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BAN
THATON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA:
A UNIQUE ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH
Nestled on the slopes of the densely forested mountain range that separates
the northernmost part of Chiang Mai Province and neighbouring Burma, located
halfway along the scenic tourist route between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai,
lies the Thai Yai or SHAN village of THATON.
Known to the Thais as BAN THATON the village has had a turbulent history. From the mid 1500's to late 1880 the village changed hands between Thailand and Burma several times as a result of minor wars During the 1880's Thaton held an important place in the commercial development of the north.
At that time the Northern bank was considered to be in Burmese territory, the Southern bank Thai, and brisk cross river trade of timber, sap, fruit and other products took place.
BAN THATON was the established loading point for goods going either down river to Chiang Rai, or by road to Chiang Mai. The latest border change took place less than 100 years ago with the official border being moved 2kms upstream. The Shan of the north bank however stayed in place, keeping their own village administration system, their own school and temple.
As a commercial centre, the twin villages of THATON attracted many of the displaced hill tribe groups to inhabit its verdant hills and lush valleys. YAO, LISU, LAHU, HMONG, KAREN and AKHA peoples made their homes here spreading out amongst the foothills and along the riverline.
They were closely followed by CHINESE HAW and the remnants of the KUOMINGTONG army that arrived in the area in 1949. Each group contributing to the agricultural development of the vast rice bowl that is The Fang valley, and the lychee orchards of its foothills.
Today in BAN THATON little has changed. The twin villages on either side of the bank are still distinctly different and maintain their separate administrations albeit under the control of the local Amphur (area administration system).
The north bank village has now been renamed BAN ROM THAI (under the Thai umbrella) and population is still 95% SHAN. The south bank village retains the name BAN THATON (loosely translated as the last boat landing) and is inhabited by the THAI.
On any morning in the village market, SHAN and THAI storekeepers trade harmoniously amongst themselves and the multitude of hill tribe groups and other ethnic minorities that now call the area home.
The mountaintop temple of WAT
THATON boasts 4 giant Buddha images, 2 of THAI origin, and 2 that are
that are typically CHINESE, reflecting the influence exerted by the more
recent arrivals from that country.
In the mountain ranges to the North, in Burma, minority groups such as
the SHAN and the WA are locked in a 50 year old struggle to hold their
own territories against each other and anyone who would take it from them.
Cross border trade continues, albeit in the small hours, and the twin
villages of THATON and BAN ROM THAI are considered "neutral territory"
where peace prevails.
Over the last 25 years the BAN THATON to CHIANG RAI riverboat trip has caught the attention of the tourist market. This scenic journey with its stunning views of hill tribe villages dotted along its banks, interspersed by wild jungle vistas is one of the genuine treasures of the north.
In the last 10 years, several small Resorts, Lodges and guesthouses have sprung up along the banks of the river in and around Ban Thaton. A new major highway now connects Ban Thaton to Mae Chan, making the northern tourist route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai via THATON the preferred choice for tour companies and individual tourists alike.
Visitors to the North, seeking
to observe the lifestyles of the various hill tribes and other ethnic
groups, at "grassroots level" untainted by the more commercial
aspects of tourism, are discovering the unique opportunity that a stay
in THATON affords them.
Tourism is on the increase, and small businesses are developing to accommodate
it. Fortunately, the ability to absorb different minority groups without
change is a characteristic of the village (or villages) of THATON and
BAN ROM THAI, and tourism will bring about little change.
In the never ending quest to discover interesting destinations that provide
access to the genuine lifestyles and cultures of the North, BAN THATON
and it's surrounding area, like a long buried precious stone, is just
being discovered, its charm an open secret…
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For Inquiries & Tour information: tours@track-of-the-tiger.com |