Title: Around Lan-Na Subtitle: A Guide to Thailand's Northern Border Region from Chiang Mai to Nan Author: Christian Goodden Published: 1999 Publisher: Jungle Books Price: 750 B

Review

This is a sequel to Three Pagodas by the same author, covering the remaining section of the border area between Chiang Dao and Nan. The author's unique style of supplementing his travelog with anthropological/historical/sociological notes on various ethnic groups he encounters along the way is preserved.

Like Three Pagodas, this book is more useful and enjoyable for the reader with rather extensive traveling experience around this area. The author explores every nook and cranny along the route, and reminds the well-traveled reader how much he has missed!

Compared to Three Pagodas, having been undertaken some five years later, and with practical tips and contacts, this book has more of a feature of a guidebook for advanced travelers than a history book.

Supplied with 32 detailed maps.

Contents 1. Amazing Thailand Introduction, the Asian economic crisis, Chiangmai incl. A brief history of Chiang Mai and Lan-Na 2. A Monarchical Mountain Introduction, Chiang Mai - Chiang Dao incl. Trekking up Doi Chiang Dao 3. Black Snowflakes Chiang Dao - Muang Ngai - Nong Ook 4. Upland Miracles Nong Ook - Xing Shoon - Tam Ngop - Pa Daeng - Ban Luang - Doi Ang Karng - Nor Lae - Fang incl. The new border road Nor Lae - Doi Larng 5. Moonbliss: The Palaung Fang - Palaung Suan Cha - Doi Larng - Taton incl. Some notes on the Palaung people 6. Shining Jade: The Wa Taton - Li Ching - Mae Salong incl. The Wa, Ai Siao-su and recent Wa history 7. Grandpa General: The KMT Doi Mae Salong incl. Brief history of the KMT and of Doi Mae Salong 8. The Akha Continuum: The Akha Mae Salong - Saam Yaek/Saam Soong - Hin Taek incl. The Akha and their culture 9. Yesterday's Man Hin Taek - Huai Poeng - Huai Mor - Sa Ma Ki - Doi Tung - Doi Chiang Moob - Mae Sai incl. Thumgnail sketch of Khun Sa and of his exit from the 'Golden Triangle' stage 10. Golden Triangle Mae Sai - Sob Ruak ('Golden Triangle') - Chiang Saen incl. History of Chiang Saen 11. Entrepreneurial Spirits: The Hmong Chiang Saen - Haat Bai/Kiu Khan - Chiang Khong incl. Hmong history and culture 12. Heavenly Twins: The KMT & The CPT Insurgency Chiang Khong - Wiang Kaen - Pa Taang - Doi Pu Ji Fa - Lao-U - Huak - Chiang Kham incl. History of Pa Taang; the KMT & the communist insurgency 13. Highland Aristocrats: The Yao Chiang Kham - Huai Fuang - Song Kwae - Huai Klaep incl. Some notes on the Yao 14. Casino Bad Boy: The Khmu Huai Klaep/Huai Lao - Song Kwae - Tam - Chiang Klang - Huai Sa Taeng incl. Khmu people, history and culture 15. Flowing River: The Tai Lue Huai Sa Taeng - Lai Tung - Huai Khon incl. Tai Lue people, history, culture 16. Fission and Entropy: The Lua Huai Khon - Huai Sai Kao - Kiu Jaan - Nam Chang - Nam Ri incl. Lua people and culture 17. Salt Well Nam Chang - Sa Kien - Sa Wa - Sa Pan - Bo Glua 18. Papaya Pok-Pok Bo Glua - Pak Huak - Sob Mang - Mae Sa Nan - Don Prai Wan - Santisuk - Pang Chang - Mae Charim - Na Sia 19. The Empty Quarter Mae Sa Nan - Sa Wang - Nam Duang - Rom Glao - Na Sia 20. Money Well Na Sia - Haad Rai - Nam Muap - Bo Bia - Pang Hai - Sao Din - Na Noi - Wiang Sa - Nan 21. The Swallows of Nan Nan town and surroundings incl. Some historical notes on Nan & travellers' impressions of bygone Nan 22. Yellow Leaves: The Mrabri Nan - Du Tai - Huai Liep - Huai Yuak - Pang Poei - Nan incl. Mbrabri people, culture and predicament

Route Sketch