Comments on: Meeting a Real Padaung Giraffe Woman of North Thailand

By: maitravelsite

maitravelsite — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:16:44 +0000

In reply to Iñigo. You´re welcome!

By: Iñigo

Iñigo — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:23:00 +0000

I didn’t know that padaung womwn were exploted. Thank you for the information!

By: guy@skull rings

guy@skull rings — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:59:22 +0000

Fantastic photos and great explanation of what you saw. These women have taken to carry on a tradition. I would rather not see such a young girl who had no say in the matter to carry on though.

By: maitravelsite

maitravelsite — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:36:37 +0000

In reply to Lawrence Michaels@Phuket Beach. They are certainly not as fascinating as one would hope them to be.

By: Lawrence Michaels@Phuket Beach

Lawrence Michaels@Phuket Beach — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:57:53 +0000

I’ve never visited any of the long necked tribes in Thailand. There is actually one near my home in Phuket, although it probably isn’t the same as those up north. I have always been fascinated by them, but after reading your comment about the “human zoo’s” I don’t think I really want to go visit them.

By: Haley

Haley — Sat, 28 May 2011 01:06:38 +0000

Vere interesting information about Thailand’s culture,Laura.Thanks for your sharing

By: maitravelsite

maitravelsite — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 03:46:32 +0000

In reply to Erica. I have not seen traditional Mayan villages...are there any left?

By: Erica

Erica — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:38:56 +0000

I have quite the dilemma coming up as well when it comes to seeing traditional Mayan villages. I don’t think I’m going to go, but I do think that the picture highlight what exactly is going on there. At least people will be more educated on the matter before going to see them?

By: maitravelsite

maitravelsite — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:20:32 +0000

In reply to Jamie. And perhaps if you're not an experienced traveler you cannot appreciate what is and what should be.

By: maitravelsite

maitravelsite — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:16:19 +0000

In reply to Caz Makepeace. Now that you mention it, I can imagine the Masai show being as you describe. Truth is that we are not really seeing what they actually do, but are instead watching a show. Which I guess is fine too- we wouldn't let strangers into our houses with cameras...

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:54:08 +0000

I think because it is such a foreign culture for so many Western tourists that they don’t quite realize the situation at hand. When you are a stranger in a strange land your are hesitant to judge other cultures.

By: Caz Makepeace

Caz Makepeace — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:11:43 +0000

A really interesting dilemma. I’m not sure what I would do. There are places like this around the world. When we stayed with the Masai in Kenya it felt a little like this as well. Tourists would come, take photos, do the dance and be on their way. I found it a really interesting experience and I learned a lot about their customs and way of life.
Of course, I spent money there in order to help them. I think if you go to these places with the intent to learn and share, then you should feel okay about documenting it. As long as you don’t treat them like they are animals in the zoo and talk to them about their lives.
As Laura mentioned this is how many tribal people put food on their tables these days.

By: Michael Hodson

Michael Hodson — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 21:57:29 +0000

such interesting photos and stories — thanks for sharing

By: Michael Hodson

Michael Hodson — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 21:56:52 +0000

such interesting photos and stories

By: maitravelsite

maitravelsite — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 05:51:30 +0000

In reply to Aleah. An interesting dilemma. I guess the only way of finding out would be speaking with them...

By: Aleah

Aleah — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:40:14 +0000

In reply to maitravelsite. I saw a South Asian national throw garbage on the streets of Manila once. I asked him (a medical doctor) why he did that; he could have easily thrown it in the trash can. He told me that if nobody threw litter on the street, the street sweepers would be out of a job. So what will the Padaung women do? Find another way to earn, I suppose. I don't know really; I don't know how they feel being ogled like animals in the zoo. Do some of them want another life but can't because they're required to stay there and smile for the tourists? I don't know :)

By: maitravelsite

maitravelsite — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:02:31 +0000

In reply to Ed. Hi Ed, thanks for your words. In a way these ladies don't mind having the picture take, in fact they like it because it means money for them and can mean more. But the setup is nothing like what it should be; when there it doesn't feel like a poor and small town but like a basic human zoo, where the ladies are on display instead of living a life. I hope you can visit it too, and it would be great to know what you think.

