Our trip to the Chiang Dao Elephant Conservation Center included a ride on an elephant to a Lisu Hill Tribe village. The Lisu are one of seven major hill tribes in Northern Thailand. Most of these have found their way into Thailand in just the last century, escaping war & persecution in surrounding regions. In recent years, many have been fleeing Myanmar (Burma). The tribes have their own language, customs and dress and most have not thoroughly integrated into Thai society. Many, in fact do not even have Thai citizenship in spite of living in here for multiple generations. Tourism provides the tribes with much needed income.

Some interesting websites on the northern hill tribes: hilltribe.org, 1stopchiangmai.com and brennanoconnor.com.

All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Daren Willden, unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved.