The Kayan (Longneck ) Tribe in Northern Thailand

If you travel to Northern Thailand, you may encounter the Kayan (Longneck tribe) from Myanmar. This group of people came to Northern Thailand in the late 20th century fleeing from conflict from the military regime that governed Myanmar. They settled in refugee camps across the Thai border in the north. Due to them being refugees and having no legal ways to work in Thailand, they opened up their camp to tourists that come to popular cities like Chiang Mai. When in the camp of the Kayan, it looks like a tourists spot with tables set up with merchandise to sell. This is part of the income that allow these people to survive.

I recently visited the village and during this trip I saw one the tourist spots of the Kayan. An attraction to this place is the longneck women. These women wear brass rings to appear that their neck is growing longer, but in fact the rings actually pushes down the shoulders. Some begin wearing these rings as children and add to the rings as they grow older.
The video below explains why these women began to wear the brass rings. After you watch the video, please comment and let me know if you think this is a legit reason for women to adore these brass rings that gives them the nickname “giraffe women”.
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