I have been reading some older posts in advance of my upcoming tribe to Chiang Rai.
One post, from "Dan" back in 2000 said that many of the hill tribes are controlled by "warlords/druglords" who use tourist $ to fund arms. Does anyone know if this is or was true? Is there a "culturally sensitive" way of going to see tribes such as the Karen? Can someone recommend a guide or tour?

i have been to a couple of hill tribe settlements...traditionally they were involved in the opium trade but efforts have been made to change this...it is somewhat successful...instead they are moving into the tourist business...less work and good money...

they seem quite geared up to this industry...for this reason i found the visits fake and self-serving....others disagree...i'll leave it at that..

We went to hilltribe villages via Lisu Lodge outside of Chiang Mai over Christmas. The tour company pays the villages to bring the hikers through. In most villages they had arranged for us to go into a house of a village leader and drink tea with the host. The guide would interpret, ask questions, etc. Most of our hosts seemed relatively shy, truly welcoming to us, but also had wares available for sale from the villagers. It is, of course, a business for them.

In most villages we were welcome to wander through the streets and take photos--in one village the arrangement was that if you wanted to take a photo of a person, you asked and paid a fee to them if they agreed. We did not visit any longneck Karen tribes who seem to be on the top of many peoples' lists.

We thought the best way we could see their country and their villages was to hire a private guide so we would just be the three of us (two larger groups of 6-8 were on the same trail behind us those days so still quite an impact). We quietly moved through the villages, greeted people, accepted hospitality, but did not overdo the photography. It was interesting for us to see their homes, their clothing, and their daily lives. Many of the children were anxious to see us, look at the digital camera images, and wait to see if we had anything to give them. The adults were less open and inviting. In the village where we ate lunch, I gave the sandwich from my huge provided box lunch to the woman in whose house we were eating. I saw children in the village with tangerines given by the other trekkers. Some people recommend taking gifts such as Thai books for the children as they are ofen up to 40 children in a one-room school.

Our guide told us that they are still working on the drug trade. There are checkpoints on the highways leading into the area where police check ID--she said they were specifically looking for hilltribe people transporting drugs or improperly documented outsiders seeking the drugs. Now that the income from the drugs has been cut, many villages are looking to tourists for income. Many of the young people have gone to the cities for work as well. I'd rather support their handicraft, farming, and tourist work, so I did purchase items directly from the villagers.

Thanks Kay2, this is interesting information.

rhkkmk- thanks for sharing your impressions. I'm sure I will also find authenticity lacking in a visit to the hill tribes, but thought I'd give it a try.

every experience is an experience and worthwhile

When we were driving through N.Thailand and saw there was a small village away from the main road we would just park and walk up to the boundary of the village, which could have involved a walk of a kilometre or more across open fields or along a jungle trail, and wait for someone to come up and welcome us and invite us to stroll around.

It was then all very low key - taking photos had to be done diplomatically, and a monetary token of thanks was well received. We also always tried to have a little gift - e.g. a toy kangaroo, or a postcard to show where we were from. Guess where?

Harzer