By: maitravelsite

maitravelsite — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:59:39 +0000

In reply to Aleah. I like the idea, and I am not the only one as you can see from the text links. Because of this I brought the issue out, and those who read it before getting there may keep an eye out for what they see. But then, as Laura pointed out, what will happen if tourists stop going there? The lades won't make money and then...?

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 08:44:07 +0000

I can definitely relate with you Federico, I understand how it is be caught up in the situation wherein you might ask if this is the moral thing to do or not. Even up to now, it’s still a tough call on my end. I’m not even sure if blurring the faces would be applicable as the thought of posting these are there. According to what I’ve learned, when the alleged subject will complain and ask you to take it down, you need to take it down. The thing here is that these women, most likely, can’t complain. I just hope that with the money that they get, they’re compensated well.

“I knew was that they live somewhere in Asia, and that when I grew up one day I would travel the world, look for them, and see for myself how these ladies really are and live.” — I also want to visit this place too.

By: Aleah

Aleah — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 08:34:37 +0000

Instead of just taking the picture down, why don’t you become an advocate of the Padaung women? As you said, there are a lot of tourists there; most certainly they will post these things. Simply taking your picture down would not benefit them; there are hundreds of other pictures online. But you have a good site, one that’s visited by a lot of people. You could certainly make a difference.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:56:43 +0000

Very interesting issue and I agree that it is good that you posted about it. I’ve been travel blogging a year now and I just know that a situation is going to come up where I have to consider whether it is a good idea to post a photo or not. Any person you photograph could arise as an issue for whatever reason. In particular, I think photographs of children, whether artistic or whatever are a bit touch and go in the ethics department if their faces are shown. I don’t know what the right answer is here. If you leave the photo up with this post discussing the issue, perhaps it is okay? Could you link to a charity (I don’t even know if there is one for this cause) that helps these women and solicit donations? As a standalone shot, though, I think it would need to come down.

By: maitravelsite

maitravelsite — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 03:13:13 +0000

In reply to Elise. I agree, and am pleased you liked th post

By: maitravelsite

maitravelsite — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 03:11:53 +0000

In reply to dtravelsround. I am very sure I will, but it's good to hear what you have to say :)

By: maitravelsite

maitravelsite — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:24:16 +0000

In reply to Laura. Upon receiving the email my first reaction was to remember the visit and bring it down, but on a second thought I contemplated your final question too. If tourists stopped visiting the village and the Padaung women stopped making the little money they do, would the Thai government reconsider their situation and respond in a humanitarian way? I am sure that many backpackers like you and I have been there, and probably left with sorrow, but hearing opinions directly is much better and emphasizes the issue. Thanks for the well elaborated response!

By: Elise

Elise — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 05:14:55 +0000

You said it all so well Laura!

At the end of the day, it is how you feel about the photos as to what you wish to do with them. Thanks for the interesting post though

By: dtravelsround

dtravelsround — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 02:16:40 +0000

Very interesting and honest post. I agree with Laura … it was good that you addressed the issue. However, like Laura, I think I would remove the photo, too.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:56:28 +0000

I really liked the fact that you called attention to this issue first, rather than just taking the photo down and saying nothing. For those who have traveled a lot, we’ve all been in a situation where it felt like a complete set up or we’ve participated in activities that are questionable. You can’t be ashamed in the fact that you’ve done it… you have to learn from it and move on. Personally, I would take the photo down, because if you don’t stand behind what is happening, then it’s not a real representation of you. Of course, I could open up a can of worms at this point and throw out “Well what will happen to these women if tourists stop visiting? How will they survive?” but that’s probably left for another discussion 🙂