Uthai Thani, Suphanburi and Ratchaburi. Over the past 200 years they have tended to move eastward away from Burma into Thailand because of political conflicts with the Burmese.

Karen has four main subgroups:

• White Karen: Sgaw Karen or Pga-gan-Yaw and Pwo Karen
• Black Karen or Pa-0
• Padung or "long neck" Karen
• Red Karen or Kayah

Traditions: Karen costume for women is very attractive and distinctive. Unmarried girls wear loose white V-necked shifts, decorated with Job's Tear seeds at the seams. Married women wear blouses and skirts in bold colors, predominantly red or blue. Men wear blue baggy trousers, with typically red striped shirts, a simplified version of the women's blouses. Black Karen men wear black shirts with a red cummerbund or head scarf. Karen women are skilled in sewing and dyeing, and dress in white blouse sarong combinations with colorful patterns or beads for trim. They wear their long hair tied back in a bun and covered with white scarves.
Karen villages are located in valleys or mountain slops at an average height of 500 meters. Karen houses are not usually large. Children usually leave the home when married - there is no extended family housing in most Karen villages. Houses are on stilts, made of bamboo or teak. Central steps lead to a porch, with a store room or kitchen to one side, a living area and bedroom on the other. Beneath the house is a working area, often with foot-step operated rice ponder.
The Karen is gentle, peaceful, and cooperative people. The Karen has strict laws against immorality. The village chief has great power over his community and is regarded as the spiritual as well as the administrative leader. The Karen practice monogamy, and most households are nuclear. In all cases, the family represents the most important basic cooperative unit in all domestic affairs.
Karen likes all the tribes are skilled farmers who practice crop rotation, and they also hunt for game, with spears and crossbows, and use tame elephants to help them clear land. Rice and vegetables are their major crops. They raise pigs, chickens, water buffaloes, cattle and elephants. Some animals, mostly chickens, are killed for ceremonial offerings. The Karen used to hire out their elephants or work with them in elephant camps, performing shows for tourists.
Karen is originally animist, but about 25% of Karen living in Thailand have been converted to Christianity by western missionaries.The Karen New Year celebration takes place in January or February.
Padung
The Padung are a sub-group of Karen (Bwe Group) living in Kayah state of eastern Burma near the Thailand border. Their number is less than 40,000 people. The Padung call themselves "Lae Kur" or "Kayan". They have their own language belongs to the Kenmic group in the Tibeto-Burman language family.
In Thailand, only a few families of Padung have settled temporarily as refugees in Muang District of Mae Hong Son Province, living among other hilltribe groups, mostly Karen, and being the one of the main reasons for visiting tourists to that area.
The Padung escape from the Kaya State in Burma to Thailand in this century and are actually refugees of a political turmoil. They belong to the Karenni sub-group of the Karen People, which are still fighting for their independence in Burma.
The Karen-Padung occupied central Burma before the Burmese arrived from the North and they together with the ancient Mon, farmed the Irrawaddy and Salween Valleys and built civilizations based on their unique cultures.
The Padung women are putting brass rings around their necks and distorts the growth of their collarbones and make them look as if they have long necks. Row of brass rings do not actually stretch their necks but in fact squash the vertebrae and collar bones. A woman generally has about twenty or more rings around her neck. This neck ring adornment is started when the girls are 5 or 6 years old.The rings on the arms and the legs are not quite as prominent as those on the neck simply because the neck rings are so pronounced. However, these rings are just as important. The rings on the arms are worn on the forearm from the wrist to the elbow. Those on the legs are worn from the ankles to the knees, and cloth coverings are kept over most of these rings, from the shins down to the ankles.Other Karen-Padung tribes reside in Phrae Province, and Baan Tha Ton in far north Chiang Mai province [close to Aka's Guest Home 14 km from Baan Tha Ton]. The Karen-Padung in Phrae lives in the Wang shin District, in Mae Sin Village, Kang Jai Village and Mae Pong Village. These are in the vicinity of KM 75 on the Phrae-Wangchin Road. The women of these Karen tribes display their beauty, and their status as married women, by wearing carved elephant tusk in their ears. When a woman is married, her ears are pierced and an elephant tusk of one to four centimeters in length is inserted. During the early stages the ear pieces are quite small, especially for younger women. The weight of the tusks gradually weighs down on the ear lobe and the ear gets larger and larger, and longer and longer. Then larger tusks are inserted and the process repeats itself until the woman's ears become extremely elongated and floppy. The married woman wears these ear pieces for life.
Tradition : Padung [who are sometimes referred to as the "Long-Ears"] is one of the oldest of peoples in this part of the world. Long before any of the present day territories were formed by boundaries into nations or countries, the peoples of Southeast Asia, particularly mountain dwellers, practiced a custom known as "Loaded Ears". According to this custom, the ears, being one of the most sacred parts of the body, were an important object of adornment. For beauty in the women and for strength in the men, the ears of both sexes were loaded. Today, among the Karen-Padaung of Phrae and of Burma, this tradition is continued for the female gender only, once married.
Unmarried girls in these tribes do not wear the ear pieces, but they do wear white dresses, in contrast to the red and black dresses worn by the married women, and on the backs of their hands a few magical words are written in spiritual languages. These words carry meaning to bless these girls to have a happy life.
Most of Padung are animists, the number of Christians is increasing because of the Roman Catholic mission. The annual festival for the fertility and prosperity of the whole community is usually held at the beginning of the rainy season. Sacrifices are made to the spirits for good health and bountiful harvests. Rice is the Padung main crop.The tribe of the PadungThe tribe of the "Long Neck " and "Long Ears" Women.There are three Padung villages and all the three are near the Burmese border, not far from the city of Mae Hong Son are Huei Sua Tao, Na Soi and Nam Pieng Din

