The hilltribes of Thailand

The hill tribes living in northern Thailand in relative isolation. The tourism boom in the Southeast Asian country in these populations is introducing external elements that are starting to open a gap of permeability to modernity.

Fotografía por jenniferphoon

But not only tourism is affecting their way of life, but the deforestation caused by agricultural methods of burning and illegal logging is forcing towns to move to lower areas.

The tribes are divided into three main linguistic groups: the Tibeto-Burmese (Lisu, Lahu and Akha), Karen (Karen, Kayah) and the Austro-Thai (Hmong and Mien). Their language is borders that separates the Thai population, but not alone, since these semi-nomadic tribes, in many cases are coming from neighboring Myanmar, have no Thai citizenship and therefore live outside government assistance, although in the last twenty years is making a major effort to integrate these populations. (más…)