KO and the Turk: Fun in Chiang Rai

Beautiful Thai dancers at Night Market

Chaing Rai is a northern town in Thailand near the borders of Laos and Myanmar. We stayed at a beautiful hotel, Le Meridian, on the Mekong River. It was so nice that I stayed behind one day when most people went on a tour. It was a spa day - gym, pool and lunch by the river with a tour friend.
That evening we went to the night market -full of wonderful foods and trinkets. There were multiple stages with music and dance. We saw traditional dance, and then traditional adapted to Thai hip hop - quite a mix. It was always a party and we went there each night.

peacock dancer

Watch and listen to the peacock dance

One afternoon, a tour friend and I found a cat cafe and the tour friend had to enter. We had a drink while cats napped and sauntered around. There are rules for the humans in the cafe while the cats are free to do what they want. When you leave, you can brush off the cat hair and wash up after playing with the cats-thank goodness. We enjoyed a $7 1 hour Thai massage after that.

happy and pretty cats, everywhere!

cat rules for humans

From Chaing Rai, we had access to a hill tribes village that was set up by the government to represent how the various tribes traditionally live (the ones who have not moved to the cities). The goal was to stop the production of opium and replace with living wages while producing their local crafts. The families have access to electricity, water and schools and funds go back to their native villages to help preserve their cultures. More girls are now being education through this program. Represented tribes include: Karen, Lahu, Akha, Hmong and Yao. Some originated in south China and migrated to Thailand, while the Lahu tribe came from the Tibetan plateau.

We visited the Karen Tribe, originating from Myanmar, known for their long neck women who wear copper coils around their neck. This was for protection and beauty. Parents decide if their daughter will wear this around 5 years of age. These coils are removed only for medical purposes because their necks are no longer able to support the head.

Karen Tribe: at least I could take my neck coil off

she is wearing creamy paste made from ground bark used for sun screen, smooth skin, acne treatment

part of the village, steep walk

hanging out watching the tourists

beautiful weaving crafts

Yao tribe originally from S China - to Thai in late 1800s

amazing detailed embroidery-Akha hill tribe

mother and baby

Hmong weaver

weaving basket on front porch of bamboo home

typical house where everything has a use

baby swing

Akha musicians

watch and hear the Akha musicians

For many Americans, the first we heard of Chiang Rai was in June 2018 when 12 young football players and their coach were lost in Tham Luang cave. The children and coach were rescued in a cliffhanging rescue that left one life lost, that of a Thai Navy SEAL. We saw several tributes to the Navy SEAL and to the people who risked their lives for the students, including a large mural and a statue, in process, of the man.

a tribute in a temple near Chaiag Rai

Part of a mural depicting the whole experience -these are the people who helped get the kids out

the kids and coach from a photo from before the incident

This area of Thailand is known as the Golden Triangle - Thailand, Laos, Myanmar - where opium has historically been a main business. This area, along the Mekong River is known for its beautiful scenery. The Turk took this tour while I had my spa day. His day included a long tail boat ride on the Mekong, a rough bus trip inland for a local lunch.

He visited the Scorpion Temple - a monument to the king who prevented Burmese from taking the northern kingdom of Thailand (Lanna).