Hilltribes in and around Pai Thailand

Hilltribes in and around Pai

Akha
Karen
LahuLisu
Yao
Hmong
Taiyai
Palong
Mon

Lawa

Akha

Akha [Ei-Ko] are well known to tourists for their extraordinary costumes and exotic appearance. There are approximately 50,000 Akha living in Thailand. Akha originate from Tibet and Yunnan in China. It is generally believed that Akha originated in the Tibetan Highlands. Over the years they left their homeland and migrated south to Yunnan, North Burma and Laos, and have only recently entered North Thailand, [in the last 150 years].
Akha newcomers from Burma are constantly arriving. Akha are historically linked with the ancient Lolo tribes that inhabit South Yunnan. Akha belong to the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan linguistic family. Akha are less open to change than other hilltribes, proudly retaining their old customs.Akha are animists and ancestors worshippers, prefer to live along mountain ridges at high altitudes of approximately 1,000 m. Akha houses are on low stilts, with a large porch leading into a square living area with a stove, usually at the back. The roof is steeply pitched. Akha village is entered through ceremonial gates, decorated with carvings of "human" life to indicate to the spirit world that beyond here only humans can pass. Outside the gates are wooden sculptures of copulating couples, and the gates may be decorated with a wide variety of "human" artifacts - weapons, tools, and nowadays cars and airplanes. To touch these carvings, or to show any lack of respect, is punishable by fines or the donation of animals for sacrifices. The gates are replaced every year.

Akha New Year

A giant swing in each village presided over by guardian spirits. The four day Swinging Festival, the most enjoyable ceremonial event, in which the headman, followed by the rest of the village, take turns using the swing. The festival is held during mid-August to mid September.

