An Analogue Morning Stroll Through Ban Thoed Thai (Ban Hin Taek) Morning Market and Beyond.
Recently returned from my extended tour of Northern Thailand with my Honda CRF250L and I plan to do a separate report on that one. As during my previous trip one of my definite highlights again this time was a three day visit to Ban Thoed Thai, or Ban Hin Taek as the locals often refer to it. As many of you are familiar Ban Hin Taek was originally an Akha village and Akha are still the predominant tribe in the area. On top of a myriad of hill-tribe languages such as Akha, Lahu, Lisu and Muser also Thai, Shan and Chinese are widely spoken. It also served as opium warlord and Shan freedom fighter Khun Sa'a base during late 1970's and early 1980's.
Early one morning I decided to leave the bike behind and take a stroll through the vibrant morning market and the village in general.
This walkabout was captured on Kodak Tri-x400 film using two of my vintage rangefinders, 1972 Canonet QL17 GIII and 1952 Kiev 3. Hope you enjoy the somewhat retro look of this walk through a very interesting village.
First let's cross the Mae Kham river from my resort (photograph taken in the afternoon though).
I reached the morning market 06.45 in the morning and it got busy very fast. All the while the main road through town remained extremely quiet.
Myriad of languages spoken throughout the morning and no clothing was out of fashion during this very cold day. It was 13 degrees Celsius when I reached the market.
It seemed the school had some special day as all the students were assembling to the town's main square and dressed either in traditional costumes or ready for sporting activities. With a parade orchestra to gowith of course.
Main road through town still surprisingly quiet round 8.30 in the morning.
Time for a hot cuppa of cappuccino. Lovely little cafe just 30 yards up the road from the petrol station. Fresh coffee for 30.- Baht a cup can't beat that with some tea to go with.
A visit to Khun Sa's old camp is always in order as the place acts as a museum as well. Don't miss it.
Mae Kham river traversing through the town and the area.
And back at my resort, the Ratti kanchana resort. Spotless rooms and taken care of lovely Shan lady.
I will be back.
Recently returned from my extended tour of Northern Thailand with my Honda CRF250L and I plan to do a separate report on that one. As during my previous trip one of my definite highlights again this time was a three day visit to Ban Thoed Thai, or Ban Hin Taek as the locals often refer to it. As many of you are familiar Ban Hin Taek was originally an Akha village and Akha are still the predominant tribe in the area. On top of a myriad of hill-tribe languages such as Akha, Lahu, Lisu and Muser also Thai, Shan and Chinese are widely spoken. It also served as opium warlord and Shan freedom fighter Khun Sa'a base during late 1970's and early 1980's.
Early one morning I decided to leave the bike behind and take a stroll through the vibrant morning market and the village in general.
This walkabout was captured on Kodak Tri-x400 film using two of my vintage rangefinders, 1972 Canonet QL17 GIII and 1952 Kiev 3. Hope you enjoy the somewhat retro look of this walk through a very interesting village.
First let's cross the Mae Kham river from my resort (photograph taken in the afternoon though).
I reached the morning market 06.45 in the morning and it got busy very fast. All the while the main road through town remained extremely quiet.
Myriad of languages spoken throughout the morning and no clothing was out of fashion during this very cold day. It was 13 degrees Celsius when I reached the market.
It seemed the school had some special day as all the students were assembling to the town's main square and dressed either in traditional costumes or ready for sporting activities. With a parade orchestra to gowith of course.
Main road through town still surprisingly quiet round 8.30 in the morning.
Time for a hot cuppa of cappuccino. Lovely little cafe just 30 yards up the road from the petrol station. Fresh coffee for 30.- Baht a cup can't beat that with some tea to go with.
A visit to Khun Sa's old camp is always in order as the place acts as a museum as well. Don't miss it.
Mae Kham river traversing through the town and the area.
And back at my resort, the Ratti kanchana resort. Spotless rooms and taken care of lovely Shan lady.
I will be back.