One of the places I always make sure I visit when I travel is local markets. Why? Because it is one of the best way to learn (more) about the culture there.
Towards the end of my Rosa’s Road Trip in Phetchabun, Thailand, we decided to pop by to see how the “Hmong” tribe were getting down for Thai New Year.
The Hmong is an ethnic group from mountainous regions of China, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. During the IndoChina war period (1940’s-1960’s), the United States and France recruited thousands and thousands of Hmong people in Laos to fight against North and South Vietnam. A large number of Hmong refugees fled to Thailand and settled down here. Since then, most of them still have maintained their own traditions, language and way of life; hence still be identifiable as Hmong.
This market, though, was at the front of “Baan Khek Noi” Hmong village, which is the largest Hmong village in Thailand. Therefore, the market was filled with a mix of Hmong tribe people and Khao Kor local people.
And here is a little video of the market which ends with happy local children celebrating their new year on a trampoline and a big bouncy castle. What a treat! 🙂 Hope you also enjoy the lovely images below 🙂
Bee Xoomsai
Bee’s Journey
