When most travelers think of Thailand, their minds wander to neon-soaked nightlife in the Bangkok. To others, the country is a gateway to the exotic splendor and party atmosphere of the islands. Of course, those aren’t the only cultural offerings that Thailand provides the curious traveler. In the Northern and Western regions of the beautiful country live a variety of indigenous peoples who have managed to turn their traditional way of life into a means of survival in a modern era by opening up to tourism. Treking around Chiang Mai to intermingle with them has become a big business and a must-do for travelers. Let’s take a look at some of the captivating hill tribes of Thailand.
1. The Hill Tribes of Thailand Were Left Largely Alone Until the 1950s
It was then that, thanks to an unsustainable increase in their numbers, the Thai government stepped in to help combat the rampant poverty, disease, and persistent statelessness. In order to accomplish this task, the government established the National Committee for Hill Tribes.
