The Padong Long Neck Women are a "tourist attraction" in Northern Thailand. Their tribe migrated to Northern Thailand from Myanmar (formerly Burma). During my tour of Thailand I visited their village. These women are synonymous with the brass coils that they wear around their necks to "stretch" their necks and make them appear longer. Actually, the coils push their shoulder blades down, giving the appearance of a long neck.
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| A Long Neck woman of the Padong tribe weaving |
While walking around their village, I was struck by how much the women were like mannequins at a museum. I found the experience to be really creepy and uncomfortable. Here I was walking around gawking at these women, while they sat doing their weaving, making their crafts and having people take photos of them.
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| A Long Neck woman of the Padong tribe and her baby |
I was actually looking forward to seeing them when I booked my tour. Their tribe was something I had read about Thailand and it would be a cultural experience. But I did not enjoy it, in the end. I wish I had never gone to see them.
Everyone will react differently to this experience, and I encourage you to go if you are interested in the Padong tribe. But, be aware that it may not be what you expected.
~Angie