Tradition:

Black caps covered with silver coins, worn by the women. The women's costume is very colorful. The headgear, which is rarely removed is a conical wedge of white beads interspersed with silver coins and topped with plumes of red taffeta, dressed with a loose fitting black jacket with heavily embroidered cuffs and lapels. The man's costume: plain black pants and a lightly embroidered loose jacket.Cultivation: Akha are shifting cultivators, cultivate dry rice , corn, millet, peppers, beans, garlic, sesame and other varieties of vegetables as additional subsistence crops. Crop production is often inadequate to meet their needs. Domestic animals, including fowl, pigs and water buffaloes are also raised by Akha for special feasts and sacrifices. Akha place special emphasis upon ancestor-worship and spirit offerings.Many Akha are now selling handicrafts, employing the traditional skills used in making their own clothing and cultural items. Akha men and women produce various decorative items of bamboo and seeds. Arkha men make crossbows, musical instruments, a variety of baskets, and other items of wood, bamboo and rattan. Akha women spin cotton into thread with a hand spindle; weave it on a foot treadle loom. The cloth is dyed with indigo, then sewed into clothing for the family.

Pai Today

Pai was once a quiet market village primarily inhabited by Shan people, whose culture originated in Burma. As it lies at the feet of the mountains it's a good base for trekking and visiting hill tribes like Karen, Hmong and Lisu. Well-known among backpackers for its relaxed atmosphere, the town is full of cheap guest houses, souvenir shops and restaurants. In the proximity of the town are spas, and elephant-camps. Outside of town several hot springs, natural and man-made, and a waterfall can be found. Another notable attraction is the region's famous Wednesday Market, occurring weekly, which can bring crowds of up to 10,000 local villagers through the course of one day.
Recently Pai has received major infrastructure upgrades including SGA Airline between Chiang Mai – Pai, two of 7-11, several small to medium-size resorts, a couple of live music clubs, beer bars and two traffic lights.
Accommodation The T2T dorm in Pai is a big wooden Thai style house with a large living room and a separate dinning/study room. There are 3 bedrooms with bunk beds and mosquito nets that can accommodate up to 3 volunteers each. The kitchen area is equipped with a gas cooker, toaster, fridge, water kettle and all the necessary cooking ware. The bathroom has a Thai style toilet and a hot water shower. The dorm is located in a typical Thai neighborhood, so it is perfect to experience Thai culture and life. Furthermore, the dorm is walking distance from the schools and all the shops.
Food
The kitchen is well equipped with a fridge, toaster, water kettle and gas cookers so you can cook your own food. In the past, we have enjoyed buying fresh fruit and vegetables from the market in order to practice our Thai cooking skills with the support of Mam. There are an abundance of restaurants and food stalls offering Thai and western food in Pai, some open in the morning, some at night. Every afternoon there is a food market in the main street of Pai and there are several bakeries, food stalls and stores, as well as a Seven Eleven so you can buy “western” food, milk, yogurt etc.
Weather
Due to its elevation, Pai is considerably cooler than most of Thailand. Although still hot during the day (20 to 25 degress in the November to January cool season and above 30 degrees during the March and April hot season) tempratures drop to below 10 degrees at night particularly in the cold season. The cooler climate also brings advantages as its far less humid during the day and the coolor tempratures discourage mosquitos.
Activities
Pai offers plenty of opportunity for adventure and sight seeing. There is climbing, hiking, tubing or rafting down the Mae Nam Pai and numerous waterfalls and hot springs. In Pai town there is a swimming pool and a gym as well as a herbal sauna and we can arrange socio-culturally sound trekking tours to ethnic minority villages.
Pai also offers many opportunities to learn and practise spiritual arts such as yoga, Tai Chi, meditation or massage as well as cooking classes. There is a lively music scene in town with frequent concerts and jam sessions which anyone can join. There is also an excellent selection of books available in the many book stores and last but not least Pai has a little cinema where movies can be chosen individually
How to get to Pai
Pai, is a three hours bus ride from Chiang Mai. Public buses to Mae Hong Son leave from Chiang Mai´s Arcade bus station at 8.30, 11, 12 am and 2, 4 pm. The slightly more expensive 12 seater mini vans leave irregularly whenever filled up.
How to get around Pai
Pai downtown only consists of a few crossroads and can be easily walked or biked around. There are no tuk-tuks or any other means of public transportation around town. Motorbikes can be rented for excursions and private transportation can be arranged on request.

