This little girl was so shy at first (she loosened up after we gave her a snack).. I guess I could understand being on public display all day long for the entertainment of tourists, when a little kid actually probably just wants to play.
From a purely cultural perspective, the Chiang Mai region of Thailand is probably going to be the more “real version” of what Thailand is (or was) historically. If you’re looking for cultural attractions and a very relaxed atmosphere, I would personally recommend Chiang Mai over areas like Phuket or Pattaya. First-time visitors to Thailand should make the following itinerary to get the most out of their first trip:
Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Phuket (I am recommending Phuket because of the world-class beaches & a very modern infrastructure, not to mention easy access to places like Krabi and Koh Phi Phi).
More information about the various hill tribes can be found here.
This is a photo I took on my first trip to Thailand, before I started getting moderately interested in photography again (I hadn’t picked up a camera in probably pretty close to ten years).
The primary reason I enjoy this picture, which was taken with a fairly crappy HP point & shoot camera, is the intense look in the girl’s eyes. I can imagine it can be a little uncomfortable being on parade for tourists most of the year.
