These traditional outfits range from the Lahu, Lisu tribes and traditional Thai outfits. In everyday city society, it is unlikely that you’ll see people wearing these outfits in the street, unless they’re trying to sell you something. However, the Thai outfits are worn by the school children at least once per week as their school uniform, and traditional outfits are often worn in rural areas , as well as to ceremonies such as weddings, and other special occasions.
The photo of the two young girls with the purple sleeves, are in Lisu dress. The photo of the two young girls in black dress with red lining are Lahu dresses; so are the older girls with the blue, red, and purple embellishment.
The boy in the red pants and white shirt, is wearing a Thai outfit, and the boys in orange are wearing Northern Thai outfits.
It is all very interesting to look at the varying cultural traditions, and different forms of dress, but these children, and thousands like them, in northern Thailand are stuck between two worlds. In able for them to secure their futures in Thailand, it is essential to be able to assimilate into Thai culture. A Thai ID card is already difficult to get for many of the Hilltribe people, and they are often still discriminated against because of race despite having obtained Thai nationality. To most Westerners, they look the same as the rest of Thailand. However, the Thai can discern even a Bangkok born Thai national from Chiang Mai, or even Chiang Mai and Lampang, which, are only 100kms apart.
These children thus, must learn to be Thai, while at the same time, hold on to their own cultural traditions and historical background. No society wants to lose their identity in order to adapt another. And this is one of the challenges with working with the minorities; to encourage them to continue to hold onto and develop their traditional identity, while also helping them assimilate into Thai culture.
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