The Truth About Thailand’s Long Neck Village 🇹🇭

Is visiting a Long Neck village a "human zoo" or a way to support a unique culture? On Day 3 of our Mae Hong Son Loop journey, we traveled 18km outside of town to find Huay Pu Keng, widely considered the most authentic Kayan (Long Neck) village in Thailand. To get there, we had to navigate mud, cross the powerful Pai River by boat, and enter a world where traditions are being kept alive by a resilient refugee community. We sat down with the Kayan women to ask the questions everyone wonders: Do they ever take the rings off? Can they marry outside the tribe? How do they live without a power grid or citizenship? Join us as we explore the village, try on the heavy brass rings ourselves, shop for authentic handmade crafts, and share a meal (and a few surprises!) in this beautiful, remote corner of Northern Thailand. What we cover in this video: 00:00:40 - Departing Mae Hong Son: The mission to find Huay Pu Keng 00:01:40 - Navigating landslides and finding the secret intersection 00:03:14 - Crossing the Pai River: The boat ride and the cost 00:05:46 - Entering the village and the first shop encounter 00:06:18 - Trying on the rings! (How heavy are they really?) 00:08:04 - How the rings are actually put on the neck 00:08:20 - Interview: History, marriage, and the new generation 00:10:02 - The truth about their refugee status and Thai government support 00:11:03 - Shopping for authentic handmade scarves and carvings 00:12:40 - Why this village is different from the ones in Chiang Mai 00:14:48 - Exploring deeper: The school, the church, and the "Human Zoo" debate 00:18:33 - Trying local food: Khao Soy and a "chicken" surprise 00:22:13 - Living without electricity: Solar power and mountain water 00:23:51 - Final chat with Son: Sleeping with the rings and the "No Handshake" rule 00:25:40 - Leaving the village: Was it worth it? Let's connect on Instagram:   / dctravelerexperience   -- #thailand #travelseries #DCTraveler