The border area between Thailand and Myanmar is an interesting place to visit.  The area is filled with jungles and hills which offers great trek routes.  On the way, hikers will come across various hilltribes of the area.  One of the most common is the Karen.

The Karen make up about 7 percent of the total population in Myanmar and an additional 400,000 live in Thailand which is by far the largest hilltribe population in both countries.  They mostly live in the hills bordering the eastern region and the Irrawaddy delta of Myanmar and in north and northwestern Thailand.

Compared to other indigenous people of the area, the Karen prefer to live at lower altitudes, usually residing in valley areas.  They are not nomads and the settlements they make are usually permanent (some have been in existence for centuries).  Their houses are usually made of bamboo raised on stilts, beneath which live their livestock.

The Karen are excellent farmers who practice crop rotation, using elephants to clear the land.  Some of the best elephant trainers and mahouts in Thailand and Myanmar are of Karen origin.  Karen women are excellent weavers.   Unmarried women wear long white dresses and married ladies wear mostly red sarongs and shirts.  These garments as well as bags and clothes the men wear are all woven by the Karen women.  Karen men are also highly skilled at producing musical instruments, animal bells and tobacco pipes as well as being great basket weavers.  Even though the area they live in is famous for the Golden Triangle opium trade, the Karen do not grow or use this drug.

The Karen were originally Animists.  Today, most of them are Buddhists in conjunction with Animism.  A lot of Karen are also Christians, with over 25% of the entire Karen population in Thailand being of the Christian faith.

The Karen hilltribe are a friendly and welcoming people who reserve the highest respects for their ancestors and elders.  If you are in Chiang Mai and would like to trek through this beautiful area and meet the Karen people, then we highly recommend our Mae Taeng Jungle Adventures tour.  You will also get a chance to ride on the back of the mighty and gentle elephant.  Unravel the mysteries of Myanmar with our Burmese Days tour.  Discover its main attractions and experience rarely seen destinations in this memorable tour of the country.  You will also get a chance to see various hilltribes trading their goods in a market, making for a colorful and interesting scene.  You can also see our Thailand tours page or Myanmar tours page for other memorable journeys into these two neighboring but distinct countries.