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Hill Tribes
Located in the far northern part of Thailand, Chiang Rai is known as the “Gateway to the Golden Triangle” – the meeting point of Thailand, Burma and Laos. Founded by King Mengrai in 1262, this town was intended to be the new capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Only 34 years after its founding, however, the capital was transferred further south to Chiang Mai. Chiang Rai, thus, declined in importance. Today it is one of the fastest growing towns in Thailand, attractive as a trekking base for tourists as well as a sought-after location for second homes for wealthy Bangkok residents.
Mae Yao is a sub-district in Chiang Rai, a rural area populated by around 12,000 people, 80% of whom are highland ethnic minorities, also referred to as “hill tribes”. This is a collective term for the various tribal people who migrated toThailand towards the end of the 19 th century, having been pushed out of their native homes in Tibet, Burma and China by civil war and political pressures. The six major tribes of Thailand are the Mien, Hmong, Lisu, Karen, Lahu and Akha; the population of Mae Yao is dominated by the latter three groups. Each of these ethnic groups has its own distinctive heritage, clothing, language, religion and culture. Prospects for their future is challenged, as they contend with destructive results of the upheaval in their traditional way of life and competing pressures for land.
The first GCN working team to this area will be going to Pukhou village, about 4 kilometers outside of Chiang Rai. There are 50 families in this village. Subsequent teams may return to this village, or go to others.
Maintaining Cultural Identity
GCN’s community relations inThailand is facilitated by a non-governmental organization named Mirror Art Group (MAG), who has invited GCN to partner in their efforts to help the peoples of the Mae Yao sub-district “make a better life for themselves while still retaining their cultural identities. We believe that with a strong, active community the hill tribes can make the transition to a beneficial coexistence with lowland Thai society and combat such issues as drug abuse, erosion of culture and trafficking of women and children”. Mirror Art Group works directly with the many hill tribe communities on projects of the villagers own direction. To learn more about MAG, please visit their website at http://www.mirrorartgroup.org .
Travel Itinerary
Team members will meet in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, on the first day of the trip. The team will then travel to Chiang Rai by air, where they may spend one day learning more about MAG and their work. Participants will then spend the remainder of the trip living and working with the hill tribe village. There may be time in the middle of the village stay for short day trips, such as trekking, visiting other villages or taking advantage of the many cultural and environmental wonders of this area. The team will take the overnight train from Chiang Mai to arrive in Bangkok for the last evening of the trip before departure. Many GCN participants like to extend their stay before or after the GCN trip in order to leisurely explore some of Thailand’s captivating areas.
Accommodation and Meals
Team members will stay the first night in a Bangkok hotel that is quietly located near Siam Square. It is a central location for exploring Bangkok via public transportation or foot.
In Pukhou, participants should be prepared to reside as a group, either in home stays or in a community building. Electricity and indoor plumbing may not be available in Pukhou. Meals will be taken as a group, prepared by a local cook. Purified water will be available at all times for drinking and food preparation.
Time to Explore
The GCN experience is time in the host community, which allows for plenty of time to get to know the local community in your own way. Often team members like to explore the surrounding area for an occasional day trip. There are many opportunities to partake in cultural ventures depending on one’s interest. This picturesque region is well known for its trekking. Additional attractions include many unique wats (Buddhist temples), visits to other hill tribe villages, viewing of handicraft production and wonderful hill tribe market, among many others.
Health Issues
Participants are required to be in sound health. Potential participants with significant physical limitations are encouraged to check with their physician and discuss the situation with GCN staff beforehand. Some inoculations as well as provisions for high altitude may be required. Check with your local travel clinic or the Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ for accurate information.
Costs
The program cost for this two-and-a-half week trip is $2,225. Program costs covers on-site accommodations (lodging and meals), in-country travel, training materials, donation to the project, emergency medical and evacuation insurance, t-shirt, and a portion of the team leader’s expenses.
Airfare to Thailand, and costs relating to activities outside of the village, are additional and the responsibility of the individual participant.
All trip related costs are tax-deductible in the U.S.
Discounts available (one per person/group)
For further information contact us
Global Citizens Network
130 N. Howell St.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 644-0960 or (800) 644-9292
Contact us
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