...Lovely Long Neck Women Of The Padung Tribe N. Thailand...

As The Padung Longneck Women are a small minority hill tribe in the Golden Triangle of Thailand. This Tribe is located near Ban Nam Phiang Din, in the Mae Hong Son province of Northern Thailand, near the border of Burma, in a secluded valley outside the provincial City Mae Hong Son.
Young Paduang girls start wearing these rings from the early age of six -12 years adding one or two more rings yearly, until about 16 years old. the rings are On forever, if one removed the full coil of rings it would the collapse or even fracture the woman's neck. ( So they can NOT be removed!!! Paduang hill tribe woman Paduang Woman Weaving In the past, The Story Say's removal of the rings was a punishment for adultery. The punishment was, that since the neck muscles had been severely weakened, by many years of no support of the neck, the woman has to spend her life, holding her head with both hands or lying down... How Sad!

...Padung Long Neck Women and Child...

...PADUNG WOMEN IN LAKE!!...

the 6000 members of the Padong tribe in Burma, where around 300 of them went to Thailand, almost twenty or so years ago, to escape the Burmese repression. The Thai governments helped to set up the Paduang village in a small valley of Mae Hong Son province. the Paduang tribe in the Golden Triangle has about 475 members..or so..
The extreme weight of these rings have over the years pushed down and deformed their collar bone and even the upper ribs, their collar bone looks to be part of the neck not sure of this..Sure Looks So!

...Doi Kong Mu Temple...

Early this morning we fly to Mae Hong Son, At least that is what we thought! Happens the clouds over the mountains made it almost impossible, but alas they cleared & finally we arrive in the sleepy little town of Mae Hong Son, which is hidden deep in the valley ringed by beautiful mountains, in a setting fit for Shangri-La!! In the towns are some of the most beautiful Burmese-style temples with their tiered roofs, One of them is the Temple Doi Kong Mu where we were able to see the most beautiful sunset. The surrounding countrysides have some of the most breathtaking views!! many Hill Tribe Villages and a wonderful cave that we were told was to have been used in prehistoric times.

...Myself At The Temple...

Your can drive to Mae Hong Son if you have the time, on a winding road through some of the Norths finest hill country. It is about 400 miles from Chaing Mai.

Today we go by foot and Elephant through some of the rainforest in southeast Asia. If only our trusty Elephant and Mahout spoke English, It would have been much easier!!!

... Man On The Makong...

After a few hours, we were ready to take a raft down the river. So we thought.

The best way to apprecate the natural beauty of the North is by trekking through the jungles. On foot, by jeep, by elephant back which is one of the way's we choose to do or by river rafting which I personally enjoyed doing. While overnight stops are made at hilltribe villages it is here you gain rare insights into tribal life. I don't suggest you do these treks alone! There are many travel companies available in Thailand that can help you arrange Treks that can last from one day to a week with an experienced guide whom at least speaks their language.

... More Of Our Photos of Thailand... ...

For those you that have little time a neat way to experience the jungle is to take one of the long-tail boat which plies the Kok River between Tha Thorn, which is north of Chaing Mai to Chaing Tai. This journey of just a few hours is a memorable experience. The same trip can be covered more leisurely by raft, stopping at hilltribe villages along the way. This can partly be done by all three above.

....On The River Raft...

We Decided to Do A Jungle Trek By Elephant...To Me was A Mistake! As The Elephant Was doing ok...But with not much to hold on toooo When He Decided to go down hill ...Then up Hill... For sure I thought I was going to go flying...Our Mahout Got Annoyed with the big boy And threw a few stones At Him...I am freaking out that the elephant was not going to be to happy! ha If the Mahout spoke any english I would have paid him to Go back..No GO!!!!

...Get On Here! Are You Crazy...

...STAY TUNED OUR THAILAND JOURNEY CONT. THAT IS IF I AM STILL ALIVE HA..!!!

...How Much To Get OFFFFF!????...

Between Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai you will find an Elephant Training Camp..It has it's own zoo..And A river ride..Which is neat if you have the time..It depends What part of the year it is as there are times the river is to low .. So Small Planes are available ...to see the splendor of life in the countryside..
Also in Chaing Rai..You can can do an elephant safari However, We took our own way of doing this and as you see above for me it was very scary.As the elephant had no problem going up and down steep hills but it truly felt like we were going to fly off of him!!! For Sure......Now If you want stay at a hill tribe village..

In Mae Hong Son..Which is a distant out post of the Thai Kingdom...which is much influenced by Burma which borders it..you can also Visit the Doi Kong Mu Temple which is beautiful.. There are many Places to shop and eat at the many noodle stands which are Burmese style places to eat..Mae Hong Son Has some of the most unspoiled Rain Forest in S.East Asia..Hey If your Brave try The Elephant..But Don't Blame me! ha..

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