Mentioned about Chiengmai, there is a place you can’t afford to missed-out as this the one and only in the world…the evocative LONG NECK TRIBE. The tribe which an almost mythical Burmese-Thai tribal group is live between Burma-Thai border, which the women of the tribe, have worn ornamental brass rings for centuries. ( Kalau kat Malaysia dah lama kena curik and jual kat besi buruk nie…. Ha…ha…. as some idiots also curi grating longkang depan rumah aku…inikan solid brass ). It was told, the rings are snapped around the neck of the girls at beginning at the age of 5 and every year a few rings may be added up to the limit of 20. But some had it up to 28 they claimed. The Long Neck women wear the colorful garb of northern Thai tribes people, white dress topped with scarves and hats in vibrant hues of red, blue and green. A few young girls also wear the brass rings, but the tradition seems to be dying out. But some younger generation of certain family might still strongly uphold the tradition perhaps, the tourist dollars may keep this people alive and the tradition. Medically I can’t tell you either this going to have any long term effect or not, but they have their pride.
This time, I went to this place with my wife, my little daughter Aisyah, ( get her exposed to some light trekking a bit…ha…ha…by the way she’s still 1 year 8 month..). We fly via Airasia, then stay at modest hotel, but habitable with air-condition, but no-no any 5 stars hotel facilities. The Hotel Royal Guesthouse, is minutes walk from the famous night bazaar in Chiengmai, muslim foods etc. It was a very nice trip…exploring the super huge Chiengmai Sunday Market ( it was the first time I’ve been to Chiengmai Sunday market during this cool season, as I was told, it was the biggest around the year )