Pai's Season

Pai’s Season
Between August – February is The Pai’s Season
We just know that Pai is "Home of Paradise" for everybody leaving out their routine lifestyle and someone who want to create novel. Long time ago, Pai is well known only in Thai novelists and outdoor adventurers.
Pairivermountain.com
“Come and hear the story of the river and the mountain. Listen to the bird song while you enjoy delicious food and drink surrounded by beautiful nature”.
Pai's Season: Right now It's a time of Pai River, bird song and beatiful nature
Pai Story
Halfway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, the mountain road makes a winding descent into a large green valley carpeted with rice paddies and fruit groves. Mountains rise on all sides and butterflies flit along the streets. Here you'll find a tiny town called Pai, named after the river that runs through the valley.
The Pai River itself is one of the main attractions here. Outfitters organize rafting adventures on some pretty raucous rapids from July to January. Trekking is also popular, with 2- and 3-day treks to Karen, Lahu, and Lisu villages. The adventurous can find a local map for self-guided hikes to nearby waterfalls and caves, but quite a few wayfarers just lounge in town living simply and enjoying the nightlife. Many local business owners are foreigners or bohemian Thais who come here for a better life than in busy Bangkok or Chiang Mai. The town is a bit too laid back for some, but many are drawn to the languid rhythms of this peaceful spot. In Pai, every day is a lazy Sunday.
Attractions
There's little in the way of tour sites in Pai but it's a great place to stroll along country lanes or even rent a motorbike and buzz around the countryside. There are a few small temples: Wat Klang is next to the bus station and has several small pagodas surrounding a central stupa and Wat Hodana and Wat Nam Hu are west of Route 1095: Nam Hu is known for its Chiang Saen-era Buddha, whose hollow head is filled with holy water. There's a waterfall about 7km (4 1/3 miles) west of town past the two wats, and a hot spring about 7km to the east, past the Pai High school.
The Pai River is the most exciting attraction. Overnight White water rafting trips take you through some exciting rapids as well as more scenic lazy spots, through canyons walled with prehistoric fossilized lime and shell as well as a wildlife sanctuary. A pioneer of the rafting business here, long-time resident Guy Gorias runs Thai Adventure Rafting ; tel. 05369-9111. There are regular trips from July to January. Two-day adventures begin and end in the town of Pai. There are many imitators in town, but Thai Adventure is the best outfit by far, with high safety standards and quality equipment. They can also make the necessary arrangements for pick-up and drop-off in Mae Hong Son.
Small trekking companies, operated by locals, are at every guesthouse and all along the main streets. Duang Trekking (Duang Guesthouse; tel. 05369-9101) has a good reputation. Group treks go for 3 days and 2 nights to Lisu, Karen, Tai Yai and Lahu villages in the hills around Pai. Duang Trekking, like its many competitors, is quite flexible and can tailor any trek or provide private guides according to need.

How About Pai "A Tiny Small Town"

Today, Pai "A Tiny Small Town" was developed to be a small modern-town that has a lot of foriegners. Pai was changed from a sleeper to an excited vilage.
From rainny season to the early summer is a time for living in Pai. The most of all is green-forest, mountain scenery, River Pai ( Pai white -Water Rafting)and domestical lifestyle of tribes for trekking and visiting hill tribes like Karen, Hmong and Lisu.
Where to Stay:
Ban Krating Pai
Pai River Moutain
Belle Villa Pai
MuangPai Resort
De Pai
Baan Pai Village
Hut Ing Pai
The Quarter
Rimpai Cottage
Tha Pai Spa Camping
Love Pai Home
Pai River Corner
Pai Sipsongpanna
Pai Hillside and Resort

Pai: The best small town of Thailand and the best White-water rafting, located on halfway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son ( Route 1095 from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son is the best of natural Thailand, the mountain road makes a winding descent into a large green valley carpeted with rice paddies and fruit groves. Mountains rise on all sides and butterflies flit along the streets. Pai, named after the Pai River that runs through the valley.