Saturday, March 6, 2010

Doi Tung/ Chiang Rai



Sawat Dee Kah!! AJ and driver pick me up at 8:30AM to drive to Doi Tung, located high in the Doi Nang Non Mountain range along the Thai-Myanmar border. This place was where Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother lived until the end of her life. She received recognition by UNESCO on the centenary of her birth as an Outstanding Personality of the Century.

Under her initiative, the hill tribes of this area have revived their lives, ending their earlier slash and burn agricultural practices. They have stoped the planting of poppies and have begun environmentally sustainable farming of temperate fruits, vegetables, flowers, coffee and macadamia nuts. They have revitalized their traditional skills in embroidery, and weaving using native raw materials and local artistry with modern fashion styles.

The Queen Mother established acres of flower gardens reminiscent of England, which employ hundreds of people from the surrounding ethnic communities of the Akha, Lahu, Tai Yai and Chinese immigrants.

Through out Thailand I saw shops with textiles, clothing, paper and coffee all under the Doi Tung name. I found the textiles to be of high quality and design, some of the best available in Thailand. I bought a beautiful black and white shawl at the Doi Tung shop.

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