Thailand Tourism- A Human Zoo

Ever been to a zoo? How about a human zoo? Created by Thai business interests, who charge an $8.50 entrance fee for foreign guests, the settlement is essentially a live-in gift shop.

Of the roughly 120 inhabitants of her camp, Huay Pukeng, more than 30 are females laden with neck rings. They are required to await tourists from morning to dusk and scratch out a living selling trinkets, T-shirts and photo-ops.Travel agents call it “long-neck tourism.” Human rights watchdogs, including the United Nations refugee commission, prefer the phrase “human zoo.”

As refugees, the Kayan are forbidden from leaving the province in which they’re registered. They can, however, acquire work permits, which are coveted among Burmese refugees. All receive an allowance of food and toiletries while women wearing brass rings pocket an additional $50 a month.

These fees cover their daily needs, medical treatment, childrens education, aids in the developement of their community, and other things.

Most of the criticism comes from the perceived self-inflicted cruelty from the heavy rings. Would you visit?

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/thailand/110128/thailand-tourism-burma-refugee-chiang-mai

Brandon VanLoon