Long Neck Karen

Long Neck Karen : To some it can be a strange experience visiting a group of people as a tourist attraction. There are numerous debates about the rights and wrongs of this type of tourism, but the fact is that countless people visit these (often Burmese) tribes who see tourism as their key source of income. The villages are actually refugee camps and people visit to see woman wearing heavy brass rings which make their necks appear very long. The reason for this behaviour is lost in history, but some believe the rings saved women from attacks by tiger. Whatever the reason, lots of people venture out to the villages to see the women for themselves. Some of the villages you can visit include Hoy Sen Thao (which is a short distance by boat from Ban Huay Deua pier) and Nai Soi.

How to get there: Many people approach trips to Long Neck Karen Villages as a tour, and in many respects this certainly is the most convenient way to deal with it. Tours pick up from most major hotels, and in fact are likely to pick you up from many guesthouses as well.