Title: Three Pagodas Subtitle: A Journey Down the Thai-Burmese Border Author: Christian Goodden Published: 1996, 2002 (revised) Publisher: Jungle Books Price: 950 B

Review

The author engaged himself in a series of border journeys in early 1990s--mostly on a 125cc Honda Wing, but also on foot, boat and hitching a pickup--and put them together to form this travelog.

This book isn't for everybody. To thoroughly appreciate the author's accounts, the reader should himself have explored around the border area rather extensively, and have some background knowledge of--or willingness to learn--the anthropology and sociology of various ethnic groups.

Today, a decade after the author's exploration, this book has a historical value. Many things have changed--or modernized--along this route and this book provides invaluable accounts of how things were in yesteryears.

Also, in this 2002 edition, the author provides update information at the end of each chapter, allowing the reader to grasp social/political transitions during the past decade.

Supplied with 30 detailed maps.

Contents 1. Mr Donut Coming Soon: The KMT Chiang Mai - Chiang Dao - Muang Ngai - Muang Na - Kae Noi - Chong - Wiang Haeng incl. Brief history of the KMT in Burma and Thailand 2. The Wiang Haeng Hilton Wiang Haeng 3. Poppy Men: Warlords Mo Heng & Khun Sa Piang Luang 4. Spirit Well & Spirit Cave Wiang Haeng - Kong Lom - Muang Noi - Pai - Soppong - Luuk Kao Laam - Bo Pi - Mae Hongson 5. Tuk-Tuks in Shangri-La Mae Hong Son 6. Dark Secrets: The Wa Mae Or incl. Maha San and recent Wa history 7. The Dragon & The Wind: The 'Long-Neck' Padaung & 'Long-Ear' Kayaw Mai Nai Soi 8. Worsted in Wizardry: The Lawa & The Karenni Mae Hong Son - Khun Yuam - Mae La Noi - Mae La Oop - Mae Sariang incl. Some notes on the Lawa people, their history and culture, A thumbnail sketch of the Karenni (Kayah) people & state, the KNPP & KNLP 9. Rebel HQ: The Karen People & Rebellion Mae Sariang - Mae Saam Laep - Manerplaw incl. Karen people and culture 10. Singing Girls Manerplaw - Ban Ta Song Yang - Mae Salid - Mae Ramat - Mae Sot 11. Death Highway Mae Sot - Saw Oh - Pop Pra - Wa Lay - Rom Glao No4 - Mae Klong Ki - Um Pang 12. The Driverless Komatsu Um Pang - Klo To/Sa Kaang Thit - Nu Po - Kui Le Tor 13. Extraterritorial Kui Le Tor - Boeng Kloeng - Mae Ta Ro Ta - Lae Tong Ku 14. A Jungle Man-God: The Telakhon Rishi Sect Lae Tong Ku incl. History and culture of Lae Tong Ku & the Telakhon rishi sect 15. Eleven Tigers Lae Tong Ku - Kui Le Toeng - Muang Rae - Titabong - Ti Po Choe - Ti Po Mo 16. Three Pagodas: The Mon Ti Po Mo - Ti Lai Pa - Ko Ta Doe - Doe Nae Po - Sa Nae Pong - Pra Chedi Saam Ong (Three Pagodas) incl. Mon people, history and culture

Route Sketch